Witch City Broom Making Workshop in Salem

The best part of this Salem experience is that you do not just buy a witchy souvenir, you make one. You choose the handle, broomcorn, colors, ribbons, charms, and other decorations, then learn how to wrap everything into a broom that reflects your taste. I like the hands-on work and the chance to create something far more personal than another shelf trinket.

I also like the calm, creative pace and the patient help from instructors such as Ashley, Shelly, Stacy, Beth, Justin, Mykaela, Hilary, Amy, and Diane. The main catch is time: although the session is listed at about an hour and a half, some groups have taken close to two and a half hours to finish. That is pleasant if you have room in your schedule, but important if you are racing to another Salem sight.

Key points to know before you book

• You make the entire broom yourself: Choose the handle, broomcorn, colors, and decorative pieces before wrapping and finishing your creation.
• The materials are included: Ribbons, charms, feathers, florals, trinkets, and colorful broomcorn are available without an added materials charge.
• The group is small: The workshop accepts a maximum of 12 people, allowing instructors to offer one-on-one help.
• Your broom has symbolic meaning: You can add elements for protection, good fortune, warding off evil, or simply visual appeal.
• The workshop is at 32 Derby Square: Do not go to the retail shop on Essex Street, since that is not the class location.
• Allow extra time: The advertised duration is about 90 minutes, but careful crafters may need much longer.

Making a Salem souvenir instead of buying one

Salem has no shortage of witch-themed merchandise. Much of it is easy to carry, easy to forget, and made for quick souvenir shopping. This workshop offers a different kind of keepsake. You leave with a broom you planned, assembled, and decorated yourself.

That difference matters. I like souvenirs that bring back a specific moment, not just a place name. Every broom can look different. One person may choose bright broomcorn and colorful ribbons, while another may prefer feathers, charms, florals, and a darker Halloween style. You can also make something that feels more autumnal or decorative rather than strictly spooky.

The experience is part craft class, part Salem ritual. You are not expected to arrive with woodworking skills or a fixed design. The instructors explain the process and help you decide how to combine the materials. If you already have a clear idea, you can work toward it. If you do not, the supplies give you plenty of ways to build a design as you go.

The activity is suitable for solo visitors, couples, families, and groups of friends. Several people have treated it as a girls’ trip highlight, while others have made it a personal creative outing. Teens who enjoy crafts can take part with patient guidance, but the atmosphere is intended to remain quiet and focused.

Arriving at 32 Derby Square

The meeting point is 32 Derby Square, Salem, Massachusetts 01970. This detail deserves attention because the workshop is not held at the retail store on Essex Street. If you simply search for the shop and head there, you may end up in the wrong place.

The location is near public transportation, and one family found parking nearby, though the supplied information does not promise a dedicated parking area. I would arrive a little early, especially during a busy Salem day, so you can confirm the entrance and settle in before choosing materials.

The workshop has limited seating for one or two people. Parents should know that children cannot be left unattended in the waiting area. This is not just a rule to skim over. The class aims to protect a relaxed atmosphere, and one person specifically found that noisy children waiting nearby interfered with the intention and concentration of the activity.

The end point is the same as the starting point. That makes the workshop easy to fit between other Salem stops. Your finished broom is wrapped for carrying, which helps when you still have shopping or sightseeing ahead.

Choosing the handle and broomcorn

The first creative decision is the broom handle. You choose your own rather than receiving a standard, identical base. The handle gives the broom much of its character, so take a moment to consider the size, shape, and feel before moving on.

Next comes the broomcorn, the natural material that forms the sweeping end. Colorful options let you move beyond the plain straw look. You might find yourself building around one strong color, mixing several shades, or using the broomcorn as a quiet base for more decorative pieces.

The supplies are part of the listed price. You are not paying a basic class fee and then adding a charge for every ribbon or charm. That makes the design stage more relaxed. You can compare options without worrying that a few extra decorations will sharply change the bill.

Stock and organization may vary. One person found the selection of charms, ribbons, and add-ons less plentiful and less neatly arranged than expected. I would not assume that every imaginable color or ornament will be available. The core choices are there, but your favorite combination may depend on what is in stock that day.

Building the broom with local instructors

Once you have gathered your materials, the instructor shows you how to wrap the broom and attach the broomcorn. This is the practical heart of the class. The finished object may look simple, but getting the material secure and balanced is easier with guidance.

The teachers named in the feedback include Ashley, Shelly, Stacy, Beth, Justin, Mykaela, Hilary, Amy, and Diane. You may not have any particular instructor on your date, but the pattern is clear: the teaching style is friendly, patient, and hands-on.

I especially like that the class does not appear to push everyone through at the same speed. People have had time to think about their design, ask for help, and correct a detail without feeling hurried. That matters for a craft activity. A rushed broom would be a poor souvenir, even if the class finished exactly on schedule.

You may also hear the symbolic side of the craft. Charms and natural elements can be selected for protection, good luck, good fortune, or keeping unwanted spells away. You can take those ideas seriously, play with them, or treat them as part of Salem’s theatrical witchcraft culture. The class leaves room for your own approach.

