Salem
Historic town · Massachusetts
The site of the 1692 witch trials leans fully into October, when Essex Street's pedestrian mall, museums, and Salem Common host Haunted Happenings, a month-long calendar of parades, psychic fairs, and costumed crowds that peaks on Halloween weekend.
Don’t miss
Color nearby peaks: October 22–October 26
Color builds from October 7 · mostly bare by November 14
Sampled at Salem’s own coordinates and elevation (10 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 4 weather points across Massachusetts, nudged 3 days later to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com and almanac.com. Massachusetts is running 3 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to Salem
Good color holds through about November 2, giving you roughly 26 days from the first turn to past peak. That is about 5 days later than Massachusetts as a whole.
It sits inside Boston, so you can fit it into an afternoon.
Salem on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Massachusetts, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Massachusetts
Leaves & views
- Boston Public GardenGarden · Peak Oct 24
- Arnold ArboretumArboretum · Peak Oct 24
- Mount Auburn CemeteryGarden cemetery · Peak Oct 23
- Middlesex Fells ReservationState park · Peak Oct 23
- Walden Pond State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 21
- Mount Greylock State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 7
- Mohawk Trail (Hairpin Turn)Scenic drive · Peak Oct 9
- Bash Bish Falls State ParkState park · Peak Oct 14
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does Salem peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 22–October 26 (best estimate October 24). Color starts around October 7 and is mostly bare by November 14.
- How do I get to Salem?
- The closest city is Boston, about 14 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Massachusetts's fall lineup.
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