Explore the enchanting real-life Salem locations from Hocus Pocus, blending magical film settings with historic sites that captivate fans and visitors alike.

As the autumn leaves begin to fall in 2025, the magic of Hocus Pocus continues to cast its spell on new generations of fans. The long-awaited sequel may have introduced fresh adventures for the Sanderson sisters, but the original film's enchanting locations remain timeless pilgrimage sites for devoted followers. What if you could walk the same paths that Max, Dani, and Allison once traversed? The magical world of Hocus Pocus isn't entirely fictional—many of its most memorable settings exist in reality, waiting to be explored.

Max and Dani's New Home: 4 Ocean Avenue

Remember how Max despised moving to Salem until he discovered its supernatural secrets? The charming colonial house that became the Dennison family's new residence stands proudly at 4 Ocean Avenue in Salem, Massachusetts. This real-life home features the distinctive attic bedroom where Max first encountered the ancient curse. While visitors can't enter the private residence, they can certainly capture photographs from the sidewalk—perhaps imagining they might spot a black flame candle flickering in the window.

🌳 Salem Commons: Where Romance and Magic Began

Who could forget the awkward yet endearing moment when Max attempted to apologize to Allison after his classroom embarrassment? This pivotal scene unfolded at Salem Commons, an 8-acre park located at 30 Washington Square. The very benches where Allison pretended to return Max's phone number still exist today, surrounded by the same tranquil atmosphere that provided a peaceful contrast to the film's supernatural chaos. Visitors often wonder: could this picturesque park still harbor magical energies from the Sanderson sisters' antics?

🏰 Pioneer Village: Stepping into 17th-Century Salem

The haunting flashback sequences showing Thackery Binx's original encounter with the Sanderson sisters were filmed at Pioneer Village in Forest River Park. This remarkable living history museum transports visitors directly to 1600s Salem with its authentic recreation of a colonial settlement. For a small admission fee, fans can explore three acres of historical buildings and landscapes that featured prominently in the film's opening scenes. Isn't it fascinating how this location bridges both the fictional and historical aspects of Salem's past?

Allison's Lavish Home: The Peabody Essex Museum

Allison's seemingly witchy knowledge and impressive family home sparked numerous fan theories over the years. The grandeur that made Max and Dani stare in awe during their trick-or-treating adventure actually belongs to the Peabody Essex Museum at 318 Essex Street. This cultural institution welcomes visitors to explore its exhibits free of charge, allowing fans to walk the same hallways that once hosted the film's most sophisticated character. The museum's elegant architecture certainly lends credibility to theories about Allison's mysterious background!

⚰️ Old Burial Hill: Where Bullies and History Collide

The eerie cemetery where Max encountered his school bullies exists as Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, Massachusetts. This authentic historical site—one of New England's oldest graveyards—provided the perfect spooky backdrop for the scene where Jay and Ice stole Max's expensive shoes. The ancient tombstones and atmospheric pathways remain exactly as filmed, offering visitors a genuine glimpse into the region's colonial history while stirring memories of the film's tension-filled moments.

Salem's Old Town Hall: Halloween Party Central

Remember the spectacular Halloween party where the Sanderson sisters performed their unforgettable rendition of "I Put A Spell On You"? That festive gathering took place at Salem's Old Town Hall (161 Essex Street), a historic building that continues to host community events today. The building's grand architecture remains virtually unchanged, allowing fans to stand where Bette Midler's Winifred Sanderson once captivated both the fictional townspeople and real-world audiences.

John Bailey High School: Education with a Supernatural Twist

The fictional John Bailey High School where Max struggled to fit in actually filmed at Phillips Elementary School on 86 Essex Street. Although the building no longer functions as an educational institution, its exterior remains recognizable to fans. This location witnessed one of the film's most intense sequences, where the main characters nearly met their end in the art room furnace. While visitors can't enter the building, they can explore the grounds and imagine the Sandersons' dramatic pursuit through the hallways.

😈 The Devil's California Residence: An Unexpected Location

In one of the film's most comedic moments, the Sanderson sisters mistakenly worship a man in a devil costume at his Southern California home. Surprisingly, this scene filmed not in Salem but at 6536 Friends Avenue in Whittier, California. The distinctive house remains a curious outlier among the predominantly Massachusetts-based locations, demonstrating how film magic can seamlessly blend East Coast lore with West Coast scenery.

📍 Hocus Pocus Location Guide

Location	Real-World Address	Significance
Max's House	4 Ocean Ave, Salem, MA	Family home with iconic attic bedroom
Salem Commons	30 Washington Sq, Salem, MA	Where Max apologized to Allison
Pioneer Village	98 West Ave, Salem, MA	17th-century flashback sequences
Allison's House	318 Essex St, Salem, MA	Peabody Essex Museum exterior
Old Burial Hill	Orne St, Marblehead, MA	Cemetery bullying scene
Old Town Hall	161 Essex St, Salem, MA	Halloween party location
John Bailey High	86 Essex St, Salem, MA	Phillips Elementary School
Devil's House	6536 Friends Ave, Whittier, CA	Comedic mistaken identity scene

As we approach the film's 32nd anniversary in 2025, these locations continue to attract visitors from around the world. They serve as tangible connections to a beloved classic that blended Halloween magic with coming-of-age storytelling. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering the magic for the first time, walking these real-world paths offers a unique opportunity to step directly into the spellbinding universe of Hocus Pocus. After all, what better way to honor this Halloween classic than by tracing the footsteps of your favorite characters?