Photos: immanuelpres, Facebook/Shutterstock
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On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Ghouls’ Day Out is descending upon Los Angeles, inviting every broken heart and kohl-rimmed eye to the historic Immanuel Presbyterian Church, where Candlelight concerts usually cast their atmospheric glow.
This isn’t just a festival; it’s a homecoming. As you step into the hallowed Gothic cathedral where My Chemical Romance filmed the “Helena” music video, you’ll feel the weight of a thousand emo heartbreaks. The Sanctuary Experience, where the “Helena” set is meticulously resurrected with red drapery, flickering candlelight, and that iconic casket.
The Itinerary of the Damned
👻“Got nasty blisters from the money she spends”: Wander through vendors offering dark art and “funeral-chic” fashion. It’s the perfect place to find something for the ghost of you.
🕷️“Shut up and sing it with me”: Scream along to tribute bands playing the hits of MCR, Fall Out Boy, and Paramore.
🩸“A drink for the horror that I’m in”: Sip on a Cemetery Drive Horchata while you pose with professional “Helena” cosplayers. Food vendors are on hand for some tasty bites, too.
🧛”Dress yourself in your very best”🧛
Doors open at 10am, with the mourning lasting until 6pm. Wear your finest black lace, “dressed in all black from head to toe” and foam-only props. Real weapons, horns, or anything that could truly hurt another are not permitted. Here’s how to get tickets.
🕯️Candlelight concerts at the church🕯️
Candlelight concerts harness the otherworldy energy of the church. Hear live tributes to everything, from ’90s grunge to Vivaldi and Mozart. It possesses the ultimate “dark aesthetic” energy, where the music absorbs you with an air the uncanny and the romantic.