Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop

Salem has plenty of spooky photo ops. This one is hands-on, letting you build a custom witches broom in 90 minutes. I love the big creative control you get, and I love how instructors such as Mykaela, Samantha, and Ashley guide you step by step. One practical thing to plan for, they cannot accept latecomers, so be there at least 10 minutes early.

You will meet near the 3 staircases at the Old Town Hall building, and it is not at the Essex Street retail store. The workshop setup feels calm and intentional, and you can even pause in a clean bathroom if you need a reset before you start wrapping and decorating.

Come wearing closed-toe shoes, because you will need stairs to get into the workshop. Also note the small waiting area is limited, and kids cannot be left unattended there, so plan your group accordingly.

Key things I would underline before you go

• Old Town Hall, not Essex Street store: The meeting spot is near the 3 staircases.
• No latecomers: Arrive early, or you will miss the class.
• You get a real broom kit: Handle, broom corn, ribbon, and a couple decorations are included.
• Color and charm choices drive the look: You can design for good luck or protection themes.
• Instructors help at every step: Names you may see include Mykaela, Samantha, Ashley, Amy, and Makayla.
• Plan for stairs: The building is not wheelchair accessible.

Getting Your Bearings at Old Town Hall

The experience starts with a clear meeting point. You meet at the Old Town Hall building near the 3 staircases, and that matters because the workshop location is not the same as the Essex Street retail store.

If you are doing a Salem day with multiple stops, I suggest treating this as your anchor activity. It is timed for a focused 90 minutes, and you will want to arrive calm, not rushing in while your hands are already ready to craft.

The building itself is part of the vibe, but it is also a real-world consideration. You must use stairs to reach the workshop, and the space is not wheelchair accessible, so if mobility is a concern, this may not be the right fit.

What Your $135 Broom-Making Workshop Really Includes

At $135 per person, you are paying for more than a souvenir photo. You are paying for an instructor-led craft session with hands-on materials and guidance, plus a finished broom you can hang up or keep on display.

Your package includes a broom handle, broom corn, ribbon, one color, and 1-2 decorations. In other words, you start with the structure and core look, then you personalize the final design with the theme choices and accessories available during class.

Think of it like this: you are not just watching a craft. You are making something that actually looks like Salem, with enough design freedom that two people can leave with brooms that feel meaningfully different.

The 90 Minutes: From Broom Corn to Finished Charm Broom

This is a smooth, step-based workshop, and the timing is built for a true craft session rather than a quick demo. In about 90 minutes, you design your broom, wrap it, add decorations, and finish with a personal touch you can recognize instantly later.

Here is the flow you should expect.

First, you settle in and gather what you need for your broom. Closed-toe shoes matter here because you may be moving around during prep, and the workshop requires stair access to get in.

Next comes the making. You will learn how to wrap the broom and attach the elements that give it its character. The instructors explain what goes where and why, so even if you are not a crafty person, you can still follow along and build something you feel proud of.

Then you move into personalization. You choose among design options such as unique colors and different decorative accessories like trinkets and charms, plus colorful ribbons and broomcorn. This is where the workshop shifts from craft project to your Salem statement.

Finally, you finish and walk out with your custom broom. Many people treat it as a wall-hanger memory, and in a Salem trip full of t-shirts and mugs, it feels more personal because you made it with your own hands.

Wrapping and Decorating: Where the Salem Theme Becomes a Souvenir

The core skill in this class is the wrapping. That sounds simple until you are actually doing it, because wrapping determines the final look and feel of your broom. The instructors show you the right approach and then help you keep going when you hit a tricky spot.

During decorating, you also get the story around the theme of the workshop. The class focuses on choosing charms and earth-inspired elements for protection, warding off evil, encouraging good luck, and repelling spells from others if you are going for that kind of meaning.

You do not need to believe any of it to enjoy the experience. What matters is that the theme gives you a way to pick decorations with intention, not just random aesthetics. That is why the brooms tend to look cohesive, even when you are mixing colors and small pieces.

A small heads-up that can affect your final design: supplies can run out. One person noted some items they wanted were unavailable before they could add them, so if there is a particular look you want, start choosing early in the session.

Colors, Charms, and the Good-Luck Versus Protection Choices

The workshop really shines in the customization options. You get to pick colors and design accessories, and you can add trinkets and charms that reflect the vibe you want your broom to carry home.

If you like the idea of symbolism, you will probably enjoy how the instructors frame the choices. For example, they talk about protection and warding themes on one side, and good fortune on the other. It is basically a guided way to translate your personality into design.

Instructors are a big part of that. People mention names like Mykaela, Samantha, and Ashley, plus helpers such as Amy, Shelly, and Makayla, and the pattern is consistent: clear steps, patient correction, and helpful suggestions for how to hang and display your finished broom.

If you are worried about your creativity level, treat this as a guided build, not an art test. The class is designed so you can make decisions, but you are not left alone trying to figure it out.

Leaving With It: Carrying Through Salem, Shipping, and Storage

Your finished broom is the main takeaway, so plan how you will handle it after class. You can carry it, but it is wider and bulkier than most souvenirs, and it can be stressful if you are also touring and walking everywhere.

Some people solve this by shipping the broom from a nearby UPS store rather than carrying it through travel days. If you want the lowest-stress option, plan a route that includes time for drop-off, or make sure your travel day has space for a little logistics.

If you are flying, think in terms of suitcase fit. One reviewer said they did not want to risk transport issues, so they chose smaller broom options and still found a way to pack them diagonally. You can use that as a guide: go smaller if your luggage is tight.

Also, note what the workshop does not allow: video recording is not permitted, and smoking is not allowed. It keeps the room calm and focused, which is part of why the vibe feels relaxing while you craft.

Who This Workshop Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This workshop is best for people who want a Salem souvenir with actual making involved. It is ideal for couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy crafts, and it also works well when you want a structured activity that still leaves room for personal style.

It can also fit families with the right expectations. The waiting area is limited, and children cannot be left unattended in that waiting area, so only bring kids if you can supervise them the whole time. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

If you need wheelchair access, this is not a match. The building is not wheelchair accessible, and the experience requires stairs to enter.

If you are sensitive to rules, read them first. The workshop does not allow intoxication, alcohol and drugs, mobility scooters, handcarts, or electric wheelchairs, and they do not allow video recording. The rules are strict, but they help keep the classroom environment controlled and safe.

Should You Book Witch City Broom Making in Salem?

Book it if you want a hands-on Salem memory that looks good at home. For $135, the value is strongest when you want instruction, materials, and a finished craft, not just browsing or taking pictures.

I would skip it if you cannot do stairs, or if you are the type of traveler who arrives late to things and then scrambles. The no-latecomers rule is real, and being 10 minutes early is part of the experience.

If you love customizing, this is one of the better “do it yourself” activities in Salem because you leave with something you built, with a look you chose. And if you want a low-pressure activity where the steps are explained and helped through, this workshop is set up for that kind of success.

FAQ

How long is the Salem Witch City broom making workshop?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes.

How much does the workshop cost?

The price is $135 per person.

Where do I meet for the workshop?

You meet at the Old Town Hall building near the 3 staircases.

Is the workshop at the Essex Street retail store?

No. The workshop location is not at the Retail Store location on Essex Street.

What is included in the experience?

You get the broom making workshop plus 1 broom handle, broom corn, 1-2 decorations, ribbon, and color.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear closed-toe shoes.

Are children allowed to wait on their own?

No. Children are not allowed to be in the waiting area unattended.

Can I record video during the workshop?

No. Video recording is not allowed.