Halloween in Salem, Home of the Witch Trials
Visit Salem, MA - The Site of the Famous Salem Witch Trials
Oct 27, 2008
Salem, Massachusetts is the site of many haunted happenings each Halloween, including Halloween festivals and fairs, Halloween costume contests, Quidditch matches, the Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo, and many other Halloween-themed events.
Salem Haunted Happenings: Halloween in Salem, MA
Made famous by the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the seaside community of Salem is home to a large contingent of paranormal-themed shops with Wicca spellbooks, candles, incense, genuine crystal balls and books on topics like ancient runes, astrology, parapsychology, and witchcraft.
Located about 40 minutes north of Boston via Route 128, Salem attracts paranormal and witchcraft enthusiasts throughout the year. But when All Hallows Eve arrives on October 31, Salem transforms into a Halloween mecca.
Each Halloween, Salem turns into a haunted hot spot for enthusiasts of the paranormal, psychics, Wicca, witchcraft and all that is haunted, mysterious and beyond ordinary.
Halloween visitors to Salem can expect to enjoy a wide array of Halloween events that are part of the annual Salem Haunted Happenings, a Halloween festival that includes shopping, costume contests, exhibits, performances and other fun activities for the entire family.
In past years, Halloween visitors to Salem were even treated to a real-life Quidditch match, though this version of the sport made famous by J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series was played on the ground rather than on flying broomsticks!
The Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witchcraft Museum is a must-see museum for any visitor to Salem, especially around Halloween.
The Salem Witchcraft Museum offers extended hours during the entire month of October and visitors to the popular Salem museum can enjoy a guided tour and presenatation on the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1962.
According to the Salem Witch Museum's website, "By summer [of 1962], 180 people had been accused and imprisoned - defenseless against accusations of witchcraft in a society driven by superstition and fear...The Salem Witch Museum brings you there, back to Salem 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692."
Located in the heart of Salem, the Salem Witch Museum is open year-round, with extended hours during Halloween. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $5.50 for children. Visit The Salem Witch Museum's website for directions, information on the latest Witch Museum exhibits and more.
The Festival of the Dead: Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo
The Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo is held throughout the entire month of October. The 2008 Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo is scheduled to continue through Halloween weekend, ending Sunday, November 2.
According to the official Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo website, Salem tourists can enjoy:
- Tarot Card Readings
- Clairvoyant Visions
- Spirit Mediumship
- Palm Readings
- Aura Photography
- Crystal Ball Scrying
- Past Life Readings
In addition, representatives from WitchSchool.com will be on hand to answer questions about Witchcraft and Wicca.
This popular Halloween event in Salem is held at the Museum Place Mall, located at 176 Essex Street in Salem's downtown district. Admission to the expo, located a block away from The Salem Witch Museum, is free.
For residents of New England and visitors to the Boston area, Salem is a favorite destination, especially during the month of October, leading up to Halloween. Halloween in Salem is guaranteed to be an experience like no other!
Visit the Haunted Halloween Page for unique costume ideas for pets and people, Jack-o-Lantern carving tips, a look at a genuine haunted house - The Whaley House of San Diego, CA, and more!
