Witch City Broom Making Workshop in Salem

Make your own bit of Salem magic. This hands-on workshop gives you a creative souvenir, not another mass-produced trinket, and I like the freedom to choose your handle, broomcorn, ribbons, charms, and other decorations. I also like the patient instruction from staff members such as Ashley, Shelley, Stacy, Hilary, and Beth, who help you shape the broom without taking over.

The main drawback is timing. The activity is listed at about 90 minutes, but one session took nearly two and a half hours once everyone finished and the brooms were wrapped. That extra time may be welcome if you enjoy crafts, but it matters if you have a tight Salem schedule. You should also note that the workshop meets at 32 Derby Square, not at the retail shop on Essex Street.

Quick points to know

• Your broom is genuinely personal: Choose the handle, broomcorn, color, ribbons, feathers, charms, and other adornments.
• Instruction is hands-on: Staff members help with wrapping, tying, attaching decorations, and solving fiddly construction problems.
• The group is capped at 12 people: That keeps the class small enough for personal attention.
• All the basic materials are included: You gather your own supplies before crafting, with no extra charge listed for the decorations.
• The finished broom is wrapped for carrying: That makes it easier to take around Salem after class.
• Plan extra time: The advertised 90 minutes can stretch, especially when the room is full and people are still decorating.

What happens at 32 Derby Square

You begin at 32 Derby Square in central Salem. The meeting point is near public transportation, and one participant found parking nearby, though you should still allow time to get oriented. The workshop is not held at the Essex Street retail store, so do not simply follow a shopping address if you have been browsing Witch City stores earlier in the day.

Once inside, you choose your materials. This first stage is more important than it sounds. Your handle sets the basic look and feel of the broom, while the broomcorn gives it shape and color. You can then select adornments, add bright ribbons or other color, and gather everything at your work area.

The experience is not a quick demonstration followed by a purchase. You make the item yourself. The instructors explain how to wrap the broom, secure the broomcorn, and attach charms and natural elements. If your first attempt at tying or arranging things looks a little loose, staff can step in with practical help.

The exact designs can vary widely. Some finished brooms lean toward Halloween, while others use fall colors or a quieter decorative style. You can make something theatrical, rustic, colorful, or simple. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose the class instead of buying a finished broom from a shop.

Choosing the handle, broomcorn, and color

The material-selection stage is where the workshop becomes more than a standard craft class. You are not handed an identical kit and told to copy a sample. You choose your own broom handle and broomcorn, then build the design around those choices.

The available materials include colorful broomcorn, ribbons, feathers, florals, trinkets, charms, and other decorative pieces. The selection gives you room to make a broom that feels personal. You might favor bold colors and a dramatic cluster of charms, or create a seasonal broom that looks at home in a hallway or on a mantel.

Several people specifically praised the quality of the broom handles. That matters because the handle is the part you will notice every time you display the finished piece. A good handle gives the souvenir a more substantial feel than a flimsy novelty item.

The organization of the small decorations may not be perfect. One participant felt the charms, ribbons, and extra pieces were not always arranged clearly and that the supply of some items seemed limited. If you have a precise design in mind, stay flexible and choose your main colors early.

Wrapping and decorating your Salem souvenir

The practical heart of the class is wrapping the broom. You learn how to gather and secure the broomcorn, then attach the finishing details. This is where instructor support matters most, since the construction can be awkward until you understand how the materials need to sit together.

Staff members have been praised for giving help without rushing people. Ashley, Shelley, Stacy, Hilary, Mykaela, Amy, Diane, Emily, Justin, and others are named in positive comments about friendly teaching and careful explanations. The important point for you is not which instructor happens to lead your session, but that the workshop has a reputation for patient guidance.

You can also add personal meaning to the broom. The class presents charms and earthly elements as symbols for protection, good luck, good fortune, or warding off unwanted energy. You do not need to follow a particular spiritual path to enjoy this part. The symbolism works just as well as a playful Salem theme, a personal ritual object, or a decorative craft.

I like that the instructors allow time for decisions. Several people found they were not pushed to finish quickly, and the class size of no more than 12 helps staff answer questions. The pace should suit beginners, creative teenagers, couples, families, and solo participants who want to work with their hands.

How long should you allow?

The stated duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. That is a useful planning estimate, but you should treat it as a minimum rather than a firm end time. One session lasted close to two and a half hours after everyone completed their designs and had the brooms wrapped.

For a relaxed day in Salem, the longer timing may be a plus. You can think through your design, make adjustments, and finish without feeling like you are on an assembly line. The class has been described as a good break from the noise and movement of town.

For a packed itinerary, leave a generous buffer afterward. Do not schedule a museum entry, train departure, dinner reservation, or another timed activity immediately after the class. The best plan is to place it in an open part of your day.

