09/12/2026
🖤 THIS WEEKEND IN SALEM, SEPTEMBER 12 & 13, 2026
Ghost Ship Market, a vintage lawn party, a free community dinner, family activities and plenty of live entertainment. Salem’s giving us a busy weekend!
Saturday looks sunny and dry, with a high near 71 degrees. Sunday brings rain and possible thunderstorms, especially before 3:00 p.m., with heavy downpours possible and a high near 73.
👇 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
♻️ 8:00 a.m. to NOON
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Salem High School, 77 Willson Street
Salem and Beverly residents can drop off accepted household hazardous materials. The cost is $30 per car, cash only, with proof of residency required.
🦁 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. bus departures
Free Franklin Park Zoo Trip for Salem Residents
Departing Salem High School, 77 Willson Street
Enjoy free transportation and zoo admission during this special community outing to Boston. Buses are first come, first served; bring proof of Salem residency. Return buses leave the zoo at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.
🧪 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Slime Potion Brewing Class
The Lost Library’s Black Box, 282R Derby Street
Mix up a little gooey Salem magic. Tickets are $20 per slime-maker; accompanying adults attend free. Children under 12 need an adult.
🚲 10:00 a.m. to NOON
Tweed Ride
Meet at the Salem Common bandstand, Washington Square
Join Greater Boston Vintage Society for a free community bicycle ride, returning for the lawn party. Vintage and modern bicycles are welcome.
🧱 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Lego Club
Salem Public Library, Children’s Program Room, 370 Essex Street
Children ages 4 and older can build and create with a caregiver. Free; registration required.
🎨 10:30 a.m. to NOON
Studio Saturdays: Nature’s Abundance Collages
Peabody Essex Museum, Create Space Studios, 161 Essex Street
Create a collage inspired by the natural world. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers, including museum admission. Registration required.
📚 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Book Group, “Arcadia” by Tom Stoppard
Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex Street
Join the monthly book discussion in person, or register in advance to participate through Zoom.
👻 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
GHOST SHIP MARKET
Derby Square, 32 Derby Square
Shop art, jewelry, oddities, vintage treasures and witchy creations from independent makers. Free admission, and plenty of reasons to support Salem’s wonderfully unusual side.
🛶 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FREE KAYAKING AND WATERFRONT CRAFTS
Central Wharf, 193 Derby Street
This special Trails & Sails program offers free kayaking and paddleboarding, plus crafts with park rangers. Equipment is first come, first served, with instruction and life jackets provided. Weather permitting.
🎶 NOON to 2:00 p.m.
Salem Haunted Neighborhood Fall Kick-Off Jam
288 Derby Street
Not Bad Pretty Good brings live music to the Haunted Neighborhood’s fall celebration.
🕰️ NOON to 4:00 p.m.
8TH ANNUAL VINTAGE LAWN PARTY
Salem Common, Washington Square
Enjoy free dancing, lawn games, antique vehicles, vintage vendors and live music. Bring your picnic blanket and a little old-fashioned flair!
☕ NOON to 5:00 p.m.
Cafecito at Casa de Abuela
98 Lafayette Street, backyard entrance through the pink alley
Enjoy coffee and explore a recreated Latin American grandmother’s home during this free Trails & Sails celebration of family traditions, culture and community.
📝 NOON to 1:30 p.m.
Get Out the Vote Postcard Gathering
Riley Plaza, 1 Margin Street
Local Indivisible volunteers gather to write voter-outreach postcards during the rally. Signup is requested.
🧶 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Convivial Craft
Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex Street
Bring your knitting, sketchbook, journal or another project and enjoy some creative company. Open to the public.
💭 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Salem’s Modern Philosophers
Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex Street
Explore contemporary questions and ideas through a thoughtful group discussion.
🦇 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Weekend Drop-In Art Making: Bat Masks
Peabody Essex Museum, Main Atrium, 161 Essex Street
Children ages 4 and older can learn about bats and create a mask to take home. Included with museum admission.
⚽ 1:00 p.m.
Salem State Men’s Soccer vs. Salve Regina
Alumni Field, O’Keefe Sports Complex, 225 Canal Street
Cheer on the Vikings during Saturday’s home match.
🏡 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Bat House Making
Ropes Mansion Garden, 318 Essex Street
Build a bat house with biologist Maria Armour and learn about these helpful nighttime neighbors. Registration required; $20 covers one house for a family group of up to four.
🎶 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Ryan Kelleher Music and Elia’s Taverna Food Pop-Up
Far From The Tree C***r, 108 Jackson Street
Spend the afternoon with live local music and a special food pop-up.
📖 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Graphic Novel Book Club
Salem Public Library, Children’s Program Room, 370 Essex Street
Readers in sixth grade and above can discuss graphic novels with fellow fans. Free; registration required.
⚖️ 3:00 to 3:45 p.m.
Cry Innocent: The People vs. Bridget Bishop
Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center Auditorium, 2 New Liberty Street
Question the witnesses and serve as the jury during this interactive performance about Bridget Bishop’s 1692 examination. Tickets required.
🍽️ 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
THE LONGEST TABLE
Salem Street, behind Sarah Parker Remond School
Pull up a chair for a free community meal catered by Root. Meet your neighbors and join conversations about food access in Salem. Registration is requested through the event’s Eventbrite listing.
