Long Beach is the place to be for all things horror this weekend as the wildly popular Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror Convention brings thousands of fans of the macabre to the heart of the city.
A record 50,000 people are expected at the Long Beach Convention Center throughout the weekend. Doors opened at 6 p.m. for day one of the July 26-28 convention that includes a scary movie festival, panel discussions and the always packed marketplace where people can get all sorts of horror related goods like props, clothing and posters. Plus a Black Cat lounge where people can see and adopt cats.
Items for sale during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
A character actor poses at Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 28, 2023. The event returns this year to the Long Beach Convention Center July 26-28. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Magician, James Holguin, right, performs during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
A costume makeup demonstration during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Masks available during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Masks available during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Lily Bown, left, demonstrates how to apply costume makeup during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The Decayed Brigade performs during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Magician, James Holguin, right, performs during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
A character actor poses at Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 28, 2023. The event returns this year to the Long Beach Convention Center July 26-28. (File photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
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Items for sale during the 7th annual Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday, July 26, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
One of the most popular, and terrifying aspects of Midsummer Scream is the Hall of Shadows where professional and amateur haunt creators create walk-through horror mazes that often include actors and special effects.
This year convention visitors were treated to a new maze by film production company Lionsgate dubbed “The Gears of Fear,” which incorporated several of the company’s films. The weekend also includes the appearance of horror legends such as Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), David Dastmalchian, star of “Late Night With the Devil,” and the “Candyman” himself, Tony Todd. Doors opened at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday for the horror convention.
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