Salem Halloween: 666K October Visitors Puts Witch City On Record Pace

SALEM, MA — Those expecting to drive to the Witch City this weekend can expect a bedeviling experience with Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo saying on Friday that nearly 666,000 visitors have already descended upon Halloween's unofficial hometown in October and that record crowds are expected to continue this weekend.

Pangallo said there have been about 695,900 visitors over the first half of the month — a 6.3 increase from 2023 that puts the city well on pace to surpass the projection of 1.2 million visitors this spooky season.

He said that 184,000 visitors are expected in Salem this weekend alone with the weather shaping up as simply gorgeous — sunny with highs in the 70s each day — for this time of year.

That means it will be crowded.

It also means there will be no place to park with the MBTA garage and downtown garages filling up very early and Route 114 likely coming to a standstill shortly thereafter.

"Salem has 4,000 parking spaces (available to non-residents) so you do the math," Pangallo said on Friday. "If you're coming to Salem this weekend, take the train or ferry, have a plan and pack your patience."

Salem will once again open the three satellite lots with free shuttle service downtown at Salem State's O'Keefe Center, Salem Hospital and Salem High School — but those still total about 800 parking spaces.

MBTA Commuter Rail passengers can utilize the $10 weekend Commuter Rail pass to and from Salem on weekends and Halloween. Riders can also utilize a special $5 round-trip ticket from Beverly to Salem.

The Commuter Rail is offering expanded service to the Witch City each of the next two weekends leading up to Halloween.

Those looking to attend an attraction — such as a tour or museum — are advised to buy tickets in advance (if it's not already too late) and those looking to eat are advised to make reservations.

More tips on Salem's Haunted Happenings month can be found here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)