I scream, you scream, we all scream for … Midsummer Scream!
The event that brings “the frights and fun of Halloween over one summer weekend” returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 and will mark the horror convention’s 10th anniversary.
If the lack of ice cream and 10th milestone isn’t enough to make you scream, then perhaps the 30th anniversary of Wes Craven’s “Scream” will get those vocal cords going.
The iconic film franchise is celebrating three decades of trilogies, sequels and requels, and Midsummer Scream is investing big for Ghostface fans. Attendees at this year’s convention can expect cast reunions, all-star panels, and behind-the-scenes tell-alls, a Fangoria Midsummer Scream 2026 Special Issue Scream magazine and more.
That’s not all, though; it is 10 years of spooky summers after all. Scare enthusiasts can also expect horror-inspired musicals, panels led by prominent industry insiders, exclusive theme park Halloween announcements, immersive experiences such as a real-life séance and more.
Here are 10 things you won’t want to miss at Midsummer Screams’ 10-year celebration.
A character actor poses in this July 2023 file photo at Midsummer Scream. The event returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 for its 10th anniversary. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Staff Photographer/The Press-Telegram)
Masks are pictured for sale in this July 2022 file photo at the Midsummer Scream event at the Long Beach Convention Center. The event returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 for its 10th anniversary. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Staff Photographer/The Press-Telegram)
A character actor poses in this July 2024 file photo at Midsummer Scream. The event returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 for its 10th anniversary. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Staff Photographer/The Press-Telegram)
A character actor poses in this July 2023 file photo at Midsummer Scream. The event returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 for its 10th anniversary. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Staff Photographer/The Press-Telegram)
A character actor poses in this July 2023 file photo at Midsummer Scream. The event returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 for its 10th anniversary. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Staff Photographer/The Press-Telegram)
A character actor poses in this July 2022 file photo at Midsummer Scream. The event returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 for its 10th anniversary. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Staff Photographer/The Press-Telegram)
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A character actor poses in this July 2023 file photo at Midsummer Scream. The event returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on Aug. 7-9 for its 10th anniversary. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Staff Photographer/The Press-Telegram)
Scream 30th Anniversary Panel: The most prominent celebration at this year’s event includes the 30th anniversary of “Scream,” with some major reunions slated for Saturday, Aug. 8. Matthew Lillard will take the stage to host the panel, which promises special guests, wild franchise insights, and plenty of chaotic audience engagement. Fans can expect Skeet Ulrich, Jamie Kennedy, Ghostface stuntman Lee Waddell, Roger L. Jackson (the voice of Ghostface), and more.
The Sound of Scream: Horror cinephiles and audiohiles unite! Join the filmmakers and composers behind the franchise for a behind-the-scenes look at the chilling soundscape of “Scream,” and the sounds of Ghostface. Panelists include two-time Oscar-nominated composer Marco Beltrami, music supervisor Ed Gerrard behind the original “Scream trilogy,” Spencer Charnas — the frontman and co-founder of the horror-themed metalcore band Ice Nine Kills, with dedicated “Scream” franchise tracks like “Twisting the Knife” (featuring Mckenna Grace), and “Your Number’s Up” — Roger L. Jackson, the iconic voice behind Ghostface, and Marianne Maddalena, best known for producing the franchise as the longtime partner of Craven.
Spooky Musicals: Through the weekend, Midsummer Scream is hosting several musicals at its Ghost Light Theatre. Some of this year’s programming includes “Stephen King’s IT: A Musical Parody,” “Final Girl: The Musical,” “Scream’d,” “Shining: The Musical,” “Monsterville,” and “Return of the Living Drag Musical.”
Repo! The Panel: If you’re a fan of horror-musicals, you’ll want to join this panel that discusses the cult masterpiece, “Repo! The Genetic Opera!” Moderated by B.J. Colangelo, the lead evening editor at /Film, Fangoria contributor, and co-host of the This Ends at Prom podcast. The panel will bring together the creators and legendary faces behind the film for an exclusive Q&A, followed by a live performance by SoCal’s Repo! Shadowcast. Guests include director Darren Lynn Bousman, actor Bill Moseley (Luigi Largo) and co-creator, writer and composer Darren Smith.
Fangoria’s Colors of the Dark: Join Fangoria’s “Colors of the Dark” on Friday, Aug. 7 for a live podcast event exploring the wild, weird, and blood-soaked world of horror movie musicals. Hosted by director, writer and professor Rebekah McKendry and director and professor Elric Kane, the live recording will explore beloved cult classics, bizarre international gems and obscure underground titles lost to time. The panel will trace the genre’s history, spotlight its milestones, count down the most surprising deep cuts and tell behind-the-scenes stories with cult-film trivia.
Beyond The Veil with Psychic Medium Patti Negri: Midsummer Scream is partnering with Winchester Mystery House for an unforgettable paranormal experience debuting at this year’s event: Beyond the Veil with Psychic Medium Patti Negri. Guests can join psychic medium and paranormal investigator Negri for an intimate séance inspired by the mystery, legends and supernatural history surrounding one of the world’s most iconic haunted mansions. A longtime friend of Winchester Mystery House, Negri brings her firsthand connection to the estate’s supernatural history into this one-of-a-kind experience where she will guide attendees through an evening of spirit communication, paranormal storytelling, and interactive séance elements designed to blur the line between our world and the next. This is a separate ticketed event and not a haunted or immersive attraction.
Midsummer Scream marks a decade of fear and frights in Long Beach
Theme Parks: Those looking to get an insight into all the ways Southern California theme parks are celebrating Halloween can get a head start at Midsummer Scream. The convention has special announcements slated for Knott’s Scary Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest, Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights and Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor. There will also be announcements and information for the Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, which includes the LA Haunted Hayride, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns, Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House and Delusion.
Won’t She Do It? Femmes Slay the Industry: Join the Blerdy Massacre Podcast for a discussion hosted by Xero Gravity and Sharai Bohannon, with panelists Jasmin Savoy, filmmaker Monica Moore and Zainab Sillah of Monkeypaw Productions. This panel will explore how Black femmes are shaping the future of horror and the unique perspectives they bring to filmmaking, storytelling, culture, and impact. This conversation will celebrate the voices making it happen, from horror, television, journalism, directing and more.
Asylum Zone: If you’ve ever wanted to collect or purchase oddities but hesitated because of your love of animals, you’re in luck. Asylum Zone is a shop that will be featured at this year’s convention and sells cruelty-free faux oddities for guilt-free collecting and display. Horror shoppers can pick up handmade fetus skeletons, shrunken heads, voodoo dolls, and other classic oddities and curiosities.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns Bar: When you’re ready to take a break from a panel or show, follow the glow to the Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns Bar. The space is a vibrant, pumpkin-lit escape for adults within the Hall of Shadows. The family attraction also has a location at South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula that’s open this fall, where guests can gather, relax, and enjoy specialty cocktails. All Midsummer Scream passes include admission to every attraction within the Hall of Shadows.
Midsummer Scream
When: 6-10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7; 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. VIP and Gold Bat Passholders receive 10 a.m. entry on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach.
Tickets: $42 for Friday, Aug. 7; $60 for Saturday, Aug. 8; $54 for Sunday, Aug. 9; $80 for the weekend. Gold Bat VIP passes are $199.
Information: midsummerscream.org.