Walking into Midsummer Scream feels less like entering a convention and more like stepping into a family reunion. The hugs, the smiles, the nonstop joy…Halloweens simply comes early for three magical days.

First and foremost, let’s talk tickets real quick. There were single-day passes, weekend passes, and the Gold Bat VIPs for those who wanted the ultimate experience. Between the show floor, panels, Hall of Shadows, and special entertainment, the value (regardless of ticket) was unbeatable.

This year was extra special because it was our daughter’s second Midsummer Scream, and we’re already watching her grow into this community. You know the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”? In this case, it’s the spooky village doing it! Every single person helps build her Halloween world, brick by brick. Whether it’s taking pictures with her, chatting with her in line, scaring her just enough to make her giggle, or simply making her feel special—it all adds up. These moments are what make her fall in love with the spooky season.

It also helped that there were kid-friendly activities right on the show floor. In the middle of all the action, there were coloring and craft stations where she could sit and make it feel like she was part of the fun in her own way. Those little breaks gave her a chance to recharge and gave us a chance to watch her smile in the middle of the Halloween chaos. And let’s not lie, it’s a moment for us to recharge too. Conventions can be draining!

The only thing she insisted on doing, though, was the Black Cat Lounge. It was her one big “must” for the weekend. Honestly, who could resist? Cats at a Halloween convention! Anyone can go in, and all of the cats are up for adoption, which makes it even more special. The Lounge still has its logistical challenges, but it’s clear the team is trying to make progress every year. The confusion comes from the “skip the line” keychains themselves. We had no idea how many there were being offered day to day. Additionally, they ran out so fast! If you didn’t have Gold Bat, you weren’t getting one. We often saw people just wanting the keychain and not the ticket to enter the Black Cat Lounge. Apparently there was also a “pre-purchase” option that we knew nothing about. But here is our idea to help alleviate this issue. There shouldn’t be any pre-purchase option. If you want one, get in line like everyone else. Additionally, if you want the keychain and not the ticket, allow others to purchase the ticket at a discounted rate. Because all the money is donated to Kitten Rescue LA. That way, the money keeps being donated even when the keychains are gone. Even with the slight hiccup that is the Black Cat Lounge, seeing our kiddo light up in there made every wait worth it.

Of course, no Midsummer Scream is complete without the Hall of Shadows. It was absolutely packed this year, wall-to-wall energy, and honestly, it might have been the best lineup yet. The haunted walkthroughs looked like full-blown professional productions, with fog, lights, sound, and scares. We were quite impressed.

This year, the Hall of Shadows was anchored by Mr. Floats’ Carnival of Souls, which served as the main entrance. Right as you walked in, you were greeted by the eerie, larger-than-life presence of Mr. Floats himself. But we have to admit—there was a bit of disappointment here. Usually, the Hall of Shadows has a dominating entrance statement piece that sets the tone from the moment you see it, but this year it just wasn’t there. It felt like something was missing at the threshold. That said, once you were inside, everything changed. The Carnival atmosphere came alive, the scares and sights made up for the subdued entrance, and the experience quickly pulled you in.

According to Rick West, Creative Director and co-founder of Midsummer Scream, this year featured more offerings inside the Hall of Shadows than any previous year. And while at times you could definitely feel it, most of the time it flowed like any other year—which says a lot about how well the planning and layout worked. Traffic moved smoothly for the most part, and the way things were spread out really helped balance the crowds. If we had one wish, it would be to see the big tent in the middle of the entrance removed in the future. Clearing that out would make traffic flow even better.

A huge highlight for us was Mr. Floats’ “tooth fairy donations” activity. For $5, you get a vial of fake teeth (…we hope), then set off on a quest to find his tooth fairies throughout the Hall of Shadows. Each one takes a tooth and gives you a card, and once you collect them all, you redeem them for a prize. Our daughter loved it. She had her own little adventure, and the pride on her face when she finished was priceless.

And then there was the Decayed Brigade slider show…and wow! We’ve seen their performances year after year, but this year felt like something special. We are massive fans of this crew and never miss a show. This year, the slides were sharper, the choreography was tight, and the music was perfectly chosen. During the show, the whole crowd was locked in, cheering, clapping, and completely mesmerized. If you’ve never seen them before, check them out at decayedbrigade.com. They are amazing and a definite highlight in the Hall of Shadows.

Outside the Hall, the show floor was everything we love about Midsummer Scream. Vendors filled the space with endless treasures! Haunt props, collectibles, candles, masks, art, clothing, and everything in between. You could spend hours exploring and still find something new. Honestly, I think we missed a few isles and we spent all weekend there!

Through it all, the White Bat crew kept things organized and flowing. They worked their asses off making sure lines moved, questions got answered, and people stayed happy. You could feel their presence everywhere, and it made a huge difference.

But the real magic wasn’t in the haunts or the shopping or even the shows, it was in the people. This community is welcoming, inclusive, and truly like family. Everywhere we turned, there were hugs, smiles, and stories shared. Watching our daughter experience that, seeing her be loved, supported, and included—was the biggest gift of all.

We left exhausted, our arms full of merch, our kid full of stories, and our hearts completely overflowing. Midsummer Scream isn’t just a convention. It’s home.

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