Christmas In Salem House Tour Returns For 44th Year In 2023

SALEM, MA — The visiting crowds in Salem may be all about Halloween for the next three weekends but Historic Salem, Inc. is already planning its annual holiday house tours.

The Christmas House Tour is set for Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 with this year's theme being "An On Common Christmas" featuring homes around Salem Common.

Tickets for the 44th annual tour — a tradition for many North Shore families — are now available here.

The history of the Salem Common dates back to the 1600s when militia trained in the swamp and livestock grazed. The area was filled in 1801 with trees and walkways — making it desirable for residential use.

Many of the homes featured on this year's Christmas in Salem tour date back to the time when the Federal-style mansions were built.

The Salem Armory located at the corner of Essex and Liberty Streets in downtown Salem will be the starting point for this year's tour where tickets can be picked up or purchased the day of the event.

There will be a candle-lit preview on Dec. 1 from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. with tickets available at the time of purchase of regular tour tickets.

Tickets are $40 for non-Historic Salem, Inc. members and $35 for HSI members. Tickets purchased the day of the tour are $45. Tour tickets including the Friday night candle-lit preview are $120 for non-HSI members and $100 for members of Historic Salem, Inc.

Christmas in Salem proceeds to support the preservation mission of Historic Salem, Inc.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)