This past weekend, the Long Beach Convention Center was the scene of a celebration, but not just any old celebration, a celebration of Halloween and horror. The Sixth Annual Midsummer Scream had nearly 45,000 in attendance, with over 350 vendors selling all types of merchandise and all things Halloween.

Midsummer Scream offered a popular nine walk-through haunted experiences along with photo displays, the Hall of Shadows is always a popular attraction each year, and the time, talent, and effort never cease to amaze me. With lasers of light, fog creatures, and noise, you have no choice but to allow this attraction to put you into to a spooky and Halloween mood.

The convention ran for three days, July 28 thru July 30th, 2023, the first day being the shortest, with the doors opening from 6-10 p.m. The convention center didn’t take long to fill up; I suspect that this might have largely to do with the popular and eerie Hall of Shadows being opened on Friday when usually it’s just Saturday and Sunday. Midsummer Scream takes place during the summer months, adding a unique twist to the convention experience by celebrating Halloween well ahead of schedule.

Many factors contribute to the uniqueness that is Midsummer Scream. They celebrate Halloween as its primary theme, making it an ideal destination for those who have a passion for the spooky holiday and all things related to it. The convention offers a diverse array of horror-centric programming, including haunted houses, mazes, panel discussions, workshops, and demonstrations, all centered around the horror genre.

Attendees are provided with immersive experiences, such as interactive haunted attractions, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the world of horror. The event attracts notable guests from the industry, including actors, directors, writers, and special effects artists – now, people are given the opportunity to interact with these talented individuals.

I had a grand time experiencing “The Boogeyman Experience,” I was excited because I had seen The Boogyman and thoroughly enjoyed it. The experience was located on the 2nd floor of the Long Beach Convention Center; right around the corner, their Grand Ballroom held the afterparty and some extensive panel presentations such as Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. Upon arrival, I was asked to sign a digital waiver with a scanned QR code; this was very unnerving. Upon entry, we were paired with two other people, and the experience began and was around three minutes long. One person was to leave the group and enter a pitch-black room set up as a bedroom. I, along with the other two, would go to a monitoring station where we could see the person in the bedroom; it was using an infrared night-vision type camera to capture the video. The task was simple: give directions over a microphone to the person in the room to assist in finding unique objects related to The Boogeyman, and the person would provide clues and suggestions on where to find these items. If the team failed, The Boogeyman would come and take the person away, so they said. With the help of our team, all items were found. 

Even though the experience was short, I had a tremendously good time. It was a great experience, considering it was a temporary structure, and I know a lot of work was put into it. I walked away, satisfied and slightly scared, wondering what could have happened if we had lost. It will be available on digital on August 29 and on Blu-ray and DVD on October 10. 

This event continues to outdo itself each year, and I have yet to have a negative experience. The only negative comes on the final day at the last hour, knowing we will have to wait a year to enjoy this Halloween Festival again. Midsummer Scream sets itself apart from other conventions because they continue to focus on Halloween and horror, specialized programming, along with immersive experiences, makes it a one-of-a-kind one-stop shop for everyone. Fostering a strong sense of community among horror enthusiasts and creating that vibrant and exciting atmosphere is what it’s all about.

Midsummer Scream – July 28th thru July 30th, 2023 – Long Beach, California

Midsummer Scream is presented by David Markland (Co-Founder/Executive Director), Gary Baker (Co-Founder/Executive Producer), Claire Dunlap (Co-Founder/Producer), and Rick West (Co-Founder/Creative Director)