Fall officially begins this weekend and all North Shore residents know what that means: it’s officially the season of Halloween! With so many great events to go to, it’s hard to even know where to begin.
Here are a few of the best events coming to the North Shore this October, so mark your calendars, these are ones you won’t want to miss.
Daemonologie: Smoke and Mirrors, by Intramersive Media, LLC.
Intramersive cordially invites you to the year 1849 and the luxurious home of Monsieur Levesque. He is new to Salem society and is hosting an evening of wonders, and a séance with a blossoming young medium. Not all is how it seems, however, and there are many ways to get lost in the house made of smoke and mirrors.
This event asks its audience to be bold and take risks as you are the characters. Though you may switch characters at any time, fortune favors those loyal, so choose wisely. This event will run Fridays and Saturdays, from October 4 to November 2, and from 8 to 10 pm at the Cotting-Smith Assembly House.
Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade, by Salem Main Streets
Salem Main Streets is hosting the most adorable event of the year! Dress up your pets and parade them around town in their barking best You can either have one group costume, or multiple pet costumes, though you’ll have to register each costume. The parade will take place on October 12 from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
Haunted Happenings Family Movies, by Creative Collective MA and Salem Haunted Happenings
The movies for this annual series have been picked by you and are all kid-friendly! All movies will be played at 289 Derby Street, the all-new park, and play from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. On October 5 Addams Family will be playing, on October 12 Coco will be playing, on October 19 ParaNorman will be playing, and on October 26 Hocus Pocus will be playing. Come enjoy some classic and new Halloween movies!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live at Lynn Auditorium
Arts After Hours is bringing the Live Rocky Horror Picture Show to Lynn Auditorium this October, featuring a shadow cast of raucous Transies guaranteed to shock and delight audiences. For one night only, guests can see the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show the way it was always meant to be seen! Following the performance, there will be a VIP after-party where guests can mingle with the cast members on the historic stage.
Salem Horror Fest
The Salem Horror Festival is one of exploring cultural fears through horror, and the eventual overcoming of fear. CinemaSalem is partnering with the festival to present a series of horror films throughout the month of October. The Salem Waterfront Hotel will also be partnering with the festival with a trading post of terror where you can meet celebrities from your favorite movies, browse spooky vendors, and party!
October in Salem Merchant Marketplace and Night Market, by Creative Collective Merchant Marketplace
The October in Salem Merchant Marketplace is one of the biggest Halloween markets around and features hundreds of curated, artisanal, and talented vendors from all over, as well as some of the finest Fall and Halloween artisans, makers, and creatives! Vendors are being announced daily, so be sure to check back to see all of the awesome vendors! The marketplace starts the weekend of October 11 and goes each weekend and the last week of October from 10 am to 9 pm.
When the lights go down on the Merchant Marketplace, the fun is just beginning! Creative Collective will be flipping the lights with help from our partner, Retonica, and inviting some fantastic performers to downtown Salem to make the magic of Halloween even more special. From 6:30 to 9 pm on October 11, 18, and 25, Derby Square will be transformed into a haunted beer garden with music and fun lighting.
The Great Salem Pumpkin Walk, by Salem Horror Fest
Salem invites you to a kid-friendly exploration of the historic and haunted downtown district! This special self-guided tour leads you through pumpkin displays, fun activities, and boundless entertainment, as well as some local shopping. Step out for some Halloween fun on October 17 from 3 to 8 pm in the downtown Salem area!
Tales at the Witch House, by the Witch House
Join the witches of the Witch House for some spooky ghost stories performed in darkened chambers and haunted corridors. Stories will be told on October 19 from 7 to 10 pm at the Witch House.
Nightmare on Main Street, by Peabody Main Streets and Peabody’s Black Box
Join downtown Peabody for their family- and kid-friendly Trick-or-Treat Halloween celebration! Walk from the firehouse on Lowell Street to Howley Street trick-or-treating, playing games, seeing the fabulous costumes, and having fun. All over downtown Peabody, local business are taking part and putting on their own little parties, so check them all out on October 24 from 4 to 7 pm!
Redrum Halloween Party and Nightmare on Essex Street, by The Hotel Salem
Here’s Johnny! The Redrum Halloween Party is the first of what will become an annual Halloween bash! A frightening time awaits with a favorite North Shore DJ, a costume contest with a cash prize for first place, drink specials, and giveaways! The party will be held at The Hotel Salem on October 19 from 8 pm to midnight.
Nightmare on Essex Street is a night of terror, dancing, and more! With a live DJ, a costume contest with a cash prize for first place, drink specials, and giveaways, The Hotel Salem is the place to be on October 26 from 8 pm to midnight!
Haunted Opera Experience: The Medium, by Corsara Artists
Madame Flora, with the help of her daughter, Monica, and a servant who cannot speak, Toby, cons grieving parents into believing they are communicating with the spirits of their dead children. One night during a séance, she is touched by a hand. She is driven mad to insanity and murder by this occurrence which she cannot explain. Is it all in her head, or have the dead came back?
Corsara Artists are putting on a fantastic opera experience with The Medium, a haunted and profound play. Join them on October 30 from 7:30 to 9 pm and October 31 from 8 to 9:30 pm for a spectacular performance! Both performances will be in the Wiggin Auditorium at Peabody City Hall.
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Creative North Shore is a subsidiary of Creative Collective and is supported by the efforts of the Collective along with our readers and community members. We are dedicated to keeping you up to date on the latest events and creative happenings on the North Shore, and we could not exist without you. Thank you for reading, and if you’d like to support our efforts directly, considering joining the Collective Club or becoming an individual or corporate business member.
