With anniversary festivities, celebrated guests, films, and monstrous creativity on the agenda, HorrorHound Weekend looks ready to give Cincinnati a September celebration worth screaming about.
Horror fans have a thrilling reason to circle their calendars as HorrorHound Weekend returns to the Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 11 through 13, 2026. Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, the convention promises three days of celebrity encounters, independent cinema, elaborate costumes, and collectibles. The newly renovated venue gives this year's festivities additional breathing room, although the occasional masked menace roaming the aisles might still make visitors look twice.
The doors open Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with Saturday running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early access and VIP admission provide additional entry opportunities on Friday and Saturday. Whether attendees plan a quick visit or an entire weekend, the schedule offers ample chances to explore an event where getting scared is generally considered a compliment.
Leading the celebrity lineup is Robert Englund, whose portrayal of Freddy Krueger helped make A Nightmare on Elm Street a horror landmark. Fellow franchise favorites Heather Langenkamp and Amanda Wyss are also scheduled to attend, alongside several performers from the series. Fans can seek autographs and professional photographs, including special group opportunities. Meeting the people behind those nightmares should be considerably more pleasant than encountering their characters after midnight.
From Freddy Krueger and Mortal Kombat favorites to monstrous masks, independent films, and collectible treasures, HorrorHound Weekend is preparing to turn Cincinnati into a horror fan's ultimate playground.
The guest roster extends well beyond Elm Street. Bryce Dallas Howard brings connections to Jurassic World, while Malcolm McDowell offers fans the chance to meet a performer whose credits include Rob Zombie's Halloween. Robert Patrick, Bonnie Aarons, Radha Mitchell, and Dave Coulier add still more variety. There are familiar faces for admirers of science fiction, supernatural scares, television comedy, and everything that falls between.
Television and gaming enthusiasts have plenty to anticipate, too. American Horror Story actors Dylan McDermott, Denis O'Hare, and Finn Wittrock appear on the announced roster, while Mortal Kombat stars Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, and Chris Casamassa offer a different kind of nostalgia. Director Lamberto Bava and cast members connected to Demons also help celebrate the craft behind cult favorites. The combined lineup is practically a genre spanning reunion assembled by someone with an impressively crowded movie shelf.
Away from the autograph tables, Mask Fest makes its return as a celebration of Halloween artistry. This dedicated area showcases mask makers, sculptors, and creators whose detailed work can turn ordinary materials into spectacular monsters. Special effects legend Tom Savini is among the announced participants. Visitors can admire the craftsmanship, browse unusual pieces, and perhaps discover a face for their next costume that their neighbors would strongly prefer they never wear.
The expanded convention marketplace offers more than 120 vendors, bringing together horror apparel, collectible figures, artwork, films, and specialty merchandise. Exhibitors include Fright Rags, Living Dead Dolls, Full Moon Features, and boutique film distributors. The Ink Fusion Tattoo Pavilion adds another creative attraction, while artist displays invite visitors to discover original work. Collectors may arrive with a carefully planned budget, only to find the merchandise tables have developed other plans.
The HorrorHound Film Festival provides a spotlight for filmmakers and movie lovers through screenings, premieres, and creative discussions. Scheduled programming includes the world premiere of The Devil You Know, while workshops offer insight into the filmmaking process. Question and answer panels give audiences opportunities to hear from guests directly, turning familiar screen credits into real conversations about performances, production challenges, and the stories behind memorable scenes.
The festivities extend beyond the screening room with a Saturday costume contest, nighttime karaoke, and the film festival awards ceremony on Sunday. Cosplayers can showcase characters both terrifying and inventive, while fans who prefer civilian clothing can enjoy the spectacle from a safer distance. These activities help transform the gathering into more than a series of signing lines, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to share their enthusiasm with fellow horror devotees.
The Sharonville Convention Center is located at 11355 Chester Road in Cincinnati. Advance general admission starts at $30 for Friday or Sunday, $40 for Saturday, and $70 for a weekend pass, with upgraded packages also offered. Some celebrity experiences carry separate charges, so visitors should plan accordingly. With anniversary festivities, celebrated guests, films, and monstrous creativity on the agenda, HorrorHound Weekend looks ready to give Cincinnati a September celebration worth screaming about.
Sci-Fi 3D Team
