Over the last few years, Halloween haunt events at theme parks have gotten ridiculously pricey here in the Los Angeles area. One event I make sure not to miss, though, is Dark Harbor. It’s the one festivity I must attend every October, and it has stayed relatively affordable. Plus, it’s a rare Halloween attraction because it takes place on actual haunted grounds!
Midsummer Scream creators David Markland, Claire Dunlap, Gary Baker, and Rick West
In 2016, what would become the world’s biggest Halloween and horror convention was launched in Long Beach, California. For 10 years, Midsummer Scream has been delighting the spooky community with awesome panels, mini haunts, vendors, and novel macabre experiences. It took place again this August at the Long Beach Convention Center breaking attendance records, yet again. The event creators also made a special announcement that changes the trajectory of the horror convention. I’m about to break down what transpired over the course of this darkly magical weekend.
HorrorCon LA is a relatively new horror convention that started in 2022. It happens in Los Angeles annually, typically around the fall. But this year, the event moved up its dates and took place during summerween. While it’s been going on for a few years, this was my first time checking it out. Here’s a closer look at the frightful festivities!
Dracmorda and Swanthula Boulet during the Dragula: Titans Tour of Terror
The queens of darkness, The Boulet Brothers, recently went on tour with the finalists of Dragula: Titans season 2. They were joined by Abhora, Jay Kay, Jaharia, and the winner of S2, Evah Destruction. The Titans Tour of Terror traveled across the U.S., and I attended the show in Los Angeles. What a night of drag entertainment!
David Howard Thornton as Art The Clown at Midsummer Scream 2025 (Photo credit: Al Ortega)
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.
Creepy Gals Bloodline exhibit at Superchief Gallery
Fantasy, seduction, and carnal pleasures are lauded in the Bloodline exhibit on display at Superchief Gallery in Los Angeles. The group art show is curated by Creepy Gals, a one-woman project created by Linda. Red and pink are her signature colors and naughty Valentine’s themes dominate her work. She’s hosted a few immersive art shows, and I attended her latest.
Selena: From Texas to the World exhibit at the Grammy Museum
The most recent exhibit I attended had nothing to do with Halloween or horror but was special for me to experience—Selena: From Texas to the World. Selena was a Tejana singer who made major strides in the music industry as a Latina and Mexican American artist. For a limited time, the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles is hosting a pop-up exhibition showcasing personal items from the icon’s collection. Let me take you inside.
Fans of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, streaming on Netflix, are being treated to a special event that gives a behind-the-scenes look of the film. For five days only, from January 6 to January 11, FRANKENSTEIN: Crafting a Tale Eternal has come to Los Angeles at NYA Studios West in Hollywood. The exclusive exhibit was previously in London, England, last fall and has crossed the seas to America. I had the fortune of walking through this immersive experience, and I left in awe.
While one year has gone, another has begun. That means it’s time to look ahead to see what spooky surprises 2026 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 2026. Please do bookmark and share this page. Enjoy!
I first got hooked on (or shall I say sucked into) Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles when I was a teen, and ever since then, I’ve wanted to visit New Orleans. This city is Anne’s birthplace and a significant location in her notorious vampire novels. Because of this, the city has become synonymous with these nocturnal creatures. I dare say, it’s as much a vampire capital as Transylvania! I had the great fortune of being able to finally travel to New Orleans to attend a special event commemorating the author—Anne Rice: An All Saints’ Day Celebration. It was an experience that had a remarkable effect on my soul.