From Destination Salem
While many traditional holiday events are not taking place this year, the holiday season in Salem is finding new ways to be festive and bright. The city offers opportunities to enjoy the magic of the season with a stroll along Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to take in the seasonal outdoor holiday light displays and admire the shop windows decorated for the season.
New this year, Salem Winterlude features seasonal artist installations, fire pits, and festive photo opportunities creating a picturesque backdrop in historic Salem. If the chill in the air keeps you at home, there are also plenty of holiday events for those who want to get cozy by the fire and enjoy from home. Below are some ideas:
Virtual Holiday Events
- Christmas in Salem is thought to be the nation’s longest-running holiday house tour. Historic Salem’s annual fundraiser features virtual tours of historic houses decorated for the holidays.
- Throughout the month of December, enjoy musical performances from Salem State Center Creative and Performing Arts from the comfort of your own living room.
- Get out your dancing shoes and make space in your living room for Hamilton Hall’s Virtual Holiday Dance on December 19.
Other Attractions from Afar
- Salem Arts Association is taking this opportunity to bring their galleries to art enthusiasts with 3D Tours and virtual exhibitions.
- Wicked Good Books has books available to order online through bookstop.org plus virtual author events in partnership with the Salem Athenaeum.
- Find out what 2021 holds for you, with zoom psychic readings and online séances with Hex and Omen.
- For those who want a more traditional spooky Salem experience, Salem Historical Tours are offering a Virtual Haunted Footsteps Holiday Ghost Tour filled with stories of folklore and paranormal activity.
Holiday Shopping
- Destination Salem has created lists of ideas for presents such as masks, ornaments, and overall gifts from Salem-based stores and boutiques.
- The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) has taken window-shopping to a whole new level with a colorfully designed space–splashed in a shade of Hot Lips Pink—next to the museum to celebrate the opening of the bold new exhibition Made It: The Women Who Revolutionized Fashion. The PEM shop is also offering online shopping with convenient curbside pick up.
- J.Mode and Moody’s Home and Gifts are offering online shopping with convenient curbside pick up.
- ChagallPAC is offering a zoom shopping experience pick out whatever item they would like and send it to them with free shipping when they order online at ChagallPAC.com.
- Salem Witch Museum has some new offerings and souvenirs online, and history buffs can explore their Witch Trials Online Sites from the comfort of their home computer.
- Style Snoop has a social media shop where customers can shop online anytime.
- Spread some holiday cheer (sort of) with a Grinchy-Gram, a personalized video from The Grinch, sponsored by Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre.
- Along the same holiday character idea, Salem Food Tours will send Ralph, the incorrigible Elf and Mrs. Claus to send joy and homemade candy canes from Ye Olde Pepper Candy Co. to your home or office.
About COVID-19 in Salem, MassachusettsSalem has a public health order requiring masks or face coverings be worn in all public spaces, indoors and outdoors, in the downtown district and in Salem parks. Salem is following the Massachusetts 4-phase reopening guidelines. Most Salem businesses are open and operating under capacity restrictions that allow employees and guests to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. Due to these restrictions, all visitors are encouraged to book reservations or buy tickets in advance of arrival. Everyone planning to visit Salem in 2020 is expected to follow all local and state health orders and guidelines. These guidelines are subject to change, pending public health data. Visit salem.org/covid19 or download the Destination Salem app to receive updates.
About Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a destination recognized around the world for its rich history, which includes the tragic Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the glorious maritime era that left its indelible mark on Salem through architecture, museums, and artifacts, and for its month-long celebration of Halloween. Today, more than one million people visit Salem annually, generating nearly $140 million in tourism spending and supporting 1,000 jobs.
About Destination Salem
As the destination marketing organization for the City of Salem, Destination Salem cooperatively markets Salem as one of Massachusetts’ best destinations for families, couples, domestic, and international travelers who are seeking an authentic New England experience, cultural enrichment, American history, fine dining, unique shopping, and fun. For more information, visit Salem.org.
SHOP LOCAL! Support the small businesses that make up your community and are owned by your friends, neighbors, and fellow community members.
If you are a business and are interested in being part of this initiative please visit creativecollectivema.com/join and sign up for our comprehensive business program!
staylocallynn • #staylocalsalem • #staylocalpeabody • #staylocalbeverly • #staylocalmarblehead
We wanted to shine a spotlight on many of the small businesses that make up the fabric of our communities and support them as much as we can throughout the Winter.
Stay tuned to this event for information on businesses throughout the North shore. We will be highlighting the humans behind the small businesses, showcasing specials and promotions, and also curating experiences that will make your local shopping even better!
A priority this year will be to educate consumers on the safety protocols that so many of our fantastic businesses have implemented in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
