A quick rundown of everything we’re looking forward to at Midsummer Scream 2018 Halloween and horror convention!
What are we looking forward to ALL YEAR?
Halloween, of course.
But it’s still so far away!
Luckily for us, there’s Midsummer Scream 2018!
Midsummer Scream, the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, returns July 28 through the 29 2018 to the Long Beach Convention Center.
We went to our first Midsummer Scream last year, and it was an unforgettable experience.
Imagine all the goodies a Halloween and horror fan could dream of lined up in one place. Imagine hundreds of people dressed up in costumes and extraordinary makeup. Imagine haunts, panels, classes, and once in a lifetime opportunities to meet famous icons from the industry.
That’s what Midsummer Scream 2018 is all about!
There is so much to take in at an event like this, it’s hard to wrap your mind around everything there is to see and do.
We’re trying to plan out our weekend in advance, and we know many of you are doing the same.
(Tip: You absolutely want to have some kind of itinerary for an event like this. You don’t want to get sidetracked and miss out on something you were looking forward to seeing!)
READ: “5 Tips for Your First Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival”
We have to set some priorities and make sure we soak up every last drop that this Halloween convention has to offer.
Here’s a quick rundown of everything we’re looking forward to at Midsummer Scream 2018!
1. The Black Cat Lounge
Picture an entire room filled with kittens. Goals, right?
Midsummer Scream partners with Kitten Rescue Los Angeles again this year to bring you The Black Cat Lounge where you can break from the convention to soak up all the joys kittens have to offer.
To play with and hold and talk to like the little fur babies they are!
Most importantly, to adopt!
“While the Midsummer Scream team loves everything scary, they firmly believe no animal in need of love should live in fear, which is why they invite guests to open their hearts and homes to these wonderful kitties each year.”
That’s a mission we can fully stand behind.
2. The Massive Show Floor
When it involves Halloween and horror merch, who doesn’t like a good shopping spree?
We’re actually setting a budget beforehand this year because it’s so easy to want to buy everything in sight from the 250+ vendors presenting their goods.
Treat yourself to a few souvenirs while enjoying all the entertainment going on around you in the show floor: makeup demos, escape rooms, virtual reality experiences, children’s arts and crafts areas, make-and-take classes, and photo ops.
3. The Hall of Shadows
Shoutout to all you haunters out there!
The Hall of Shadows is an 80,000 square foot Halloween theme park in the dark with more than a dozen haunted attractions, live performances, and a stage featuring spooky performances.
“In addition to live theatre, scary flicks, and twisted performances, Midsummer Scream encourages – and attracts – cosplayers from across the United States dressing up as favorite characters, horror icons, and just about everything else scary or sexy… or both!”
4. The Panels and Presentations
Get ready to soak up some knowledge along with the live entertainment!
Discover exclusive details about the Halloween 2018 haunt season from the best Halloween destinations in the country including Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood’s Horror Made Here, Knott’s Scary Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest, and Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor.
They’re also bringing some industry experts from the east coast including Mike Aiello, Senior Director of Entertainment Creative Development, Universal Orlando Resort; Scott Swenson, with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream, and Vault of Souls haunted attraction; and Ricky Brigante, Founder of Inside the Magic, and Producer at Pseudonym Productions.
The queen of Halloween herself, Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), will appear again for a Mistress of the Dark 30th Anniversary career retrospective, AND there will be a presentation celebrating the 25th anniversary of everyone’s favorite Halloween film, Hocus Pocus!
Personally, we can’t wait to see our favorite podcasters joined by Tom Holland for a LIVE version of Shockwaves!
5. The Special Guests
At last year’s convention, we had the honor of meeting one of our horror idols, Sig Haig!
This year’s confirmed guests include Cassandra Peterson (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Bela Lugosi Jr., Robert Mukes (House of 1000 Corpses, Westworld), Philip Friedman (Insidious), LeeAnna Vamp (actress, cosplay queen), Kimberly J. Brown (Halloweentown), and Barbara Magnolfi (Suspiria).
6. Midsummer Scream After Dark
You know we’re all about a Halloween party, and this adult after party includes so much to look forward to including a DJ spinning spooky music, a costume contest with a $500 cash prize, a screening of Child’s Play (with director Tom Holland giving live commentary), and a magic show by Mudd the Magnificent.
Cheers to that!
7. Meeting YOU!
Ok, no joke… this is what we’re looking forward to most: meeting and connecting with fellow Halloweenheads like you.
Last year, we were like baby deer learning how to walk, and we barely got to meet anyone. It was our first convention!
This year, we won’t make that mistake.
We are beyond thrilled to be in the same building with so many passionate and creative folks like you who share an obsession with this genre and holiday.
If you’re reading this, we can’t wait to meet you in person!
Are you coming to Midsummer Scream 2018?
Let us know down below!
xo- mr and mrs
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Hey guys. Will be my second year as well. I’m looking forward to another year as well as their expanded setup. I totally get what you’re saying about just wandering around last year taking it all in.
Hope to see ya there!
Hey Ben!
So excited that it’s going to be even bigger and better than last year!
We appreciate you taking the time to comment, and we hope we get to see you next weekend!
Yasss! I can’t wait and I hope I get to meet you guys! I went last year for just one day and I felt like there was so much I missed! So I’ll be there both days this year. Are you guys going to the After party?
Jen! Hey!
We have to Uber there from the valley, so we’re only going to make it one day again this year!
We’d really love to stay for the after party though!
So happy you’re going! We cant wait to meet you!