Last updated: November 11, 2024
Create your festive itinerary in Salem with our guide. Discover all the best holiday events and activities. For Salem devotees and casual visitors, our guide is your ticket to festive fun.
Popular events during the holiday season include enchanting tours of historic homes, where visitors can admire beautifully decorated interiors that capture the spirit of Christmas. Additionally, guests will enjoy the charming experience of welcoming Santa while witnessing the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, a delightful moment that brings the community together. And the Holiday Markets are something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a variety of locally-made gifts perfect for holiday shopping. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Local shopping promotion with curated discounts and promotions.
Shop Small on Small Business Saturday is part of the Shop Small movement initiated by American Express to encourage holiday shoppers to shop local during the holiday season. Find all participating small businesses in Salem listed on the Shop Small website.
Where: Salem | More Info: Shop Small on Small Business Saturday
Locally-made gifts and fresh produce.
Find unique, handmade, and handcrafted gifts at the Salem Community Markets, showcasing local produce, flowers, meat, dairy, nursery products, and artisan food.
Where: Salem | More Info: Find Locally-Made Gifts at the Holiday Markets
Nostalgic jazz performance of holiday and Sinatra classics.
Rich DiMare, an American jazz singer specializing in the Frank Sinatra songbook, performs holiday favorites like "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas," along with Sinatra's iconic songs such as "My Way" and "New York, New York." Joined by Ron Poster and the Sinatra Ambassadors, this event promises a nostalgic and entertaining experience.
Where: Newburyport | More Info: A Sinatra Christmas
Holiday concert with American Idol star and local choirs.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra presents a holiday concert featuring American Idol star Michael Lynche, the RSO Chorus, Guest Choruses, and the Roanoke Valley Children's Choir. Conducted by David Stewart Wiley, this event is a celebration of the season with timeless classics and contemporary favorites.
Where: Salem | More Info: Iconic Jazz: Holiday with Pops
Handbell ensemble performing classic carols with intricate instrumentation.
The Back Bay Ringers present a festive holiday concert featuring a dazzling array of handbells, chimes, and percussion, celebrating the rich history of handbell ringing in Boston.
Where: Salem | More Info: Christmas with the Back Bay Ringers
Live re-enactment of the Nativity with a torch-lit procession.
The Rockport Art Association and Museum presents the 78th Annual Live Christmas Pageant, a torch-lit live re-enactment of the Nativity. The pageant begins with a torch lit procession from Dock Square to the Congregational Church, where the story of Jesus' birth is brought to life through a live narration.
Where: Rockport | More Info: Rockport's Annual Christmas Pageant
Santa's arrival and holiday tree lighting with community procession.
Join Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem for a festive evening as Santa Claus arrives at the Hawthorne Hotel and the annual Holiday Tree is lit. Enjoy brass carols by Coventry Brass, a procession down Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, and History Alive performers. Participants are encouraged to bring lanterns, either store-bought or homemade, and electric candles are highly recommended for safety.
Where: Salem | More Info: Welcome Santa and See the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Tour historic homes with unique decorations and architectural features.
Explore historic homes in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Christmas season, featuring beautifully decorated interiors and unique architectural details.
Where: Salem | More Info: Tour Historic Homes during Christmas in Salem
Celebration of local food and beverage community with special discounts and live events.
Dine at local restaurants during Eat. Drink. Triad Restaurant Week to savor authentic cuisine from over 50 participating eateries in the Triad area.
Where: Salem | More Info: Dine at Local Restaurants during Restaurant Week
Holiday celebration on a historic harbor cruise.
Embark on a festive journey aboard Beauport Cruiselines, where the charm of Gloucester Harbor meets holiday cheer. Enjoy stunning views of the city's historic waterfront while surrounded by the sights and sounds of the season.
Where: Salem | More Info: Beauport Cruiselines Santa at Sea
Student-led holiday event with community activities and charitable donations.
Join Ipswich High School Interact for a holiday celebration featuring Santa's arrival at Ipswich Town Wharf, caroling with Buddy the Elf, and a festive Jingle Bell Walk to Town Hall. Enjoy face painting, festive games, and holiday crafts while Ipswich-Rowley Rotarians serve hot dogs and hot cocoa. Bring unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots and participate in raffles for Christmas trees and other items.
Where: Ipswich | More Info: Ipswich Jingle Bell Walk
