Marking the festival’s 17th year, and Salem’s 400th, the 2026 Salem Lit Fest will feature more than 40 writers and presenters from a diverse range of genres for readers of all ages, with a special focus on celebrating Salem’s past, present, and future. All programming is free of charge, supported by the generous donations of individual community members, and our valued corporate and cultural sponsors, including Massachusetts Cultural Council, Salem Cultural Council, Salem Five Bank, Wicked Good Books, and Witch City Walking Tours. The 2026 Salem Lit Fest will take place Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, 2026 both online and/or in person as follows: Thursday, November 12—Online only Friday, November 13—In-person Saturday, November 14—In-person Sunday, November 15—Online sessions and afternoon in-person sessions How to attend: Advance registration is required to obtain login credentials for online sessions. Please register online at salemlitfest.org. In-person sessions will be first come, first seated.
Listen to the shadowy history and folklore of Massachusetts’ North Shore! From buried treasure and ghostly ships to legendary pirates like Black Sam Bellamy and Captain Kidd, this program brings the haunting legends and maritime mysteries of Salem, Gloucester, Ipswich, and beyond to life. These stories are grounded in history, shaped by folklore, and told with all the drama of the high seas — these are the stories passed down for generations along one of America’s most storied coastlines.
This is the only tour in Salem which focuses on Friday the 13th, superstitions and local ghost stories. On this 90-minute tour, learn the secrets behind some of the most mysterious superstitions. Hear ghastly tales of hauntings and the paranormal. Discover for yourself some of the most shocking secrets of Salem’s chilling past. This limited edition tour is only available on Friday the 13th.
Free Tea & Cake Tasting at Jolie Tea Company. Every Friday afternoon, 3:00-5:00pm. Come enjoy and taste some of our favorite tea blends and cake flavors!
Make a one-of-a-kind paper lampshade or lantern using simple materials and imaginative design based on Isamu Noguchi’s iconic Akari paper light sculptures.
Salem’s Comedy Coven is back… but only for the Halloween season. Hidden inside The Lost Library’s Black Box Theater, this limited-run haunted comedy pop-up returns for just a few weeks each fall. Created in partnership with Witch City Comedy, the show brings together some of New England’s funniest comedians for an evening of wicked stand-up, eerie surprises, and laughs that are anything but dead. Seating is limited, and once the season ends, the coven disappears until next year.
Why is 13 an unlucky number? Why is it bad luck for a black cat to cross your path? Why do we throw salt over our shoulders? We still knock on wood, avoid walking under ladders and cringe if we break a mirror. Learn about the origins of myths and superstitions and their influence on modern society.
Marking 35 years of partnership, this flag raising honors the sister city relationship between Salem and Ota, Japan. In partnership with the City of Salem and the Peabody Essex Museum .
Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m. Sessions are hybrid. Register in advance if attending via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uZModOCvrj0v_MkPJIjN5jmwNm_XvSb0IA View this year’s reading list here.
Join us for a 5K run or 1 mile run/walk and then enjoy beer or coffee with fellow runners — all are welcome (including sporty pups!). Prizes at every 5th run, and also at milestones of 10, 25, and 50 total runs.
Listen to the shadowy history and folklore of Massachusetts’ North Shore! From buried treasure and ghostly ships to legendary pirates like Black Sam Bellamy and Captain Kidd, this program brings the haunting legends and maritime mysteries of Salem, Gloucester, Ipswich, and beyond to life. These stories are grounded in history, shaped by folklore, and told with all the drama of the high seas — these are the stories passed down for generations along one of America’s most storied coastlines.
Thursdays and Saturdays 1:00-3:00 p.m. Use this time to move a creative project forward (knit, scrapbook, sketch, journal, write) or complete a task (write those thank you notes, sign the kids up for camp, organize your photos) in community.
Salem’s Modern Philosophers Meets the 2nd Saturday from 1:00—3:00 PM—in person This group of thinkers congregates to discuss relevant topics framed by texts, media, and experiences we agree on as a group. The first hour is dedicated to and framed by the media of our choosing while the second hour is reserved for open dialogues. We hope to see you there. Please email queries to: [email protected] See the current reading list on the Groups page.
