Salem's So Sweet Chocolate and Wine Kickoff Event 2025

Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival gets started with a Kickoff Event taking place in Downtown Salem on Friday, February 7, with timed entries beginning at 4:50 pm. Ticket buyers will start at the Peabody Essex Museum's Connect Space at 135 Essex Street (immediately to the left of PEM Main Entrance) where they will receive a commemorative glass, a complementary pour of wine, and a goodie bag of sweet treats before heading out to explore. There will be multiple shops nearby providing wine tastings for ticket holders, and participants can enjoy the illuminated ice sculptures and live music on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. Additional downtown retailers will be staying open until 8 pm that evening for shopping, treats, and/or tastings. Many downtown restaurants will be running unique specials and tastings as well. Guests will NOT be allowed to leave any of the tasting locations with wine or other alcohol. Your commemorative wine glass must be empty before departing. Massachusetts Open Container Laws will remain in effect.

Tickets must be purchased for one of three different timed sessions where ticket holders will be able to check in, receive their wine glass, pour of wine, and goodie bag. Ticket holders may arrive any time within their selected session.

Session 1: 4:50PM - 5:30PM
Session 2: 5:30PM - 6:10PM
Session 3: 6:10PM - 6:50PM