Although Salem, Mass is mostly known as a spooky Halloween town, it’s also a beautiful, historic town with lots of colonial charm and a great place to celebrate Christmas.
In fact, there’s no place in America that compares to scenic New England during Christmas time.
For over 40 years, Salem has been holding annual Christmas events in the town. From walking tours to house tours, there’s a number of fun things to do in Salem for Christmas.

The following is a list of Christmas events in Salem:
Christmas in Salem House Tour:
Historic Salem Inc offers an annual Christmas in Salem House Tour each December. The tour is a walking tour of various historic houses and buildings in Salem decorated with holiday decorations.
Visitors are invited into each home and given a guided tour of the house which includes a history of the building and the people who once lived there.
The houses featured on the tour changes every year but past houses featured in the tour include the Andrew-Safford House and the Joseph M. Parson House.
The tour is designed to be walkable but visitors are allowed to use the Salem trolley to take the tour as well.
Christmas Carol Trolley Tour:
The Salem Trolley offers a special Christmas Carol tour every November and December. The tour is a narrated 1 hour 15 minute ride on the Salem trolley with Scrooge while he brings the famed tale to life.
The tour is for all ages and departs from Salemdipity at 86 Wharf Street in Salem.
Christmas Brunch at the Hawthorne Hotel:
The Hawthorne Hotel is offering a special three-course Christmas brunch on Christmas day in its restaurant, Nathaniel’s Restaurant.
Reservations are required for this in-person dining experience with seatings offered between 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Call the hotel at 978-825-4345 to make reservations.
If you are interested in attending more seasonal events in Salem, check out this article on haunted house attractions in Salem.
Sources:
Ware, Marie Adele. “Christmas in Salem House Tour.” New England Today Travel, 19 Nov. 2020, newengland.com/today/travel/massachusetts/salem/christmas-in-salem-house-tour/