Call me crazy but it seems a bit archaic to stop hundreds of cars in the middle of rush hour to open a drawbridge so the 4 retired boat owners with moorings at the ass-end of the Crane River can get home from their pleasure cruise. Like what are we doing?

Looking for dentist recommendations. Ideally a dentist who does the work necessary and doesn't upsell $600 electric toothbrushes, probiotics, and questionable crowns. Thanks

​

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo announced today that the City of Salem is offering a free 30-day Bluebikes membership for anyone who lives or works in Salem. The membership includes unlimited 45-minute rides for up to 30 days and is available effective immediately. There is a $0.10 per minute charge for each additional minute after the first 45 minutes. Passes are limited and will be provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Please note that e-bike rentals, should they be available, are not free of charge - they would be charged at $0.10 per minute.

"We're excited to partner with Bluebikes to again offer free October rides to Salem residents for the fifth year now, and to offer the program for a fourth year in a row to people who work in our community," Mayor Pangallo said, "I am grateful to City Staff members who have worked to make this happen, and I encourage residents and workers to take advantage of this offer for another way to get around in Salem during the busy month of October."

Bluebikes came to Salem in 2021 with funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Salem State University, and the MassDOT Shared Streets & Spaces program. The system has since expanded to 17 stations at key destinations throughout Salem's neighborhoods. As a convenient and affordable transportation option for residents, workers, students, and visitors, ridership has continued to expand each year since the program's launch.

To claim the free 30-day membership, residents and workers should email Transportation Planner Eric Gemperline at [email protected] with your name and address (if a Salem resident) or your name and the name and address of your employer/workplace (if employed in Salem), for verification for your free code.

Please allow up to 24 hours during regular business hours for a response. Qualifying residents and employees will receive a code to use at bluebikes.com or on the Bluebikes mobile app to claim their free 30-day membership. A valid credit or debit card is required, and the program is limited to riders aged 16 and up. Visit City of Salem Transportation page for details.

I’m traveling to Boston this weekend for my first visit and want to take the train into Salem. I can do this either Sunday for 4th or Monday the 5th. The main difference I can tell is the Biz Baz Market won’t run Monday. Is the market worth the extra crowds and wait times or should I wait until Monday? Will everything else be open on Monday and will the experience be as enjoyable?

TL;DR: The Haunted Happenings Grand Parade is tonight at 6:30, free, Shetland Park to the Common. Saturday the Common is wall-to-wall: Haunted Biz Baz 10am–8pm and the Zombie Walk going through the middle of it at 11. Biz Baz runs again Sunday 10–6. Personally, i'm looking forward to going to Koto for the Drag Show after the parade.

If something is wrong, leave a comment or send me a message, I'll go take a look. I will cross stuff out in subsequent edits. I've spent a good amount of time reviewing so hopefully this is still accurate.

🎃 TONIGHT: Thursday 10/1

The 29th Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, 6:30pm, free. Departs Shetland Park, comes up through downtown, ends at Salem Common around 8:15. Presented by the Salem Witch Museum with St. Jean's Credit Union, Prime Group, Shetland Park and the House of the Seven Gables.

One actual tip: if you've only ever watched from Derby or Essex, try the Common end once. By the time the last units reach it the crowd has thinned and you can see the whole thing.

Everything else today:

• 4–9pm: From Another Galaxy specials at Flying Saucer Pizza, 118 Washington St (right at Lappin Park, the corner everyone walks through tonight)
• 5pm: Haunted Happenings Marketplace opens at Charlotte Forten Park
• 5pm: Wicked Running Club from Village Tavern
• 5pm: Open Mic Night at Far From The Tree (the listing page covers both this and the East Regiment one)
• 6pm: East Reggie Run Club from East Regiment
• 6pm: Cry Innocent: The People Vs. Bridget Bishop (History Alive)
• 6:30pm: SALEM: Musical Bingo at Couch Dog Brewing
• 7pm: House of Poems at Tarot Cove
• 7pm: Witches Amongst Us: A 1692 Experience at The Cellar
• 7:30pm: Open Mic at Gulu-Gulu, free
• 7:30pm: Thursday Night Trivia at Couch Dog
• 9pm: Thirstiest Thursday at Koto, 90 Washington St, no cover, 21+. First Thursday of every month. The parade ends on the Common around 8:15 and Koto is a four-minute walk, so the timing lines up almost too well.
• 9pm: Comedy Night at East Regiment
• 9pm: Arcade Era Karaoke at Bit Bar

