The holidays are a time for friends and family, right? Today on the blog I wanted to share ten kid/family friendly ways to enjoy the holidays this year around the witch city!
Help decorate the tree in the Common
Nov. 27th. “It’s almost that time of year! Please join your fellow SCNA members in decorating the tree in the Salem Common Gazebo Tuesday evening starting at 6:30. Hot chocolate will be provided. See you there!” [Source]
Check out the window displays
Downtown Salem businesses are getting into the spirit! “The holidays are here soon, and Salem is ready to get dressed for the season with trees, wreaths, and ribbons. In addition, over 30 downtown businesses annually decorate their windows especially for the holidays! Judges nominated by Salem Main Streets make the rounds to vote on the best windows. Some award categories highlight good retail design – use of store products or display of a business’ services, use of lighting – or types of design, like painted windows. Window designs must be completed by Saturday, Dec. 1 in time for the new Holiday Stroll weekend. If your business is interested in participating, please contact Kylie at kylie@salemmainstreets.org by Saturday, Nov. 24.” [Source]
Santa’s arrival in Salem and tree lighting
Welcome the big guy himself into Salem and follow it up with a tree lighting. “Join Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem as we combine two of our most beloved annual traditions – Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree – into one evening. Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel (18 Washington Square W) promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, with assistance from the Salem Fire Department, of course. We recommend arriving to the Salem Common by 5:45 p.m. to catch the arrival. Bring the whole family out for carols, festivities, and fun!” [Source]
Do some shopping and support your local businesses
I am such an advocate of shopping local and supporting businesses in Salem as often as you can. The witch city has so many unique and wonderful options available. “Salem Main Streets is pleased to announce the return of the Salem Winter Market! A seasonal extension of the Salem Farmers’ Market, this year’s Salem Winter Market is (finally!) returning to historic Old Town Hall on Saturday, November 17th and Saturday, December 15th, both from 1 pm to 5 pm.” [Source]
Related:
2nd Annual Holiday Market Place at Finz Seafood & Sea Level — Nov. 24, 2018
A Salem, MA gift giving guide — 2018
Small Business Saturday in Salem, MA — Nov. 24, 2018
The Grinch that “HATTED” Christmas
Take some silly and oh-so-Salem holiday pictures at Witchpix! “Get ready for the those awkward holiday photos! Perhaps the perfect holiday cards for friends and family. Everything is brightly Seussical on this night. Inspiration, supplies and encouragement provided in a fun entertaining workshop of creativity, wine sipping and new friendships. Strut your stuff and show off that lovely hat on our special holiday photo shoot and an on-line gallery fit for a your greatest social media post all year.
Costume Craft & Pix is a Pop-Up Workshop created and sponsored by collaborating artists Witch Pix and Grace & Diggs both of Salem, MA. Our workshops combine DIY Wearable Art projects with Fantasy Shoot photography and a little wine, so you can have a creative and entertaining evening with friends. Tickets ($70) available online.” [Source]
Inventing Santa Claus
History, literature, the holidays and Salem. It’s perfect. “Inventing Santa Claus: The Mystery of Who Really Wrote the Most Celebrated Yuletide Poem of All Time. Join author Carlo DeVito for a holiday-themed lecture about the literary legacy of Mr. Claus including a discussion about the controversy of the two men who wrote The Night Before Christmas, the influence of Charles Dickens and Washington Irving, and even connections to Mark Twain and Jane Austen. A book signing will follow in the Museum Store. Be sure to stop by the Christmas in Salem table for information about the holiday house tour or to get your tickets for “A Very Hawthorne Christmas.”
Members: Free
Non-members: $10.00” [Source]
Holiday Open House at Ye Olde Pepper Companie
“It’s that time again! Join us for our annual Holiday Open House, where you can see cheery Christmas elves making our delicious old fashioned candy canes in person. Periodically throughout the day we’ll be letting our guests into the kitchen to see how the candy canes are made, and to twist some up themselves. Our founder, Mrs. Mary Spencer, will once more be time traveling from the year 1806 to greet our guests, answer questions about our company’s unique history, and serve refreshments.
And don’t forget, this is the same weekend as Christmas In Salem. That wonderful event is being held in our neighborhood, so stop in and see us for some candy canes and cocoa on your way to the beautiful house tours.” [Source]
Christmas in Salem historic house tour
“Christmas in Salem, thought to be the nation’s longest running holiday house tour, invites visitors to tour historic homes in the Historic Derby Street Neighborhood from November 30th through December 2nd. Homes will be beautifully decorated for the holiday season and will be open for tours throughout the weekend.
A Preview will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018, from 5:30–8:30 pm and will feature selected homes. On Saturday, December 1 from 10:30 am–4:30 pm and Sunday, December 2 from 11:30 am–4:30 pm all sites will be open for tours.” [Source]
“A Christmas Carol” Salem Trolley tour
There are only a few tickets left to this event, so snag them now if you’re interested! “Now entering into it’s 32nd Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with a twist. Ride along with Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as the classic tale is brought to life in a completely unexpected way. Shows sell out quickly and seats are limited. Tickets go on sale Monday, September 10, 2018. Tour departs from Salemdipity, 86 Wharf Street (Pickering Wharf), Salem. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to show time. Show starts inside Salemdipity.” [Source]
Krampus holiday pictures at Vampfangs
If the family isn’t into the Grinch and wants something a little more spooky, check out Krampus holiday pictures! Keep age in mind with the super little kiddos, this might be too creepy for some crowds. “Part goat, part demon, part Vampire… Krampus is available for photos with you at Vampfangs! Naughty supervised children and mischievous adults get ready… Krampus has arrived in Salem with his basket and birch branches! Digital or printed pictures available to purchase, walk-ins welcomed.” [Source]
What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate the holidays around Salem? Feel free to comment below. Enjoy!! <3
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