The workshop ends where it begins, at the Derby Square meeting point. That makes it simple to continue exploring central Salem once you have your wrapped broom in hand.

The instructors make the difference

The strongest praise centers on the teaching. People describe the instructors as friendly, professional, attentive, and willing to explain each step more than once. Justin was singled out for his enthusiasm, while Ashley received praise for making the process easy for a first-time participant. Shelley and Stacy were noted for taking their time, and several staff members were praised for helping when a broom became difficult to assemble.

That kind of help is valuable because the finished object is large enough to feel special, but the construction is still hands-on. You are not just choosing decorations. You are learning how to turn loose materials into a stable souvenir.

The setting also seems designed for a calm craft session. There is limited seating for one or two people, but parents should not leave children unattended in the waiting area. The workshop asks people to protect the quiet working environment, and one participant specifically found that noise from waiting children interfered with the atmosphere.

If you are bringing children or teenagers, plan to stay with them. Creative teens have done well with the class, especially when instructors can give them focused assistance, but the waiting-area rule is clear.

Is $134.70 a fair price?

At $134.70 per person, this is not an inexpensive Salem activity. Its value depends on what you want from a souvenir. If you only want a small keepsake, the price will feel high. If you want a guided activity, a custom object, and a memorable break from sightseeing, the cost is easier to justify.

The fee includes the handle, broomcorn, adornments, color options, and instruction. You also take home the broom you made, rather than paying separately for a finished product after an abbreviated demonstration. Several participants considered the price worthwhile because of the materials, teaching, and final piece.

The class is especially good value for people who enjoy making things. You get about 90 minutes of structured creative time at a minimum, with the possibility of a longer session if the group works slowly. The small maximum of 12 means you are paying for more than materials. You are also paying for access to instructors who can help you turn a loose collection of supplies into something presentable.

Gratuity is not included. Also consider the cost of getting the broom home. The workshop wraps finished brooms so they are easier to carry around Salem, but no shipping option is provided. One person reported a nearly $200 UPS cost after packaging and postage, so check your luggage space before committing to a very large design.

Who will enjoy this workshop most?

I would recommend it first to creative people who want an activity rather than another guided walk. Solo participants can work at their own pace, and the small group gives them a chance to ask questions without feeling lost. The workshop also suits couples, friends, and family groups looking for a shared Salem project.

It works well for a girls’ trip or a birthday outing, especially if everyone wants a different finished look. Since each person chooses separate materials, the brooms do not need to match.

Families should think about the age and attention span of the children involved. The class can suit creative teens, but children should not be left alone in the waiting space. The setting is intended to remain calm, so this is not the best choice if someone in your party needs a noisy, fast-moving activity.

You do not need to identify as a witch or follow a spiritual practice. The workshop accommodates playful, decorative, seasonal, and symbolic designs. If you enjoy Salem’s folklore but prefer making something to simply buying a souvenir, this is a strong fit.

Useful planning advice before you go

Confirm the address before leaving your hotel or another Salem attraction. The workshop is at 32 Derby Square, and it is not at the Essex Street retail location. A mobile ticket is provided, and the activity is offered in English.

Arrive with enough time to find the meeting point and settle in. The workshop is near public transportation, and parking was reported nearby, but Salem can be busy, especially during popular periods. The fact that the activity is often booked about 59 days ahead suggests that you should reserve early if your visit dates are fixed.

Wear something comfortable for a seated craft session and avoid planning a rushed connection afterward. You may finish in the listed 90 minutes, but a longer session is possible.

Think about your transport home before choosing a large broom. The finished piece is wrapped for carrying, which is helpful while walking around town, but wrapping does not solve airline luggage or long-distance shipping problems.

Cancellation is flexible enough for normal trip planning: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.

Should you book the Witch City Broom Making Workshop?

Book it if you want a Salem souvenir with your own fingerprints on it. The best parts are the free choice of materials, patient instructors, small group size, and the fact that you leave with something you designed and built.

Skip it if you dislike crafts, need a strictly timed activity, or have no practical way to transport a broom afterward. The price is significant, and the session can run well past 90 minutes.

For most creative visitors, couples, families with older children, and solo participants, I think the workshop earns its place in a Salem itinerary. It gives you a slower hour or two, a personal souvenir, and a chance to play with the city’s witchy character without simply buying another T-shirt.

FAQ

Where does the Witch City Broom Making Workshop meet?

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

How long does the workshop take?

The listed duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. You should allow extra time because some sessions have lasted close to two and a half hours, including final wrapping.

What is included in the price?

You can choose a broom handle, broomcorn, adornments, and color accents. The experience also includes gathering the materials, crafting your broom, and instruction during the process. Gratuity is not included.

How many people can attend?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Can children attend the workshop?

Most people can participate, and creative teenagers have taken part successfully. Children may not be left unattended in the waiting area, and the workshop asks families to help preserve a quiet setting.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.