The Salem Massachusetts Wiccan Meetup Join us in person or online on **Saturday November 14, 2026 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm** \- for the second class in our year long, once a month, WICCA 101 course series\! Our intention for this series is to help you build your understanding of the Wiccan religion, attain magical skills and competencies and to dig deeper into all aspect of "first degree" (and beyond) learning. In class 7 we will learn the purpose and history of traditional tools used in Wicca: the Athame, the Cauldron, the Chalice, the Wand (among others). We will develop our understanding of the magical correspondence associated with these tools, how to consecrate tools for sacred use, and how to use these tools in concert with our most powerful tool...ourselves! This is CLASS 7, in our Wicca 101 course, which meets once a month; attendance at this class isn't mandatory for attendance at later Wicca 101 classes; but it is highly recommended. All levels of experience are welcomed. Cornucopia is a pluralistic community, we value all! Any tradition or level of learning/experience is welcomed! This class is being offered at a fee of $35 per person. Please use the [meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) PayPal function, use Venmo @CornucopiaCollective, or notify your organizer (via meetup) to RSVP if you plan to pay Cash in person. You will not need to bring any supplies other than a notebook to take notes if you wish. **In Person Location: 9 North Street, Salem, MA 01970** (please use side door, there is no onsite parking - street/lot/garage parking only, 5 minute walk from commuter rail). If you would prefer to **join us via Zoom** please private message your email address to your organizer and the zoom link will be sent to you. Hosted by Cornucopia Collective Learn more about our mission, values and perspective here: www.thecornucopiacollective.com
This Member Appreciation Week, we are pleased to welcome the cast and crew of The House of the Seven Gables, an episodic adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel! The first-ever adaptation filmed on location, the project follows members of the Pyncheon family as they navigate the effects of an intergenerational haunting, which reaches a peak with the convergence of a mysterious nomadic artist, a cheery yet nosy young man, and an entrepreneurial recluse. Episode 1 of the mini-series recently premiered in the indie film festival circuit, taking home awards for Best Supporting Actress (Liz Bishop) and Best Wardrobe (Jeanne Keenan and Bri Bagley) at the New Bedford Film Festival, and Best Web Series at the Chain Film Festival. Episode 2 was filmed at The Gables this past summer and is currently in post-production. This event will begin with a screening of episode 1. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with the cast and crew moderated by Gables Executive Director Dakota Russell. This event will take place in the Visitor Center at 115 Derby Street. Tickets are free for Gables members and their guests. > Click here to register < Not a member? Click here to join.
The Course of Liberty brings together photographs from Jeremy Dennis’s ongoing series Rise to examine the contradictions between America’s promises of freedom and the historical and ongoing dispossession of Indigenous peoples. A member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, Dennis draws upon the legacy of the Pequot Massacre of 1637 and King Philip’s War (1675–1676), two defining conflicts in New England’s colonial history marked by massacres, enslavement, displacement, and the violent suppression of Indigenous resistance. These histories are frequently presented as chapters in the disappearance or defeat of Native peoples, overlooking the Indigenous nations and communities that survived and remain connected to their ancestral homelands. Through staged, cinematic photography, Dennis revisits these histories from the present, using suspense, horror, and humor to challenge the idea that Indigenous people belong only to the past. In Salem, Massachusetts, Dennis extends this inquiry to the colonial fears surrounding the witch trials and the broader ways Puritan settlers interpreted Indigenous spiritual traditions through accusations of witchcraft and devil worship. Such beliefs contributed to the portrayal of Native people and the woods as dangerous or threatening, reinforcing colonial justifications for conversion, exclusion, and violence. Working with local participants and artist Isabella Fernanda, Dennis brings these histories into a collaborative process of research, performance, and image-making. The supernatural becomes a way to examine how fear shapes collective memory, from colonial descriptions of Indigenous resistance to contemporary myths of disappearance and return. Special thanks to Mass Cultural Council for their Creative Experiences grant and for additional funding from the Foundation for Contemporary Art to realize this exhibition. Saturday, 11.14 Exhibition Opening and Performance Wednesday, 12.02 Artist Talk with Jeremy
