No Tricks, Just Treats: Your First Time Guide for Midsummer Scream
- Jeneffer A
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Welcome to Scream School 101. The worlds Largest Halloween convention is back in Long Beach, California and it is right around the corner! As a Midsummer Scream 7 year veteran, I am here to be your guide to survive your first Midsummer Scream!
Every great weekend at Midsummer Scream begins with the correct ticket. The correct ticket will always be what aligns with your likes, priorities, and the number of days you plan on attending. The most recommended ticket is the three day VIP Gold Bat. This ticket gives you access to the event all weekend long and includes special perks such as early entry, separate lines from General Admission for panels, and the haunted attractions in the Hall of Shadows. Let's not forget a commemorative pin! There is also single day General Admission tickets available for folks who are choosing to attend one day. When choosing which day to go, it is important you take into consideration the reasons for you attending. Majority of panels and entertainment options happen on Saturday and Sunday so, if learning about Halloween Horror Nights, Queen Mary's Dark Harbor, or Knott's Scary Farm, then attending Saturday and Sunday may be the correct move for you. If your intention is to shop and enjoy the Hall of Shadows, I recommend attending the event on Friday as crowds tend to be lower.
Before you enter the fog, make sure you've downloaded the official Midsummer Scream app available for iSO and Android users. In the app, you will be able to access the full schedule of the event; from the times of panels, presentations, entertainment, and celebrity signings. The app gives guests the opportunity to create your own schedule to help you manage your weekend better.
If you are attending the convention all weekend long, I recommend to do your shopping on Friday night. The show floor is has over 350 vendors where you can find anything from clothes, candles, pet accessories, and even sweet treats! I always advise people to scope out the entire show floor first before making a purchase. You may think "wow what a cool shirt" but right around the corner you just might find one you like more! Shopping on Friday night will also allow your Saturday and Sunday schedule to be open for panels, shows, and of course the Hall of Shadows! Need some ideas on where to shop? Here are some of my favorite returning vendors!
Backstitch Bruja
Coffein Coffee Co.
Dani’s Spooky Treats
Gladracket
Strange Cvlt
Tee No Evil
and this is just a few to begin with!
The Hall of Shadows is where you can find a variety of Haunted Attractions from all over California! If you do not have the VIP gold bat pass, I suggest heading into the Hall of Shadows first thing in the morning on Saturday or Sunday as lines are expected to be shorter. In the Hall of Shadows you will also find photo op opportunities, and the iconic can't miss slider show performance by the Decayed Brigade.
You may be wondering, what do I wear? What do I need? Am I allowed to take this to Midsummer Scream? To answer these questions, if you are not planning on cosplaying, I recommend dressing comfortable as it does get warm inside the convention center. With that being said, I encourage you to take a portable fan or even a hand fan to use if you are someone who gets warm easily. Unfortunately, outside food or metal water bottles are not allowed inside the Convention Center but, there will be a variety of food vendors to get your fix. However, empty plastic water bottles are allowed into the Convention Center as there will be refill stations. Pro tip: eat a nice breakfast before attending Midsummer Scream to hold you up for a couple of hours.
Now that you are ready to tackle on Midsummer Scream, here are some of the panels, shows, and celebrity sightings that I will not miss and recommend you take the time to check out!
Friday 7:02 - 8:00 PM Stephen King's IT: A musical Parody (Chapter 1)
location: Ghost Light Theater
Saturday 12:00 - 1:00 PM "Scream" 30th Anniversary Panel
location: Grand Ballroom
Saturday 1:30 - 2:30 PM Knott's Scary Farm Presentation
location: Grand Ballroom
Saturday 3:00 - 4:00 PM Return of the Living Drag The Musical
location: Grand Ballroom
Saturday 4:30 - 5:30 PM LA Haunted Hayride, Delusion, Festival Fright Nights, and Magic of the Jack O' Lanterns Presentation
location: Grand Ballroom
Sunday 2:00 - 3:00 PM Queen Mary's Dark Harbor Presentation
location: Grand Ballroom
Sunday 5:00 - 6:00 PM Halloween Horror Nights Presentation
location: Grand Ballroom
Scream-Worthy Meet & Greets
Don't miss out on meeting Horror legends like the Director of the original "Halloween", John Carpenter, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, and David Arquette from the "Scream" franchise! Among those icons, you will also find voice actor and comedian Brandon Rogers from the hit show "Helluva Boss" and "Hazbin Hotel", and the frontman of popular horror band Ice Nine Kills; who has taken the horror movie music to a new level!
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