Downtown Salem, MA
Over a dozen artfully carved ice sculptures will grace downtown Salem starting February 6 as part of the 8th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival. Ice Sculpture Themes range from the Eiffel Tower to the Salem Witch. This year will also feature an ice sculpting demonstration at 1:00 p.m. downtown Salem. Over 30 downtown businesses will offer discounts and free chocolate during the weekend as well. The festival officially kicks off with a scrumptious Chocolate and Wine Tasting event in Hamilton Hall February 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and local retailers, restaurants and businesses invite you to attend the 8th annual Salem’s So Sweet, Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures and Valentine’s Day shopping…don’t miss Salem’s sweetest event of the year!
The festival kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, on Friday, February 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street. This luscious tasting event features wine, beer and chocolate samplings from restaurants, stores and sweet shops. The Chocolate and Wine Tasting is sponsored by the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites. Participants include Salem Wine Imports, Salem Beer Works, Capt’s Waterfront Grill, Finz Seafood & Grill, The Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel, the Regatta Pub, Maria’s Sweet Somethings, Coffee Time Bake Shop, Market Wine & Spirits, Rockafellas, Ye Olde Pepper Company, Pamplemousse, Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream, Sixty2 on Wharf and Victoria Station. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber of Commerce, 265 Essex Street, or at Hamilton Hall the night of the event.
In celebration of the chocolate weekend, many of Salem’s finest restaurants will feature special chocolate offerings on their menus, including desserts, cocktails, and inventive sauces. Participating Salem retailers will offer in-store promotions, innovative displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine’s Day. Once again, Golden Tickets will be available in downtown Salem. Pick up your Golden Ticket and have it validated at participating businesses (no purchase necessary) then enter to win a Salem’s So Sweet gift basket. The Salem’s So Sweet gift basket features many fine items from area retailers.
Not to be missed are a dozen sparkling ice sculptures on display throughout downtown Salem, and Pickering Wharf on Saturday, February 6th & Sunday, 7th. Max from Where the Wild Things Are, a phoenix rising from the flames, the Eiffel Tower and the Salem Witch are among this year’s ice sculptures. Maps showing the locations of the ice sculptures can be picked up at participating retailers and restaurants.
Schedule of Events
Chocolate and Wine Tasting – Friday, February 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Hamilton Hall (tickets $20).
Ice Sculptures on Display – Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7 in Downtown Salem and Pickering Wharf.
Promotions, Events, Window Decorating Contest and Great Shopping – February 6 – 14.
Valentine’s Day – Sunday, February 14
