Winter Solstice Celebration at PEM

Mark the longest night of the year at the Peabody Essex Museum on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with beeswax candle making and Celtic harp music in downtown Salem.

The day

Roll your own beeswax candle from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Main Atrium, and hear harpist Mary King play Celtic, classical and seasonal music from 1 to 3 p.m. A solstice community circle and ritual with Tam Willey and Rev. Tracy Rich also runs from 1 to 3 p.m.

Plan your visit

• When: Saturday, December 19, 2026, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Where: Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street, Salem
• Admission: Candle making and music are included with museum admission. The circle and ritual requires preregistration: $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers, including admission.

Official information

See PEM’s event page to register. Find more of the season on our Holiday Happenings events calendar.

Details last checked: November 4, 2026 (from PEM’s event page).

Photo: Daderot, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.