The small group limit of 12 helps here. It is not a private lesson, but it is small enough for the instructors to move around and help when your wrapping or arrangement needs attention. That personal help is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience instead of trying to assemble a broom from a store display.

Decorating with ribbons, feathers, charms, and florals

After the structure is in place, the broom becomes yours. The available decorations include ribbons, feathers, florals, charms, trinkets, and colored broomcorn. Some pieces can give the broom a traditional witchy look. Others can make it seasonal, rustic, bright, or more personal.

This is where the workshop works well for different ages and tastes. A teenager can create an eye-catching colorful broom. An adult may prefer a restrained design with natural elements. A couple can make matching pieces without making identical ones. A solo visitor can take as much time as needed to decide what feels right.

The range of finished styles is part of the fun. One broom may lean toward Halloween, while another looks suited to fall decor. You are not locked into a single pattern, and the staff can help if you run into a snag.

The available supplies may not be perfectly organized at every session. If you have a particular theme in mind, choose your main materials early. Then add the smaller pieces once you know how much color and texture the broom already has.

How long the class really takes

The official duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. That is a reasonable planning figure for the teaching, material selection, construction, decorating, and wrapping. Still, you should not treat it as a hard end time.

One session took almost two and a half hours by the time everyone completed the brooms and had them wrapped. Other people found the timing perfect and did not feel rushed. The difference likely comes from group size, design choices, and how long each person spends decorating.

I would block out two hours if your day allows it. That gives you space to make careful choices and enjoy the process. If you have a Salem walking tour, restaurant booking, train departure, or timed museum entry afterward, leave a generous gap.

The longer timing is not automatically a flaw. For many people, the chance to slow down is the point. But it can become a problem if you thought this would be a quick one-hour stop between attractions.

Is the $134.70 price fair?

At $134.70 per person, this is not a casual impulse souvenir. You are paying for instruction, a complete broom project, the materials, and about 90 minutes or more of guided creative time.

The value depends on what you want from Salem. If you only want an inexpensive decoration, the price may feel high. If you want an activity, a personal souvenir, and a break from walking through town, it makes more sense. The included handle, broomcorn, adornments, and color choices help because you are not immediately facing a list of small material fees.

The finished broom also has practical value as home or altar decor. It is large enough to feel like a real handmade object rather than a tiny novelty. You get to decide its purpose and appearance, which is part of what makes the cost easier to justify.

One cost to remember comes after the workshop if you are flying or cannot carry the broom home. The workshop does not offer a shipping option. A participant who took a broom to UPS was quoted nearly $200 for packaging and shipping. That cost can change the value calculation completely.

If you are driving, the carrying problem is minor. If you are flying, ask yourself before booking how you will transport a broom. It may be possible to carry it carefully, but no airline or packing details are provided here, so you should not assume shipping will be cheap.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the workshop to you if you like making things, want a souvenir with a story, or need a quieter activity during a packed Salem visit. It works especially well for friends, couples, solo visitors, and families with older children or creative teens who can respect the workshop setting.

It is also a good pick for anyone who feels a little tired of looking at shops. You still get the Salem witchcraft theme, but you engage with it through your hands rather than only through photographs and purchases.

You may want to skip it if you have no interest in crafts, have a very tight schedule, or cannot manage the finished broom on the journey home. It is also not the right choice for parents who need young children to wait unattended while an adult participates.

The atmosphere is intended to be calm and focused. I would not book it expecting a loud, fast-moving attraction. The charm comes from choosing slowly, listening to the instructions, and letting the broom take shape.

Booking and practical details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give specific details about mobility access or the physical demands of the class. If you need those details, ask before reserving.

The experience can be canceled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It is offered by Witch City Walking Tours, even though this particular activity is a craft workshop rather than a walking tour.

Because it is booked an average of 59 days ahead, I would reserve early if your Salem visit is fixed, especially during the popular autumn season. The maximum group size is 12, so there are fewer spaces than at a large sightseeing attraction.

Should you book the Witch City Broom Workshop?

Book it if you want a Salem souvenir that carries your own fingerprints, choices, and creative decisions. The patient instructors, included decorative materials, small group size, and wrapped finished broom make this more than a quick craft demonstration.

Go in with two expectations: allow more than 90 minutes, and plan how you will get the broom home. If you can handle those details, the $134.70 price buys you an activity and a lasting object, not just another item from a gift shop.

FAQ

Where does the broom-making workshop meet?

It starts and ends at 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970. The workshop is not held at the retail store on Essex Street.

How long does the workshop last?

The stated duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Some sessions can take close to two and a half hours, including decorating and wrapping, so leave extra time.

What materials are included?

You can choose a broom handle, broomcorn, adornments, and color. Materials include options such as ribbons, charms, feathers, florals, trinkets, and colored broomcorn.

How many people can join the class?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants. Limited seating is available for one or two people in the waiting area.

Can children attend the workshop?

Most participants can take part, and creative teens have received help during the class. Children cannot be left unattended in the waiting area.

Can the finished broom be shipped home?

The workshop does not offer a shipping option. One participant paid nearly $200 through UPS for packaging and shipping, so plan your transportation before booking if you are not driving.