City Of Salem: Halloween Weekend In Salem

Press release from the City of Salem:

October 28, 2021

Salem anticipates significant crowds throughout the weekend of October 29-31, 2021. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take the MBTA Commuter Rail, which has expanded service on the Newburyport/Rockport Line for October 30 and 31. Those who plan to drive into Salem should take advantage of the free satellite parking and shuttles provided by the City of Salem. Shuttles will run 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM on Halloween, Sunday, from lots at Salem High School (77 Willson Street), Salem State University’s O’Keefe Center (225 Canal Street), and 108 Jefferson Avenue (behind Salem Hospital). The downtown pick-up/drop-off location is in Riley Plaza.

The final trains to Boston depart at 10:41 PM, the final train to Beverly/Newburyport departs Salem at 10:30 PM, and the final train to Beverly/Rockport departs Salem at 11:00 PM. Note, the MBTA and Keolis change pedestrian access points to the MBTA Commuter Rail Station on Halloween night. Pedestrians will walk to the vehicle entrance at 252 Bridge Street and will be put in queues for northbound and southbound trains. Vehicle traffic in and out of the MBTA station, including the garage and surface lot, will not be permitted between 6:00 PM and 11:30 PM on October 31.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT IN SALEM

Visitors are reminded to be vigilant in crowds and if they see something, say something. Salem Police Department will be assisted by uniformed and plain clothes officers from neighboring communities, as well as the Massachusetts State Police and Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC). Suspicious activity can be reported to a detail officer or by calling Salem Police at (978) 744-1212. On Halloween, orange public safety tents will be located around the downtown. In the event of an emergency, dial 911.  

Entertainment stages and beer gardens will be located at Charlotte Forten Park, 289 Derby Street, Salem Common, Washington Street at Federal Street (near the MBTA station) and Washington Street at Front Street. Entertainment will conclude at 10:00 PM so people can get to the top of Washington Street to watch the closing fireworks.  

GUIDELINES FOR HALLOWEEN IN SALEM

• Seek Alternate Routes! Do NOT drive to Salem on October 31. Take the MBTA Commuter Rail or the Salem Ferry. Park in Lynn or Beverly and take the MBTA Commuter Rail right to Salem.
• Do not bring weapons, real or fake, as they will be confiscated.
• Public consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
• Plan to arrive no later than 8:30 PM so you have time to make the most of your Halloween experience in Salem.
• Do not park in “Resident Parking” zones. The fine is $50, and you may be towed.
• Be considerate of private property and Salem’s downtown residents.
• Be patient! Road closures and details are numerous on October 29-31. If you must drive, expect delays.
• Don’t get stuck. The MBTA will close vehicle access in and out of the garage and surface lot at the commuter rail station from 6:00 PM— 11:30 PM to accommodate pedestrian access to trains. No cars will be permitted to enter or exit during those hours.
• Be prepared to leave at the end of the evening. The street party concludes after the fireworks.
• The party ends after the fireworks end at 10:15 PM. Plan to depart at 10:30 PM, as police and public works department will be clearing the streets and sidewalks.
• Visit HauntedHappenings.org for complete information on Salem Haunted Happenings and Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts.

Please help Salem maintain a fun and safe downtown environment on Halloween evening. The City of Salem strongly discourages disorderly behavior, including drinking in public, littering and random acts of vandalism. Triple fines are in effect, which means citations for illegal behavior, including public drinking, vandalism, and littering, could have fines up to $300. Offenders will be penalized to the maximum amount allowed under the law both civilly and criminally. All lines to get into restaurants will be cut at 10:30 PM, which is when final trains begin departing Salem depot. 

PLANNED STREET CLOSURES

This Saturday and Sunday will include multiple road closures and heavy traffic impacts for the entire weekend. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take the commuter rail or ferry to get to Salem. Expect major traffic impacts on Route 114 and Route 1A. Downtown streets will close to all traffic no later than 11:00 a.m. on Saturday* and Sunday (predicted inclement weather may alter closure plan).  Road closures include: Essex Street from Crombie Street to Union Street, Washington Street from New Derby Street to Bridge Street, Federal Street from Washington Street to North Street, Washington Square North and West from Essex Street to Williams Street, Hawthorne Boulevard, Derby Street from Lafayette to Congress Street, Route 1A, Charter Street, Central Street, Front Street, and Lafayette Street from New Derby Street to Front Street. Bridge Street at Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive will also close to all traffic between the westerly overpass ramps and Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive from 9:30pm to 11:30pm for the closing fireworks to be held at 10:00 p.m. on October 31st.

Please be aware that residents and businesses will still be able to access their streets and their designated parking spaces within this perimeter by informing the officer at the barricade or calling the Salem Police Station non-emergency number (978) 744-1212 and an officer will be sent to your location and allow you access.  Please also be aware that crowd size could also require the Police Department to shutdown other streets not listed above, but residents will still be allowed access.

NO PARKING AREAS

Posted Tow Zones 8:00 a.m. to Midnight, Saturday & Sunday

1. Lafayette Street both sides from Derby Street to Front Street.
2. Public parking lot along Front Street. Public parking spaces located on Central St in front of old police station. Meter spaces Central/Front/Charter.
3. Essex Street from Crombie Street to Union Street. Both sides.
4. Derby St both sides between Union Street and Lafayette St.
5. Hawthorne Blvd both sides.
6. Front Street.
7. Central Street.
8. Church Street.
9. Washington Street from New Derby to Bridge Street both sides.
10. Washington Sq. South, and West both sides, and a portion of Washington Square North.
11. Norman Street from Washington Street to Crombie Street.
12. New Derby St between Klop Alley and Lafayette Street.
13. Margin Street in front of Post office, Taxis only.
14. Federal Street both sides from St. Peter’s Street to the former District Court.

DOWNTOWN RESIDNTS

Downtown residents will once again be able to park free of charge in the Sewall Street parking lot on October 30th & October 31st. A driver’s license or proof of downtown residency will be required to access this lot. First come, first served until lot is full.

MBTA GARAGE AND CRESCENT LOT CLOSURE

To safely accommodate pedestrian crowds, the MBTA Garage and the City of Salem crescent lot at Salem station will be closed to vehicles from 6:00 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on Halloween night. Cars will not be permitted to enter or exit between these hours. Please plan accordingly.

FIREWORKS ROAD CLOSURE PLAN

In addition to the planned closures above, on Halloween night Bridge Street will close to all traffic between the westerly overpass ramps and Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for the closing fireworks, which will start around 10:00 p.m. on October 31st.

All information above is subject to change. The Salem Police Department will close any street at any time if they determine that a public safety issue exists. To receive real-time updates and notifications about road closures or other pertinent announcements, download the "My Salem MA" and "Destination Salem" apps for your device (make sure notifications are turned on) and follow @CityofSalemMA and @HauntdHappnings on Twitter .

This press release was produced by the City of Salem. The views expressed here are the author’s own.