Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, and Salem is expecting one of its biggest nights ever, capping a Haunted Happenings season that draws about a million visitors. If you’re driving, plan now. If you can avoid driving, do.
Halloween day: Saturday, Oct. 31
- Downtown closes by noon. All downtown streets close to traffic no later than noon, and police can close them earlier if crowds build. That includes parts of Essex, Washington, Federal, Derby, Lafayette and Front streets, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square.
- The MBTA garage locks at 6 p.m. The MBTA Salem station garage is closed to vehicles from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cars in, no cars out. Don’t park there if you need to leave during the evening.
- Drone show closure. Bridge Street closes from 9:15 to 11:30 p.m. for the drone show, which starts at 10:15 p.m.
The days before
Expect heavy traffic and likely closures on Friday, Oct. 30, and all through Halloween weekend. On regular October weekends, Essex Street is closed to through traffic with on-street parking banned from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., starting at noon on Fridays. Routes 114 and 1A will see major delays, with spillover onto Route 128.
Where to park
- Free weekend lot: 108 Jefferson Ave. is free on Saturdays and Sundays, about a five-minute walk to downtown. It fills early.
- Downtown garages: expect event pricing and long exit lines after dark. Arrive before closures start, and assume you won’t leave until crowds clear.
The better plan: train or ferry
The city strongly recommends the commuter rail (about 30 minutes from North Station, or about five minutes from downtown Beverly) or the Salem Ferry from Boston. If you’re coming from outside the city, book a garage near North Station in advance and ride in from there.
Parking in Boston for the trip? Reserve a guaranteed spot near North Station ahead of time with LAZgo at lazparking.com, then take the train to Salem.
Closures can change on short notice. Check the My Salem MA or Destination Salem apps on the day.
Sources: Destination Salem · Patch. Written by the Ecosystem Intelligence Desk.
Building Your Halloween Trip, Step by Step
With downtown closed to cars by midday and crowds building all afternoon, the trip to Salem on Halloween works best when every leg is decided before you leave home. Here is a simple order of operations.
- Decide how you are getting there. Train, ferry or car. If you are driving all the way, accept that you are committing to an early arrival and a late departure.
- Decide when you are leaving Salem. This matters as much as when you arrive. Late evening trains and exits can be crowded, and the station garage is closed to vehicles for much of the night.
- Lock in your parking. Whether it is a garage near North Station, a lot in Salem or a spot near another station, book or choose it ahead of time and save the confirmation where you can open it without a signal.
- Buy fares in advance. Load your commuter rail ticket or ferry fare before the day so you are not standing in a line at a machine with a crowd behind you.
- Pick a meeting point. Choose a specific landmark away from the busiest blocks, in case your group gets separated and phones are slow.
- Download the apps and check them on the day. Closures can shift. A quick check before you leave and again on arrival keeps your plan current.
If You Drive Anyway
Some visitors have good reasons to drive, such as young children, a long trip from outside the region or someone who cannot manage crowded trains. If that is you, a few habits make the day easier.
- Arrive well before the closures. Plan to be parked long before downtown streets close, and treat the car as staying put until the crowds clear.
- Do not count on street parking. Residential streets around downtown fill early, and many have rules for residents. Read every sign, including temporary ones posted for the weekend.
- Pack the car for a long stay. Bring layers, water, snacks, a phone battery and anything you would want if you end up waiting for traffic to clear.
- Note your location carefully. In the dark, with crowds and costumes everywhere, a photo of the lot sign and a dropped pin save a lot of searching.
- Expect a slow exit. The major routes in and out of the city will be congested. Patience and a full tank help.
Moving Through the Crowds Safely
Halloween night in Salem is festive and packed. A few common-sense habits keep it fun.
- Keep children close. Agree on what to do if anyone gets separated, and consider writing a phone number on a card in a child’s pocket.
- Choose visible costumes. Masks and dark costumes can make it hard to see and be seen, especially near streets that reopen later.
- Travel light. A small bag is easier to manage in crowds and on trains. Keep phones and wallets in front pockets.
- Follow officers and posted signs. Crowd routes and street closures are there to keep people moving safely.
- Plan your ride home before you celebrate. If you are driving, the driver stays sober. Otherwise, use the train, the ferry or a ride arranged from outside the busiest area.
Common Halloween-in-Salem Mistakes
- Parking in the station garage for an evening visit. If the garage is closed to vehicles overnight, your car stays inside until it reopens.
- Arriving after the closures begin. Driving into downtown once streets close is slow and often impossible.
- Waiting until the last train. Late trains are often the most crowded. Leaving a little earlier can mean a calmer ride.
- Relying on navigation apps alone. They may not reflect every closure. Follow police and posted signs.
- Assuming Friday will be quiet. The day before Halloween will also see heavy traffic and closures.
Questions Visitors Ask
Is it worth going on a different day?
If crowds are not what you want, a weekday earlier in the season is usually far calmer, with easier parking and shorter lines at attractions.
What should I bring for the train?
Your fare loaded in advance, a charged phone, a warm layer and patience for crowded platforms on the way home.
Can I bring a stroller?
You can, but crowds make maneuvering hard. A carrier for small children is often easier in packed downtown streets and on trains.
What if closures change during the day?
Check the official apps and follow police directions. Having a backup plan for getting home, such as a later train or a different station, helps if your first plan is disrupted.
