There's no place like Salem for a frightening good time

Salem, Mass. faced a critical time in its history known as the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Deep concern arose when some of the town’s young girls fell sick. After doctors examined the girls and found no evidence for what caused the illness, the doctor deemed them bewitched. The girls blamed their illness on hundreds of townspeople. Those innocent people were then tried and jailed or executed. Little did that doctor know his decision would then determine the town's history from that day forward. Thus we have Salem, the most popular city to celebrate Halloween.

Salem's Haunted Happenings is a month long event celebrating everything ghoulish, paranormal, and scream-till-your-voice-goes fun. Getting here is first priority and Salem suggests you ditch your car and take some public transportation [hey who said halloween can't be green!?]. The MBTA has a fleet of buses, as well as commuter trains that leave from Boston and come to Salem. If you come from Boston or Rockport, Newburyport or Ipswich, the MBTA has you covered! By sea, you can hop on The Salem Ferry at Long Wharf near the Aquarium in Boston for a 45 minute ride on the ocean along the coastline to Salem’s Blaney Wharf. Whether by land or sea, once you get in to Salem it is a quick 2-5 minute walk to all of the sites, sounds and activities of Haunted Happenings.
Here are some things to know:

Before you go, be sure to know and embrace the rules of the town, that are set to keep all visitors safe. While all common sense, this night tends to bring all kinds out of the woodwork...
1. NO weapons allowed – fake OR real – from costumes, as they will be confiscated;
2. NO public consumption of alcohol;
3. Salem is a residential city – please be considerate of private property;
4. The finale at 10:30 PM is the conclusion of the public Halloween celebration. Please note that the streets will be closed after the fireworks and in conjunction with the final trains departing Salem. The Police and Public Works Departments will be clearing all streets and sidewalks so visitors should be prepared to depart Salem following the closing ceremony;
5. From October 29 – November 1 citations for illegal behavior – including public drinking, vandalism, and littering – will have TRIPLED fines, up to $300, associated with them.

Okay, so with the negativity said, let's move on to some more fabulous events around the city this night. Broken into age groups...
Kids and families
1. Celebrate Halloween at Crunchy Granola Baby! 3-5 p.m.
72 Washington Street - Throw on your best costume with your little ones and enjoy organic treats.
2. Entertainment Stage in Front of the Salem Wax Museum 6-10 p.m.
288 Derby Street - Enjoy the DJ and participate in the outdoor costume contest.
3. Chilling Tales: Eerie Legends of the Supernatural at Sea 5-9 p.m.
Tall Ship Friendship - Eerie legends of the sea performed by live characters onboard Salem's tall-ship The Friendship in Derby Wharf. Presented by the Salem Theatre Company.

Teens, or those too cool to be seen with their parents
1. Eerie Evenings - Eerie tales performed in the Witch House, a 17th -century mansion, the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin. Features costumed actors, startling stories, and authentic settings. Call for tickets and information.
2. Live Music at The Fountain Stage - Free hot cocoa tent, and entertainment including Free Dream Interpretation, and "Psalm Reading." Sponsored by The Gathering. call 978.744.8444
3. 16th Annual Temple of Nine Wells Samhain Magick Circle5:30 p.m. on
Gallows Hill Park - Join Rev. H.P. Richard Ravish GM and Rev. H.Ps. Gypsy Ravish WQ, the Priests & Priestesses of The Temple of Nine Wells, witches of all traditions & friends of the Craft at Gallows Hill Park for the largest citywide Samhain Circle as we turn the Wheel of the Year. Call 978.745.8668

Old enough to imbibe [though that's up for debate]
1. Pickering Wharf's HalloWharf Party - 7-10:30 p.m.
Start a tradition of celebrating "HalloWharf" with the merchants at Pickering Wharf, where you'll find shops with delightful holiday novelties, several restaurants for dining & feasting, music, bar-hopping and fun. Plus, the 12th Annual Feast of Samhain.
2. The Hawthorne Hotel's Carn-Evil Creep Show Costume Ball 8 p.m.-12 a.m. - Hawthorne Hotel - Three floors of entertainment, fun and food. Tickets are $90 per person. Live entertainment featuring the popular band "HUSH", DJ's, limited edition t-shirt, and photo. Costume contest with $1500 in cash prizes. Must be 21 years of age or older with proper ID at the door. Tickets can be purchased on our website or call 978.744.4080
3. Halloween at Capt's Topsides - 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
94 Wharf St. - Put on your best costume and join us for a party overlooking the haunted harbor of Salem. Music, costume prizes, great food included, cash bar. Cost: $50 advance/$60 at the door per person. Call for tickets & reservations...978.741.0555

Be sure to check out Haunted Happenings for a full list of events. And plan to stick around for the Halloween Finale... on Federal & Washington Streets, The 27th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings will conclude with an original sound and light show produced by VDA Productions, Inc. The closing ceremony will combine music, light, and movement soaring into the night sky followed by a fireworks over the North River.