Written By: Sam Santiago
Since the very first show in 2016, Midsummer Scream has been on our radar, we have watched this convention grow from a passionate gathering of horror fans, haunters, artists, and creators into one of the biggest celebrations of the genre anywhere in the country. What started as a love letter to Halloween has become the place where the horror community comes together every summer.
Simply put, we consider Midsummer Scream the Comic Con of the horror world.
Whether you're a fan of haunted attractions, horror movies, collectibles, special effects, paranormal investigations, cosplay, or just spending an entire weekend surrounded by people who love the genre as much as you do, Midsummer Scream continues to deliver year after year. We have seen this con go from a few hundred people to the thousands and it's bee a pleasure every year.
And 2026 looks like it may be one of the biggest celebrations yet.
Taking place August 7 through August 9 at the Long Beach Convention Center, Midsummer Scream will once again transform the venue into a massive gathering of all things horror.
The centerpiece of the convention, the legendary Hall of Shadows, returns with the theme "Descent Into Darkness." This year's Hall of Shadows promises the largest collection of haunted attractions in Midsummer Scream history, bringing together some of the most creative haunts and immersive experiences from across the industry.
The entrance experience will be created by Eulogy Collective, Southern California's only year round haunted attraction. As guests make their way through the Hall of Shadows, they will encounter environments and characters inspired by the attraction's various seasonal experiences.
If that's not enough, Midsummer Scream has confirmed the following via their Instagram account.
For the first time, Universal Horror Unleashed from Las Vegas will bring its terrifying world to Midsummer Scream with a special character experience featuring some of the attraction's most infamous icons.
Lionsgate Entertainment also returns for its third year with an all new walkthrough attraction that will send guests deep into the woods to confront an ancient evil.
And that is only the beginning. More haunted attractions, photo opportunities, and live entertainment experiences will be revealed leading up to the convention.
The Monster Musical Mash Up Brings Horror and Music Together
Saturday night at Midsummer Scream is always a party, and 2026 is no exception.
The Monster Musical Mash Up will take over the Grand Ballroom from 8 PM to midnight with a night of horror themed performances, dancing, photo opportunities, and a $500 costume contest encouraging fans to bring their most creative homemade creations.
Hosted by Lorena Abreu, the event will also feature Make the Cut! Karaoke, giving guests the chance to perform horror themed musical numbers and prove whether they have what it takes to become a Broadway star or become part of the evening's entertainment in a much darker way.
For those looking for something a little more traditional, the evening will also feature an advance screening of Hellbilly Hollow, a new horror film about paranormal investigators who uncover a deadly secret while exploring a remote haunted attraction.
A Q&A with the cast and crew will follow the screening.
Celebrating the Artists Behind the Horror
One of the things Midsummer Scream has always done well is shine a spotlight on the artists responsible for creating the nightmares we love.
This year's "Practical FX in the New Era of Horror" panel will celebrate the continued importance of practical effects in modern horror filmmaking.
Featuring artists who have worked on projects including Obsession, Weapons, Evil Dead Burn, and Stiletto, the panel will explore how makeup artists and effects creators continue to keep handcrafted horror alive.
Panelists include:
- Jose Cañas, VP of Ghost House Pictures and Executive Producer of Evil Dead Burn and Evil Dead Wrath
- Jason Collins, Prosthetic Designer and Owner of Autonomous FX
- Tami Lane, Oscar winning Makeup Artist
- KC Mussman, Makeup Designer and Owner of Nocturnal DesignZ Studio
- Allie Shehorn, Makeup Department Head for Obsession
The convention will also feature discussions exploring the paranormal, including "Possession Through a Wider Lens," which examines the different ways possession has been portrayed throughout horror history.
Horror Takes the Stage
The Ghost Light Theatre has become one of the most unique parts of the Midsummer Scream experience, bringing horror fans live performances unlike anything else at the convention.
This year's lineup includes:
- Stephen King's IT: A Musical Parody
- Monsterville
- Final Girl: The Musical
- Scream'd
- Shining: The Musical
From comedy to horror parodies, the Ghost Light Theatre continues to prove that the genre can be celebrated in every form imaginable.
The Horror Community's Biggest Celebration
After attending Midsummer Scream since its beginning, one thing has remained clear. The event continues to grow without losing the heart that made people fall in love with it in the first place. The staff, creators, vendors, performers, and fans all contribute to making the weekend feel less like a convention and more like a massive family reunion for horror lovers.
Every year brings new attractions, new announcements, and new reasons to return. We will once again be making the trip to Long Beach this year to bring our readers coverage from the convention floor, the Hall of Shadows, and everything else Midsummer Scream has to offer.
Midsummer Scream takes place August 7 through August 9 at the Long Beach Convention Center.