The holidays in Salem
Tree lightings, a parade down Main Street and six weeks of holiday shopping by the lake.
November & December
- Nov. 6 – Dec. 24Tuscan Village
Holiday Shoppes open
Nearly 50 wooden booths of local gifts, crafts and treats at Tuscan Village. Nov.: Fri 3–8, Sat 11–8, Sun 11–6; Dec. adds Thursdays.
- Nov. 21Saturday
Tuscan Village tree lighting
Stay as night falls to watch the 50-foot tree light up the village. Time to be announced.
- Nov. 27Friday
Black Friday, tax-free
The Mall and Tuscan Village, no sales tax. The Holiday Shoppes open 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Nov. 28Saturday
Small Business Saturday
Shop Salem’s own: local shops, diners and the makers at the Holiday Shoppes.
- Nov. 29Sunday · 1 p.m.
Salem Holiday Parade
The 55th parade, “Willy Wonka’s Winter Wonderland,” from Main and Policy streets to Salem High School.
- Dec. 24Thursday
Last day of the Holiday Shoppes
Open 11 a.m.–4 p.m. for last-minute gifts.
- Early Dec.Salem Common
Lions Club tree lighting
A Salem tradition for more than 70 years at Veterans Memorial Park on Salem Common, with carols and a visit from Santa.
- Early Dec.Town Hall
Carols & Cocoa
Last year Santa arrived with the Salem Fire Department and lit the 50-foot tree in front of Town Hall, with more than 5,500 lights.
- Dec. 17–19USPS deadlines
Last days to ship
Ground Advantage and First-Class Dec. 17, Priority Mail Dec. 18, Priority Mail Express Dec. 19. Or skip the shipping and shop in person.
The Salem year
Dates shift each year; check before you go.
- MayEvery year
Canobie opens
Canobie Lake Park opens for the season, weekends at first. 2027 is its 125th year.
- SummerEvery year
Concerts outdoors
Free Friday concerts at Field of Dreams Park and live music at Lake Park in Tuscan Village.
- Sept.–Oct.Every year
Screeemfest
Canobie’s fall nights: haunted houses, live shows and the rides after dark.
- OctoberEvery year
Festivals at Tuscan Village
The Parmigiano Reggiano Festival, ToscanaFest and the Concorso Italiano car show.