This is pretty scary, but in a good way because it looks like Southern California is rising above the rest when it comes to must-attend horror conventions.
Macabre Daily, a respected online publication that covers the national horror industry, has just published its list of the Top 10 Must Attend Horror Conventions of 2025, and four of those conventions are right here in the Southland.
“There are other conventions throughout the nation but Southern California seems to be cornering the market when it comes to horror conventions,” said Samuel Santiago, senior reporter at Macabre Daily who compiled the list for the Ohio-based national online publication that covers all aspects of the horror industry, from horror movies to sci-fi and horror oriented video games.
The list was published on Jan.7 and includes Long Beach’s Midsummer Scream, which was launched in 2016 and is the largest of the local horror-specific conventions in the area, attracting more than 50,000 people to the city’s convention center during its three-day run each summer. It’s set to return Aug. 15-17.
Also on the list is Monsterpalooza, which takes place at the May 30-June 1 at the Pasadena Convention Center, and while it’s not a horror-specific convention, San Diego Comic- Con also made the top 10 due to its international appeal and the fact that it’s always had a strong horror component. The Comic Con returns to San Diego June 23-27.
Rounding up the list is Creep I.E., the newest of the conventions which was launched in 2022 and is returning to the Ontario Convention Center Jan.31-Feb. 2.
“We’ve been around three short years so to make that Top 10 list of most anticipated conventions in the United States along with other major conventions here in Southern California is a major honor,” said Brian Boget, founder of Creep I.E. and its equally scary sequel convention Creep I.E. Aftermath, which will take place this September in Ontario.
“We pride ourselves on our celebrity guest list, our cosplayers and our themed experiences,” Boget added.
To compile the Top10 list Santiago looked for conventions that covered several key factors including horror film releases, memorabilia and prop sales, celebrity attendance as well as vendors selling home decorations and other items.
Creep I.E. stood out to Santiago not just because of its focus on celebrity appearances, which this year includes Cassandra Peterson, best known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, plus “Jigsaw” actor Tobin Bell, but also because of its location in the Inland Empire.
“Everybody thinks that L.A. is the be all and end all of the movie industry and horror, and that’s not the case,” he said. Santiago noted that with the Inland Empire’s large population, there is a built-in audience for horror.
“This means huge numbers of people not having to drive to L.A. And Creep I.E. Con also does a great job of providing VIP experiences for their guests and providing exclusive reunions of cast members,” Santiago said.
Midsummer Scream stood out not just for its size but also because this is where large amusement parks that create their own haunts, like Universal Studios and Knott’s Berry Farm, come to offer fans a sneak peek of what they have planned for the spooky season. It also made the list thanks to its widely popular Hall of Shadows, where professional and amateur haunt creators set up walk-through mazes for attendees.
“Everyone loves to go to haunts during Halloween, but having that during the summertime is amazing,” Santiago said.
One of Santiago’s favorite conventions is Monsterpalooza, which started in 2009 on the East Coast as a mask convention before moving to the area in 2014. It has since grown to include all aspects of horror while still staying true to its roots with makeup and special effects demonstrations plus celebrity signings and a Saturday night concert.
“Celebrity sightings are everywhere, they have amazing after parties and the VIP and the early sales and experiences given to them are outstanding. You will not find a list of more intriguing companies and celebrities than at Monsterpalooza,”he said.
While these four conventions made Macabre Daily’s list they aren’t the only scary gatherings around in the area. In September Horrorcon LA, creeps back into the Los Angeles Convention Center, and there are smaller events too, such as Witches Brew Night Market in Orange County, the Spooky Swap Meet at Heritage Square in Los Angeles.