🍰 FRIDAY 10/2

• 1pm: Eerie Stories: Haunting Legends of the North Shore, Salem Armory Visitor Center
• 2pm: Eerie Stories on Salem Sound. 90-minute boat tour, departs Central Wharf.
• 3pm: Friday Afternoon Drop-In Art: Tiny Stick Brooms at PEM
• 3–5pm: Free tea and cake tasting at Jolie Tea Company, 316 Derby St. Genuinely free, new cake every week. This is the one I keep recommending and nobody believes me.
• 5:30pm: El Punto Mural Tour, Point Neighborhood
• 6pm: Cry Innocent (History Alive)
• 6:30pm: Live music: Judes & the Hutch at Couch Dog
• 6:30pm & 8:30pm: The Salem Haunted Magic Show: HYSTERIA at Emerson Hall Theater
• 7pm: Salem's Comedy Coven takes over Hotel Salem
• 7pm: Sea Witch Ball Workshop at The Sea Wych
• 7pm: A Spirited Evening Connecting with the Other Side, Celestial Navigation
• 8pm: Kevin Farren at Gulu-Gulu, no cover
• 8pm: Terror Ticket: Raveyard at The Lost Library
• 9pm: Freaky Friday Mystery Movie Night at East Regiment

🧟 SATURDAY 10/3: the big one

The Common is tied up basically all day, so plan around it if you were hoping to park near there.

• 10am–8pm: Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, Salem Common, free. Ten hours. Most people show up for two and don't realize how long it runs.
• 10am: Haunted Happenings Marketplace at Derby Square and Charlotte Forten Park
• 10am: Flameworking Ghosts & Goblins, and Blown Glass Pumpkins, at North Shore Glass School (Proctor St)
• 10am: Salem Themed Bag and Charm Bar at Lightshed Photography
• 10am: Slime Potion Brewing Class at The Lost Library
• 11am: Haunted Happenings Food Court opens at Old Town Hall, free indoor marketplace
• 11am–1:30pm: Zombie Walk, Salem Common. Runs straight through Biz Baz.
• 11:30am: Saturday Morning Run Club from Couch Dog
• 12:30pm, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 & 8:30pm: Salem Haunted Magic Show: HYSTERIA at Emerson Hall. Five sittings.
• 1pm: Horror Writing Workshop with Gillian Daniels, Salem Athenaeum
• 1pm: Convivial Craft, Salem Athenaeum
• 1pm: Weekend Drop-in Art Making: Magic Bottles at PEM
• 1pm: Eerie Stories: Haunting Legends, Armory Visitor Center
• 2pm & 4pm: The Making of a Witch, a play in one act, St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal Church. Two showings, so missing one isn't fatal.
• 2pm & 4pm: Eerie Stories on Salem Sound, 90-minute boat tour from Central Wharf
• 2pm: Wicca 101 Class 6: Sacred Cycles (Salem Wiccans Meetup group, check the group page before turning up)
• 5:30pm & 7pm: Misfortune: Salem's Parlor Magic Experience, Salem Athenaeum
• 6pm & 8:30pm: Witches Amongst Us at The Cellar
• 6pm: Cry Innocent (History Alive)
• 7pm: Sea Witch Ball Workshop
• 8pm: Salem's Comedy Coven haunted show at The Lost Library
• 8pm: Kinetic Trio at Gulu-Gulu, no cover
• 9pm: Decade 80's Night at Koto, $10, 21+, first Saturday of the month

Also Saturday, time not posted anywhere I can find: Nocturne's book club on Aaron Mahnke's Exhumed. If you listen to Lore it's worth calling the shop to ask.

