From iconic slashers to wrestling heroes, HorrorHound Weekend packs thrills, chills, and unforgettable moments into one epic con!
HorrorHound Weekend is coming back to Cincinnati for an adrenaline-fueled celebration spanning September 12–14, 2025, promising three days of chills, thrills, and fandom at the Sharonville Convention Center. Get ready for door opening at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with full-tilt action from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Whether you’re a longtime horror devotee or a curious newcomer, this event is built to deliver all the scary good stuff plus surprises around every dim-lit corner.
Perhaps the crown jewel of this year’s guests is Bruce Dickinson, legendary frontman of Iron Maiden. He’s making his first appearance ever at HorrorHound Weekend in Cincinnati. Known for soaring vocals and magnetic stage presence, he’s also an author, broadcaster, pilot, and has recently teamed up with Z2 Comics for a companion comic series, The Mandrake Project. Meeting him in person this fall will be a rare treat for fans of metal, comics, and big personalities.
Among the standout guests at HorrorHound Weekend are horror heavyweights and wrestling legends alike. Tobin Bell, best known for his chilling portrayal of John Kramer in the Saw franchise, will be on hand for autographs and photo-ops. Nick Castle, the iconic original Michael Myers from Halloween (1978), is also scheduled, giving fans the chance to meet the man who first donned the mask of cinema’s most enduring slasher. Wrestling fans will be thrilled to see Lex Luger and Sting teaming up for a duo photo-op, a pairing that brings classic WCW energy to the convention floor. Not to be outdone, the Hardy Boys — Jeff and Matt Hardy — will also appear together for photo-ops, offering attendees the chance to capture a pose with two of wrestling’s most dynamic and beloved performers. This fusion of horror royalty and wrestling heroes creates a once-in-a-lifetime mix, where fans can shake hands with both masked menace and ring warriors all in the same weekend.
September 12-14 at the Sharonville Convention Center, HorrorHound Weekend brings fans face-to-face with horror icons, wrestling legends and more spooky fun!
If immersion is your jam, the HorrorHound Film Festival returns in force. Screenings — including the Fields of Fright Block on Friday at 7:30 p.m. — will allow attendees to catch premieres, horror classics, and indie gems in a theater-style setting. Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors after screenings are likely, giving you a behind-the-scenes peek at what makes nightmares come alive on screen.
Costume is king (and queen) here. The Horrors of Cosplay Costume Contest happens Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the Q&A Panel Room, hosted by Lady Glamorstein. Categories include best original design, best movie/TV/comic/game design, and best overall. Plus, there’s a Kids’ Costume Contest at 4:30 p.m. for ages 14 and under. Think of it like a runway where zombies meet superheroes in a mash-up of fabric, foam, and creativity.
There’ll also be a massive vendor hall with over 100 booths offering everything from rare VHS, Blu-ray and DVD classics, signed movie posters, horror props and masks, collectible toys, T-shirts, and artwork. Past shows have felt like treasure hunts — you never know what kind of eerie artifact you’ll stumble upon when digging through vendor tables.
Ink Fusion Tattoo provides fans with a chance to take home a permanent piece of the HorrorHound experience. Featuring a curated roster of skilled artists from the Ink Fusion Empire, the pavilion showcases horror, sci-fi, and pop culture-inspired designs. Whether you’re looking for your first tattoo or adding to an existing collection, attendees can book sessions, browse exclusive flash sheets, or consult with artists about custom creations. Open throughout the weekend, the pavilion ensures everyone has a chance to commemorate their convention adventure in a truly personal way.
Ticketing offers several ways in. Single-day passes are priced around $30-50 depending on day and whether pre-sale or door purchase; a three-day weekend pass is approximately $70 pre-sale ($80 at the door). Premium tiers like VIP and Platinum were available, offering perks such as line-cut privileges for select guest autographs or photo-ops, but many of the best value packages have already sold out.
Click here for the MaskFest event guide.
MaskFest (“The Monsters of Masks”) is a specialty event running in tandem with HorrorHound Weekend, September 12-14, 2025, at the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati. It centers on mask art, creature FX, and sculptors, showcasing renowned makers like Jordu Schell, Casey Love, David Lady, Norman Cabrera, Laura Lady, James Groman, Justin Mabry, and others who bring the fantastical and grotesque to life. MaskFest vendors include mask makers, FX artists, sculptors, and creature artisans offering both finished pieces and works in progress so fans can see how nightmare realism is built. Admission into MaskFest is included for all HorrorHound Weekend ticket holders, making it a bonus layered experience rather than a separate pass. MaskFest also serves as a marketplace and showcase: visitors can expect to see eerie masterpieces, purchase artist-made pieces, view demonstrations, and interact with creators, ideal for anyone fascinated by monster design or mask mythology.
All told, HorrorHound Weekend 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable installments yet. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the brand, this edition is doubly special — more than just an event, it’s a milestone for horror lovers, metalheads, cosplayers, cult movie buffs, and anyone who finds joy in the macabre. If you want chills, thrills, and memories made in the flicker of a projector light, this is your destination.
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