In this life, very few friendships withstand the test of time. Naturally, people go their separate ways and chase their own dreams. As rare as it may be for friendships to last a lifetime, it might be even rarer for a band to stick together for the long haul. For close to four decades, the members of Big Head Todd and The Monsters—Todd Park Mohr [vocals, guitar, keys, sax, harmonica], Brian Nevin [drums], Rob Squires [bass, vocals], and Jeremy Lawton [keyboards, lap pedal/steel guitar, vocals]—have continued to both throw down in the studio and light up stages worldwide. Rallying around a core vision, the platinum-selling Colorado quartet kick out the kind of blues-drenched rock ‘n’ roll bangers that make you want to rev the engine a little louder, sing along like no one’s looking, and live a little freer. This holds true on their 12th full-length offering, Her Way Out. “To me, my band means four people who listen to each other, work hard, and share a goal,” Todd observes. “The goal has to do with reaching out to people, catching their ears, and sharing a story we hope they relate to. Our fans have given us an incredible 40-year career, and we hope they’ve gotten great songs and performances in return.” They’ve most definitely delivered on both fronts… As the story goes, Todd, Brian, and Rob unlocked their musical partnership during high school when they started jamming in the early eighties. Fast forward to 1986, they adopted the moniker Big Head Todd and The Monsters. BHTM released 2 successful independent records on their own BIG Records, Another Mayberry (1989) and Midnight Radio (1990) before drawing the attention of music industry titans and signing with Irving Azoff, Chuck Morris, and Frank Barsalona in 1992. They broke nationally with the platinum-certified staple Sister Sweetly (1993) which yielded four top 10 rock radio hits. They continued to progress with Strategem [1994] and Beautiful World [1997] which yielded several more rock radio hits including Boom Boom featuring John Lee Hooker. The band is continually touring and recording and has continued to put out albums that have received critical acclaim from both fans and press. Among other milestones, their music literally reached the heavens when they played “Blue Sky” live at NASA Mission Control, delivering a celestial wakeup for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. They’ve toured and recorded with many rock and blues legends including B.B. King, Neil Young, The Allman Brothers, Hubert Sumlin, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Dave Matthews Band, The Eagles and their personal favorite Robert Plant. Not to mention, they attained hometown hero status by headlining Red Rocks Amphitheatre 35 times in addition to earning induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2023. Her Way Out came to life organically. For two years, they hosted “Monster’s Music Monthly,” serving up either a new song or a new version of a classic online. Working out of Jeremy’s home studio, they parlayed this momentum into their latest LP. “It had been almost seven years since our last album release, but we wanted to put the same energy of ‘Monster’s Music Monthly’ into a full-length,” Todd notes. “We have a very distinct personality as a band. I write to the sensibilities of each member, because they’re going to have to dig playing it. We’re a benevolent democracy. If one guy isn’t connecting with a certain song, that song is out. As an uncomplicated rock band, we like to do things that are ‘proper’—loud guitars, drums, big bass, and well-placed organ, keys, and lap steel. We road-tested every song on the record before recording a lick. All of that helped us dial in the arrangements, ditch tunes that didn’t work, and grow a strong sense of what our individual parts should be.” In this respect, the single and title track “Her Way Out” packs a concentrated and catchy punch. Anchored by a steady beat, the rough and tumble riff kicks up dust as soulful vocals ignite an irresistible refrain, “She found her way out, her way out—and it was me.” “It’s driven by the idea that relationships are frail,” he elaborates. “Sometimes, they are something one wants freedom from. A real-life circumstance drives this story. Something was said when a person had too much to drink. The relationship ended with words, but the drinker could never know what he said and the woman refused to tell him.” Ass-kicking guitar surges through “Thunderbird” as strains of organ coat a raucous refrain with a lyrical tip-of-the-hat to the Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas classic American Graffiti. He goes on, “‘Thunderbird’ is a collection of one-liners from the film knit together with a beat poet vibe. It has an AC/DC-like guitar riff and a cinematic-style vocal. It’s all about drag racing and love never caught.” Elsewhere, Big Head Todd and The Monsters nod to Annie Oakley with “Don’t Kill Me Tonight.” Then, there’s “King Kong.” A hulking groove lumbers