22 Things to do in Salem during 2022

The valley is bursting with arts, entertainment and culture to entertain. Take time to experience something new, support local and have a little fun this year. Reconnect with your community through these 22 ideas for 2022. (Details are subject to change without notification. Check with venue/contact to confirm.)

1. Catch a play, live

It’s been lacking for more than a year, but live theater is making a comeback, and it is up to us to support it. Take in a live stage show with one of Salem’s theater companies.

• Pentacle Theater is a community theater that has been entertaining Salem since 1954, pentacletheatre.org
• Enlightened Theatrics is a professional theater company that also offers multifaceted theater arts education, enlightenedtheatrics.org
• Theatre 33, in residence at Willamette University, is a play development company that helps Oregon/NW playwrights develop their new scripts from workshop to full production, theatre33.org 

2. Take a Ride

20 years ago, Hazel Patton took a trip to visit family in Montana. While there, she rode the first old-world style carousel built in the US since the Great Depression. More than music and motion, the carousel was magic. It was a connection to history, to art, to the community. It sparked an inspiration…and soon, Salem’s Riverfront Carousel was underway. 

With Oregon-themed features and ornately carved, hand-painted animals, Salem’s Riverfront Carousel is an artistic beauty supported by our local community. It is a tourist attraction, a historic icon, a source of entertainment for all ages, and a chance to volunteer and give back to the community as it provides a welcoming opportunity to play. And you know how we feel about play. Take a ride at 101 Front St NE. salemcarousel.org 

3. Shop the Market

Shop fresh, local and handmade products, from flowers and produce to artisan food and crafts,  at the Salem Community Markets. The Saturday Market, which is the largest seasonal market in our city, runs every Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April through October. If you can’t make Saturday, there’s also the Monday Hospital Market and Thursday West Salem Farmers Market both May through Sept. Learn more (and see the list of vendors) at salemcommunitymarkets.com

Salem Public Market at 1240 Rural Ave. SE is Oregon’s oldest farmers market, having been established in 1943. This indoor, heated market, featuring a variety of craft, food and seasonal vendors, is open year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday.

4. Learn about Salem history

Preserving and interpreting the history of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Willamette Heritage Center features 14 historic structures that house permanent and changing exhibits, a research library and archive, textile learning center, and rentable event spaces over a five-acre campus, which also has retail shops, art galleries, cooperative artist studios and offices. It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and is located at 1313 Mill St SE. Cost to explore is $4 to $8. 503-585-7012, willametteheritage.org

5. Express yourself artistically

Willamette Art Center, on the Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE, is a community art center with a primary focus on ceramics. WAC offers classes, workshops and camps for children and adults, studio workspace for the independent artist, the Oaks Gallery and the Empty Bowls sale to benefit Marion Polk Food Share. It also organizes the Artisan Village, a large gathering of artist vendors with art activities, at the Oregon State Fair. 503-365-3911, willametteartcenter.com 

Paint your own pottery at Create-A-Memory, 270 Commercial St. NE. Open seven days a week, drop-in anytime and break out your creativity. In addition to a variety of precast items ranging from bowls and platters to mugs and home decor, they offer an opportunity to create with fused glass. 503-375-3664, createamemory.org

Design and create a custom shirt at CreativiTEE, 110 Commercial St NE. From t-shirts to accessories, their simple process will allow you to create a one-of-a-kind fashion creation. They also host parties and groups of up to 6. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 971-301-5277, creativiteespace.com

6. Float

Relax. Detox. Heal. Unplug. Float therapy aims to provide a temporary escape that recharges your mind and body. Try it out at Soak Float Center at 1274 Liberty St. NE. 971-599-5241, soakfloatcenter.com

7. Just Dance

Dance is a great way to burn calories, be social, and have fun and a variety of opportunities in Salem that will allow you to do just that. 

Put on your dancing shoes for the 2nd Friday Ceili, a live music and dancing opportunity organized by Salem’s Celtic cultural group the Ceili of the Valley Society. Basic steps are taught at the beginning of the night and dances are walked through first then called as they are learned and the evening progresses, so no experience or dance partner is needed (and if you really aren’t a dancer, you can go for the live music). Doors open at 7 p.m.; live music begins at 8 at the VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. Cost is $10. (Check website to confirm the event is happening as they did take a break due to Covid) ceiliofthevalley.org

Salem Rueda de Casino offers weekly Salsa Classes on Saturdays at VFW Hall 630 Hood St NE. The day is broken into four classes beginning with beginner Salsa at 1 p.m., followed by Cuban Salsa at 2 p.m., Bachata at 3 p.m. and finally, intermediate Salsa practice at 4 p.m. Cost $10 per class or $15 for day pass. srcsalsa.com

