22nd Annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival
Feb. 9 through Feb. 11, 2024
Salem, MA . . . Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to enjoy the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 22nd year, the signature elements of the festival include a Friday night kickoff party, 25+ ice sculptures sprinkled around the downtown, two nights of illuminated sculptures, a “Chocolate Hearts” game with prizes, live music, and sweet specials and promotions at local shops and restaurants throughout the city. It is Salem’s sweetest time of year!
Salem’s So Sweet starts with a Kickoff Event fundraiser on Friday, February 9, at the PEM Connect Space (135 Essex Street). Tickets are available here. Ticket holders will begin the evening at a private downtown location where guests will receive a commemorative glass, a complimentary pour of wine, and a goodie bag of sweet treats before heading out to explore. Multiple downtown businesses join the fun by providing wine tastings and free treats for ticket holders, plus participants can enjoy the illuminated ice sculptures and live music on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry has generously sponsored this event. Tickets to this fundraiser are $40 and are available online at salemsosweet.com.
The popular ice sculpture presentation is back this year with TWO nights of illumination. A sneak peek with a limited number of sculptures will be illuminated on Friday night on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and Lappin Park only, and on Saturday night, all of the sculptures will be lit. Sculptures will be illuminated from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on both nights, weather permitting. Viewing the ice sculptures is free to all and is not a ticketed event. A map of all ice sculptures and more information will be available on the website closer to the festival.
The 22nd Annual Salem’s So Sweet Festival is made possible by support from local businesses, including Blackcraft, Moons Gift Shop, Salem Witch Museum, and Witch City Walking Tours. it is partly sponsored by the Salem Public Art Commission and supported by tourism dollars through Destination Salem.
Many local businesses will offer chocolate and love-inspired specials for the duration of Salem’s So Sweet to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Visitors can also play the “Chocolate Hearts Challenge” by snapping pictures of special Salem’s So Sweet signage at participating businesses to be entered for prizes. A purchase by the customer is not required but is highly encouraged. A full list of participating businesses and information about how to play will be available on the website closer to the event.
Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce organize the 22nd Annual Salem’s So Sweet Festival. Visit salemsosweet.com for more events and details as they become available and follow the Facebook page for all the latest updates at facebook.com/salemsosweet.
