Headed to Haunted Happenings This October in Salem?

Photos courtesy of Haunted Happenings

By ADAM SWIFT (Patch Staff)

Visiting Salem during the month of October is much like taking a trip to Santa’s Workshop during the holiday season.

For hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world, Salem’s Haunted Happenings celebration is the center of the Halloween world.

This year’s celebration promises to be bigger than ever, with nearly a quarter-of-a-million people expected to visit Salem from the time of the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade on Oct. 1 to the fireworks over downtown Salem that close the festivities on Halloween night.

In between, the festivities include everything from psychic fairs to costume balls, children’s parades to ghost stories, historical reenactments to haunted houses.

You can check out the full day-by-day schedule for Haunted Happenings here. >>>

“Salem’s Haunted Happenings celebration is a unique and exciting time for our City,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “It’s a chance for residents to discover something new about the community we call home and to welcome visitors from around the world to learn more about our important history and culture here. I hope everyone – resident and visitor alike – will take advantage of all the exciting programs, events, and activities taking place this October, from our historic waterfront to our museums and attractions, from our world famous architecture to our countless amazing restaurants.”

Although Salem has a history that stretches back to the 1620s, with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 the historical focal point of why many have made Salem Halloween Central, the history of Haunted Happenings only goes back to 1981.

At that time, Haunted Happenings was a one day event that took place on Halloween itself, according to Kate Fox, Director of Destination Salem.

By the time Fox came to the city in 1998, the Haunted Happenings season stretched from Columbus Day to Halloween.

In recent years, Salem has been host to an October-long celebration of all things spooky.

“There are so many more companies offering programs than there were 10 years, or even five years ago,” said Fox.

The growth of Haunted Happenings over the past several years is due in part to the increased interest in Halloween in general, and the continued explosion of social media, according to Fox.

“We attract people from all over the world,” said Fox. “They have fun and talk about it on social media, so there is a virtual word of mouth and the buzz never stops.”

Most of the tours and hotel rooms for Haunted Happenings are booked a year in advance, she said.

And while that giant influx of tourists can cause some headaches for residents, the Halloween season is the economic engine that keeps Salem humming for the year.

“For a number of the downtown businesses and restaurants October and Haunted Happenings is the most important season of the year,” said Salem Chamber of Commerce Director Rinus Oosthoek. “Retailers increase their inventory, restaurants increase staffing, and all of Salem is involved in making sure our visitors have a great time being entertained in Salem. The importance of the revenue generated in the month of October can’t be emphasized enough; Salem has grown to become a year-round destination thanks to the fact that its fifth season supports the others.”

With the crowds also comes increased vigilance from city officials, and especially, its public safety departments.

“Most important, though, is our goal of a safe Haunted Happenings festival for everyone,” Driscoll said. “Public safety is a top priority throughout the month and on Halloween night especially. I encourage everyone visiting Salem to be mindful and to be respectful of our downtown residents and nearby neighborhoods. Part of what makes Salem a great place to visit is that it is an even better place to live.”