RJ Dance Studio, upstairs at 317 Court St NE, hosts a Weekly Social Dance featuring a mix of ballroom, latin, club, and swing with a little bit of country, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. You don’t need to be a studio student; the weekly social is open to anyone interested in shaking a leg. Plus, you don’t need a partner — singles are welcome — although it could make a fun date night. Cost is $5 per person. 503-363-3341, rjdance.com 

If country’s your thing, Silver Spur, 1821 Silverton Road NE, hosts line dancing every Friday and Saturday night (plus Salsa and Bachata on Tuesday night). 503-371-1911, facebook.com/silver.spur.3

8. Go to a Museum

Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St., features works by Pacific Northwest and Native American artists, a diverse collection of traditional European, American and Asian art, as well as artifacts that date from antiquity, plus a revolving collection of historical, regional and contemporary art. The museum is open from 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Cost to explore is $3 to $6; free for everyone on Tuesdays. 503-370-6855, willamette.edu/arts/hfma

Steeped in history, Deepwood Museum & Gardens is a historic Queen Anne style, Victorian house fully furnished as a residence featuring formal gardens, nature trails, a greenhouse, and original carriage house. Owned by the City of Salem, the house is managed by the Friends of Deepwood and the gardens are under the care of The Lord and Schryver Conservancy. The gardens are a popular spot for weddings and the museum hosts rotating exhibits and special events throughout the year. There are two opportunities to visit. The gardens and nature trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Check their event calendar before planning your visit to note any special garden closures. The museum is open for reserved tours at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Masks are required; max of 6 people at a time. Tour admission is $3 to $6 and free for children 5 and younger. 503-363-1825, deepwoodmuseum.org 

The Museum of Mental Health is probably one of Salem’s less common attractions, but historically and architecturally it’s a fascinating place to visit, especially if you appreciate stories as that is just what this museum aims to do — share the stories of those who have lived and worked at the Oregon State Hospital. Learn about life, history and more through a variety of permanent and changing exhibits, including one about the making of the Academy Award-winning movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, for which the hospital was the filming location. The museum is located at 2600 Center St NE on the first floor of the Kirkbride Building at Oregon State Hospital. It is open from 12 to 4 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. Admission is $7, $6 for seniors and students, and free for children younger than 10. oshmuseum.org 

9. Experience local art

Founded in 1919, the Salem Art Association aims to engage the community in the appreciation of the arts through contemporary art exhibitions and events, arts education for youth and adults, and the preservation and interpretation of our shared cultural heritage. Events and exhibits are located at the Bush Barn Art Center and Annex, 600 Mission St. SE, which features a rotating gallery of local artists plus a gift shop. Pop in 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. There is no charge to visit, but donations are always accepted. 503-581-2228, salemart.org

From fine art, up-and-coming artists, graffiti muralists and more, Salem on the Edge features work by PNW artists in a variety of media both for purchase and in rotating exhibits. Stop in and visit at 156 Liberty St. NE. salemontheedge.com

Ernie & Gray is a fine art and craft gallery located at 329 State St in downtown Salem featuring a unique mix of functional craft and fine art by the most outstanding makers based in the Pacific Northwest. ernieandgray.com

Take a self-guided tour of Salem’s public art. You can view the collection and explore the catalog by location or media at the city website here: cityofsalem.net/Pages/public-art.aspx 

10. Contemplate the classical

A variety of organizations offer opportunities to hear classical music.

• Camerata Musica — cameratamusicasalem.org 
• Confluence Chorus — confluencelgbtchorus.org 
• Oregon Symphony Association in Salem — orsymphonysalem.org
• Salem Orchestra — salemorchestra.org 
• Salem Youth Symphony — salemyouthsymphony.org
• Salem Symphonic Winds — salemsymphonicwinds.org 
• Salem Philharmonia Orchestra — salemphil.org

11. Eat Healthier

Did you know you can get food straight from the farm in the heart of Salem? Minto Island Growers, 3394 Brown Island Road S, is a diversified farm and nursery that grows organic produce. In addition to selling at their own Farm Stand and the Salem Saturday Market, they also offer a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. This allows the community to support the farm prior to the growing season and reap the rewards through it by receiving regular boxes of produce. Visit mintogrowers.com for details and sign up to their newsletter to find out when registration opens.