🎻 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Irish Session
O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant, 120 Washington Street
Enjoy traditional Irish music and good company in downtown Salem.
🎸 7:00 p.m.
Saturday Jam with Danny Mac
Brodie’s Seaport, 215 Derby Street
Settle in for a Saturday-night jam with Danny Mac.
🔮 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
A Spirited Evening: Connecting With the Other Side
Celestial Navigation Astrology & Wellness, 254 Essex Street, Suite 204
Explore paranormal-investigation tools, intuitive exercises and Salem history during an intimate indoor workshop. Admission is $55; advance reservations required.
🌊 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Sea Witch Ball Workshop
The Sea Wych Salem, 131 Essex Street
Create a witch ball while learning its history and lore. This session is for existing ticket holders: sales closed Friday at noon, and walk-ins are not accepted. Ages 13 and older.
🎸 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Blues on Tap
Gulu-Gulu Cafe, 247 Essex Street
Enjoy a lively evening of blues and rock. No cover.
🎺 9:00 p.m.
Second Saturday Second Lines with Jambalaya Horns
Mercy Tavern, 148 Derby Street
Enjoy New Orleans-inspired brass, funk and rhythm and blues. Confirm tonight’s performance directly with Mercy before going.
🕺 10:00 p.m. to closing
DJ and Dancing
O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant, 120 Washington Street
Keep Saturday going with late-night music and dancing.
👇 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
🧪 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Slime Potion Brewing Class
The Lost Library’s Black Box, 282R Derby Street
A hands-on indoor option for a rainy morning. Tickets are $20 per slime-maker; accompanying adults attend free. Children under 12 need an adult.
📚 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Feed Your Mind and Our Community
Wicked Good Books, 260 Essex Street
Shop imperfect new books and toys, with proceeds benefiting The Salem Pantry and PALS Animal Life Savers. Free admission; the sale operates as space and stock allow.
🧘 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Historic Hearts Yoga
Hamilton Hall, third-floor Supper Room, 9 Chestnut Street
Enjoy a welcoming yoga session supporting Hamilton Hall and The Salem Pantry. Bring a mat; tickets start at $25. The room requires climbing stairs.
🍺 NOON to 6:00 p.m.
NOTCH OKTOBERFEST 2026
Notch Brewing, 283R Derby Street
Celebrate with German food specials, live music, stein-hoisting and pretzel-eating competitions. Free admission, with food and drinks sold separately. Strictly 21 and older, with no children, babies or pets. Check the weather plan before going.
🦇 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Weekend Drop-In Art Making: Bat Masks
Peabody Essex Museum, Main Atrium, 161 Essex Street
Children ages 4 and older can learn about bats and make their own masks. Included with museum admission.
🏹 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Combat Archery Rewatch Party
East Regiment B**r Company, 30 Church Street
Watch a replay of the 2026 All Stars games on the taproom’s big screen and discover the sport of combat archery.
💎 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Diamonds Dine In with DJ Maxine Harrison
Gulu-Gulu Café, 247 Essex Street
Enjoy an afternoon revue featuring singing, dancing and comedy.
🎶 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Stephen Hildonsen Music and EDEX Cheese Cart Food Pop-Up
Far From The Tree C***r, 108 Jackson Street
Live local music and a special cheese-cart visit make for a relaxed Sunday afternoon.
📝 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Get Out the Vote Postcard Party
Bit Bar, 278 Derby Street
Join local Indivisible volunteers for a voter-outreach postcard gathering. Signup is requested.
🎻 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Irish Session
O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant, 120 Washington Street
Spend the afternoon enjoying traditional Irish tunes.
🎸 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Funday with Chris Fitz and Steve Peabody
Brodie’s Seaport, 215 Derby Street
Ease into Sunday evening with live music from Chris Fitz and Steve Peabody.
🎮 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Groove Gamers of Salem Rhythm-Game Meetup
Bit Bar, 278 Derby Street
Players of every skill level can join this free community meetup. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult and leave before 8:00.
📚 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tarot Book Pairing
The Midnight Bookseller, 116B North Street
Receive a single-card tarot reading paired with a handpicked book to take home. Tickets required.
🥁 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Bam the Drummer
The Cannery, 2 Bridge Street, patio behind Starbird
Enjoy live music beside the waterfront. This performance is outdoors, so confirm its status with the venue before leaving.
🎭 7:00 p.m.; doors at 6:30
The Muppetlesque Cabaret
Cinema Salem, 1 East India Square Mall
A burlesque and drag tribute inspired by Jim Henson’s world takes over the theater. Ages 18 and older; tickets required.
🎤 8:30 p.m.
Sunday Karaoke
Koto, 90 Washington Street
Grab the microphone or cheer on the singers during Sunday-night karaoke.
🎤 10:00 p.m. to closing
Sunday Karaoke
O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant, 120 Washington Street
Still have one more song in you? Finish the weekend at O’Neill’s.
schedules, ticket availability and weather plans can change, and human error is possible. Please confirm details directly with each organizer before heading out.
What’s making your weekend list, Salem? 🖤
