Midsummer Scream, the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, is ramping up to take over the Long Beach Convention Center from August 15 – 17, 2025. Tickets went on sale in March, but over the last several months, news has trickled out of the convention with the most recent announcement around this year’s Hall of Shadows dark zone.
To date, there hasn’t been a centralized list of presentations and panels planned for this year’s event, beyond the official app, so I decided to curate everything Midsummer Scream has announced on social media or in their app in a centralized location here. Below you’ll find dates and information released so far about this year’s panels and presentations.
Friday, August 15
Re-Animator – The Midnight Mass 40th Anniversary Experience – 7 PM
Join the Midnight Mass Podcast for a one-night-only celebration of the 40th anniversary of the film “Re-Animator.” Hosts Peaches Christ and Michael Varrati are digging up the goods with a pre-show party packed with ghoulish glamour and a scream-worthy tribute to horror icon Barbara Crampton—appearing live and in the flesh!
Following the pre-show will be a screening of Stuart Gordon’s 1985 cult favorite, “Re-Animator.”
Saturday, August 16
Magic Mountain Fright Fest Presentation – noon (Promenade Stage)
Monstrosities of Dungeons & Dragons – 12:30 PM (FrankenStage)
Join renowned RPG personality and Creative Director of Hunters Entertainment, Wesley “Nox” Crowe as he takes the audience on a tour through Dungeons & Dragons lore, where he’ll discuss some of the game’s most notorious monsters, such as Owlbears, Displacer Beasts, and the most deadly creature of them all — the Tarrasque.
Fun, informative, and oozing with scary goodness, this presentation has been created for everyone from beginners to veterans, and even those curious about getting into the world of D&D!
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group Presentation – 2 PM (Grand Ballroom)
Join Thirteenth Floor as they reveal what’s in store this fall. Hear exciting updates from the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Delusion, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns, and their newest event, Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House.
The Return of the Living Drag 3: Tales of Terror – 3:30 PM (Grand Ballroom)
Horror icon Peaches Christ hosts this year’s drag horror spectacular featuring ten terrifying tales of terror, each more sickening than the last. Queens, Kings, Monsters, and ghouls will seize the stage for an all-new extravaganza featuring Selena Blackwater, JenniFerocious, Cream, MR. HE, Reel Guise, Lavender, LUXE the Drag Queen, Felony Dodger, Miss Clair Voyance, Leeko Rae, and April Showers.
What Happened to Extreme Haunts? – 3:30 PM (FrankenStage)
In the 2010s, a controversial trend of physically & psychologically aggressive experiences emerged in the haunt world, such as “Blackout” and “The Victim Experience.” The rise of these experiences caused equal outcry and praise from audiences and a rash of attention from the industry.
Nearly a decade after the height of interest, a question remains: what happened to this subgenre, and is there a future? This presentation will explore the trend, controversy, history, present, and future to find out what exactly happened to “the next big craze” in haunts.
Knott’s Scary Farm Presentation – 5 PM (Grand Ballroom)
Sunday, August 17
Castle Dark Presentation – noon (FrankenStage)
Moderated by Noah Martinez of Disnoahland, members of the creative team behind Castle Park’s alter ego, Castle Dark, including Creative Director Joseph Ancheta and Creative Designer Kolten Bierman, will unveil plans for their 2025 event, which will have a brand new story for the 2025 season.
Inside the Toybox: Crafting the World of Poppy Playtime – 12:30 PM (Grand Ballroom)
Join moderator Jeff Heimbuch and the creative minds behind Poppy Playtime—writers, artists, and designers—as they pull back the curtain on making the hit horror game and invite you to explore the twisted toy factory like never before. From early concept sketches to the spine-chilling storylines, the team will share how they bring the eerie world of Playtime Co. to life. Learn how your favorite characters were developed, where their creepiest ideas come from, and maybe even a sneak peek at what’s next.
