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Posted by Phyllis M. Cahaly, guest blogger of Mass Office of Travel & Tourism

It’s true—we like to say “Wicked” a lot in Massachusetts! But in October, “Wicked” takes on an entirely different meaning and is used solely to describe the incomparable month-long event in Salem known as Haunted Happenings.
This year marks the 34th Annual Haunted Happenings in Salem, a cozy coastal community located just 16 miles north of Boston. Home of the Salem Witch Museum, The House of the Seven Gables, The Land of Witches and The New England Pirate Museum (getting the theme?) Salem’s witchy history is amplified during the October celebration.
house of the seven gables

The House of The Seven Gables

Annually, more than 250,000 people converge in Salem to rejoice in all things Halloween and celebrate this hallowed fall festival. Revelers are never disappointed in Salem’s hospitality as the city dons incredibly creative costumes and witchy window displays, provides supernatural surprises around every corner and offers more daily events than you could shake a broomstick at! Or maybe it’s the crunch of the colorful fall leaves underfoot or the smell of kettle corn in the air, but once there, you’re already planning to return.
witch museum

Salem Witch Museum

Pick a day, any day for there are multiple events running, literally from noon to nightfall. Maybe you like frighteningly freaky presentations, like “The Texas Chainsaw Musical” by Arts After Hours or “The Rocky Horror Show” by the Salem Theatre! If you’d rather fiendishly family fun, no problem! Sunday Fundays offer Ask-A-Witch, Make-A-Wand by Artemisia Botanicals, Face Painting at Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre or the Haunted Salem Magic Show at Cinema Salem. Street Fairs, Family Film Nights, Costume Balls, Ghost Tours, Haunted Houses. . .on and on. . .culminating with a Halloween Night Fireworks Finale guaranteed to shake the spirits!
Too much to be true? We’re just getting started! For daily events, check out the 62-page Official Event Guide & Calendar to Salem’s Haunted Happenings online. On weekends, learn about more eerie events at the Visitor Center, Essex and Washington Streets.
bewitched

“Bewitched” Statue

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we have more tricks up our sleeve with some treats for you! Click here for a printable list of sticker savings, combo tickets and discounts and deals!
You don’t need a broomstick to get to Haunted Happenings — a car, (ParkinginSalem.com) the “T”, (MBTA.com) or a high-speed ferry from Boston will do quite nicely, (SalemFerry.com).
To see more Halloween happening across the state, visit our Halloween page.

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