Salem Residents Enjoy 'Free' Night Before Halloween Crowds Invade

SALEM, MA — Salem residents looking to enjoy a "free" night out on the town before hunkering down for the invasion of up to 1 million or more visitors to Halloween's unofficial hometown are invited to come downtown to "Mayor's Night Out" on Sept. 27.

Many of the city's local attractions and museums will be free to residents, while free parking is available in the downtown garages and several businesses offering discounts and giveaways.

Residents must provide a photo identification showing proof of Salem residency to gain free admission. Students may use a school identification card, bus pass, or a Salem Public Library card.

The Museum Place Mall Garage and the South Harbor Garage will offer free parking to Salem residents after 2 p.m. (proof of residency will be required when you exit the garages).

"Mayor's Night Out has become a great tradition for Salem residents," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "October is a busy time for our businesses, and this is their way to say thank you to our citizens, offering a day that lets our locals enjoy Halloween before the month officially kicks off.

Salem's business community has really embraced this program and I am pleased to announce that we have more participants than we have ever had."

There will be an early trick-or-treat for children from participating businesses.

A map of participating locations and venues can be found here:

A full list of participating businesses and museums 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.)