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Salem, Massachusetts, starts its October road closures with the Haunted Happenings parade on Thursday, October 1, and will close downtown streets to all traffic no later than noon on Halloween, Saturday, October 31. The City of Salem said visitors should not plan to drive into downtown in October, especially on weekends, and should take the commuter rail or the Salem Ferry instead.
The city expects around 1 million visitors this October. “If you’re coming to visit us this Haunted Happenings season, please pack your patience and remember: Salem is not a theme park,” Mayor Dominick Pangallo said, according to Patch. For what to see once you arrive, our guide to things to do in Salem ranks the main stops.
- October 1: Haunted Happenings parade at 6:30 p.m.; Route 1A from Derby St to Brown St closed 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., plus other downtown closures and tow zones.
- Weekends: Essex St closed to through traffic from Hawthorne Blvd to New Liberty St, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, from noon Fridays.
- Heaviest days: October 24, 25 and 30 are likely to bring extensive closures.
- Halloween: downtown closed to all traffic by noon Saturday, October 31; MBTA Salem garage closed 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Getting there: commuter rail, about 30 minutes from Boston’s North Station, or the Salem Ferry.
Parade Closures on October 1
Roads along the parade route close for the 6:30 p.m. Haunted Happenings parade on October 1, Patch reported. Route 1A from Derby Street to Brown Street closes from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and other closures include Congress, Washington, Central and Front streets, Essex Street from Washington Street to Union Street, and Washington Square West, North and South. Drivers should expect delays on Route 114 and Route 1A.
No-parking tow zones start as early as 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. that day. Barricades along the whole route mean roads close and parking rules are enforced earlier than in past years. Cars in the South Harbor Garage will not be able to exit until about 9:30 p.m., and access to the Museum Place Garage will be limited.
Weekend Street Closures Through October
On Saturdays, Sundays and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Essex Street from Hawthorne Boulevard to New Liberty Street is closed to through traffic with no on-street parking from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and restrictions start at noon on Fridays. Essex Street from Barton Square to Washington Street uses hard barricades from Friday at noon to midnight Sunday.
The city said heavy traffic will most likely cause extensive road closures on October 24, October 25 and October 30. Salem Police can also close any street at any time for public safety, so closures may be wider than the plan on busy days.
Halloween Night Closures and the Drone Show
Downtown Salem streets close to all traffic no later than noon on October 31, and earlier if crowds require it. Bridge Street closes from 9:15 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for an end of night drone show that starts at 10:15 p.m. The MBTA Salem garage is closed from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., with no cars allowed in or out.
The city’s safety plan includes large police deployments, weapons bans, permanent and temporary cameras and counter-drone measures, and many closures this year use harder barricades after they worked in 2025.
How to Get to Salem Without Driving
The city recommends the commuter rail, about 30 minutes from North Station in Boston or about 5 minutes from downtown Beverly, and the Salem Ferry; our Boston to Salem ferry guide covers the boat option. If you must drive, free parking is available on Saturdays, Sundays and Indigenous Peoples’ Day at 108 Jefferson Avenue, about a five minute walk from downtown, Patch reported.
On Halloween itself, plan your return trip before you arrive. With downtown closed to cars and the MBTA garage locked overnight, the train or ferry is the simplest way in and out.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Want to see the October 1 parade | Arrive by train; tow zones start in the morning. |
| Visit on an October weekend | Skip driving downtown; Essex St is closed to traffic. |
| Must drive on a weekend | Use free parking at 108 Jefferson Ave. |
| Plan to visit October 24, 25 or 30 | Expect extensive closures and heavy traffic. |
| Go on Halloween | Take the train or ferry; downtown closes to cars by noon. |
About 1 million visitors expected in October.
Downtown closed to cars by noon on October 31.
Commuter rail and ferry are the recommended way in.
When is the Salem Haunted Happenings parade?
Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., with road closures starting earlier.
When do Salem roads close on Halloween?
Downtown streets close to all traffic no later than noon on October 31.
Where can I park in Salem in October?
Free weekend and holiday parking at 108 Jefferson Avenue, about five minutes’ walk from downtown.
How do I get to Salem from Boston?
The commuter rail from North Station takes about 30 minutes; the Salem Ferry also runs.
Is the MBTA Salem garage open on Halloween?
It is closed from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on October 31.
