While one year has gone, another has begun. That means it’s time to look ahead to see what spooky surprises 2025 has in store. Every year on Vamp Jenn’s Corner, I like to compile a list of events that are taking place worldwide throughout the course of the next 12 months. My Odd & Macabre Events Calendar highlights all sorts of gatherings that fall under the strange and unusual umbrella. My hope is that it makes it easier to discover spooky events happening near you.
I include horror cons, immersive experiences, macabre holidays, dark art exhibits, Halloween haunts, and so much more. Some events are returning, so you may have seen them on my past calendars. I try to feature as many things as possible that take place across the globe, so a variety of locations are covered. I also do my best to keep this post updated and add more functions as I learn about them. Here’s a taste of what morbid and bizarre happenings you can expect in 2025. Bookmark and share this page and enjoy!
Table of Contents
January
2nd: World Introvert Day
A day dedicated to introverts! For my experience, read “Being an Introvert” and check out my podcast episode “Celebrating World Introvert Day & Being an Introvert.”
2nd- March 8th: Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
This event is presented by The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy and is actually happening in various cities across the U.S.
3rd-March 10th: Paranormal Cirque
A wicked traveling circus show. There are performances lined up for Arizona, Florida, New Mexico and Texas.
4th-November 23rd: The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
A massive oddities event traveling to select cities in the U.S. throughout the entire year!
7th-June 10th: Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies 2025 Spring Season
Miskatonic kicks of its new season of horror studies at its institute in London. Visit the website for information regarding the class schedule lineup. Classes happen online and in the UK.
17-19th: Days of the Dead Las Vegas
18th: Miss Havisham’s Curiosities Storefront Soft Launch
Miss Havisham’s Curiosities is known for creating tea sets with a morbid sense of humor. The creator is finally opening a shop at The Wunderkammer in San Pedro, CA, and will be hosting a soft opening. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free.
18th-June 1st: Insidious The Further You Fear Live Horror Experience
This is an immersive experience based on the Insidious horror movies. It’s traveling to various cities across the U.S. and tickets are on sale now.
19th: Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday
Read about the famous gothic writer and poet in my blog post “Poe Pop Culture: A Birthday Tribute to Edgar Allan Poe” and listen to the podcast episode.
19th: Brew a Potion Day
Potions have a long and ancient history and have been used for spiritual and medicinal purposes. These elixirs have also been popularized by fairy tales and books such as Harry Potter. This is a day meant to explore the role of potions in reality and in pop culture.
19th: Tampa Bay Screams
A horror con happening at the OCC Road House & Museum in Clearwater, FL.
23rd-May 11th: Dita Las Vegas
Renowned burlesque performer Dita Von Teese is doing a residency in Las Vegas and performing at Voltaire at The Venetian. I’ve attended many of her shows. Read about my most recent experience in this blog post.
31st-February 2nd: Creep I.E. Con
Horror convention happening at the Ontario Convention Center in the Inland Empire, CA.
31st-February 2nd: ‘Love You to Death’ Virtual Market Presented by Darksome
February
1st: National Serpent Day
This day pays homage to the serpent, a creature that embodies much symbolism and mystery. Learn about powerful snakes in history and mythology in this article on History.com.
7th-9th: ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ Virtual Market of the Beast
The occult market will be hosting an online market as well as in-person event in Richmond, VA, on February 9th.
8th: Witches Brew Valloween Night Market
Happening in Santa Ana, CA, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Featuring a variety of spooky vendors. Admission is free.
14th: Valloween
The holiday of love just got spooky. Learn how to celebrate Valoween the macabre way in this blog post and listen to the podcast episode here.
16th: Endless Night Los Angeles Vampire Ball
The event will take place at the Mayan Theatre from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Read about my time there in this blog post.
21st-23rd: Days of the Dead Atlanta
A horror con and tattoo expo happening at the Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta, GA.
