Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in the annual Salem's So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival - a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine's Day shopping! Now in its 23rd year, Salem's So Sweet has become one of the most popular winter events on the North Shore.

Schedule of Events:

February 7, 2025

Kickoff Event

Salem's So Sweet starts with a Kickoff Event fundraiser on Friday, February 7 at the PEM Connect Space (135 Essex Street). Ticket holders begin the evening at a private downtown location where guests will receive a commemorative glass, a complementary pour of wine, and a goodie bag of sweet treats before heading out to explore. Multiple downtown businesses join the fun by providing wine tastings and free treats for ticket holders, plus participants can enjoy the illuminated ice sculptures and live music on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. This event has been generously sponsored by St. Jean's Credit Union. Tickets to this fundraiser are $40. NOTE: Tickets are not required to view ice sculptures!

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Ice Sculptures - installed

The popular ice sculpture presentation is back this year with TWO nights of illumination. A sneak peek with a limited number of sculptures will be illuminated on Friday night on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and Lappin Park only, and on Saturday night all of the sculptures will be lit. Sculptures will be illuminated 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. both nights, weather permitting. Viewing the ice sculptures is free to all and is not a ticketed event. Ice sculptures remain standing as long as weather allows. A map of all ice sculptures and more information will be available on the website closer to the festival.

February 8, 2025

Ice Sculptures - installed

The popular ice sculpture presentation is back this year with TWO nights of illumination. A sneak peek with a limited number of sculptures will be illuminated on Friday night on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and Lappin Park only, and on Saturday night all of the sculptures will be lit. Sculptures will be illuminated 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. both nights, weather permitting. Viewing the ice sculptures is free to all and is not a ticketed event. Ice sculptures remain standing as long as weather allows. A map of all ice sculptures and more information will be available on the website closer to the festival.

Chocolate Hearts Challenge

Visitors can also play the "Chocolate Hearts Challenge" by locating special Salem's So Sweet signage at participating businesses to be entered for prizes. A purchase by the customer is not required but is highly encouraged. Many local businesses will offer their own chocolate and love-inspired specials for the duration of Salem's So Sweet in celebration of Valentine's Day. A full list of participating businesses and information about how to play will be available here closer to the festival.

The 2025 festival is made possible by support from local businesses, including Salem Witch Museum, Witch City Walking Tours, Peabody Essex Museum, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, Nocturne, Gourmet Caterers, Retonica, and St. Jean's Credit Union, and is supported by tourism dollars through Destination Salem.

February 9, 2025

Chocolate Hearts Challenge

Visitors can also play the "Chocolate Hearts Challenge" by locating special Salem's So Sweet signage at participating businesses to be entered for prizes. A purchase by the customer is not required but is highly encouraged. Many local businesses will offer their own chocolate and love-inspired specials for the duration of Salem's So Sweet in celebration of Valentine's Day. A full list of participating businesses and information about how to play will be available here closer to the festival.

The 2025 festival is made possible by support from local businesses, including Salem Witch Museum, Witch City Walking Tours, Peabody Essex Museum, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, Nocturne, Gourmet Caterers, Retonica, and St. Jean's Credit Union, and is supported by tourism dollars through Destination Salem.

Date: February 7 - February 9, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Salem, MA 01970

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