What to Know
- Midsummer Scream 2024
- The giant Halloween-horror expo returns to the Long Beach Convention Center from July 26 through 28; single-day passes start at $35
- "Gears of Fear: Explore the Legacy of Lionsgate Horror" inside the event's haunt-filled dark zone
The final days of July, on the whole, tend to be exceedingly brilliant.
Bright skies, intense sunshine, and some dramatic bouts of sweat-inducing heat are hallmarks of the sizzling seventh month around Southern California.
And yet? Not far from the cool ocean, in the city of Long Beach, a "Hall of Shadows" will emerge, as if from some fantasy novel fog.
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This dastardly yet delightful dark zone is a spooky centerpiece of Midsummer Scream, the huge convention catering to Halloween and horror fans.
It's a capacious, low-lit space full of wandering monsters and pop-up haunted houses, the mini-but-monstrous experiences that give expo attendees a few startles before they head back to the expo's hundreds of vendors and celebrity-packed panels.
Now, for the first time, a major movie studio is setting up scream-worthy shop in the Hall of Shadows in 2024: Lionsgate. Prepare to step into "Gears of Fear: Explore the Legacy of Lionsgate Horror" and encounter "some of the most formidable characters in cinematic history."
The Scene
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The ghoulish "Gears" will join other eek-out adventures around the Hall of Shadows, where "Spirits & Legends" will serve as the ensorcelled theme.
"We are excited to celebrate the realm of 'Spirits & Legends' this year in the Hall of Shadows," says Rick West, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Midsummer Scream.
"Lionsgate and the amazing team at Plague Productions, along with some of the most talented haunters in the world, have been brought together, creating what will be the most thrilling spectacle we have ever presented to guests at Midsummer Scream."
"Each year, we wonder how these attractions can become bigger and better — and each year, these incredible artists rise to the occasion. We can't wait to unveil everything in Long Beach!"
Look for over a dozen haunted experiences around the Hall of Shadows, including shivery experiences inspired by a Celtic graveyard, a Western train station, and, well, "a pizza delivery gone very wrong."
Midsummer Scream passes are on sale now. A Friday single-day pass is $35 while the VIP Gold Bat Pass is $135; other ticketing tiers are available.
