Recognized as the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, Midsummer Scream is returning for summer 2026, and it promises to be bigger and better. This year is extra special because it marks the 10th anniversary of the event! It all started in 2016, and the horror con continues to come back annually to haunt the Long Beach Convention Center in California. Many exciting announcements have been made regarding what’s in store, and I’m about to share them with you.
One major reveal is Midsummer Scream’s theme for 2026: Horror Musicals! If you’re a theater kid and love a good song and dance number, you’re totally going to be in your element. There will be nods to Broadway classics such as Phantom of the Opera and The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Michael Jackson’s music video “Thriller.” These inspirations are also featured in the poster for the event. The official artwork is by pop culture artist Stephen Andrade, and it really captures the high-octane energy you can expect at this festival.
Lionsgate will be doing some type of special activation to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Repo: The Genetic Opera. I recently watched this gothic musical and really enjoyed it, so I’m eager to see what’s coming. It’s been confirmed that director Darren Lynn Bousman and actor Bill Moseley, who played Luigi Largo, will be special guests.
“The year’s theme is for all of the theatre kids that are a huge part of the haunt and horror community,” said David Markland, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Midsummer Scream. “We will be honoring horror musicals of all kinds with a variety of panels, presentations, and performances all weekend.” Markland continued, “But if musicals aren’t your thing, we won’t have any less for horror fans looking to satisfy their thirst for slashers, scares, and gore.”
The horrorific tricks and treats that await guests don’t stop there. Another huge announcement that was shared recently on social media involved celebrity guest appearances. Horror fans will have the chance to meet Matthew Lillard (Scream, Five Nights at Freddy’s), Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show), and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream 5, 6, and 7, Yellowjackets), just to name a few.
Haunt enthusiasts can look forward to the frights that await them in the Hall of Shadows. This dark and eerie area will yet again be filled with a variety of haunted attractions that offer glimpses into what’s in store for the Halloween season. Some haunters that will be present include Eulogy Collective, Fear Farm, Straite to Hale Productions, H&L’s Realm of Horror, The Dreich Society, CalHauntS, The Haunt With No Name… Yet, and Decayed Brigade.
I am definitely looking forward to all the panels and presentations. They always deliver fascinating information, reveals, and insider details. Presenters include theme parks, content creators, celebrities, and many more. So far, the lineup features Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group (Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Delusion, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns, and Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House), and Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest.
And the humongous showroom floor will house hundreds of macabre vendors, so attendees can shop ‘til they drop…dead! This is where you can find spooky decor, oddities, dark fashion, and more. To give you a teaser, some vendors that’ll be there are The Halloween Shirt Company, Trick or Treat Studios, Backstitch Bruja, Sin City Props, Terror Films, Small Town Weirdo, and Froggy’s Fog.
Staple elements that’ll be returning this year are Paranormal Pixie’s Pumpkin Patch for kids, the Casa Calavera’s exhibit, the Black Cat Lounge where you can adopt kittens, and HorrorBuzz’s Screaming Room Film Festival where you can watch short horror films.
I cannot wait for all the frights and delights that await at Midsummer Scream 2026! Passes are on sale, and prices start at $54. I wouldn’t sleep on getting tickets if you plan to attend. Last year, the event sold out, and considering how popular it’s getting, I expect the same to happen this year.
Vamp Jenn's Corner 
It looks like a fun. Hopefully I’ll get there one day.
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