Wouldn't it be great if you could go somewhere and hang with a bunch of Halloween fans? Kinda like a Comic-Con, but for those of us who like to keep it spooky all year long...
This post is updated as new conventions are discovered! Bookmark it and check back often.
Last update: February 2019
There is, my friend! And I had NO idea so many events like these existed until I started writing Spooky Little Halloween. Each time I find a new one, I add it to this list, so be sure to bookmark this post check back frequently for new additions!
Thanks to this list, now I have a bucket list of all the Halloween conventions I want to attend someday. So far the only one I’ve checked off is Midsummer Scream.
This blog post includes a rundown of some of the awesome Halloween conventions I’ve discovered, plus links to their websites so you can check ’em out.
Before we jump in though, I want to call your attention to a few things. TransWorld, Halloween & Party Expo, HauntCon and the International Halloween Show are a few conventions you’ll likely find first via a Google search, but they are not included in this list for one very simple reason: they are only open to people in the Halloween industry, not the public. Boo!
Everything you’ll find in this blog post is open to the public meaning you, my little Halloween lover, can attend any of these conventions!
Conventions are listed alphabetically – you’ll need to click on the website link for this year’s convention dates.
Run a convention you’d like featured in this post? Email a link to your website to hello@spookylittlehalloween.com for consideration.
Halloween Conventions for Halloween Lovers:
All Hallow’s Art Fest – Petaluma, CA
Enjoy the bewitching artistry of Halloween artists from around the country. The Halloween Folk Art Society juries for the very best in Halloween artists to create this awe-inspiring show. New talent is extensively sought extensively each year to add to the formidable group of established artists. This show is for collectors and fans to see and purchase one-of-a-kind works of art, hand-made from a number of mediums.
Creepycon – Knoxville, TN
Creepycon is the creepiest show on earth! Halloween and horror lovers spend two days exploring every facet of their favorite time of the year at this Tennessee-based event. It includes vendors, entertainment and more.
Days of the Dead – Various
This traveling convention featured horror, music, pop culture and…wrestling? Odd mix, but then again…so is the idea of a Halloween convention. Days of the Dead’s goal is to bring back the concept of the genre convention being a welcoming social gathering of like-minded friends and fans. The convention got its start in Indianapolis and currently also host events in Atlanta (where our friends in Cavity Colors hang out!), Chicago and Charlotte.
Halloween ComicFest – everywhere!
Love comics? Love Halloween? Then you need to make sure to drop by your favorite local comic shop the Saturday before Halloween this year to participate in Halloween ComicFest! Participating shops also include a costume contest in the festivities. Find your local participating shop.
Halloween Horror Picture Show – Tampa, FL
Love horror movies? Then Halloween Horror Picture Show is the spot for you! Each year they spend a weekend screening a slew of indie horror flicks for genre fans.
thehalloweenhorrorpictureshow.com
Halloween Show & National Haunter’s Convention – Atlantic City, NJ
Celebrate October 31st early at the Halloween Show and National Haunter’s Convention. This one has everything a Halloween lover could want: vendors, classes, escape rooms, zombie volleyball (!), a hearse show…they even have a Halloween University! The list of attractions and activities goes on and on…and this convention just went to the top of my list as one to check out very soon. (Formerly known as the National Haunters Convention.)
HauntX – Pomona, CA
HauntX is a Halloween and haunter’s DIY trade show for Halloween lovers, yard haunters, home haunters and pro haunters. Their event focuses on education and haunt-creation opportunities, so if you’re looking to start a haunt or take yours to the next level…this might be the convention for you!
Haunted America Conference – Alton, IL
Join American Hauntings in one of the most haunted small towns in America for their annual conference. It’s the biggest supernatural event of the year and includes speakers on ghosts, hauntings and the unexplained, as well as workshops, ghost hunts, special events, tours and more.
Mad Monster Party – Charlotte, NC and Scottsdale, AZ
Hang out with your fellow horror-lovin’ monsters twice a year at Mad Monster Party. This horror, sci-fi and fantasy-themed convention brings the world’s top genre celebrities and vendors together with their fans to trade stories, attend informative panels, buy autographs and fun merchandise and visit with old friends – and meet new like-minded monsters.
