Salem Haunted Happenings Grand Parade

Join the Salem Chamber of Commerce for their 28th Annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade on the first Thursday of October!

The 2025 Haunted Happenings Grand Parade Theme: “Stronger Together – The Magic of Us” celebrating the power of unity and imagination. From classrooms to covens, Salem’s true magic is the joy we create together. Join us as we light up the night with spooky spirit and community pride!

This time-honored kick off the Halloween season is full of color, pageantry, music and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college and our local business owners.  Their participation is what makes this a highly successful, cherished event for our community.

The Parade is a special nighttime tradition for the city of Salem and visitors alike to officially kick off Salem’s Halloween season. The Parade is always full of color, pageantry, music, and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college plus many local business owners. Over 10,000 spectators (children, adults, and those in between) are expected to attend.

Route: The parade will follow its traditional route from Prime Group Shetland Park to Salem Common.
The parade will start from Shetland Park on Congress Street and turn left onto Derby Street, then right onto Central Street, left onto Front Street, right onto Washington Street, another right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and finishes in the Salem Common.

This is a rain or shine event.