Midsummer Scream 2026: The End of an Era in Long Beach
Midsummer Scream was amazing as always, and somehow this year felt both like a celebration of everything we love about the event and the end of an era. After 10 years at the Long Beach Convention Center, it was hard not to notice just how much Midsummer Scream has grown. This was another sold-out year, and you could definitely feel it in the crowds. The convention center was packed, and at times it really felt like Midsummer Scream has officially outgrown its Long Beach home.
And now we know what comes next.
Midsummer Scream announced that 2027 will bring the biggest version of the event yet, with the convention moving to the Anaheim Convention Center. While I’m definitely going to miss having Midsummer Scream in Long Beach, I’m excited to see what the extra space allows them to do. And for those of us who aren't quite ready to say goodbye to Long Beach, there’s good news: Seasons Screamings will be returning to the Long Beach Convention Center in 2027! So it’s less of a goodbye and more of a “see you later.”
This year’s theme was horror musicals, and the Ghost Light Theater room was packed with productions built around the theme. Unfortunately, that room was hotter than the surface of the sun when we tried to catch a show on Friday, so we didn’t make it back for another one all weekend. This was a definite bummer because musicals based on Scream, The Shining, and Re-Animator were all on my list! We did catch the Return of the Living Drag performance (as we always prioritize) and loved how huge the production was for this year! The ending Phantom of the Opera mashup was truly incredible. The exact kind of over the top Halloween energy we live for. That is one thing you want to make sure you set reminders for each year at MSS.
Beyond the haunts and panels, one of my favorite parts of Midsummer Scream is always wandering the show floor and seeing what everyone brings to the (literal) table. Between the vendors, artists, horror collectibles, spooky home decor, costumes, and all of the elaborate displays, there is always something that makes me want to empty my bank account. Some notable purchases for me this year were from My Mini Retro TV which were also carrying Blockbuster 3D printed stands with tiny, tiny VHS tapes to go on the shelf. And a new favorite vendor for me is Coffin Creeps where I purchased an amazing Nosferatu doll, and was tempted by all the Universal monster options they have. I hope to see them at Midsummer 2027!
Some notable haunt announcements from panels that we caught:
Knott’s Scary Farm: Origins and Chilling Chambers will be retired after this haunt season.
HHN Hollywood: The Terror Tram is getting a terrifying overhaul featuring Art the Clown at Christmas, with some musical treatment from Ice Nine Kills. We’ll also get a roaming Nikki from Obsession (though few other details were given), as well as another installment of Latin American horror in the form of a KILLcineara house.
Six Flags Fright Fest: This year’s event will be serving up some Final Destination.
Las Vegas haunts: We were especially curious about Rick West sitting on the Las Vegas haunts panel, so we had to sit in. We learned that Rick moved to Vegas over the last year and has started the Southern Nevada Haunters Association, with Universal Horror Unleashed, the IT Escape Room, and Tom Devlin among its founding board members. This is how it all began with Midsummer Scream back in the day, too, and maybe I’m putting my tinfoil hat on here, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually see a Midsummer Scream Vegas.
But, as always, the real highlight for us was the Hall of Shadows. There is just something about walking into that massive, darkened space and immediately being surrounded by haunts, monsters, fog, and the unmistakable smell of Halloween. We had a blast making our way through the different attractions! Lionsgate was present for the third consecutive year with a new walk through. Unfortunately for us, this year didn’t quite hit, but the set was really well done! We loved the facade that Fear Farm brought, and we really appreciated how Strait to Hale used the space they had to pack the most fright. Thirteenth Floor Entertainment was in charge of the Hall of Shadows bar, dubbed the Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns Bar, serving themed drinks for guests 21 and older. They got a good jump scare out of me in the Shadows Hollow Asylum, created by Realm of Shadow. I loved their use of plexiglass doorways that we had to open ourselves! All of that said, Black Casket Productions was definitely the standout for us this year. Their haunt was so good that I’m officially adding a new stop to my Halloween plans: Cannibal Creek in Yucaipa. If what they brought to Hall of Shadows is any indication, I absolutely need to make the trip out there this haunt season.
The one thing we weren’t quite as into this year was some of the AI-generated convention posters. It’s always a little disappointing to see AI imagery take the place of some of that handmade Halloween creativity, especially at an event that celebrates artists, makers, haunters, and the very human weirdness that makes Halloween so fun.
So while Midsummer Scream 2026 may have been the end of its 10-year run in Long Beach, it certainly didn’t feel like the end of anything. If anything, it felt like the beginning of the next chapter. I’m excited to see what Midsummer Scream looks like with all that extra room in Anaheim. And I’m equally excited to see Seasons Screaming’s return AND bring some of that Halloween magic back to Long Beach. See you in the fog!
TLDR
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TLDR 〰️
My Midsummer Scream 2026 Favorites
👻 Favorite haunt: Black Casket Productions
🎭 Favorite performance: Return of the Living Drag (The Musical)
🏚️ Favorite Hall of Shadows detail: Shadows Hollow Asylum's plexiglass doors
🎃 Favorite facade: Fear Farm
🍹 Favorite place to take a break: Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns Bar
🔮 Biggest surprise: The return of Season’s Screamings in 2027!
🛣️ New haunt I need to visit: Black Casket Productions Cannibal Creek
😭 Biggest bummer: The AC fighting for it’s life and AI posters
