ScareFest promises an October celebration packed with thrills, chills, and unforgettable fan experiences.
Lexington is about to become a destination for things that go bump in the night when ScareFest Weekend returns October 23 through 25, 2026. The eighteenth annual convention fills the Central Bank Center with filmmakers, horror stars, collectibles, and entertainment. Across three floors, a terrifying costume becomes an acceptable way to say hello.
The convention opens Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and wraps up Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. VIP admission begins one hour earlier each day. Visitors can enjoy celebrity meetings, panels, shopping, and attractions at their own pace. Planning ahead is wise, especially when your favorite monster has a longer line than the concession stand.
A major attraction is an ambitious Evil Dead reunion featuring director Sam Raimi and actor Ted Raimi, alongside performers connected to several chapters of the franchise. Original cast members Betsy Baker, Ellen Sandweiss, and Theresa Tilly join guests from Evil Dead II, the 2013 revival, and Ash vs Evil Dead. Special group photographs offer an opportunity to commemorate this remarkable gathering without having to open a suspicious ancient book.
The filmmaking talent extends beyond that famously unfortunate cabin. Eli Roth, known for directing Hostel and Cabin Fever, joins Sean S. Cunningham, the director and producer behind the original Friday the 13th. Acclaimed effects artist Greg Nicotero adds insight into the practical craftsmanship that brings memorable creatures and grisly scenes to life. Together, they represent creative minds behind enduring cinematic nightmares.
The 18th annual celebration also offers autograph sessions, film screenings, cosplay competitions, a tattoo exhibition, and more than 250 vendors.
Performers add another layer of excitement to the guest roster. Kane Hodder, whose career includes portraying Jason Voorhees, joins Sleepaway Camp favorite Felissa Rose and Bill Moseley, a familiar face from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and The Devil's Rejects. Caroline Williams and other actors linked to classic horror productions are also announced. Autographs, professional photographs, and discussions offer stories behind the screams.
ScareFest also brings together casts associated with Halloween II, Night of the Creeps, The People Under the Stairs, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Reunion opportunities allow visitors to celebrate specific movies with several of their contributors in one place. Whether attendees grew up renting battered videotapes or discovered cult favorites through streaming, it is a cinematic history lesson with more fake blood than most classrooms permit.
The vendor areas promise a different sort of adventure, featuring more than 250 sellers with horror artwork, masks, props, apparel, memorabilia, and handmade oddities. Artists and collectors can browse displays that range from nostalgic movie merchandise to original creations. ScareFest INK adds tattoo artistry to the experience, inviting visitors to admire detailed designs and meet participating artists. Anyone arriving with an empty shopping bag should be prepared for that situation to change quickly.
Beyond the celebrity floor, paranormal seminars explore subjects such as cryptids, unexplained experiences, and investigative interests. Workshops and guest discussions create space for questions about both supernatural folklore and the making of horror entertainment. The film festival highlights independent genre filmmaking through screenings and related programming, offering moviegoers a chance to discover emerging storytellers. It is a rare weekend when discussing mysterious creatures can count as perfectly ordinary afternoon conversation.
Cosplay and live entertainment keep the atmosphere lively between panels. WickedBeard's Cosplay Showdown invites costumed fans to celebrate their creativity, while additional gatherings, trivia, and festival activities provide opportunities to mingle. Sunday also brings programming geared toward younger visitors, giving families ways to take part in the seasonal fun. Elaborate makeup, inventive props, and recognizable characters help turn the convention hallways into a moving gallery of horror imagination.
ScareFest Weekend takes place at the Central Bank Center, 430 West Vine Street in downtown Lexington. General admission costs $34 Friday, $49 Saturday, or $34 Sunday, while a three day pass is $85. Children ages twelve and younger receive free convention floor admission, and celebrity autographs and professional photographs require separate purchases. With remarkable reunions, independent films, paranormal programming, and enough collectibles to crowd a haunted mansion, Lexington is preparing for an October weekend that horror fans will want to remember.
Sci-Fi 3D Team
