Salem 400+ Heritage Days opens Saturday, which makes this the busiest weekend downtown gets before October. The one to clear your calendar for is the Maritime Festival at Derby Wharf, where the 4th annual Cardboard Boat Regatta puts homemade boats into actual water. The Pride of Baltimore II is tied up at the same wharf Friday through Monday if you want to see how it is supposed to be done.
Tonight in Salem
Mahi Summer Music Series: Richie Rich and 24Karat Funk. Thursday, Jul 30, 7:30 PM, Mahi Mahi Cruises, Pickering Wharf. Funk band, harbor cruise, no notes. Details →
Open Mic. Thursday, Jul 30, 7:30 PM, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Free, and the room is usually generous. Details →
Arcade Era Karaoke. Thursday, Jul 30, 9:00 PM, Bit Bar. Karaoke surrounded by cabinets. Details →
This Weekend in Salem
Salem Maritime Festival and 4th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Saturday, Aug 1, 11:00 AM, Derby Wharf. Free, on the water, and the regatta is exactly as good as it sounds. We flagged it last week and it is finally here. Details →
Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade. Saturday, Aug 1, 10:00 AM, downtown. Kicks off the festival week. Get there early if you want a spot near Derby Wharf. Details →
Tall Ship Pride of Baltimore Visits Salem. Friday, Jul 31 through Monday, Aug 3, from 10:00 AM, Derby Wharf. A Baltimore clipper in port for four days. Worth the walk down even if you just look. Details →
Misery Island Mushroom Walk. Friday, Jul 31, 4:30 PM, departs Salem Ferry Dock. A boat ride and a guided foraging walk on an island most people never set foot on. Eventbrite has it going fast. Details →
Fusion Fest at The Gables. Sunday, Aug 2, 12:00 PM, The House of the Seven Gables. Food, music, and the grounds open on a summer afternoon. Details →
Drag Brunch: Diamond's Dine In with DJ Maxine Harrison. Sunday, Aug 2, 2:00 PM, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. The recovery plan for Saturday. Details →
Salem Events During the Week
Salem Willows Free Band Concert: Love Is In The Air! Tuesday, Aug 4, 7:00 PM, Salem Willows. Free, outdoors, and the most-RSVPed thing in town this week by a wide margin. Bring a chair. Details →
Ice Scream Bowl. Wednesday, Aug 5, 6:00 PM, Salem Common. Salem Main Streets' annual ice cream showdown. This is the one your neighbors actually show up to. Details →
Salem as Muse: Massachusetts Shoemaking. Thursday, Aug 6, 3:00 PM, Peabody Essex Museum. A talk with PEM's bootmaker in residence. Smaller and better than it sounds. Details →
The Dark Wedding Expo. Monday, Aug 3, 5:00 PM, Satanic Temple. Vendors, tours, and giveaways for anyone planning a wedding that is not beige. Details →
Wild-Craft Mondays: Invasive Baskets. Monday, Aug 3, 7:30 PM, The Witchery Studio, 61 Wharf St. Weave a basket out of plants that should not be here anyway. Details →
Also On in Salem This Week
The World Needs You Here Walk and Roll, Sunday Aug 2, 8:15 AM, Salem Common. Details →
Hot Ghoul Summer Drag Show, Friday Jul 31, 6:00 PM, Die With Your Boots On. Details →
Terrarium Workshop with Rooted Workshops, Sunday Aug 2, 1:00 PM, Couch Dog Brewing. Details →
Salem Farmers' Market, Thursdays 3:00 PM, Derby Square. Details →
If you only do one thing
Get to Derby Wharf Saturday around 11. Parade, tall ship, cardboard boats, all within a few hundred feet of each other.
That is the week. Heritage Days runs through Aug 9, so there is more coming next weekend and we will have it for you Thursday.
Hit reply and tell us what we missed. We read every one. If a friend keeps asking you what to do this weekend, forward this to them.
From Witch City, a local's guide to Salem, MA.