Halloween weekend in Orlando is about to get a lot more frightening as Spooky Empire returns October 30 through November 1, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.
Known as The Dark Side of Comic Con, Spooky Empire has become one of Florida’s biggest gatherings for horror movie fans, bringing together celebrity guests, filmmakers, tattoo artists, musicians, and collectors for three days of horror entertainment.
This year’s guest lineup includes Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Juliette Lewis, Doug Bradley, best known as Pinhead from Hellraiser, and Danny Trejo. Fans can also meet performers connected to Halloween, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Walking Dead, and other horror favorites.
But Spooky Empire goes well beyond celebrity autographs and photo opportunities.
The convention features a massive vendor room filled with horror merchandise and collectibles, a horror film festival, live music, tattoo artists, special effects demonstrations, costume contests, and the popular Zombie Walk.
And since the convention falls directly on Halloween, there’s no better excuse to show up dressed as your favorite monster, slasher villain, or creature from the grave.
The weekend also includes after-hours entertainment, giving horror fans plenty to do once the convention floor closes.
Spooky Empire takes place October 30–November 1, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Drive, Orlando, Florida.
Doors open Friday at 1 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 11 AM. Advance single-day admission starts at $40, while weekend passes are $80 in advance. Children ages 10 and under receive free admission.
Autographs and professional photo opportunities are additional purchases.
With Halloween falling right in the middle of the convention, Spooky Empire is giving Orlando horror fans an entire weekend to celebrate everything creepy, bloody, and wonderfully strange.
Just don’t be surprised if you run into Michael Myers on the way to the elevator.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Old punk rocker from Miami who still smells faintly like comic shops and poor financial decisions.
