Daily Events
General Information
Dedicated Changing Rooms
MHC will have dedicated changing rooms in the Convention Center for attendees who need to change into/out of costumes, apply makeup, etc. Whether you need to prepare for the Costume Party or put on your costume for the Sinister Visions Costume Contest, you won’t have to go back to a hotel to do it! PLEASE NOTE: These rooms are being provided as a convenience to our attendees and will not be monitored; do not leave belongings in them and use at your own risk.
Hands On Learning Lab FREE to all Attendees
Take a break from the thrills and chills of the Midwest Haunters Convention and step into the Hands On Learning Lab—a vibrant gathering space at the heart of the show floor where inspiration and collaboration come alive. Designed for creators, builders, scare actors, and haunt enthusiasts, this is the perfect place to relax, recharge, and connect with your Halloween community. Whether you’re swapping stories, brainstorming new ideas, or simply kicking back with fellow haunters, the lounge offers a welcoming atmosphere for informal networking and creative exchange. Meet industry experts, chat with vendors, and dive into spontaneous mini-education sessions and impromptu demos happening throughout the day. And don’t miss your chance to get an exclusive sneak peek at what haunted house owners have in store for the upcoming Halloween season! With casual conversations, hands-on opportunities, and unexpected moments of inspiration, the Halloween Learning Lounge is more than just a break—it’s your hub for connection, creativity, and community. SCHEDULE
Haunted House Chicago Ticket Giveaways | Ongoing throughout the show
Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Throughout the weekend, each participating attraction in Haunted House Chicago Row will receive up to (5) minutes to bring their characters on stage to deliver a promo for their attraction. We will assist them in picking a ticket prize winner for (2) tickets to their respective attraction during the 2026 season! The tickets to enter this contest are free and will be offered to all attendees at the stage up to (15) minutes before the contest. Sponsored by the Participating Attractions of Haunted House Chicago Row
Thursday, June 4
Pre-Convention Bus Tour | GET TICKETS
Check In Starts at 12:30 pm | Embassy Suites Rosemont (5500 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018) | Tour details HERE
Sponsored by Saffire
Friday, June 5
Registration Opens
12:00 PM | Convention Center Main Lobby
Friday Haunt Tour | GET TICKETS
Time TBA | Depart The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL | