Yes, you read that right: HALLOWEEN. CONVENTIONS.

They are a THING. A rather popular thing, actually. In fact, I just made a massive update to my list that lives here on the blog, and moving forward I’ll continue adding new ones I find.

Lately, I’ve had Halloween conventions on the brain because I’m planning on attending two this year. After two years of literally drooling over everyone’s Instagram photos, I’m finally hitting up Midsummer Scream this July in Long Beach, CA…and I couldn’t be more excited!

I’m also thrilled to announce I will be teaching TWO classes at Halloween & HauntFest Show in Dallas this August – EEK! One will be an in-person version of my e-course, Killer Halloween Party, and the other class will be focused on throwing a Halloween party on a budget. Lots more details to come on that – be sure you’re subscribed to Treats Not Tricks for the latest. (And download the inaugural issue of my Spooky Little Halloween Zine while you’re at it!)

So…why go to a Halloween convention? Here are my top 8 reasons you should find one near you this year:

 

1. Make every day Halloween

As a Halloween lover, we talk about wanting to make every day of our lives Halloween. Until the rest of the world becomes more like us, that isn’t possible…but attending a Halloween convention outside of Halloween season is basically like walking straight into October. And who doesn’t need more of that in their life?

 

2. Find new friends

Halloween friends are the best! I love meeting new people who are as obsessed with October 31st as I am, and there is no better – or, frankly, easier – place to do that than at a Halloween convention. Everyone in the room is a Halloween lover!

3. Buy cool Halloween treats

Halloween conventions are FULL of amazing vendors who make and create killer products that will help you stay spooky all year long. If I’m honest, this is the main reason I’m dying to go to Midsummer Scream. (And so I can finally meet so many of my friends who have supported giveaways on the blog!)

 

4. Get your scares in

Many conventions include panels and classes on creating your own haunt…or they have haunts you can wander on-site! If you’re the kind of Halloween lover who can’t wait until your local haunted house opens each year, a convention is just the thing to tide you over until Halloween season.

 

5. Learn a new spooky skill

Like haunts, many of the conventions featured on my list include classes you can attend. Some are included with your admission, others are an extra fee, so be sure to research pricing before you attend. You can learn everything from how to decorate your home for Halloween to how to make the perfect fake blood for your costume at home.

 

6. Test drive this year’s Halloween costume

I never need an additional excuse to wear a costume, but Halloween conventions offer it up anyway. Most encourage costumes and even host costume contests with awesome prizes. Several conventions also host Saturday night costume parties!

 

7. Travel somewhere new

For the last 4-5 years, I’ve spent all my vacation time traveling to the same 3-4 places. Yawn. I’m in need of adventure, and I’m making it happen this year through my love of Halloween! I encourage you to do the same. If there’s no convention in your backyard, pick a spot you’ve never been to (for me, that’s California – yes, really!) and take a little Halloween vacation.

 

8. Celebrate Halloween early

If nothing else, every convention on my list gives you the opportunity to feel like October 31st came early this year. And in my world, any reason to celebrate Halloween twice is a good one.

 

 

Do you attend Halloween conventions?

I’d love to hear which one(s) you’ve been to and why you enjoyed it in the comments. Never been? Then you definitely need to head over to this post to find one near you and make plans to attend this year.

 

Happy haunting,