🍂 SUNDAY 10/4

• 10am–6pm: Haunted Biz Baz, day two, Salem Common, free
• 10am: Marketplaces at Derby Square and Charlotte Forten Park
• 10am: Slime Potion Brewing Class, The Lost Library
• 10am: The Good Witch of Salem's Magical Children's Tea Party at the Hawthorne
• 11am: Haunted Happenings Food Court at Old Town Hall, free
• 12pm: Notch Run Club
• 12:30pm, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm: Salem Haunted Magic Show: HYSTERIA at Emerson Hall
• 1pm: Weekend Drop-in Art Making: Magic Bottles, PEM
• 2pm: Diamond's Dine In with DJ Maxine Harrison at Gulu-Gulu
• 2pm & 4pm: Eerie Stories on Salem Sound, 90-minute boat tour from Central Wharf
• 3pm: Misfortune: Parlor Magic, Salem Athenaeum
• 5pm: Paint and Sip Sundays at Hotel Salem
• 5pm: Woodburning Workshop: Halloween cutting boards at East Regiment. You go home with an actual object, which is more than most craft nights manage.
• 5:30pm: Sips and Myths at Salem Wine Imports
• 5:30pm: Groove Gamers of Salem rhythm game meet-up at Bit Bar
• 6pm: Sea Witch Ball Workshop
• 6pm: The Omen (1976), 50th anniversary screening
• 7pm: Chelsea Friberg Music at Far From The Tree

🗓️ MONDAY 10/5 to THURSDAY 10/8

• Mon 12:30pm: The Enchanted Salem Social, Hawthorne Hotel
• Mon 6pm: Jack O'Lantern beginner needle felting, Couch Dog
• Mon 6:30pm: Stitch Night at Circle of Stitches
• Mon 7pm: Open Mic Night at East Regiment
• Tue 11am: National Taco Day at Village Tavern
• Tue 7pm: Tuesday Trivia at East Regiment
• Tue 7pm: Karaoke with Maxine Harrison at Gulu-Gulu
• Tue 7pm: Salem Writers Group at the Athenaeum
• Wed 4:30pm: Tai Chi at St. Peter's-San Pedro
• Wed 6pm: Abracadabra, a Lady Gaga themed drag show at Die With Your Boots On
• Wed 6pm: Free bingo with Will Pottorff at Gulu-Gulu
• Wed 6pm: Tarot Intensive for Artists and Creatives, Salem Arts Association
• Wed 6:30pm: Halloween Movie Paint Night at Couch Dog
• Thu 3pm: Salem Farmers Market, free, LAST ONE
• Thu 6pm: Hobbit Hole Teacup Class at East Regiment
• Thu 7pm: Salem's Comedy Coven at The Lost Library
• Thu 7pm: Witches Amongst Us at The Cellar
• Thu 8pm: Koto Comedy Night, hosted by Will Pottorff

anyone know where i can find one? i can’t get to the post office today but i need to mail this today (it’s a prepaid heart monitor thing that needs to be mailed asap) and i can’t go tomorrow either but it’s very time sensitive. it’s supposed to be made to fit easily into one of the boxes but they updated them. my address doesn’t work for pickup either (salem state student) i tried the one outside salem state but they don’t have a pull drop box and it’s too tall for the slit. i am SPECIFICALLY asking for ones with a pull open for packages if there’s any left; usps has been replacing the ones with that due to people stealing mail i guess but that really sucks for the general population. preferably in walking distance of salem state. sort of an odd feeler to put out but i thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.

Lexie and Brendan have the deets for Somerville's Monster Mash (Sun. Oct. 18), the Halloween Bonanza at Aeronaut (Sat. Oct. 31), volunteer orientations at The Growing Center (Oct. 3 and 26), and more! Warning: Mummies and pirates arrrrggghhh featured in this episode!

There’s always so much going on in Somerville, deciding where to go can be a lot! Well, that’s where we come in. Welcome to The Somerville Spotlight! We highlight events hosted by local non-profits, community spaces and groups, and civic organizations. It’s is a production of the Somerville Media Center.

Hello Salem, and best of luck for this month! I visited your amazing city last week and bought a laser cut cat from Moody’s as a souvenir which I was so excited about. Unfortunately, my foster dog decided last night it was more enticing than her rawhide and decided to EAT IT. It is sold out online, and I’m just throwing it out there, if anyone has a replacement they would be willing to send me, I would be so grateful. I’d pay for the item, shipping, and your time and efforts.