21st-23rd: Mad Monster Party Carolina
A horror and pop culture convention happening at Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa in Concord, NC.
22nd-23rd: Dead of Winter Horror Festival
A horror film festival happening in Worcester, MA.
28th-March 2nd: Horror Realm
A horror con happening in Pittsburgh, PA.
March
1st-2nd: Evansville Horror Con
Happening at Old National Events Plaza in Evansville, IN.
5th: National Absinthe Day
A holiday celebrating the alluring and often misunderstood spirit. Read my interview with absinthe connoisseur Adrienne LaVey to get the facts on this libation and listen to her song dedicated to it.
8th-December 7th: The Menagerie Oddities Market
An oddities market event happening in various cities in California and Nevada.
14th-16th: Monster-Mania 62
A horror con happening in Cherry Hill, NJ.
14th-16th: Hauntlanta
A paranormal convention happening at the Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge in Buford, GA.
14th-16th: Milwaukee Horror Con
Happening in Milwaukee, WI.
14th-16th: Ve Neill’s Vampire Weekend
A convention dedicated to vampires, from movie makeup workshops to film screenings. Happening in Burbank, CA.
15th: Witches Brew Presents Night of the Living Frights
Happening at the Heritage Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana, CA, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $24.99.
28th-30th: Days of the Dead Chicago
29th-30th: The Oddities Flea Market San Diego
Read about my time at the Los Angeles event here and here.
29th-30th: Vampire Fan Weekend
A vampire horror con happening at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center in Allen, TX.
April
4th-6th: HauntFest Georgia
A horror con happening at Southern Brewing Company in Athens, GA.
4th-6th: Spookala
Horror con happening at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL.
12th: Horror Con Scotland
Taking place in Glasgow.
17th: International Bat Appreciation Day
These nocturnal creatures are beloved by many in the goth community. They’re also absolutely adorable and important to the earth’s ecosystem. Learn how you can help end bat extinction by visiting Bat Conservation International.
24th-27th: Whitby Goth Weekend
One of the most notorious goth events in the world taking place in the UK. The festival features live music performances and a Bizarre Bazaar Alternative Market.
25th-27th: Eerie Culture Fest
Horror con happening in Westlake, OH.
25th-27th: Spooky Swap Meet
Happening at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles.
26th: World Burlesque Day
A holiday paying homage to this tantalizing performing arts form. Check out my burlesque blog series where I interview different performers.
26th: Alien Day
A day celebrating the Alien sci-fi horror films.
26th-27th: Screamiverse Expo
Horror and sci-fi con happening in Roanoke, VA.
29th-December 8th: Mysterious Adventures Tours
Mysterious Adventures is a tour company that specializes in mystical and obscure travel experiences. There are different excursions scheduled throughout the year and across the globe, exploring vampires, the supernatural, witchcraft and more. Visit the website for booking information.
May
2nd-4th: Dark Force Fest
A dark alternative convention highlighting goth, industrial, and metal music. Happening at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel in Parsippany, NJ.
2nd-4th: Crypticon Seattle
2nd-4th: Nightmare Weekend Chicago
2nd-4th: Halfway to Halloween Festival
An event happening in Jurupa Valley, CA.
3rd: National Paranormal Day
Do you believe in the paranormal? Check out my blog post “Destinations Surrounded by Paranormal Activity” and listen to the podcast episode.
3rd: Waldorf Estate of Fear Presents Halfway to Halloween
An event inspired by the Hell House movie franchise. Happening in Lehighton, PA.
3rd-4th: The Oddities Flea Market Chicago
Read about my time at the Los Angeles event here and here.
9th-10th: FrankenCon
Horror convention happening at the Hilton Knoxville Airport in Alcoa, TN.
9th-11th: Monster-Mania 63
A horror con happening in Baltimore, MD.
10th: Halfway to Halloween
An event happening in Ann Arbor, MI.
10th-11th: ShudderCon
Horror con happening in East Ridge, TN.
