The MBTA parking garage is one option but that can also easily fill up.

Other choice is parking in Beverly and riding the commuter rail one stop over

You may park in Salem high-school we have free trolleys/shuttles from there to downtown. For more details visit: https://www.hauntedhappenings.org/maps-info/parking-directions/

until what time can I park? It looks like most of them are only til 8pm

Isn't there also the I think??? Little college lot near the old village recreation?? It's been a while since I've been up there. I could have the wrong name... but it is some type of school, not the high-school.

You migth ask over on the r/SalemMA sub? Honestly, the uber from Boston will take you forever as the roads are going to be packed. Last train out of Salem looks to be around 11.

Who are these people? I cannot fathom wanting to visit Salem MA so badly

Man, I lived in Salem for almost 3 years and Halloween was never this brutal. It used to be fun. I chalk it up to post-COVID syndrome. Everyone desperately wants to go out and do things even if they're really mid activities... My friend still lives in the downtown area and he can't even walk down his own street to get groceries, food, etc. Dumb tourists who can't park or read signs keep blocking his driveway constantly. What a nightmare.

Nightmare indeed.

Yeah I think there was an article posted in the salem subreddit recently about how the crowds this October have been absolutely bonkers. To each their own, but this weekend is not a good time to visit.