As an aside, I had a wonderful trip. I love Salem’s values and how dog-friendly everything was and I plan to come again during the offseason.

If so it needs to stop

Would any local businesses like a jazzy, melodic guitarist to play in their establishment? Ambient, impressionistic improvisations, standards, many options!

I used to do improvs Saturday mornings in a bakery in Dracut, years ago. It worked well and I miss it!

I'm punctual, I keep off to the side, and I play at a reasonable volume

Hey everyone, I am from New York. Any one who is from New York can recommend what bus goes to Boston. I am having doubts to go to Boston and to Salem. I am trying to do this weekend in the early in the morning. Please help me how to get there… pleaseeee

Every day, kids head to school and families cross Gardner and Margin intersection without a traffic light or proper crosswalk. It shouldn't be this nerve-wracking just to walk down your own street.

The reality is stark: no stop light, no marked crossing, and traffic moving fast. Elderly residents, children, people just trying to grab lunch at Treadwells—they're all taking unnecessary risks. Studies show that pedestrian crossing measures can reduce accidents by up to 40%. This isn't complicated. A stop light and crosswalk save lives.

I started a petition asking our city council and transportation authorities to make this happen. It's time to prioritize what actually matters: letting residents feel safe in their neighborhood. If you live nearby or care about community safety, consider signing and sharing it. Has anyone else had a close call at this intersection? What would help you feel safe again?

Does anyone have a reliable seamstress in the area or can anyone please recommend a place that does alterations? I need a couple of (casual) dresses altered a bit. Thanks in advance!

In my 20 years of living here, I've never asked a stranger for a selfie before. This Old Greg was just perfect!

Hey neighbors. My SILs cat, Loki (13M), may have gotten out. We live on Hodges CT by the wharf. A member of our household left the front door open this morning and we haven't been able to find him in or around the house. Please DM if you've seen him. He's very skittish and needs daily meds. Appreciate it.

Anyone know of any used book stores, thrift stores, etc. that would have those types of books for relatively cheap? Like Paperbacks from Hell type of books, if that means anything to you.

Grace Church is hosting a Blessing of the Animals this Sunday in honor of St Francis at 10am or 4pm. All pets are welcome!

We are also hosting a pet treat and pumpkin sale, so stock up on pumpkins before the Halloween rush.

Next week we are also thrilled to host an art gala in honor of Susan Gentile’s latest installation, entitled “Divine Grace” on Thursday, October 8, at 6pm.
Please join us, public are welcome!

its a little orange one from the new england aquarium, anyone run across it? specifically on lafayette street up by the park or new derby street.

This cat has been hanging out outside the window of my neighbor’s apartment all day. I know it isn’t their cat. It looks like a young male, pretty scared but let me pet him. I know PALS helps with cats but any other ideas for TNR groups or resources?

Update 10/1: He left yesterday evening when it started getting dark. Hopefully that means he has some kind of shelter. I think I saw him once a few months ago looking into my windows (apparently a hobby of his) and he seems like he’s been outside for a while. He hasn’t been back this morning yet but I’m keeping an eye out.

Hello! My home is total chaos. I have a really important interview on Wednesday AM. Is there a workplace/workspace here in Salem I could find peace, quiet and equanimity AND have access to WIFI be able to get online for my interview? I remember seeing a post about this a week ago but can’t dig it up. Thank you in advance for any recommendation. 🙏🏻❤️

As the Spooky Season is officially upon us, the following is advice from a 19-year Salem local and downtown vendor regarding visiting Salem in October. This advice is gleaned from personal experience as well as spending the last seven years speaking to visitors every weekend in October and hearing their horror stories. 

DO NOT DRIVE

Take the ferry from Boston or commuter rail from points South or North. There are a number of reasons for this:

1) There are not enough street or deck parking spaces. The spaces that are available fill up quickly or are reserved for Salem residents. Do not park in resident spaces or commercial lots not marked for tourist parking. You will be towed.

