Ever since I was a small girl I have loved Halloween. I don’t, and never have, considered myself a fan of horror, but I find a lot of joy in the strange and unusual. Halloween to me represented a carefree and relaxed holiday, full of whimsy and time with friends and family, so it always felt magical.
When I was in my early 20s, I got an opportunity to finally go to the “Halloween Capital” of the world: Salem, Massachusetts. As the tragic site of witch trials, the New England town eventually took on a persona for all things spooky and comes alive every fall with that invigorating spirit. While the town is mostly densely populated with tourists during late September, all of October, and some early fall, there are other seasons that are just as delightful, including Christmas.
Christmas in Salem is absolutely perfect for those looking to bring a little quirky Yuletide cheer into their lives.
Check out all of the cool things you can see and experience come Christmastime.
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Saunter through Salem’s holiday events and markets
The chaos of Halloween tends to give way to a rather serene but fun holiday season. Each year the town organizes tons of events and markets that make the holiday festive and fun to experience.
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Christmas in Salem: Held annually in the first week of December, house tour homeowners open their literal doors and invite tourists to see their elaborately decorated and historic homes. Each year the tour focuses on a new neighborhood and theme and really shows off what colonial and modern looks like in this spellbinding town.
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Alternative shopping: Shop owners fully embrace their inner Nightmare Before Christmas vibes and blend Halloween with Christmas seamlessly. It’s kind of the perfect spot to knock out all of your quirky gift recipients, with dozens of unique gifts at your disposal. There are also specific holiday markets like Wassail Weekend, where Santa strolls through town. There is also the iconic “Sip and Shop” weekend on historic Derby Street that has festive cocktails, curated handmade gifts, and of course tasty eats.
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Take a themed tour or engage in literal holiday magic
The history oozing out of Salem is both tragic and fascinating. The town that stands now does an incredible job of blending both to make for a truly unique Yuletide season.
Photo by Boston Globe on Getty Images
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Ride the trolley: Winters in New England aren’t exactly warm, so seek refuge while seeing the sights with a festive trolley tour. This year on December 13 and 14, the Good Witch of Salem is hosting a “Catch the Gingerbread Man” holiday tour that begins with an interactive story time at her shop. Tourists will learn how gingerbread cookies are made and catch a glimpse of one “coming to life.” Another experience to catch is the “A Christmas Carol” trolley, which retells the Dickens classic while riding through a decorated Salem.
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Yuletide Sea Witch Ball Workshop: Local specialty store The Sea Wych has a wonderful Yuletide workshop that guides guests to make their own Yuletide sea witch ball, which serves to help visitors set their intention.
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Visit the House of the Seven Gables: See what life was like in the 1600s for the holidays. This historic 1668 home offers special holiday tours around Christmas that address why the Puritans banned Christmas, when they started getting their holiday spirit back, and highlight old traditions you can resurrect today.
Of course, even though Halloween is over, if you’re there to experience the witchcraft, psychic, and magical side of the town, all of those delights are still available. Who knows — you may start a new quirky travel tradition.
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.