Midsummer Scream – Long Beach, CA
The epitome of Halloween conventions! This weekend-long celebration of Halloween, haunts and horror features vendors, make-up demos, live entertainment, haunted attraction experiences and so much more.
I attended for the first time in 2018 and had a blast! Read more about my experience.
Midwest Haunter’s Convention – Schaumburg, IL
This is another stellar convention geared towards the haunted attraction industry that is open to the public. It’s two days of spooky goodness featuring more than 100 haunted attraction vendors…and the whole thing ends in an annual masquerade party. What could be better?
Monster Bash – Mars, PA and Canton, OH
Love classic horror flicks? Monster Bash is the convention for you! It’s filled with actors, crew, filmmakers and more from all your favorites as well as memorabilia you can take home. Plus, this convention has multiple events during the year across two states. (Fair warning, though, the website is a bit dated and overwhelming to navigate.)
Monsterama – Atlanta, GA
Love classic horror and sci-fi especially? Monsterama is the convention you’ve been looking for. The event celebrates film, literature and art in these genres.
Monsterpalooza – Pasadena, CA
Monsterpalooza is the world’s longest-running celebration of the art of monsters and movie magic. Each year, it’s a chance for fans and professionals or film, makeup, special effects, collectible toys, art and monsters to gather together.
Oddities Flea Market – Brooklyn, NY & beyond!
Love oddity and curiosity shops? Then this event is for you! Each spring, feast your eyes on medical history ephemera, anatomical curiosities, natural history items, osteological specimens, taxidermy, home décor, jewelry, one of a kind art, bizarre flair and more. Each market offers new and unique items from our veteran vendors and new vendors alike.
This market also travels the country, so be sure to drop by their site to stay up-to-date on their current stops!
Ohio Halloween and Haunters Convention – Mansfield, OH
This convention was created when it was announced the Midwest Haunter’s Convention would move out of Ohio. Determined to keep a local celebration of Halloween, the team behind Ohio Halloween and Haunters Convention stepped in and created a new event. Here you’ll find a heavy focus on yard and home haunters along with attention to costume ideas, Q&A panels and even on-site haunts. Best of all? It’s held at the former Ohio State Reformatory (pictured above)!
ohiohalloweenandhauntersconvention.com
Scare-a-Con – Framingham, MA
If you’re a horror movie junkie, Scare-a-Con is the place for you! The weekend includes panels, film screenings and more. Like most horror conventions, it also includes autograph sessions with film stars as well as vendors selling everything you could possibly need.
ScareLA – Los Angeles, CA
ScareLA is a Halloween fan extravaganza. You’ll get a little bit of everything, from visits with horror legends to workshops with industry professionals. Don’t forget the haunt tours and movie screenings!
Screamfest – Hollywood, CA
Screamfest Horror Film Festival is the largest and longest running horror film festival in the United States. The event premieres and showcases new work from American and international independent horror filmmakers.
Sinister Creature Con – Sacramento, CA
If exploring creepy creatures in books, movies or comics is more your speed, check out Sinister Creature Con! This gathering celebrates the horror genre through the creators behind the creatures.
Southeast Halloween Enthusiasts Convention – Ocala, FL
This brand new convention features a variety of educational courses, make-n-take (learn-how-to) courses, guest speakers, product vendors, master artists – even from hit television shows and provides a welcoming atmosphere for Halloween socializing.
Spook Show – La Mirada, CA
Want to celebrate Halloween in April? The annual Spook Show put on by Halloween Club is just the thing! The event features 100+ curated local vendors, artists, collectors, teachers, spook makers, hauntrepreneurs and musicians for like-minded Halloween enthusiasts. In 2018, they added a fall event as well! Stay tuned to their social media channels for the latest info.
www.halloween-club.com/spook-show
Spooky Empire – Orlando, FL
Spooky Empire bills itself as the ultimate weekend experience for horror fans. Think of it as the dark side of Comic-Con. From horror and Halloween to a bit of rock-n-roll and even love for tattoos…Spooky Empire has it all.
Texas Frightmare Weekend – Dallas, TX
Horror gatherings more your style? While I’m no horror junkie, I’ve heard Texas Frightmare Weekend described as one of the BEST from horror bloggers and YouTubers who have been to them all. Meet horror film legends and actors from your favorite creepy TV series, watch horror movies or learn tips and tricks for horror writing. It sounds like a horror lover’s dream!
