Salem 101: General History Tour
As we like to say, Salem is a five season city; spring, summer, fall, winter, and October (Halloween). There's so much to see and do in our beautiful city from arts festivals to annual winter balls. Check out the list below to see what's going on when you're visiting.
SALEM
FILM FEST
Since 2007, Salem Film Fest (SFF) has brought the world’s best independent documentaries and their makers to Boston’s North Shore. Now the largest international documentary film festival in Massachusetts, the event annually presents features, shorts and special events to a loyal audience of thousands. The festival is mostly run by volunteers through a non-profit entity, Salem Community Arts Center, Inc.
The 16th edition of our fest will take place March 23 – April 2, 2023 in a hybrid format consisting both of in-person and virtual screenings, filmmaker q&as as well as parties and other special events.
For updates, please like us on Facebook and/or sign up for our mailing list.
ANCESTRY
DAYS
Currently Scheduled
​
April 21- April 24, 2023
​
Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate their ancestral and immigrant connections to Salem, Massachusetts during the first annual Salem Ancestry Days celebration, which will be held April 21-April 24, 2023. The weekend will feature lectures, tours, research opportunities, and information on the people who connect us all to Salem
​
SALEM
HORROR FEST
Salem Horror Fest is a celebration of diverse voices and innovative filmmaking within a genre that best reflects our cultural demons
The festival features Tony Todd, Kief La Janisse, Amelia Kincade, Linnea Quigley, Beretta Beretta, Stephen Geoffrey's, Amanda Bearse and Willim Ragsdale..
FOOD TRUCK FEST
Check link for events​
.​
https://www.salem.org/event/salem-food-truck-and-craft-beer-festival/
Scheduled for
Sep 24th - Sep 25th.
.
NEGRO ELECTION DAY
This amazing event is steeped in history and takes place at the Salem Willows (the park at the tip of Salem's penninsula, every third Saturday in July.
In 1741, an enslaved man named Pompey convinced his owner to allow him to hold elections and govern his own people. Pompey won the election. and a celebration was held. It started in Lynn and moved to Salem in the 1880s. The election does not take place, but the celebration does and 2023 is the 282nd year.
Families are allowed to barbecue, play games, enjoy live music. The event is run by Salem United Inc and is open to everyone who wants to celebrate Black History and diversity.
SALEM ARTS
FESTIVAL
June 2nd-June 4th, 2023
​
The biggest art collaboration of the year in Salem, the Salem Arts Festival takes place in the heart of Salem at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. The annual Juried Art Gallery will be held in Old Town Hall throughout the festival weekend, with an artisan street fair in the surrounding areas of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and Front Street on Saturday and Sunday. Live performances and pop-up dance stages will take place (weather permitting) on Derby Square, Front Street, and Artists’ Row. A temporary public art project called Lifelines -- with works of art constructed using up-cycled materials by local artist Linda Mullen and assembled by community participants -- will be installed on Artists’ Row for the festival