Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop

Salem’s most useful souvenir may be the one you make yourself. In this 90-minute workshop, you build a decorative witch broom from a handle, broomcorn, ribbons, colors, and small charms, then carry a piece of Salem home instead of buying another shelf trinket.

I like the hands-on work and the generous creative choice. I also like the calm, witchy setting, where instructors such as Ashley, Mykaela, Samantha, and Makayla help you without expecting artistic talent. The main drawback is the $135 price, plus the trouble of transporting a full-size broom if you are flying home.

Key points to know before you book

• You make the broom yourself: The class teaches you how to wrap the broomcorn, secure the handle, and add decorative details.
• Colors carry meaning: Instructors explain the symbolism connected with different broomcorn colors and charms.
• Local materials add character: Some handles are handmade at a local farm, and the supplies are selected for a finished craft rather than a disposable prop.
• Plan for stairs: The workshop building is not wheelchair accessible and requires stair use.
• Arrive early: You must be at the meeting point 10 minutes before class because latecomers may not be admitted.
• Think about the trip home: You may need a large suitcase or a separate shipment from a nearby UPS store.

Making a Salem souvenir instead of buying one

Salem is full of witch-themed merchandise, so it is easy to leave with something mass-produced. This workshop takes a different route. You still get the witchcraft theme, but the object in your hands has your own color choices, ribbon arrangement, charms, and small personal touches.

That difference matters. You are not simply holding a souvenir at the end. You have spent time choosing its look and learning how its parts fit together. The final broom can hang on a wall, decorate an altar, or serve as a playful reminder of your Salem visit.

The activity is also less demanding than it may sound. You do not need to arrive with a design plan or a background in witchcraft. The instructors explain the process one step at a time, and help is available when the wrapping or decorating becomes tricky.

The tone is creative rather than frightening. The workshop uses charms and earthly elements with associations such as protection, good luck, good fortune, and warding off unwanted spells. You can treat that as spiritual symbolism, folklore, or simply a fun Salem theme.

What happens during the 90 minutes

The class begins with materials. You receive one broom handle, broomcorn, ribbon, color choices, and one or two decorations. The selection can include colorful broomcorn, botanicals, charms, trinkets, and other small pieces used to make the broom yours.

The handle is the backbone of the project. Some handles are handmade at a local farm, which gives the finished piece a more personal feel than a plastic novelty. You then choose the broomcorn color and begin thinking about the mood you want: subdued, bright, earthy, or strongly witchy.

Next comes the practical part: wrapping the broom. The instructor demonstrates how to arrange and secure the broomcorn around the handle. This is the step where patience matters most. Your broom may not look tidy at first, but the staff can show you how to tighten the wrap and improve the shape.

After the main structure is secure, you add ribbon and decorations. This is where the workshop opens up. Some people keep their designs simple, while others use flowers, charms, trinkets, and several colors. The included one or two decorations give you a starting point, and you can ask the staff about any additional options and prices before adding anything beyond the basic package.

The instructors also explain the meaning connected with the colors and various charms. That small bit of context gives your choices more purpose. Instead of picking a color only because it looks good, you can decide if you want your broom to suggest protection, luck, or another intention.

The last stage is finishing and displaying the broom. Staff can offer suggestions about how to hang it at home. The full class lasts 90 minutes, which is enough time for a finished piece, but not so much that the project takes over your day in Salem.

Why the instructors matter

The strongest part of this experience is the staff support. Names that appear in recent bookings include Ashley, Shelly, Amy, Haley, Makayla, Mykaela, Samantha, Hillary, and Cory. Staff assignments can change, but the workshop clearly depends on friendly instruction rather than a rigid, self-guided craft table.

That matters if you are not artistic. One person specifically arrived unsure of their creative ability and left with a broom they felt proud of. The teaching style is encouraging, with clear directions and help during the fiddly parts.

You can also expect a social class atmosphere. Friends, couples, parents and children, and family groups can work side by side while making different choices. One family brought daughters aged eight and ten, who enjoyed the activity, and another parent appreciated extra help for a son on the autism spectrum.

There is a practical limit here. You should not count on arriving late and receiving a private catch-up lesson. The policy says latecomers cannot be accepted, even though staff have sometimes helped people who arrived behind schedule. Treat the 10-minute early arrival rule as firm.

The materials and the creative choices

The included materials are straightforward, but the variety gives the project its appeal. You receive:

• One broom handle
• Broomcorn
• Ribbon
• Color
• One or two decorations

The available decorations can include charms, botanicals, trinkets, and natural elements. The choices are part of the fun, but supplies are not unlimited. One participant found that some desired items had run out before reaching the decorating stage.

I would book earlier in the day if a particular color or accessory matters to you. The information does not promise a fixed selection for every class, so keep an open mind. The staff can help you create a good design even if your first choice is unavailable.

The workshop also gives you room to bring personal meaning into the craft. One person wished they had brought an old skeleton key from a grandparent’s home and was told it could be used during a future visit. If you have a small charm or object you would like to include, ask in advance rather than assuming it can be attached.

This is a decorative craft activity, not a formal lesson in historical broom making. You learn the construction and symbolism used for this workshop’s designs. That is enough for a memorable souvenir, but anyone seeking a detailed study of traditional broom craft may find the class more playful than academic.

The atmosphere inside Old Town Hall

The meeting point is the Old Town Hall building near the three staircases. This detail is important because the workshop is not at the retail store on Essex Street. Salem has several witch-related businesses, and going to the wrong address could cost you the start of the class.

