Salem Hosts Pride Parade, Eyes Green Expo and 400+ Heritage Milestones This Weekend
The 2026 North Shore Pride Parade rolls through Salem today, June 27, while the city simultaneously counts down to a summer loaded with anniversary and holiday celebrations — making this one of the busiest stretches in Salem's 400th-year calendar.
TOWN HALL
The North Shore Pride Parade and Festival is underway Saturday, beginning at noon. The city announced road closures and security measures ahead of the event, which is centered on Salem Common.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem will host a Living Green Expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Town Hall on June 28. The free event is aimed at connecting residents with sustainability resources and green-living ideas.
On the Salem 400+ front, parade registration for the August 1 Heritage Days Parade is nearing capacity — more than 50 groups have already signed up — with the extended deadline set for 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. Anyone hoping to march, build a float, or join the celebration should register before spots run out. Separately, the city has confirmed a free Family Field Day at Forest River Park for Sunday, July 12.
The city's Fourth of July celebration is also taking shape, with this year's "Salem Celebrates the 4th" incorporating both America's 250th anniversary and Salem's own 400+ milestone themes.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Salem Public Library feed pulled this cycle returned content from Salem, Ohio's public library — not Salem, Massachusetts — so no local library programming items are available for this edition.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Salem Patch's morning digest led today with a striking human-interest note: "🌱 Patch AM: How a Salem fire recruit helped save a stranger's life" — the bulletin highlights a local first responder's off-duty act and also flags a children's art event on the weekend calendar, per Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"15th North Shore Pride Parade, Festival Set For Salem This Weekend" — the annual LGBTQ+ celebration returns to Salem Common, with Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll expected to appear at the festival, per Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Salem's Bentley Academy Teacher 'Mr. G' Wins Margaret Voss Howard Recognition Award" — Jonay Gonzalez Morera of Bentley Academy Innovation School was recognized with the annual Salem teacher honor, which carries a $1,000 award, per Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"North Shore Country-Themed Music Bar Set To Close" — a Salem-area country music venue is scheduling its final night for July 3, per Salem Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
COMING UP
- **Sunday, June 28** — Living Green Expo, Old Town Hall, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. - **Tuesday, June 30** — Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade registration deadline, 4 p.m. - **Saturday, July 4** — Salem Celebrates the 4th (America's 250th/Salem's 400+ themed) - **Sunday, July 12** — Salem 400+ Family Field Day, Forest River Park (free, all ages) - **Saturday, August 1** — Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade