Salem Halloween 2023: 100K+ Visitors Expected Saturday Amid Near-Record Warm Temperatures

SALEM, MA — Two days of record-warm temperatures around 80 degrees on the Friday and Saturday before Halloween is shaping up to be a recipe for an overwhelming onslaught of visitors to the holiday's unofficial hometown of Salem this weekend.

Mayor Dominick Pangallo said that the city is expecting the possibility of more than 100,000 visitors on Saturday alone as holiday fanatics who gave the city the cold shoulder during the rainy and cool weekends earlier this month try to make it to the monster mayhem just under the wire of this Halloween season.

As residents brace for what some may feel is an annual ghastly invasion of the Witch City, Pangallo issued some tips for them to park and get around the city and ways to report those who are violating some of the rules put in to protect properties and residents amid the chaotic crush.

"The same things that make Salem a great place to visit make it a wonderful place to live," Pangallo said in a message to potential visitors on Thursday. "Please remember that this is a real city, where people live and work. Be respectful of our residents and workers and you'll have an even more pleasant experience."

He noted that the city's Enhanced Safety Zone ordinance kicks on on Saturday — tripling fines for parking violations. Residents are advised to call 978-744-1212 to report vehicles that are illegally parked or for noise complaints instead of using the SeeClickFix notification system on the city website.

Residents can also park free on weekends in kiosk lots with 72 dedicated parking spots remain for downtown residents in the Museum Place Garage as of Thursday. Downtown residents can call 978-619-5697 to find out if they qualify and how to reserve a space if they require it.

Salem residents also have free use of the BlueBikes municipal bicycle-sharing service throughout October.

For all others thinking of coming to downtown Salem this weekend, the strong advice remains the same — do not drive there.

"We're anticipating potentially over 100,000 visitors on Saturday and we have 4,000 parking spaces downtown," Pangallo said. "You won't find a place to park."

There will also be planned road closures and the possibility of non-movable barricades given the crowd sizes, Pangallo said.

The city will run free shuttle service from about 1,300 spots at satellite lots at Salem High School, Salem State University and Salem Hospital downtown on Saturday and Sunday, and from Salem High School only on Monday and Tuesday.

All others are advised to take the commuter rail — which is $10 for unlimited use on Saturday and Sunday — or the Salem Ferry with the capacity increased from 150 to 600 for the Halloween stretch run.

Visitors who like to really get into the Halloween spirit and dress the part are also reminded that weapons — real or fabricated — are not allowed.

"We have substantially added to police coverage and weapons will be confiscated," Pangallo said. "We will have lots of additional police coverage in place through the 31st, including ample coverage for residential neighborhoods."

The following Salem roads will be closed to traffic at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and by about 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Some or all of these roads may be closed on Monday as well if crowds necessitate.

Essex Street from North Street to Union Street

Washington Street from New Derby Street to Bridge Street

Federal Street from Washington Street to North Street (and a small portion of Federal Street at the
Washington Street end)

A portion of Church Street, a portion of Lynde Street, Washington Square North and West from Essex Street to Williams Street, a portion of Washington Square South, 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.

Franklin Street and Bridge Street at Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive will also be closed to all traffic between the westerly overpass ramps and Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for the closing fireworks to be held at 10 p.m. on Halloween night.

Parking will be off-limits from 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

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 North 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 Superior Court.

(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.)