Texas Haunters Convention – Dallas, TX
New in 2019 is the Texas Haunters Convention, a Halloween and costume expo. In its inaugural year you can hope to find more than 35,000 square feet of family-friendly vendors, events, demonstrations and classes targeting Halloween and cosplay enthusiasts.
West Coast Haunters Convention – Portland, OR
Whether you’re a home or professional haunter, the West Coast Haunters Convention is THE place to be. The weekend includes a costume ball, classes, vendors, haunt tours and even the chance to stay on the 13th floor of their hotel partner’s building – eek!
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So now the question is…
Which one do you want to attend?
Happy haunting,





























Naked Eye Studio
Great list, thank you for sharing! I love going to Texas Frightmare every year. I hope to attend Halloween and HauntFest as well – I haven’t been to that one before!
It’s tough in Texas cause it takes so long to drive anywhere lol. I try to do all the Texas cons I can. Maybe one day I’ll fly to California for some of the big shows there!
Also worth noting San Antonio is trying to get their horror con “Monster-Con” growing! It’s small, but currently free to everyone which is nice :)
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Nice! Just found Monster-Con and started following their Facebook so I stay up-to-date on what they’re up to. Thanks for sharing it! :)
I hear ya on driving across this great state of ours! It never ends. But if you go to Halloween and HauntFest, hopefully we can meet up and say hey.
Judy Lizarraga
Is there any in the Houston area?
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
None in the Houston area that I’ve found, Judy. The closest one to us is Halloween and HauntFest Show in Dallas.
Lisa
I’m shooting for (fingers & toes crossed) the Midwest Convention in 2018 – it always happens during the same time frame as the Spawn’s dance recital / end of dance season. And since this is most likely her last year of dance…… MHC here I come!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
That’s awesome, Lisa! And I hear ya on timing – the one I’m hoping to do in Texas is the same weekend as my brother’s birthday. Doesn’t it always feel like EVERYTHING happens on the same weekend?
Hellen Die
I’m a monster scout now! Thanks to your post I found the most amazing scouting group ever!!! I’m totally signed up!
Thank you!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Yay Monster Scouts! I’m hoping to check them out when they visit Houston in late May.
Chelsea Celaya
Midsummer Screams is one I haven’t heard of before and not too back of a trip to make if I was motivated enough to go. I always think about going to ScareLA because Elvira is always there, but never do. I love the idea of these kinds of events, but I’m always worried they focus more on the scare/gore aspect. And let’s face it, I’m a big wuss, but it could be fun. I don’t know. Can’t wait to hear on your experience when you go to the Halloween and Haunt Fest! (you are, of course, going! It’s for the good of the blog! XP)
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Glad I could introduce you to a few new conventions, Chelsea! I hear you on the scare/gore factor. I tried my best to focus on ones that seemed more Halloween than horror – judging by what I see on social media, I think Midsummer Scream would be a perfect fit for you.
Chelsea Celaya
I just had to share, thanks to you (and a special ticket offer from Elvira), I was motivated to give it a go and will be attending Midsummer Screams at the end of the month! Thank you again for the share, it really made it a big motivator! I’m so excited! (hope your plans are still on track to check out the Halloween and Haunt fest!)
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Yaaaay! I’m so excited you’re going, Chelsea! I can’t wait to see photos on Instagram.
Not 100% on Halloween and Haunt Fest since it falls ON my brother’s 30th birthday, but maybe next year. :)
Boo kitty
Keen Halloween is now thrill Halloween and is happening Sept 30 Oct 1st
Thrillhalloween.com.
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Yay! That is awesome. ????✨
Candace Jedrowicz
How awesome would it be to attend them all! What a year that would be!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
That would be amazing…and I would be very tired. Haha!
Damien
They are all in the US, im in Canada
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Hi Damien – you may want to check out this website for more info on Canadian conventions.
Meg
How could this list not include Rock and Shock in Worcester MA?????
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Because I hadn’t run across it in my searches! :) I tend to favor finding Halloween vs. horror conventions for my list.