Hawthorne’s Halloween Bash
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 AT 7 P.M.
Nathaniel Hawthorne invites you to his Halloween Bash; an exclusive costume party to celebrate the spooky season. Dress up in your Halloween best as you wander the gardens of The House of the Seven Gables. This is more than just a party; it’s an immersive journey into the heart of Salem’s literary and haunted legacy. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable night! Nothing is more magical than an October evening on The Gables’ seaside campus!
Tickets are $180 each for the public and $150 each for Gables members. Special tickets include access to Rappaccini’s Parlor for $230 for the public and $200 for Gables members. Become a member to receive the discounted price and other great benefits!
Mr. Hawthorne awaits…
MEET THE BAND
Do you dislike the flavor of wax lips? Throat sore from cackling like a phantom? Well… don’t lose your head! Haunting can be daunting… and to be frank; a pain in the neck! This season leave all the ghoulishness to that maniacal minstrel… Doctor Gasp! Beneath the mask of this phantom is a New England folk musician Dan Blakeslee with his unique bag of all original songs of Halloween oozing with vampires and ghastly creeps.
Blakeslee’s songs are a throwback to old-time cult horror themes, giving nods to Bobby Pickett (Monster Mash), Alfred Hitchcock, John Zacherle and the cavernous voice of Paul Frees. Each October the unexpected spectacle Doctor Gasp rises from the shadows delivering an earful of eerie for the young, old and immortal!
DRESS CODE AND INSPIRATION
This is a costume party! You may wish to come as someone from Hawthorne’s world or choose to select a costume completely unrelated. It’s part of the fun and coming together in full costume makes it an unforgettable evening. There will be a costume contest!
Other costume guidelines:
- There is a dance floor, but there are also grassy areas so we recommend not wearing heels.
- No real or fake weapons
- For safety and security reasons, masks and face paint that cover the entire face are not permitted. However, small face masks for health purposes or small costume masks that leave the eyes, nose, and mouth visible are acceptable.
- Please avoid attire that is excessively revealing, politically charged, or features offensive language, symbols, or graphics. No culturally insensitive costumes. Costumes or clothing that can be interpreted as offensive or inappropriate are not allowed.
Gallery
The Hawthorne Museum
The Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace, built in 1750 and occupied by Hawthorne’s immediate family from 1801-1808, recalls the early days of Hawthorne’s life. Hawthorne lived in this house from his birth until after his father died at seas when he was four, after which his family moved in with relatives. In 1958, the house was moved from nearby Union Street to its present location on the House of the Seven Gables National Historic District campus. Hawthorne’s Birthplace rests just across from the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, the house made famous as the setting for one of his most enduring works, The House of the Seven Gables.
The House of the Seven Gables is raising funds to create a new exhibit in the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace that will inspire new generations of readers to discover this classic American author. The exhibit will feature original Hawthorne artifacts from our collections and archives, as well as interactive multimedia experiences. We will explore how Hawthorne’s hometown of Salem influenced his work; how he helped shape American horror and science fiction writing; and how his themes still resonate in the present day. Attending Hawthorne’s Halloween Bash is just one way you can bring this project to life! Proceeds of the event benefit the re-imagining of the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace.
2025 Event Photos by Jacquie Valatka and Aidan Cheetah • Promotional Art by Julia Wacker