The annual Southern California commencement of the Halloween season opens with Midsummer Scream, July 28th to July 30th.
The three-day convention, the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, returns for its sixth year, bringing home haunters to the Long Beach Convention Center for an immersive thrill, screenings of The Boogeyman and panels on the Saw franchise and Disney’s The Haunted Mansion.
Fans also can check out the Midsummer Scream preview of Fall Halloween events and attractions as well as live entertainment, hundreds of vendors, celebrity guests, and the popular Hall of Shadows.
Single-day passes for adults are $35, while children (under 10) are free with an adult. Three days VIP passes are available for $140.
Highlights for Midsummer Scream are below. More information can be found at MidsummerScream.org.
ALL WEEKEND
- The Boogeyman Experience — Try to avoid the supernatural entity and escape with your life. The first 50 attendees receive a limited-edition Boogeyman poster.
- Saw Experience — Explore the world of Saw in a special experience.
- The Haunted Hearse — A fully immersive horror adventure for cell phones that combines craft, fiber arts, analog/virtual technologies, and live performance to deliver a unique spooky art experience.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ONLY
- Exorcistic: The Live Musical — A rock musical parody of the horror classic The Exorcist and features book, lyrics and music by two-time Ovation Award-winner Michael Shaw Fisher. (8 p.m.)
FRIDAY, JULY 28
- Urban Death — Zombie Joe’s Underground’s cult-hit tableau of madness, mayhem and horror in a fun and freaky performance (7:20 p.m.).
SATURDAY, JULY 29
- Thirteenth Floor Presentation — A preview of what haunt and Halloween fans have in store from some of the 13th Floor’s haunted attractions LA Haunted Hayride, Delusion and Shaqtoberfest (12:30 p.m.)
- Hot Haunts for 2023 — Midsummer Scream’s annual discussion about the upcoming Halloween season with some of the community’s passionate haunters (2:30 p.m.)
- Knott’s Scary Farm’s 50th — Speakers include Knott’s Scary Farm historian and show writer Ted Dougherty, attraction designer Jon Cooke, and Ken Parks, corporate director of creative development for Cedar Fair. (5 p.m.)
- Slumber Party: Midsummer Scream After Dark — An after-hours party filled with games, contests, screenings, music, and dancing.
SUNDAY, JULY 30
- Winchester Mystery House 100th Anniversary — One of the world’s most haunted places celebrates its 100th anniversary. Walter Magnuson, executive director, will lead an exploration of the Winchester House’s centennial milestone (12 p.m.).
- Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest — Plans for the upcoming 30th anniversary season of Fright Fest (2:30 p.m.).
- The Boulet Brothers and the Supermonsters of Dragula! — The Boulet Brothers, hosts and creators of Shudder and AMC’s hit drag/horror reality competition show The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, moderate a panel featuring several of the show’s winners together on stage (3 p.m.).
- Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights — Get a look behind the scenes of Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights when Creative Director/Executive Producer John Murdy (4:30 p.m.).
