October Road Closures and Parking Bans Set

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Salem Issues Road Closures Ahead of October Tourist Surge

City and MBTA officials outlined October street closures, parking restrictions and security measures on Sept. 17, ahead of an expected 1 million visitors over the seven weeks leading to Halloween. Officials urged visitors not to drive downtown during peak times and to use the commuter rail or Salem Ferry instead; free parking will be available Saturdays, Sundays and Indigenous Peoples' Day at 108 Jefferson Ave., a five-minute walk from downtown. Plans include hard barricades and significant police deployments in vehicles, on bikes, on foot and in plainclothes.

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PEM Hosts Pieces of Salem Anthology Book Launch

Salem Poet Laureate J.D. Scrimgeour and PEM Director David Snider host the launch of 'Pieces of Salem: An Anthology of Salem Voices' Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Salem State's Sophia Gordon Center, with readings and a book signing.

Peabody Essex Museum

Handspinners Gather at Circle of Stitches

The Whorling Witches Handspinning Meetup runs Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Circle of Stitches and its dye studio at Shetland Park.

Destination Salem

Interactive Murder, She Wrote Celebration at Cinema Salem

Cinema Salem hosts a 42nd-anniversary celebration of Murder, She Wrote Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with audience polls, games, bingo, prizes and an interactive mystery screening.

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HYSTERIA Magic Show Offers Sunday Afternoon Performance

The interactive Salem Haunted Magic Show: HYSTERIA takes place Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Emerson Hall Theater.

Destination Salem

Maddie and Jake Bring Live Music to Far From the Tree

Maddie and Jake perform Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Far From The Tree Cider.

Meet Daisy

Diamonds Dine In Drag Brunch Returns Sunday Afternoon

Diamonds Dine In with DJ Maxine Harrison runs Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Gulu Gulu Cafe.

Somo

Tarot-Themed Yoga Pairing Scheduled at Dóchas House

A tarot-and-yoga experience runs Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 5 and 6:30 p.m. at Dóchas House of Yoga, combining a small-group yoga session with a single-card tarot reading.

Destination Salem

Groove Gamers Host Free Rhythm-Game Meetup at Bit Bar

Groove Gamers of Salem holds a free, all-skill-level rhythm-game meetup Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bit Bar.

Destination Salem

Spanish-Language Tour Explores House of Seven Gables

A Spanish-language tour of The House of the Seven Gables runs Sunday, September 20, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m.

Destination Salem

Notch Run Club Offers Sunday 5K or 10K

Notch Run Club's weekly group run happens Sunday, September 20, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at Notch Brewing, with 5K or 10K routes for all abilities.

Destination Salem

CritterFest Closes With Documentary Screening and Q&A

CritterFest's closing-night film, 'Unspoken Bond,' screens Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Cinema Salem, with executive producer Jackie Ducci attending a post-screening Q&A.

Salem Chamber of Commerce

'Salem: The Game Show' Comes to Old Town Hall

'Salem: The Game Show' runs Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Old Town Hall, combining music, comedy, audience games and prizes as part of Salem 400+.

Salem 400+