beneath the frontman’s bluesy intonation as a piano solo bleeds into a skyscraper-scaling guitar lead. “It’s inspired by a large movie poster in my basement of King Kong on top of the Empire State Building,” Todd reveals. “I’m drawn to these iconic contemporary heroes who are also monsters. They are complicated because they destroy so much, yet are sympathetic to children and fall in love with human women. These ‘Titans’, as they are called, are often monsters of our own making. It’s exciting to perform live.” In the end, the future looks as bright as ever for these longtime friends. “We work very hard at being a great band,” Todd leaves off. “We’re also a group that cares for each other. We’ve been together for almost 40 years. Our audience has made it all possible, and we’re grateful and determined to keep playing.” – Dancing/Standing: Patrons will most likely be standing and dancing at their seats throughout the theater at this event
Witches Amongst Us: A 1692 Experience An Evening of Spirits, Scandal & Accusations Step into Salem, 1692, the rumors are spreading, and everyone is beginning to look a little suspicious. Witches Amongst Us is an immersive, comical retelling of the Salem Witch Trials that puts you right in the middle of the hysteria. Through live performance, storytelling, music, audience interaction, and plenty of scandal, the evening unfolds around you as Salem’s townspeople gather for what begins as a lively candlelit celebration. But in Salem, nothing stays innocent for long. Whispers of witchcraft begin to circulate, neighbors turn against neighbors, questionable evidence comes to light, and accusations start flying across the room. Before the night is over, you may find yourself witnessing the madness—or becoming part of it. Blending real history with theatrical comedy, Witches Among Us explores the gossip, fear, superstition, and absurdity that helped send Salem spiraling into one of the most infamous chapters in American history. So choose your friends carefully, and keep an eye on the person sitting beside you. After all, everybody’s a witch until proven otherwise Presented at The Black Box The Lost Library 288 Derby Street, Salem, MA Produced by The Haunted Neighborhood Soda and water available for purchase, outside drinks welcome.
Meters for Liters is a weekly group run from the Tap Room. This is not a race, just a chance to get out and earn some cold beer. When we get back to the brewery, there will be plenty of beer and free pretzel bites for runners! On Sundays, choose from a 5k or 10k distance. Open to ALL abilities. No sign up is required but you do have the option to “sign in” before the run. Meet at the Tap Room at 12:00pm.
Hosted by Circle of Stitches at our sister dye studio, Toil & Trouble, located at Shetland Park. A meetup for hand-spinners! Bring your drop spindle or portable wheel, and spend the afternoon spinning with us! This meetup will be held every other month.
“A Christmas Story” screening plus Q&A with Peter Billingsley! A limited number of VIP packages include pre-show meet-and-greet photo opportunity with Peter himself. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate “A Christmas Story” with the star who brought the magic to life! Celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable evening featuring a screening of the beloved classic “A Christmas Story” followed by a moderated interview and audience Q&A from its iconic star Peter Billingsley, a.k.a. Ralphie! Relive the Christmas classic on the big screen through all the hilarious mishaps and heartwarming moments. Following the film, Peter Billingsley – the actor who immortalized Ralphie – takes center stage for an intimate and nostalgic conversation about his experiences making this holiday classic, his unique behind-the-scenes stories, memorable moments, and how the movie has remained a cultural phenomenon for decades. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions during this rare appearance, making it a truly interactive celebration for fans of all ages and generations. Family level Cabot members get 20% off tickets to this show and all family-friendly shows. The discount is applied automatically at checkout once you’re logged in. Discount not valid on VIP packages. Learn more about membership. About Peter Billingsley Throughout a career spanning four decades, Peter has achieved success both in front and behind the camera producing such films as the first Iron Man, The Break-Up, Four Christmases, and directing the Vince Vaughn starrer Couples Retreat. In 2022 he co-wrote, produced and starred in a Christmas Story Christmas for Warner Bros. His television producing credits include Bill Burr’s F is For Family and Jon Favreau’s Dinner For Five. Billingsley began his acting career at the age of three, in some of the ’70s most memorable television commercials and became a pop-culture icon when he played Ralphie in A Christmas Story. Billingsley has been nominated for three Emmys, and a Tony Award.
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