Santa’s Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting

About the Event

Join Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem as we celebrate two of our most beloved annual traditions - Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree - all in one evening!

Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel (18 Washington Square W) promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, with assistance from the Salem Fire Department, of course. Organizers recommend arriving to the Salem Common by 5:45 p.m. to catch the arrival. Bring the whole family out for brass carols with Coventry Brass, festivities, and fun!

Santa’s arrival will be followed by a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex Street and Washington Street), where we will join Santa, Mayor Dominick Pangallo, and carolers from History Alive for the Holiday Tree Lighting. Participants are encouraged to bring lanterns (store-bought or homemade) to carry in the procession. Safety first, though - electric candles are highly recommended!

The tree this year has been generously donated by residents of Salem. The tree was secured and decorated by the City of Salem Department of Public Works, and installed with help from Iron Tree Service and Quinn Brothers Iron Works. Lights and decorations for the Holiday Tree were made possible in part by contributions from our local business community, including Annie’s Asian Mart, Badabing Barbershop, Circle of Stitches, Emporium 32, The House of the Seven Gables, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, The Lobster Shanty, Modern Millie, Nocturne, Salem Bespoke Boutique, Salem Witch Museum, Virginia Towle, Village Tavern, and Witch City Wicks. Salem Main Streets would like to thank the City of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel, and the many other community partners who make these special events possible.

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