11th: National Twilight Zone Day
A day celebrating the iconic horror TV series.
17th-18th: HorrorConUK
Horror con happening at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, UK.
22nd: World Goth Day
A day celebrating the music-based subculture. Click above to read how I got into the goth scene and listen to my Goth Day podcast episode.
23rd-25th: Texas Frightmare Weekend
Happening at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas in Irving, TX.
23rd-25th: Carolina Fear Fest
Happening at the NC Fairgrounds, Jim Graham Building in Raleigh, NC.
26th: World Dracula Day
The iconic novel Dracula by Bram Stoker was published on this day in 1897! Read the blog post by clicking on the link above, read my interview with the author’s great grandnephew Dacre Stoker, and listen to my Dracula Day podcast episode.
30th-June 1st: Monsterpalooza
An event celebrating monsters in film, special effects makeup, and more. It’s happening at the Pasadena Convention Center in California! Read about my experience in this blog post.
June
1st: Marilyn Monroe’s Birthday
The birthday of the iconic blonde bombshell. For your reading and listening pleasure, check out my blog posts “Remembering Marilyn Monroe” and “Kissed by Marilyn Wines” and this podcast episode.
6th-8th: Living Dead Weekend: Monroeville
Horror con happening at Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, PA. This is where George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead was filmed.
6th-8th: Midwest Haunters Convention
A convention highlighting haunters and Halloween. Happening in Rosemont, IL.
7th-8th: Louisville Horror Con
Horror con happening in Jeffersontown, KY.
9th-15th: Love Your Burial Ground Week
A time commemorating the historical significance of burial grounds and the workers responsible for maintaining them. Pay respects by visiting your local graveyard or cemetery or reading up on the subject.
13th-15th: Days of the Dead
A horror con happening at the Indianapolis Marriott East in Indianapolis, IN.
13th-15th: HellmouthCon
A convention happening at Torrance High School, the grounds where the TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer was filmed. Happening in Torrance, CA.
20th-22nd: Spooky Empire
Happening at the DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld in Orlando, FL.
27th-29th: Horror on Main
A horror convention happening in Harrisburg, PA.
27th-29th: Crypticon Kansas City
Happening at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, MO.
July
11th-13th: Days of the Dead
A horror con happening in Phoenix, AZ.
11th-13th: Mad Monster Party: Arizona
Horror and pop culture convention happening in Phoenix, AZ.
11-13th: DarknessCon Boise
Horror con happening in Boise, ID.
12th-13th: Nashville Horror Con
Happening at the Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, TN.
18th-20th: OKC’s Horror Con
A family friendly horror-themed event happening in Oklahoma City, OK.
August
1st-3rd: CreepyCon Knoxville
Horror con happening in Knoxville, TN.
3rd: Psychic Day
A day recognizing clairvoyant abilities and raising awareness about tuning into our own. Read my interview with psychic and medium Richard-Lael Lillard.
5th: Marilyn Monroe’s Passing
Commemorating the memory of Marilyn Monroe who died on this day. To keep her spirit alive, watch any of her films. I also recommend Blonde on Netflix.
8th-10th: Monsterama
A retro horror and sci-fi convention happening at the Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area in Atlanta, GA.
15th-17th: Midsummer Scream
A massive Halloween and horror con happening at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. Read about last year’s event in this blog post. Plus, tune into my podcast episode for more spooktacular details.
15th-17th: Monster-Mania 64
A horror con happening in Cherry Hill, NJ.
17th: National Black Cat Appreciation Day
Black cats often get a bad rap as harbingers of bad luck, but those of us with an appreciation for the macabre know these ebony-colored felines are nothing but beautiful and mysterious.
22nd-October 31st: Disneyland Halloween Time
Event happening at the theme park in Anaheim, CA. This is the earliest the California location has started its Halloween season!
23rd-24th: Hudson Valley Horror Fest
Happening in Fishkill, NY.
