Haunted experiences, those wicked wander-through pop-ups brimming with all sorts of ghouls and ghosts, are a seasonal Southern California staple, particularly when Halloween is on fast and frightful approach.
But there is a way to brave these imaginative and eerie realms long before autumn officially arrives, all while admiring the latest Halloween-themed effects, design elements, and make-up flourishes.
Where to go to savor ghoulish glee?
Midsummer Scream, of course, the huge and haunting Halloween and horror convention. The three-day happening returns to the Long Beach Convention Center from Aug. 7 through 9 and its spooky centerpiece, the Hall of Shadows, is already casting a long and scary silhouette.
The Midsummer Scream team shared an early look at what the capacious space will include in 2026, and, as always, a variety of startle-filled spots, roaming monsters, and other atmospheric sights will festoon the spine-chilling attraction.
The theme tells the unsettling story: “Descent Into Darkness” is the fearful focus of the 2026 Hall of Shadows, which will transport guests into “a world of perpetual nightfall.”
Universal Horror Unleashed is headed over from Las Vegas to make its Midsummer Scream debut, and, for sure, some of the experience’s “infamous icons” will make creepy cameos.
Lionsgate Entertainment is unleashing a woodsy encounter while the well-themed Hall of Shadows entry will spring from the minds of Eulogy Collective, which maintains an around-the-calendar creative presence in Southern California, well beyond October.
Clowns v. Skeletons, a Celtic graveyard dubbed The Haunt With No Name… Yet, and a chance to stop by Hawkins National Laboratory are also on the dastardly docket.
“I sound like a broken record every summer,” says Rick West, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Midsummer Scream. “But yet again, this year’s Hall of Shadows is absolutely the most intense and ambitious lineup of haunts and attractions we’ve ever assembled at Midsummer Scream.”
“It’s so exciting to welcome the team from Universal Horror Unleashed — this is the first time we’ve hosted an attraction from Las Vegas; a very important bridge between the SoCal and Southern Nevada haunt communities.”
“Of course, we’re also thrilled to have Lionsgate returning with a brand-new walk-through for fans to experience. Our friends at Eulogy Collective will set the tone for everyone’s descent into the darkness and fog-filled belly of the beast, where fans will find more than 15 unique attractions created by some of the most talented haunters anywhere in the world.”
Can’t wait to find those thrilling October feels?
Embrace the spirit of “Augtober” this August while exploring Midsummer Scream’s lavishly realized Hall of Shadows, a monster-y landscape summoning autumn vibes well before autumn arrives.
Passes and general information are available on the Midsummer Scream site.