Inside, expect a decorated workshop setting designed to support the Salem theme. Descriptions of the space point to a comfortable, atmospheric room with a relaxing feel rather than a hurried retail counter. There is limited seating for one or two people who are waiting.

That seating limit affects family planning. Parents cannot leave children unattended in the waiting area, and the policy does not allow unaccompanied minors. Plan for every child in your party to remain with an attending adult.

The workshop is conducted in English. Instructions are demonstrated as well as explained, which helps during the wrapping and attachment steps. Still, if someone in your party needs another language, the listed instruction language is English only.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not a cheap craft class. The value depends on what you want from Salem. If you are comparing it with a short photo stop or a low-cost museum visit, the price may feel high. If you want a guided activity and a handmade object to keep, the calculation looks better.

The fee covers the workshop and the basic materials needed to make one broom. You are paying for 90 minutes of instruction, the prepared craft supplies, the themed setting, and the finished item. The staff guidance also matters because a poorly wrapped broom would not feel like much of a souvenir.

The quality of the materials helps support the price. The handles are described as handmade at a local farm, and several participants found the completed brooms attractive and sturdy enough to display. You also get freedom to create different designs, rather than taking home an identical item.

Still, I would budget for possible transport costs. Shipping is not included. A nearby UPS store has been used to send brooms home, and staff can help you find out what shipping may cost. If you are flying, a smaller broom may fit diagonally in a suitcase, but you should not assume every design will.

For a group of friends or family, the cost can add up quickly. The shared activity may be worth it if everyone likes crafts and witch-themed experiences. It is less suitable if only one person wants to participate while the rest plan to wait, since seating is limited and the price is charged per participant.

Getting there and avoiding simple mistakes

The location instructions deserve careful attention. Meet at Old Town Hall near the three staircases, and do not head to the Essex Street retail shop. I would save the meeting details on my phone and allow extra time to find the correct entrance.

Arrive at least 10 minutes early. The organizers state that latecomers cannot enter, so a delayed train, crowded downtown streets, or a last-minute parking problem could cost you the session.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, and the rule includes other open-toed footwear. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, intoxication, handcarts, and video recording are also not permitted.

The building requires stairs and is not wheelchair accessible. Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. This is a firm access issue, not a minor inconvenience, so check it before paying.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the workshop to someone who wants an activity rather than another guided talk. It suits people who enjoy making things, choosing colors, and leaving with a physical reminder of a trip.

It is especially good for:

• Friends looking for a shared Salem activity
• Families who want a craft with an adult present for children
• Couples who prefer a personal souvenir to a shop purchase
• Visitors interested in witchcraft symbolism and decorative ritual objects
• People who want a relaxed indoor break from walking around town
• Anyone who says they are not creative but is willing to follow clear steps

You do not need advanced craft skills. The staff can help with the design and construction, and the class pace leaves room for questions. Your broom does not have to match anyone else’s.

I would hesitate to book it for a person with major mobility limitations because of the stairs. I would also think twice if you are traveling with only a small carry-on. A broom is an awkward object, and shipping may be the sensible solution.

Timing it with the rest of your Salem day

Ninety minutes is a manageable block in a busy visit. You can place it between other downtown activities without giving up an entire afternoon. The workshop also offers a useful change of pace if your day has been heavy on walking, shops, and history sites.

The class itself has a clear beginning, middle, and end. You gather materials, construct the broom, decorate it, and learn how to display it. That structure makes the time feel purposeful, while the creative choices keep it from feeling like a simple demonstration.

I would avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward. The official duration is 90 minutes, but you may want a few extra minutes to finish, pack your broom, and speak with staff about shipping. The class is designed to produce a completed souvenir, not a half-finished project that you must rush away from.

The workshop can also become part of your Salem photos. You may carry your finished broom around town afterward, but remember that it is a real handmade object with decorations attached. Handle it carefully during the rest of the day.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. There is also a reserve-now, pay-later option, which helps if you are still arranging a Salem itinerary.

That flexibility is useful because class availability and timing can matter during busy periods. October is a particularly popular time for Salem, and planning ahead is sensible if this is one of the main activities you want.

Before booking, check the starting time, confirm the meeting location, and make sure everyone can manage the stairs. Also consider how you will transport the broom afterward. Those details will have more effect on your enjoyment than the basic craft instructions.

Should you book the Witch City Broom Making Workshop?

I would book it if you want a distinctly Salem keepsake and enjoy doing something with your hands. The workshop gets strong marks for patient instructors, attractive materials, personal choice, and a setting that fits the city’s witchcraft theme.

The $135 cost is the central question. It makes sense when the price covers an activity for your group as well as a finished craft you will display for years. It makes less sense if you mainly want a quick souvenir or if shipping a bulky broom would create a headache.

Book this experience for the creative part, not simply for the word witch in the title. Arrive early, wear closed-toe shoes, confirm the Old Town Hall meeting point, and plan your route home for the broom. If those conditions work for you, this is one of the more personal ways to remember Salem.

FAQ

How long does the broom-making workshop last?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes.

How much does the workshop cost?

The price is $135 per person.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at the Old Town Hall building near the three staircases.

Is the workshop held at the Essex Street retail store?

No. The workshop location is not the retail store on Essex Street.

What materials are included?

Each participant receives one broom handle, broomcorn, ribbon, color, and one or two decorations.

Can I choose the broom’s colors and decorations?

Yes. You can select from available colors, ribbons, charms, trinkets, botanicals, and other decorative elements.

Is instruction available in languages other than English?

No. The listed instruction language is English.

What should I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

No. The building is not wheelchair accessible, and participation requires using stairs. Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Can I cancel and receive a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.