29th-31st: Nightmare Weekend Cleveland
30th: Frankenstein Day
The occasion marks the birthday of Mary Shelley who wrote the notorious gothic novel Frankenstein. Find out how you can celebrate Frankenstein Day and listen to my podcast episode!
30th-31st: International Bat Night
Another day celebrating bats, creatures often associated with vampires and the night. Click the link above to support Bat Conservation International’s efforts to protect these animals.
September
5th-7th: Creep I.E. Aftermath
Horror con happening in Ontario, CA.
10th: Marie Laveau’s Birthday
Marie Laveau was renowned as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. You can read more about her in my feature “History’s Most Formidable Occult Figures.”
12th-14th: DarknessCon Snake River
Horror con happening at the Mountainview Events Center in Pocatello, ID.
12th-14th: Tidewater Horror Convention
Happening in Virginia Beach, VA.
18th-November 1st: Knott’s Scary Farm
Halloween event in Buena Park, CA. More info TBA. Read about my time in this blog post.
20th: Kentucky Horror-Fest
Happening in Frankfort, KY.
20th-21st: SC Horror
A horror convention happening in Columbia, SC.
20th-21st: HorrorCon Los Angeles
The name says it all. Happening at the LA Convention Center.
27th: National Ghost Hunting Day
A day recognizing that some experiences are beyond human comprehension. Ghost hunting has become popularized in the 2000s with the emergence of a variety of ghost hunting TV shows. Visit the Society of Psychical Research, the first institution dedicated to paranormal studies.
27th: Florida Horror-Fest
Happening in Fort Myers, FL.
October (Black Cat Awareness Month)
1st-31st: Screams Halloween Theme Park
A Halloween event happening in Waxahachie, TX. It features five haunted houses and other spooky experiences. The dates are tentative. More details TBA.
3rd-5th: Central PA Tattoo and Horror Expo
Happening at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA.
4th: Anne Rice’s Birthday
To celebrate the memory of this astounding author, read my blog post “Author of Honor: Anne Rice” and listen to my podcast episode “Anne Rice: Her Vampires & Legacy.”
4th: Carolinas Horror-Fest
Happening in Asheville, NC.
12th: Aleister Crowley’s Birthday
The birthday of the notorious occultist and “the wickedest man in the world,” Aleister Crowley. Read more about him in my blog post about famous occultists.
12th: Missouri Horror-Fest
Happening in St. Louis.
17th: Vamp Jenn’s Birthday
I’ll be celebrating all month long, attending as many spooky events as possible, so keep checking back on my blog for new posts about my Halloween adventures!
24th-27th: Bram Stoker Festival
Dacre Stoker, the great grandnephew of Bram Stoker, helped get this event started. Happening in Dublin, Ireland.
25th: Alabama Horror-Fest
Happening in Dothan, AL.
25th: Tennessee Horror-Fest
Happening in Clarksville, TN.
26th: Howl at the Moon Day
This holiday pays homage to the powerful and mystical symbolism of the wolf. One also can’t help but think of lycanthropy and the role of lycans in horror stories and film. My suggestion is to have a werewolf movie marathon or book-a-thon. You can also help protect these precious creatures by visiting Wolf Haven.
27th: National Black Cat Day
No, you’re not having déjà vu. Besides National Black Cat Appreciation Day in August, there’s also this date celebrating these ebony felines. On a side note, October is also Black Cat Awareness Month. I think it’s quite fitting.
30th: National Candy Corn Day
Of course, there has to be a day during spooky season dedicated to one of the most popular Halloween treats. Although I’m not a fan of the candy, I do appreciate the nostalgia it stirs up during this time of year.
30th-2nd: Whitby Goth Weekend
One of the most notorious goth events in the world taking place in the UK. The festival features live music performances and a Bizarre Bazaar Alternative Market.
31st: Halloween
Happy Halloween everyone! Suggested reading and listening: “Celebrating Halloween Around the World” blog post and podcast episode.
