What’s open and closed in winter in Salem?

Salem is quite busy in the fall and we get our share of visitors in the spring and summer. But many people have an opportunity to visit in the winter and are always asking what is open?

We are still a vibrant, working community of 43,000 people so many places have regular hours or reduced hours. This blog will give you an idea of what to expect, but keep in mind that it is still winter and hours can change abruptly if there is a major snowstorm or it is brutally cold. Use this as a guide, but check the individual websites to be certain.

Restaurants will be open all week. Some may close on a Monday, Monday and Tuesday or Monday through Wednesday. Check the restaurant you want for details.

Retail shops are similar. Many are open daily. You may find that some close on a Monday or Tuesday or both. Check their websites for actual hours.

There are festivals and events that run in Salem that you might want to plan for.

Restaurant Week returned in January 2026. That is a week-long event where restaurants offer a prix fixe meal to get you to come in and partake of their delicacies.

The Salem So-Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival runs in February, usually around Valentine’s Day. It is a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping. In 2026, it runs from Feb. 6-8.

Many of the walking tours will operate on the weekends and some are operating during the week. Check each individual tour company for their schedule.

The attractions vary. Here is a partial list.

Black Cat Curiosity Museum – Open Wednesday through Saturday 11-6 and Sundays 12-6.

Count Orlock’s Nightmare Gallery - Closed January through March

Lost Library - Monday—Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-8pm

New England Pirate Museum - Closed through the end of April.

Peabody Essex Museum - Open Thursday through Sunday 10 am to 5 p.m.

Phillips House - The house is generally open for specialized weekend tours or by appointment through May and opens Thursday through Sunday starting in June.

Professor Spindlewink's World of Wizardry - Closed January through March

Real Pirates Salem – Open Thursday through Sunday 10 am to 4 p.m.

Salem Museum of Torture - Closed January through March

Salem Trolley - Closed January through March

Salem Witch Museum – Open daily 10 am to 5 pm. Closes for two weeks at end of December and beginning of January for maintenance.

The House of the Seven Gables – closed through February 13 for annual maintenance. Reopens daily Saturday, February 14 at 10 am – 4 pm

Witch History Museum- Closed January through March

Witch Dungeon Museum - Closed January through March

Witch House - November 16-April 14: Thursday-Sunday 12pm-4pm

(Last Entry is 3:45 pm)

Witch Village Halloween Town: Monday—Friday 11am-6pm

Saturday and Sunday 11am-8pm