Salem Celebrates 400th Anniversary With Creative Halloween Costumes

Four Hundred Years of Witch City Halloween

Thousands of revelers packed the streets of Witch City for Salem’s massive Halloween celebration, transforming the area into a vibrant sea of creative attire as the city marked its milestone 400th anniversary.

Disney Icons and Long-Haul Travelers

From clever homemade designs to meticulous interpretations of familiar icons, visitors brought out some of their most imaginative work yet. Among the standout groups spotted on Halloween, four friends drew crowds taking on Disney’s The Little Mermaid: Anthony Rofino dressed as Ursula, Mark Mitchell as Prince Eric, Nicole Eicker as Ariel, and Lisa Neville as Sebastian.

Delanie and Dawn Powell traveled from Michigan dressed as the Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts. James and Elaine Barbosa came clad as Victorian ghosts, pausing frequently to pose for photographs with fellow visitors.

Fifteen Years of Uncle Sam and Vintage Portraits

Meanwhile, Michael Ruggiero of Connecticut marked his 15th year visiting Salem for the Halloween season by dressing as Uncle Sam. The celebration also drew interactive street artists, including Helen Budz, who wore a vintage camera costume. Budz traded printed portraits styled like a vintage Salem newspaper in exchange for tips from passersby.

From Dallas Hot Dogs to Marie Antoinette

Geographic reach for the anniversary event extended far beyond New England. Brandon G. made the trip all the way from Dallas, Texas, dressed as a hot dog. Inez and Joshua McGraw arrived from Houston for their third year of participating in Salem’s traditions, wearing elaborate Marie Antoinette and King Louis costumes inspired by a trip to France.

Pop Culture Tributes and Canine Costumes

Pop culture influences were scattered across the historic streets. Zeke Mohammed and Mehak Wadhwa stepped out as Coraline and Wybie, drawing inspiration from the horror classic “Coraline.” Nanette Capano traveled from New York dressed as a witch, complete with an accessory named “Abraham the Toad.” Even pets joined the pageantry, with a 7-year-old dog named Lily dressed as Sam from “Trick or Treat,” and Ali Peccei dressed as Wonder Woman alongside her 13-year-old labrador outfitted as Super Girl.

Salem massachusetts usa september witch city mall with water fountain

Essex Street Rapunzel and Cinematic Cameos

Architectural highlights of the historic district also became part of the display. One reveler dressed as Rapunzel lowered long hair from an apartment window on Essex Street, while elsewhere on the route, a man dressed as Frankenstein gathered tips from people posing for photos. Animal costumes dotted the common, featuring a corgi pushed in a stroller during the Witch’s Circle gathering and a dog named Rocky wagging his tail while dressed as a pumpkin.

Rounding out the cinematic tributes, Maria and Anthoullis appeared as the Evil Queen and Magic Mirror, Valeska walked as Cruella de Vil, and Joseph Langley, Connor Berry, and Joseph Carro teamed up as Alucard, Wolverine, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.