Peabody Essex Museum

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Photos · Witch City Today

Upcoming events

• Sun, Oct 18 · 2 PM

  Cards on the Table with Jilly Gagnon

  Join us for an author talk with Jilly Gagnon followed by a book signing. In Cards on the Table, sisters Tori and Cassie Bishop find themselves in a locked-room murder mystery when their wealthy patron goes missing after a séance. The sisters — descendents of a victim of the Salem Witch Trials — can't believe their luck when they're hired as “witches in residence” at a mysterious gothic estate in the Berkshires. But can their magic and cunning save them from conniving family members and occult surprises? PEM Reads celebrates the art of literature and the creative act of writing through a year-round series of collaborative book club readings and author events, both in person and online. By gathering to read and discuss world-class literature and meet authors, PEM Reads seeks to deepen our sense of community and celebrate great storytelling. We hope you'll join us!

  Workshop

• Sat, Oct 24 · 1 PM

  Nosferatu with Live Orchestra

  Sink your fangs into Halloween with Arpeggione Ensemble's live performance of the score for Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. In the 1920s, silent films weren't silent: They were accompanied by a live piano player, organist or full orchestra. Experience this classic 1922 horror movie with Arpeggione performing on historical instruments from the early 20th century, including harmonium, flute, clarinet and strings. From the eerily corpse-like appearance of Max Schreck as Count Orlok to climactic shot of a shadow on a staircase, Nosferatu set the standard for modern horror movies and created the vampire movie as we know it. As the earliest film adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Nosferatu is the source of several of the most enduring aspects of modern-day vampire lore. Fans of horror, music enthusiasts, vintage aficionados… enter if you dare to see and hear Nosferatu as it would have sounded when it was first screened! Join us between the 1 pm and 7 pm screenings for a talk with the performers about the cultural impact, artistic innovations and enduring legacy of Nosferatu. Performers: Thomas Carroll, director and clarinet Andrea LeBlanc, flute Elise Bonhivert, clarinet Isabelle Seul

  Film

• Sun, Oct 25 · 1 PM

  The Witch

  Would you like to live deliciously with us? Written by Robert Eggers and starring Anya Taylor-Joy, this haunting film follows a Puritan family in 1630s New England who are plagued by witchcraft and demonic possession. This history-focused horror movie screening is part of our Salem 400+ programming. See our full list of events at pem.org/salem400.

  Film

• Sat, Oct 31 · 11 AM

  Houdini Halloween Magic Show and Curator Talk

  October 31 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the great magician and escapologist Harry Houdini. To commemorate this historic occasion, Anton Andresen, the Official Magician of Salem, Massachusetts, will present a selection of mysteries inspired by Houdini's extraordinary life and legendary career. Experience what it might have felt like to witness the world's master mystifier through astonishing demonstrations that capture the wonder and excitement of Houdini's performances. Curator George Schwartz will offer a short historical introduction about Houdini's connections to PEM and Salem. Discover how Houdini's passion for handcuffs, escapes and the art of illusion intersected with the city's rich history and the museum's collections. A pair of handcuffs that Houdini saw when he visited PEM in 1906 will be on view September 3 – November 2, 2026 in the Main Atrium, along with other items related to his performances in Salem.

  Museum

• Wed, Apr 7 · 6:30 PM

  Fashion Show Fundraiser

  Fashion Show Fundraiser in downtown Salem — presented by Salem Main Streets.

  Festival