Salem Jazz and Soul Festival 2026 photos tell the story of Saturday, August 15 at Salem Willows. It was a free, all-ages day of live music, art, and music education beside the harbor. The festival’s 19th season moved from Wood & Bone’s rootsy midday set to Lydia Harrell’s soaring voice. Later, The Nth Power brought pocket-deep funk before Dwayne Dopsie

Ice Scream Bowl 2026 turned Salem Common into an ice cream tasting party — local scoops, spoon kits & pup cups, all benefiting Salem Main Streets.

Photos from the Salem Cardboard Boat Regatta 2026 at Derby Wharf — hand-built boats, costumed crews, glorious sinkings, and the Titanic Award, all free.

Can you believe it’s been 400 years since Roger Conant landed where the Naumkeag people had already built their home? Fast-forward to Salem Heritage Days 2026, and we’ve got nine days packed with energy: dozens of events, a tall ship, a parade making its comeback after thirty years, and a whole fleet of cardboard boats ready to race. Learn more

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival 2026 returns to Salem Willows on Saturday, August 15, and it’s the kind of day that tells you exactly what the North Shore values. Six-plus acts. Eight hours. One free waterfront stage. Two Grammy-touched headliners. A full education tent. More than 25 artisan vendors. And a ticket price that has stayed at zero for

By John Andrews, Content Director, Creative Collective Salem’s 400th anniversary year is already packed with landmark moments. Now, one of the most ambitious celebrations yet is taking shape. Food at 400+, a 12-day culinary and cultural festival running June 11–22, 2026, will transform the city into a living timeline of food, community, and shared heritage. Produced by Salem Food Tours

By John Andrews, Content Director at Creative Collective — covering the North Shore’s creative economy and cultural programming Every March, something quietly remarkable happens in Salem. A small city on Boston’s North Shore — better known for witch trials and Halloween — transforms into one of New England’s most compelling documentary film festivals. There are no Hollywood blockbusters and no

75+ Valentine’s weekend events across Essex County, curated by Creative Collective Explores. Workshops, live music, comedy, romantic dinners, Galentine’s celebrations, and experiences you won’t find anywhere else — February 13–15, 2026.

Lynn author Dan Le Fever returns with “In The Dragon’s Wake,” the gripping second installment of The Ashen War Saga. This alternate history fantasy blends revenge, adventure, and deep character development in a reimagined 1910 America. Readers can meet Le Fever at his upcoming Salem book release party on September 23 at Die With Your Boots On, where he’ll sign

Mark your calendars! The Salem Literary Festival 2025 transforms historic Salem into a literary wonderland from September 3-7. This beloved annual celebration brings together acclaimed authors, emerging writers, and book lovers for five extraordinary days. Best of all, the entire festival remains free to attend, making world-class literary programming accessible to everyone. Salem Literary Festival 2025 Opening Night Features Allegra