Christmas in Salem
Few communities have the rich legacy of historic properties that Salem, Massachusetts, boasts. These homes and public buildings spanning four centuries, help define the character as well as the appearance of the city, and every year some of their owners invite visitors in to view their homes decked out in full holiday regalia, with the help of professional decorators, florists, garden clubs and talented individuals.
Held annually the first weekend in December, Christmas in Salem inaugurates the holiday season, bringing thousands of visitors to see our homes and enjoy our city. The first Christmas house tour took place in 1979 under the combined auspices Historic Salem, Inc. and the Visiting Nurses Association of the North Shore. Historic Salem has since assumed responsibility for the tour, and it is now the organization’s major fundraising effort. Each year, the tour highlights homes and buildings in a different neighborhood, and the funds are designated for a variety of projects.