Written by: Sam Santiago
Get ready to embrace the eerie, because Salem Horror Fest 2026 has finally stepped out of the shadows with official dates and its first slate of marquee participants. From Thursday, April 30, through Sunday, May 3, Salem, Massachusetts, will once again transform into a pilgrimage site for lovers of the strange, the uncanny, and the downright unsettling. Just our type of shindig.
This year’s festival, marking its ninth haunting season, is built around a sleek black cat motif. Founded by artistic force Kay Lynch, the event isn’t just a celebration of horror films and culture; it’s designed to explore why fear grips us, enchants us, and keeps us returning for more. These deep dives are breaths of fresh air and one of the reasons why Salem Horror Fest is always a must-attend event.
Tribute, Icons, and Unforgettable Moments
At the center of this year’s horror carnival are figures whose names alone can send chills down your spine. Filmmaker Mick Garris will be honored in a tribute to his career and influence, kicking things off with a screening of "Sleepwalkers", his early collaboration with Stephen King. After the film, Garris will sit down for a deep-dive conversation with Rue Morgue’s Andrea Subissati—a must-hear for anyone obsessed with how nightmares are shaped on screen.
Adding even more prestige, Victoria Price, daughter of horror legend Vincent Price, will deliver this year’s keynote address, bringing insight, memory, and legacy to the festival’s forefront. Horror icons Michael Berryman ("The Hills Have Eyes") and Linnea Quigley ("The Return of the Living Dead") are also signed on for unique experiences that go beyond mere appearances.
Behind the scenes, Lynch is joined by co-directors Leslie Adams and Brody Bellamy, Submissions Coordinator Steve Kleinedler, and Production Manager Luisa Cornish, all helping to craft the festival’s wickedly rich lineup.
What’s In Store for Festivalgoers
Here’s a taste of what Salem Horror Fest has planned for 2026:
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Nine repertory films spanning classic chills and nightmarish gems, with Sleepwalkers opening the festivities on April 30.
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Podcast event Girl, That’s Scary! breaking down the dark allure of the 1982 cult favorite Cat People.
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Nine feature-length official selections alongside more than 40 short films, representing visionary storytellers from around the world.
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A book talk with special guests, plus a screenwriting panel featuring Garris and Clay McLeod Chapman (Wake Up and Open Your Eyes).
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In partnership with The House of the Seven Gables, a Sunday afternoon event with Victoria Price followed by dinner and a documentary screening celebrating her father’s cinematic contributions.
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A listening party with Michael Berryman, and for those willing to tempt fate, raffle opportunities for a tarot reading with Linnea Quigley.
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Continued collaboration with the George A. Romero Foundation, offering mentorship opportunities to emerging filmmakers—because new nightmares deserve a stage too.
If the thought of dark rooms filled with flickering film, conversations with horror royalty, and experiences that haunt long after the lights come up gets your pulse racing, Salem Horror Fest 2026 is where your nightmares will feel most alive.
Tickets are now on sale so get your nine lives and a few stray cats together and get pick up your tickets HERE!