Salem wants to see its historic waterfront blanketed in pointy black hats next month, as the city attempts to set a world record for the largest gathering of people wearing witch hats. The event, dubbed Witch Hats on the Wharf, is set for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Derby Wharf, part of Salem Maritime National Historical Park at 160 Derby St., with organizers hoping hundreds or even thousands of participants will show up in their favorite witch hats for a large-scale drone photograph.
The record attempt is being framed as a community photo opportunity tied to the city’s 400th anniversary, according to hauntedhappenings.org, which describes the gathering as “a one-of-a-kind community photo opportunity and world record attempt.” The event is being hosted by the City of Salem, Salem Maritime National Historical Park and Destination Salem, per salem.org, which notes that participants are encouraged to gather on the wharf for a photograph “capturing hundreds (and potentially thousands) of witch hats.”
A Charitable Hook Behind the Hats
Beyond the record attempt, the event carries a fundraising angle. The City of Salem plans to sell special-edition Salem 400+ witch hats, with proceeds benefiting HAWC, per the same salem.org account. HAWC provides free and confidential domestic-abuse services, including a helpline, emergency shelter, legal services, advocacy and counseling, supporting more than 2,500 families in the North Shore area each year, according to hawcdv.org.
City officials said the event will raise money for HAWC, according to Boston 25 News, which reported on the city’s invitation for residents and visitors to take part in the world-record bid. The station’s report frames the effort as part of Salem’s broader celebration of its 400th anniversary as a city.
Part of a Bigger Halloween Draw
The witch hat gathering is unfolding against the backdrop of Salem’s Haunted Happenings festival, which the city’s tourism office says draws more than a million visitors from around the globe, per salem.org. Salem’s reputation as a Halloween destination traces back centuries to the 1692 witch trials, and the city has drawn large crowds to its October festivities in recent years.
World-record witch-hat gatherings have popped up elsewhere too. A 2025 Ohio event in Sandusky was reported to be pursuing a Guinness World Record for the most witches gathered in one spot, a mark that reportedly stood at 1,607 at the time, according to a WGTE Ohio Newsroom report. Whether Salem’s attempt will be measured against that same benchmark has not been detailed by organizers.
For now, Salem’s plan centers on turning out as many hat-wearers as possible for the drone photograph above Derby Wharf. Organizers are hoping the turnout, paired with the hat sales for HAWC, gives the city’s 400th-anniversary celebration a distinctly Salem flourish.
