About this Event

Join costumed revelers on three floors of the hotel for Salem’s bucket-list Halloween event: “Come Out and Play: Toys that Terrify.”

Welcome to the most chilling and talked-about event of the season – the Hawthorne Hotel’s Halloween Ball: Come Out and Play: Toys That Terrify. The event, introduced in 1990 and hosted by the Hawthorne, features music, a costume contest, stationed hors d’oeuvres and cash bars across three floors. DJ Stamz opens and Joe Bermudez headlines, playing music across all genres. Dance, people-watch, take selfies in front of our photo backdrops and enjoy being part of the premier bucket-list Halloween event in New England, where the world of toys takes a twisted turn.

Before purchasing your ticket, please know that tickets are non-refundable. This is a 21+ event. All tickets must be purchased via Eventbrite. Tickets are NOT available at the hotel.

The Theme:

Our theme this year, Come Out and Play: Toys That Terrify encourages guests to unleash their inner child while embracing the macabre, where the line between playfulness and horror is blurred. Prepare to be enthralled by the dark and twisted atmosphere of the toy graveyard and haunted toy shop, not knowing what lurks around the next corner.

Costume Details:

This is a costume party. You may wish to follow our theme, Come Out and Play: Toys That Terrify, and dress as your favorite terrifying toy, bringing your own childhood nightmares to life. Imagine walking alongside life-sized ventriloquist dummies, possessed teddy bears, and porcelain dolls with haunting gazes that seem to follow your every move. Or, you may choose to select a costume completely unrelated. A panel of judges will award both cash prizes and complimentary gift certificates for a number of exemplary, homemade costumes. Please refrain from incorporating real or fake weapons into your costumes, as these will not be allowed in the building. Also remember that this event draws upwards of 800 people, so you want to be sure you are comfortable and able to move about the hotel. If unsure if your costume is appropriate, please call the hotel at 978-825-4337 or email kpetty@hawthornehotel.com.

Ticket Details:

This is a ticketed event. Non-ticket holders will not be allowed entry to the hotel. Please note that tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. This is a 21+ event. If you are under 21, you will not be allowed to enter, even if you have purchased a ticket. Doors will open by 7:30 p.m., last call is at 11:15 p.m. and the lights come up at midnight.

Safety:

The Hawthorne Hotel takes the safety of staff and guests seriously. Although not required, we hope that all of our guests contribute to this effort by being fully vaccinated and boosted prior to arrival. If you are not feeling well the weekend of the Ball, please stay home. If we want to continue to enjoy parties, social gatherings and traveling, we must all do our part to ensure the safety of ourselves and others. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Event Details:

Assisting the hotel’s management team the night of the event are private security, police details and a fire marshal. Prior to entering the building we will ask for your ID (no exceptions), check bags, and scan you with a metal detector. Wrist bands will then be given out. Backpacks, real and fake weapons, alcohol, and outside food and drink of any kind are not permitted inside the hotel. Please leave them at home or in your vehicle. The Hawthorne Hotel is a non-smoking building. We will have a smoking area outside until 11: 00 p.m. No re-entry for any reason allowed after 11. Cash bars (credit cards accepted) will be located on each level of the hotel. The hotel does have an ATM. As there are many Halloween-themed events happening in Salem during October, please be sure you are purchasing tickets to the correct event as tickets are non-refundable.

Transportation:

Please be mindful that weekend traffic in and out of Salem during October will be a challenge. We strongly recommend using public transportation. The Salem commuter rail station is 2 blocks from the hotel, and there is also the option of taking the Salem Ferry from Boston. The City of Salem hosts free satellite parking with shuttle service to downtown. Please review https://www.hauntedhappenings.org/maps-info/parking-directions/ for complete details. Do not assume there will be available parking in or around the Hawthorne as most spots will be taken by our overnight guests.

Accommodations:

All of our guest rooms are sold out the weekend of the ball; however, we MAY receive cancellations so please call the hotel directly (978-744-4080) to inquire about last-minute room availability. There are also many hotel options on the North Shore and Boston (near North Station.) The commuter rail is less than a 10 minute walk from the Hawthorne, making it a convenient mode of transportation if staying outside of Salem. For suggestions on alternatives to staying in Salem, please call 978-825-4337 or email kpetty@hawthornehotel.com.