From the depths of hell comes the demonic horror hostess of your nightmares—Melevill! This is the alter ego of Melanie Ramos, a multifaceted artist who hails from the South of Puerto Rico. She developed a fascination with the horror genre at a young age and now dedicates her time creating a variety of horror content.
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!
At Vamp Jenn’s Corner, we find a way to make every holiday strange and unusual…even Xmas! If you dread having to come up with gift ideas for family and friends, you’re not alone. While shopping can be a drag, I enjoy finding unique items to share in my annual Macabre Holiday Gift Guide. It’s a helpful resource if you’re searching for things that are creative and different. I’m highlighting a whole new collection of pieces from small businesses. Take a look and see what spellbinding treasures you find for the special people in your life. You may even be tempted to add some of these to your holiday wish list. Merry Creepmas!
One of my favorite Halloween events to attend in SoCal is Dark Harbor at The Queen Mary. After a three-year hiatus due to Covid, the event returned for the first time in 2024 much to my delight. It came back more thrilling and terrifying this year, so I wanted to share some highlights.
Vamp Jenn reading A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding
El Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries between November 1st and 2nd. It’s believed that the spirits of loved ones come back to visit the living. The occasion, which has roots in indigenous Mesoamerican traditions, is meant to honor the memory of the deceased and embrace death. While many adults look forward to the Day of the Dead, the concept behind it can be difficult for children to grasp, especially when they believe death is meant to be feared. However, a children’s book titled A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding sets out to change that.
Vamp Jenn at Terrifying True Stories by Candlelight
Earlier this year, Terrifying True Stories hosted an event called Victorian Horror Stories in the Dark. They’ve returned with another immersive experience for spooky season titled Terrifying True Stories by Candlelight and I was grateful to be invited to attend. It was thrilling to be back at Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles to take part in the activities and witness macabre storytelling unfold right before my eyes.
Midsummer Scream has done it again and delivered a spooktacular event filled with the most amazing tricks and treats. For many, the Halloween and horror convention officially kicks off spooky season. This is the eighth year that Midsummer Scream has been bringing frights and delights to the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California. It’s the peak of my summerween and I make sure to never miss it if I can help it. Let’s take a look at some highlights.
Within the diverse landscape of Germany, a crafty designer is reviving vintage pieces of clothing and restoring their novel charm. Jenny is the founder and owner of theplaincircle vintage, an online shop specializing in vintage fashion that exudes dark elegance. Her small business is not only preserving fragments of history but also contributing to sustainable fashion.
I’ve heard many people say that the countdown to Halloween is just as special (if not even more special) than the actual holiday itself, and I can understand why. While October 31st is a momentous occasion, the excitement really builds during the preceding months and days it takes to get to that point. That’s when the Halloween decor shopping and festivity planning happens. Plus, the spooky season has officially become a two-month long celebration, going from September through October, with Halloween events happening across the U.S.
So, I create this guide every year releasing it on the 100-days-to-Halloween mark (July 23rd) to help everyone bask in the lead up to All Hallows’ Eve. It’s filled with information I think people would find handy to help them prepare and get into the Halloween spirit. Discover places to shop, costume predictions, music to listen to and more!
Photo credit: Jay L. Clendenin For Midsummer Scream
If you haven’t heard of Midsummer Scream, let me just say it’s become the world’s biggest Halloween and horror convention. Since 2016, it has haunted the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, annually. I started attending in 2018 and have covered it on Vamp Jenn’s Corner ever since.