It’s not many times you can see Henry Winkler and Cassandra Peterson in the same place, but Midsummer Scream is one of those occasions.
The annual Halloween and horror convention returns to the Long Beach Convention Center Aug.15-17, 2025 for three days of spooky shopping, panels, performances and haunted attractions.
“This is one of our most robust lineups yet,” said Co-Founder and Executive Director David Markland in a statement. “From legendary film icons and groundbreaking creators to immersive haunted attractions and family-friendly fun, we’ve pulled out all the stops to make this the biggest, boldest Midsummer Scream ever. It’s truly a celebration of the entire Halloween and horror community.”
With more than 350 vendors and over 50,000 fans expected to attend over the weekend, the convention is becoming many a horror lover’s way to ring in the Halloween season.
Hall of Shadows will have 18 attractions and displays across nearly two indoor acres with walk-through haunted houses and yard displays from both pro and home haunters. This year’s theme is “Le Carnaval du Diable,” featuring fog-shrouded woodlands that lead to a sinister old-world carnival, hosted by soul-collecting clown, Mr. Floats. Haunt slider team Decayed Brigade will perform throughout the weekend in the Hall of Shadows with a new show, “Fear the Skid, Honor the Slide.”
Lionsgate is back with the next chapter of last year’s debut: Lionsgate’s Gears of Fear 2: Stranger Danger!
Here are more highlights:
Storm King Comics hosts legendary filmmaker and composer John Carpenter (“Halloween,” “The Thing”) at their booth on Saturday. Storm King Comics is an award-winning graphic novel publisher founded by film producer (and John’s wife) Sandy King.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” Experience offers guests entry into the Conjuring universe in preparation for the upcoming film release on Sept. 5.
Celebrity guests include David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown from “Terrifier”), Henry Winkler (“Scream”), Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), David Naughton (“An American Werewolf in London”), horror hosts Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl, Linda Blair (“The Exorcist”) and “The Walking Dead” Executive Producer Greg Nicotero.
Guests can see presentations from Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor and more.
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group will have several displays on exhibit and a big presentation on Saturday previewing their LA Haunted Hayride, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns, Delusion and brand-new Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House events.
“The Party from Beyond” on Saturday night features a special advance screening of “Jester 2,” a dance party and $500 costume contest, photo-ops and performances from Antony Zioni’s “Tales of the Ancient East.”
Black Cat Lounge is back to offer guests the chance to meet and adopt cats and kittens. There will be appearances throughout the weekend by host Nathan the CatLady.