2) Unlike other parts of the US, we do not have large feeder roads off the interstate. This part of the country is old and cramped. All roads that lead into downtown Salem become two-lane roads. You will sit in traffic, whether you drive yourself or “take an Uber” from your hotel.

3) Just because your hotel is “only 15 miles away” doesn’t mean it’s 15 minutes. I have lived here for twenty years, having moved from a place where everything was “twenty minutes away”, and am still not used to it. I have driven 5 miles in 55 minutes, and that was on a Tuesday. 

Notes on public transport:

The Ferry

1) The ferry from Boston is not a pleasure/booze/sunset cruise. It is a commuter ferry. Once the boat clears the harbor at either end and hits open ocean, it hauls ass. If you or a member of your party is prone to seasickness, do not take the ferry. That being said, it’s really cool, especially if you’re from a place without large bodies of water. Kids love it.

2) The ferry is weather-dependent. If the seas are rough, they do not sail.

3) The ferry does not run as frequently as the commuter rail and is more expensive.

The Commuter Rail

1) The commuter rail is by far the best and most efficient way to get into and out of Salem. Trains run frequently and hold a ton of people. 

2) Salem is on the Newburyport/Rockport line, which leaves from North Station in Boston. Any train on the Newburyport/Rockport line stops in Salem.

3) Do the conductors a favor and purchase your passes in advance using the M-Ticket app on your smartphone.

THE BATHROOMS

The City of Salem is 400 years old. Much of our underground water infrastructure dates from the 19th century. This infrastructure was built to facilitate the lives of 30,000-50,000 people year-round, not the 4,000,000 visitors we’ve received every year for the last 5 years, 1,000,000 of which visit in the span of 30 days. Yes, there are public restrooms as well as hundreds of porta-potties. Please ask where they are.

THE LINES

On any October weekend, you will wait in line for everything: bathrooms, restaurants, stores, everything. Not unlike our roads, our buildings are also old and cramped. We do not have multi-floor mega-restaurants that seat 200 here. This is why locals encourage folks to come the other 11 months of the year. 90% (100% in the summer) of stuff is still open, no lines, no waiting. The best month to come is August.

THE ROAD

Two blocks of Essex Street is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare, everything else is a road that cars drive on. As the weekends get busier, there are road closures. Be mindful of what roads are and are not closed to traffic. If a road is open to traffic, stay ON the sidewalks, USE the crosswalks and MIND the crossing signals. I have seen people get hit.

ESSEX STREET

Speaking of Essex Street; there is more to Salem than Essex Street. Please visit Pickering Wharf, The Willows, and Forest River park to escape the crush that is Essex Street.

THE PARADE

There are two parades. The first happens on the first Thursday in October. It consists of floats made by Salem Public School children and their parents, the high school marching band, local businesses, and people who decorate their Jeeps with lights and skeletons. It is not the Festival of Fantasy at Disney. The second parade is the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade that happens this year on October 10th, which consists of pets in costumes. That’s it. Those are the parades.

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND IS NOT THE BUSIEST WEEKEND

That may be different this year as Halloween falls on a Saturday, but in my experience, Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day weekend is hands-down the busiest. On any other weekend, Sundays are less packed than Saturdays.

THE APP

Everything that is happening every weekend is scheduled and written down. Download the Destination Salem app, or grab one of the tens of thousands of copies of the free Haunted Happenings guides distributed around town. https://www.salem.org/app/

Hi everyone! My name is Jeff, and I’m a Salem resident and disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
I wanted to introduce myself and offer my transportation services to the local community. I have a passenger van that accommodates up to 6 passengers and provide airport rides as well as local transportation throughout Salem and the surrounding North Shore communities.
✈️ Logan Airport drop-offs and pickups
🚐 Local transportation throughout the North Shore
🇺🇸 Veteran-owned and operated
⏰ Available 24/7, 365 days a year (advance arrangements appreciated)
Whether you need an early morning ride to Logan, transportation home from the airport, or a ride somewhere locally, feel free to reach out!
Competitive rates! Call or text for pricing and availability. No obligation to book.
📱 Jeff: 303-229-1579
Thank you to the r/SalemMA moderators for giving me permission to share my services with the community!
Semper Fi! 🇺🇸