31st: Frankenstein Friday
A day commemorating the novel Frankenstein and its author Mary Shelley. It typically takes place every year on the last Friday of October. For your reading and listening pleasure: “How to Throw a Frankenstein Day Bash,” “12 Unusual Facts About Marh Shelley” and podcast episode.
31st-November 1: Horror Con Scotland
Happening at Paisley Town Hall.
November
1st: Anne Rice All Saints Day Celebration
An event hosted by the author’s son, Christopher Rice, to honor his mother’s legacy. It will pay homage to Anne Rice, the queen of vampires. More details TBA.
1st-2nd: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
A Mexican holiday celebrating the souls and memories of those that have passed into the next realm. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery holds an annual event commemorating the occasion. More details to be announced, but you can read my blog post about the festivities. And learn more about the holiday in Celebrating Halloween Around the World.
8th: Bram Stoker’s Birthday
The author of famed gothic horror novel Dracula was born on this day in 1847.
14th-16th: Nightmare Weekend Savannah
Happening at the Savannah Convention Center in Georgia.
18th: Occult Day
A holiday dedicated to raising awareness around the occult and the dark side of spirituality. Read my blog post “History’s Most Formidable Occult Figures” to get started. You can also listen to the podcast version.
21st-23rd: Monster-Mania 65
A horror con happening in Oaks, PA.
December
5th: Krampusnacht (Krampus Night)
The night when Krampus, Santa’s evil counterpart, comes to punish bad children. The holiday is recognized in Alpine Austria and parts of Germany but is also appreciated by those who love a spookier holiday season.
11th: Anne Rice’s Passing
On this day in 2021, the literary and vampire worlds lost an amazing author, Anne Rice. She will never be forgotten and will live on in our hearts.
11th: Maila Nurmi’s, aka Vampira, Birthday
Maila Nurmi, who was famously known as Vampira, was born on this day in 1922. She’s the ultimate vamp who was the star of The Vampira Show and was featured in several horror films. Read my book review of The Vampira Diaries.
Vamp Jenn's Corner 
That is quite an extensive and useful list and I see you included Screams Halloween Theme Park in Waxahachie, Texas, again. We go there every year. It is a lot of fun and our daughter loves it. They have some good beer and food too, in addition to all the haunted houses, and the haunted castle and cemetery. I have to admit I’ve missed the May 23rd-25th: Texas Frightmare Weekend, a local event I did not even know about. I can’t miss that this time.
May 26th: World Dracula Day is also interesting to us because me and my oldest son joined Dracula’s covenant when we visited Transylvania/Romania by drinking from Dracula’s well at the Snagov monastery. I believe it was just a tourist thing; well I hope so. I tipped Dracula’s monk well, and that’s when he took us to the well. About the Bran castle. The website says it is Dracula’s castle, and it is made out to be in the brochures for tourists, but it isn’t really true. We’ve been there and it is a tourist ploy. It is a nice castle but he most likely was never there. Dracula was at some other castles though. For example, he rebuilt the Poienari castle, which we also visited. I remember seeing a TV program about the Poienari castle. During the night the TV crew saw two big red glowing eyes approaching them and they fled. I think it was the History channel.
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What a fascinating experience you and your son had in Transylvania. Yes, I’ve also heard that there’s really no proof that the castle is associated with Dracula at all. But I sure do hope to make it out to Romania to visit the area. It’s a destination that’s on my travel bucket list.
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That sounds exciting. I would still visit the Bran castle because it is fun, but visiting the other castles for sure associated with him, Poienari of course, and maybe the Old Princely Court is quite interesting. Then of course the Snagov monestary where he is buried and Sighisoara where he was born. We stayed at the hotel I(Casa Cu Serb) in Sighisoara which is part of the building where he was born.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/ro/casa-cu-cerb.html
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Awesome! Thank you for sharing that info and the link.
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