90 Years of the Bride of Frankenstein: She Lives! – 12:45 PM (FrankenStage)
Presented by Universal Products & Experiences, join an all-female panel of horror creatives and experts as they discuss and celebrate the lasting impact of the Bride of Frankenstein, and explore how this silent, electrifying character became a cultural legend. Featuring filmmaker and designer Micheline Pitt, among others.
Four-Legged Frights: Keeping Your Pets Safe at Halloween – 1:15 PM (Promenade Stage)
Join actor/influencer/animal rescuer Nathan Kehn (aka Nathan The CatLady), music artist, ex-military, cat lover and rescuer Sterling “TrapKing” Davis who traded the stage for the streets, renowned domestic and exotic wildlife veterinarian and conservationist Dr. Evan Antin, and podcast host/producer Steven Ray Morris for a heartfelt, insightful discussion and audience Q&A, followed by a meet-and-greet next to the Black Cat Lounge — it’s the perfect way to celebrate National Black Cat Appreciation Day at Midsummer Scream!
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Presentation – 2 PM (Grand Ballroom)
Alien Encounter: The Legacy of Disney’s Scariest Attraction – 2:30 PM (Promenade Stage)
Join the host of the Dizney Coast to Coast podcast, Jeff DePaoli, as he speaks with talent behind what is arguably Disney’s scariest attraction ever: ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The team that produced a bloody live tribute to the show in Los Angeles will also join the panel. Scheduled to appear:
- Tony Gardner – Special Makeup Effects Designer for ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
- Rick Rothschild – Executive Director/Producer of ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
- Jerry Rees – Director of ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
- Adam Franklin – Director of Alien Encounter at Titmouse Warehouse
- Amit Itelman – Writer/Director of Alien Encounter at Titmouse Warehouse
Scary and Bright: Hallmark Christmas and Horror – 2:30 PM (FrankenStage)
Join Horror Buzz’s Norman Gidney for an exploration of the strange but true crossover between Horror and Hallmark Christmas Movies. Hear from the people who create both scary and merry movies and entertainment as we explore why two very different things are just so awesome. Are Halloween and Christmas different, or are they two sides of the same coin? Panelists include:
- Kimberly J. Brown (“Halloweentown”)
- Carolyn Hennesy – Emmy Award-winning actress, Writer, Producer
- Daniel Kountz (“Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge”)
- Michael Varrati – Filmmaker, Producer
- Mize Zara – Filmmaker, Writer
Godzilla and The Monsters of Toho: 70 Years of Kaiju – 3:15 PM (FrankenStage)
Steve Ryfle, coauthor of “Godzilla: The First 70 Years — The Official History of the Japanese Productions,” dives into the history of Godzilla and the Japanese giant monsters that have followed in its sizeable footsteps, and discusses the themes, filmmaking techniques, and personalities that have sustained the genre’s worldwide popularity for seven decades and counting.
The Hell House LLC Universe – 3:30 PM (Grand Ballroom)
Scheduled just days before the release of “Hell House LLC: Lineage” in theaters, Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies & Beyond will moderate this panel that takes a deep dive into the mysteries behind the lore, revisits old characters, discovers new ones, breaks down theories about Carmichael Clown, reveals real-life unexplained phenomena, and learns how “Hell House LLC” embraces the unknown in this forever changing horror genre.
Panelists include:
- Stephen Cognetti, Writer/Director, “Hell House LLC” Franchise
- Joe Bandelli, Producer & Clown, “Hell House LLC” Franchise
- Elizabeth Vermilyea (“Hell House: Lineage”)
- James Liddell (“Hell House LLC: Origins”)
Halloween Horror Nights Presentation – 5 PM (Grand Ballroom)
This article will be updated as new details are announced around this year’s panels and if anything else is added to this year’s lineup.
Midsummer Scream welcomes over 50,000 fans and features 300+ exhibitors. The show will include many of its popular features, such as the expansive “Hall of Shadows” haunt zone, live entertainment, and more.
Passes for Midsummer Scream are now on sale at https://midsummerscream.org/
