Creative Collective to Manage Salem’s 2025 Haunted Happenings Marketplace
Expanded Partnership Includes Salem Common, Derby Square, Old Town Hall, and Front Street Programming Through November 2
SALEM, MA – Creative Collective LLC returns to manage Salem’s Haunted Happenings Marketplace for the 2025 season, operating vendor markets and entertainment programming from September 26 through November 2, 2025. The renewed contract represents a key component of Salem’s comprehensive October programming, coordinated with the City of Salem, Destination Salem, Salem Main Streets, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and other community partners.
The 2025 marketplace season kicks off next week and will feature multiple locations and expanded programming:
Salem Common Artisan Markets
- Mayor’s Night Out: Friday, September 26 (10 am-9 pm)
- Weekend Markets: September 27-28, October 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
- Saturdays: 10 am-8 pm
- Sundays: 10 am-6 pm
- Halloween Week: October 27-31 (10 am-9 pm)
- Note: October 4-5 managed by Salem Chamber of Commerce
Derby Square Markets
- Full Season: September 27-28, October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
- Halloween Week: October 27-31
- Extended: November 1-2
- Hours:
- Saturdays: 10 am-8 pm
- Sundays: 10 am-6 pm
Old Town Hall Food Market
- Season: September 25 – November 2
- Hours:
- Thursday-Friday: 4 pm-8 pm
- Saturday: 11 am-8 pm
- Sunday: 11 am-6 pm
Creative Collective, which has managed the Haunted Happenings Marketplace since 2018, will oversee vendor operations across these locations while coordinating with other October events, including the Grand Opening Parade (October 2), Children’s Fair (last two October weekends), the Devils Chase Road Race, the Witches Magic Circle (October 31,) and many more happenings throuhgout the month.
The marketplace operates within Salem’s broader Haunted Happenings framework, which expects to welcome approximately 1.15 million visitors throughout October 2025, with peak days seeing 100,000+ visitors. The vendor program works in coordination with enhanced public transportation options, including expanded MBTA Commuter Rail service and increased Salem Ferry capacity, as the city has only 4,000 public parking spaces.
What Visitors Can Expect
This year’s marketplace features a carefully curated selection of vendors offering:
- Handmade, unique, and Salem-inspired products from local artisans
- Priority placement for Salem and North Shore businesses
- Designated spaces for Salem-based nonprofits
- Entertainment programming featuring dozens of performance slots throughout the season, with the big Halloween Night celebration.
- A diverse mix of offerings that capture Salem’s unique October atmosphere
Year-Round Support Meets October Excellence
While October represents Creative Collective’s most visible public-facing event, the Haunted Happenings Marketplace is a natural extension of the organization’s year-round mission to support Essex County’s small business community. Throughout the year, Creative Collective provides comprehensive business services to over 300 members across the region, including marketing promotion, technical assistance, business consulting, and community connections.
“The Haunted Happenings Marketplace isn’t just an October event for us – it’s where our year-round ecosystem of makers, artisans, and small businesses gets to shine on Salem’s biggest stage,” says John Andrews, Founder of Creative Collective. “Many of our marketplace vendors are Creative Collective members who we support throughout the year with marketing to our 100,000+ social media followers, peer-to-peer business learning, and collaborative problem-solving. October is when all that behind-the-scenes support translates into peak season success.”
Community Partnership
The marketplace represents one element of Salem’s comprehensive October programming, requiring close coordination between multiple stakeholders. Creative Collective coordinates vendor operations around major events and road closures, including weekend closures of Essex Street and Front Street, with downtown streets closing at noon on Halloween.
Building on seven years of marketplace management experience, Creative Collective continues to prioritize local artisans, maintain high vendor quality standards, and ensure smooth operations even during peak visitor days. The team brings extensive experience in large-scale event management, having successfully scaled the vendor program while adapting to Salem’s unique October challenges.
The marketplace plays a vital role in distributing visitor traffic throughout Salem’s historic downtown while supporting local economic development. Visitors can expect to find everything from artisan candles and original artwork to vintage ephemera and Salem-branded keepsakes throughout the various market locations.
For more information about Salem’s Haunted Happenings, visit hauntedhappenings.org. For marketplace information, contact Creative Collective at CONTACT or 978-224-8856. To learn about Creative Collective’s year-round business support programs, visit creativecollectivema.com.
About Creative Collective LLC
Creative Collective LLC is an Essex County-based organization providing real business support and real community building for entrepreneurs, makers, artisans, nonprofits, and innovative businesses throughout the North Shore. Founded by John Andrews, Creative Collective operates as both an ecosystem and a toolbox, where over 300 members collaborate to achieve success through comprehensive business services, including marketing promotion, technical assistance, business consulting, and community connections.
Year-round, Creative Collective delivers:
- Marketing amplification through dedicated team management and 100,000+ social media reach
- Peer-to-peer learning where members teach each other what actually works in Essex County business
- Collaborative gatherings, including monthly business coffees and quarterly evening events
- Creative Collective Explore is a consumer-facing brand connecting local businesses with thousands of potential customers.
- Whole-person support that honors the humans behind every business
The Haunted Happenings Marketplace represents Creative Collective’s largest annual event, where the organization’s commitment to supporting local makers and small businesses scales to serve 1.15 million October visitors. Since 2018, Creative Collective has successfully managed the marketplace, continuously growing the vendor program while maintaining operational excellence and prioritizing Essex County businesses.
The marketplace team includes Market Director Elena Rodgers and Entertainment Director Tia Cole, bringing decades of combined experience in vendor relations, logistics coordination, and entertainment programming – expertise that Creative Collective leverages year-round to support member businesses through special events, pop-up markets, and collaborative initiatives.
Creative Collective’s approach – supporting businesses as whole people within a collaborative ecosystem – has created a thriving network where Essex County businesses don’t just survive, but crowdsource success together.
About Salem’s Haunted Happenings
Salem’s Haunted Happenings is a month-long celebration throughout October featuring parades, vendor markets, tours, concerts, and family-friendly events. The festival is coordinated through partnerships between the City of Salem, Destination Salem, Salem Main Streets, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and numerous cultural institutions and businesses.
Contact:
John Andrews
Founder, Creative Collective LLC
265 Essex Street, Suite 205
Salem, MA 01970
978-224-8856