12. Try an art flick

Since 1982, Salem Cinema has been specializing in sharing independent, foreign and art films, as well as film-related special events, with our community. From documentaries and educational programs to live-filmed performances to American and world cinema, their art-deco-inspired theater will transport you to another world. 1127 Broadway St NE. 503-378-7676, salemcinema.com

13. Go bouldering

The Rock Boxx is an indoor climbing gym featuring 5,400 square feet of climbing walls for all levels of experience. It offers fitness classes, party room rentals, and programs that mentor kids in their climbing skills. 3895 Cascadia Canyon Ave SE. 503-371-3134, therockboxx.com

14. Escape (hopefully)

Try an escape room, a game that aims to challenge the mind, encourage teamwork and help develop critical thinking skills through finding clues and solving puzzles to escape.

Exitus offers three experiences, plus a mobile one (they’ll come to you). They are located in the basement of the Fork Forty Food Hall at 440 State St #B100, so great excuse to grab a bite before or after. Cost is $29 per person. 971-599-3948, exitussalem.com

Escape Tech has five experiences, plus offers remote virtual escape rooms. Cost: $149 for up to 6 people for on-site rooms and 15 connections for remote virtual rooms. 503-991-5760, escapetech.rocks

15. Learn to play

Try your hand at guitar, piano, bass or ukulele. RiverCity Rock Star Academy offers lessons in all. The performance-based music education program combines weekly rehearsals, with private music lessons and live performances for all skill levels. Whether you are a first-time player, or picking it back up after a few years away, RiverCity has something for you, including teachers skilled in a variety of instruments and all genres. rocksalem.com 

16. Wreck It

Whether looking to blow off steam, channel energy or just plain smash stuff, Wrecking Ballers is the place. It’s where you have permission (and are expected to) break things, provided you are 16 or older. For those younger (or just young at heart), they offer a paint room where you can literally paint the walls, floor and ceiling, and everything in between. Open Wednesday through Sunday at 440 State St, B100 (Basement of Fork Forty Food Hall). Prices start at $30 for the wreck room and $20 for a paint room. 971-599-3948, wreckingballers.com

17. Taste with a tune

Willamette Valley is synonymous with wine country, but local vineyards offer more than just wine, they are also nightlife hotspots offering live music and other entertainment. Most activities are in the summer, so be sure to keep an eye on their websites. Here are a few of our favorites

• Ankeny Vineyard — ankenyvineyard.com
• Coria Estates — coriaestates.com 
• Cubanisimo Vineyards — cubanisimovineyards.com
• Eola Hills Legacy Estate Vineyard — eolahillswinery.com/events/ 
• Hudak House — hudakhouse.com
• Pudding River Wine Cellars — puddingriver.com
• Red Hawk Winery — redhawkwine.com 
• Trinity Vineyards — trinityvineyards.com

18. Celebrate Culture

The World Beat Festival returns to Salem’s Riverfront Park, June 24 through 26, 2022. Experience the music, dance, food and traditions of more than 70 nations and cultures. Stay tuned to worldbeatfestival.org

While you wait for the festival, pop in to the World Beat Gallery, a cultural exhibition space curated by community members featuring rotating displays that aim to reflect and share culture from countries around the world. It is located at 390 Liberty St. SE. 503-581-2004, salemmulticultural.org

19. Listen to local music

June 21 should be saved on your calendar permanently — it’s Make Music Day, the international celebration of sound that takes place every year on the Summer Solstice. Salem is a dynamic part of this worldwide celebration of music, community and connection where you will see local bands and musicians taking to the streets to sing, play and celebrate. makemusicsalem.org

20. Read

After more than a year closed for renovations, the Salem Public Library is open for business. You can take advantage of express service, which includes browsing, check out, holds pickup and limited public computer use, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at the main library, 585 Liberty St. SE. Visitors are asked to limit their stay to a maximum of one hour. 503-588-6315, salemlibrary.org 

21. Paddle

Test out the waters of dragon boat racing and possibly join a team for competition — or at least have some fun and make new friends. Salem has a handful of teams and you don’t need to be a member to try it out. You can attend two practices at no charge. Learn more at salemmulticultural.org/programs/dragon-boat-club. Then shoot a message to 503-581-2004 or dragon@salemmulticultural.org to make arrangements to participate.

22. Try Yoga

Fill your new year with Yoga. Whether it’s in the heart of downtown at Riverfront Park or before a tasting at one of our local vineyards or breweries, Yoga & Beer will keep you practicing while supporting local business. They offer all-levels, flow classes similar to their practices at breweries and wineries around the PNW. cheersandnamaste.com

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Author: The Instigator