Salem offers themed tours and events for Hocus Pocus fans this October

Salem, Massachusetts, will host a wave of tourists this October as the town leverages its fame from the 1993 Disney film “Hocus Pocus,” offering themed tours, costume events and special hotel packages that let fans step into the movie’s spooky world.

The surge comes after a decade‑long revival of the film’s popularity, driven by streaming platforms and a new generation of viewers who grew up with the trio of witches. In recent years, Salem has cultivated a reputation as a Halloween hotspot, thanks to its historic witch trials and a thriving paranormal tourism industry. City officials see the “Hocus Pocus” connection as a natural extension of that brand, hoping to boost off‑season revenue and support local businesses that depend on seasonal visitors.

Tickets are now available for a “Wick‑ed Walk,” a guided tour that visits the house used for the Sanderson sisters’ lair, the Old Burying Point Cemetery and the Witch House museum. Hotels have rolled out “witch‑themed” rooms, complete with black cat décor and vintage spell books. The Salem Witch Museum is adding a special screening of the film, followed by a Q&A with cast members who returned for a live‑streamed interview. City councilor Michael McCarthy said the events will generate an estimated $12 million in economic impact, a boost that could help fund preservation projects for the town’s historic sites.

The town plans to extend the “Hocus Pocus” festivities beyond Halloween, with a “Spooky Summer” series of family‑friendly activities in August and a “Witches’ Brew” food festival in November. Organizers hope the momentum will keep Salem on the cultural map year‑round, turning a nostalgic film into a lasting tourism engine. Fans are encouraged to book early, as accommodations fill up quickly each year.