What to do in Salem from Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Día de los Muertos, new Willamette University musical, harvest festivals
Each week, Salem Reporter highlights a selection of upcoming local events.
For a more complete list, browse our events calendar here. You can submit an upcoming event here.
Here’s a roundup for the week from Thursday, Oct. 30, to Wednesday, Nov. 5.
*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Día de los Muertos events
*Saturday, Nov 1: Don Froylan Creamery is hosting its first Día de los Muertos celebration from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with cheese tastings, music, games, piñatas, face painting and an ofrenda to honor dead loved ones. The creamery is located at 3310 Portland Rd. N.E. For more information, see the Facebook event page.
*Saturday, Nov 1: Music, traditional Aztec dances, food, raffles, vendors and more will be featured at a Día de Muertos event at McKay High School from noon to 6 p.m. The event, organized by Casa de la Cultura Tlanese, will also have a community altar. McKay is located at 2440 Lancaster Drive N.E.
*Saturday, Nov. 1: Restlawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home invites the public to a Día de los Muertos event with live mariachi bands, traditional dancing, food and facepainting. Anyone can bring a photo or memento honoring a loved one to add to a community ofrenda. The event goes from 3 – 9 p.m. at 201 Oak Grove Rd. N.W.
Musical about a roller coaster crash
Thursday, Oct. 30 – Sunday, Nov. 16: Willamette University’s production of “Ride the Cyclone,” shares the story of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir who die in a roller coaster accident and must compete for another chance at life. Opening night is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and there will be shows on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and $9 for students.
A jazzy Halloween concert
Friday, Oct. 31: A fusion of theater and music will explore “The Seven Deadly Sins,” telling the story of a girl making her way across America to help her family in Louisiana, “accompanied by the jazzy sounds of the swinging ‘30s.” The musicians will also play music from the Oregon Symphony’s first concert in 1896, and new works from Portland composers. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Read more about the show here.
Harvest festivals
Thursday, Oct. 30, will be the last day to enjoy several seasonal harvest festivals in Salem. See locations and hours below.
Halloween events
See Salem Reporter’s guide to trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat events below.
This weekend will also be the last chance to meet the ghosts at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, and visit three other popular Salem haunted houses. Learn more below.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
