Christmas in Salem: Best Holiday Things to Do in 2026
Salem may be best known for October, but Christmas brings a different reason to visit: decorated historic homes, a theatrical trolley ride, independent shops, and holiday events with a little of the city’s witchy personality.
The best weekend depends on what you want to experience. Salem’s Holiday Happenings run from November 27 through December 31, 2026, while several of the biggest events happen on just one weekend. Here’s what’s worth planning around.
Which Weekend Is Best for Christmas in Salem?
| Weekend | Choose it for | Build your visit around |
|---|---|---|
| November 27 to 29 | Holiday kickoff | Santa’s arrival, tree lighting, and Small Business Saturday |
| December 4 to 6 | Historic Christmas | Christmas in Salem house tour and candlelight preview |
| December 11 to 13 | Downtown atmosphere | Wassail Weekend, shopping, and a holiday trolley performance |
| December 18 to 20 | A family outing close to Christmas | Good Witch Gingerbread Holiday Trolley and downtown shopping |
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Best Things to Do in Salem at Christmas
Tour Historic Homes During Christmas in Salem
Best for: Historic homes and a trip built around one special event
When: December 5 and 6, with a candlelight preview on December 4
If I were choosing one Salem Christmas event to plan a trip around, this would be it. Historic Salem’s annual Christmas in Salem Holiday House Tour opens beautifully decorated historic homes for a holiday experience you can’t replicate by simply walking around downtown.
The 2026 theme, Seas and Greetings, celebrates Salem’s maritime history with a tour through the historic Derby Street neighborhood. Visitors can explore eight historic homes and selected historic public spaces.
The Candlelight Preview on Friday, December 4 offers early access to select homes and a festive reception. The regular house tour runs Saturday, December 5, from 10:30 AM to 4 PM and Sunday, December 6, from 11:30 AM to 4 PM.
Tickets: $45 in advance for non-members, $40 for Historic Salem members, or $50 on the day. Candlelight Preview tickets are $120 for non-members or $100 for members.
Explore the Christmas in Salem House Tour →
Ride the A Christmas Carol Holiday Trolley
Best for: A holiday activity that feels like an event, rather than ordinary sightseeing
When: November 28 through December 23
Salem Trolley and Gallows Hill Theatre bring A Christmas Carol to life as an interactive performance aboard the trolley. It is a playful take on Dickens’s story and an especially good choice if you want one ticketed Christmas activity without committing a whole afternoon to it.
For 2026, tickets are listed at $36 per person. The trolley departs from 68 Wharf Street, and guests should arrive 15 minutes before their show to check in. Salem Trolley warns that seats are limited and performances sell out, so I would book this before filling in the rest of the day.
Explore A Christmas Carol Holiday Trolley →
Take a Haunted Holiday Walking Tour
Best for: Visitors who want Salem’s ghost stories along with their Christmas plans
Salem’s darker side does not disappear in December. Ghosts of Christmas Past: a Haunted Holiday Stroll explores Salem’s ghostly holiday history and the tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas.
If it’s offered during your visit, this is a fitting way to add something distinctly Salem to your Christmas trip. Check available dates before making it part of your plans.
See Santa Arrive and Watch the Tree Lighting
Best for: Families and visitors starting the holiday season in Salem
When: November 27
Salem’s holiday kickoff begins with Santa arriving atop the Hawthorne Hotel at 6 PM. Organizers recommend being at Salem Common by 5:45 PM. A procession then heads down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to Lappin Park for the holiday tree lighting. The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine.
This is the weekend to choose if you want the excitement of the kickoff. You can pair it with downtown shopping on Small Business Saturday, November 28.
Explore Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting →
Spend Wassail Weekend Downtown
Best for: Shopping, strolling, and a festive downtown atmosphere
When: December 12 and 13
Wassail Weekend encourages visitors to explore Salem’s independent businesses, stop for brunch, and enjoy holiday activity downtown. Salem Main Streets says to watch for Santa and roaming carolers on Sunday.
Individual markets and store promotions may be announced separately. The participating business list currently shown on the organizer’s page is labeled 2025, so check the Wassail Weekend page closer to your trip for the 2026 lineup. I would choose this weekend for the overall downtown experience, then treat any markets you find as a bonus.
Shop Salem’s Independent Stores and Holiday Windows
Salem’s downtown shops are part of the appeal even when you do not have a ticketed event on the schedule. Walk the Essex Street area, browse for locally made gifts and Salem themed finds, and look at the holiday window displays along the way.
Salem Main Streets includes a Holiday Window Contest in its 2026 Holiday Happenings program. Its judges visit windows on the first weekend of December, making shopping an easy addition to a historic house tour weekend too.
Add a Family Holiday Trolley Ride
Best for: Families with younger children
When: December 19 and 20
The Good Witch of Salem lists its Holiday Trolley: Catch the Gingerbread Man! for both December 19 and 20, 2026. This is a more child focused option than the A Christmas Carol performance. Check the selected departure for tickets and availability, since individual sessions can sell out.
Explore Good Witch Holiday Events →
Check for Christmas Events at The House of the Seven Gables
The House of the Seven Gables has offered special Christmas tours in past Decembers. It would pair naturally with a Salem holiday trip, particularly for visitors who enjoy historic houses. Its 2026 Christmas tour schedule is not yet confirmed in the organizer material I found, so I would leave this as an option to check, rather than make it a reason to choose a particular weekend.
Explore Events at The House of the Seven Gables →
Where to Stay for Christmas in Salem
For a short Christmas trip, I would look at downtown Salem first. Staying near the center makes it easy to walk to shops, restaurants, and many seasonal events. The Hawthorne Hotel is particularly convenient if you’re coming for Santa’s arrival on November 27.
Want a shortcut? I’ve rounded up my favorite Salem hotels, including picks for historic charm, families, boutique stays, and the best locations.
Explore My Salem Expedia Travel Shop Collection →
If Salem hotels are full or the prices do not work for your trip, explore my guide to where to stay near Salem for nearby towns and transportation options.
💙 One Last Thought
Salem at Christmas is especially appealing when you let the weekend shape the trip. Choose the historic house tour for a December getaway, the kickoff for Santa and the tree lighting, or Wassail Weekend for shopping and downtown energy. Add a trolley ride or haunted holiday stroll, and you have a holiday visit that still feels distinctly Salem.
🧭 Continue Planning Your Trip
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