It starts tonight. The Haunted Happenings Marketplace opens at Charlotte Forten Park at 5, the Food Court at Old Town Hall is already running, and by Saturday there are vendor tents on Derby Square and the Common too. Eight days from now the Grand Parade steps off. If you have been putting off the errands you do not want to do in October traffic, this is the last quiet week you get.
Tonight and Tomorrow in Salem
Haunted Happenings Marketplace opens. Thursday, 5 PM, Charlotte Forten Park. First vendor site of the season to switch on, and the easiest one to walk through on a weeknight before the crowds find it. Details
From Another Galaxy at Flying Saucer. Thursday, 4 to 9 PM, 118 Washington Street. Themed specials for one night. Details
Free tea and cake at Jolie. Friday, 3 to 5 PM, 316 Derby Street. The newest cake creation paired with a Jolie blend, and it costs nothing. Details
Calling For Heathcliff. Friday, 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Live, no cover. Details
This Weekend in Salem
Salem Glass Pumpkin Patch. Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM, Salem Common. Hand-blown glass pumpkins laid across the grass, both days. Same patch of Common that held the food trucks last weekend, and a lot prettier. Details
Writing Workshop with Ken Liu. Saturday, 1 PM, Salem Athenaeum. Hugo and Nebula winner, teaching in a room that seats about forty. This is the pick of the week if you write anything at all. Details
Chuseok Festival. Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, PEM. Korean harvest festival, $25. Details
Pocus Party at Far From The Tree. Saturday afternoon, 108 Jackson Street. Jennifer Lee's food pop-up at 2, Not Bad Pretty Good Band at 3, tarot readings alongside. One stop, three reasons. Details
Music Alumni Recital. Saturday, 7 to 8:30 PM, Recital Hall, 71 Loring Avenue. Salem State alumni, on campus, for ninety minutes. Details
Sustainable Chocolate with Kakawa. Sunday, 1 PM, PEM. Tasting and talk, which is a better Sunday than it sounds. Details
During the Week in Salem
The Shadows of the Seven Gables opens. Wednesday, 7 PM, 115 Derby Street. The Gables' after-dark program starts Wednesday and runs deep into October. Go now, before the line does. Details
Drag Speed Puzzling with Geya Jenda. Monday, 6 PM, Couch Dog Brewing. Yes, competitive jigsaw puzzles hosted by a drag queen. It is exactly as good as that sounds. Details
Aaron Larget-Caplan: Guitar America 250. Monday, 7:30 PM, Salem State. Classical guitar, and a quiet Monday is the right night for it. Details
Salem Story Series. Tuesday, 7 PM, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Real people, real stories, no slides. Details
Free Bingo with Will Pottorff. Wednesday, 6 PM, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Free, and reliably packed. Details
Haunted Happenings Grand Parade. Next Thursday, Oct 1, 6:30 PM, downtown. Essex Street closes and October officially begins. Details
Also On
Miz Diamond Wigfall Friday Night Drag, Friday 8 PM, Bit Bar. Details
17th Century Fall Faire, Saturday 1 PM, Rebecca Nurse Homestead. Details
90s Karaoke Prom, Saturday 8 PM, Bit Bar. Details
Bob Wolfman Band, Saturday 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Details
Fused Glass Halloween Jewelry, Saturday 10 AM, NSGS Artists Row. Details
Sips and Myths, Sunday 5:30 PM, Salem Wine Imports. Details
Granite Coast plays the Farmers' Market, Oct 1 at 3 PM, Derby Square. Details
On the Horizon
Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair takes over downtown Saturday Oct 3 and Sunday Oct 4, and the Zombie Walk goes Star Wars this year on the 3rd.
That is 150 events on the Salem calendar over the next eight days. The full list lives at fromwitchcity.com/events. If you would rather eat well with a small group of locals than fight the parade crowd, DNNR is the thing we are quietly building next.
Reply and tell us what we missed.
From Witch City, a local's guide to Salem, MA.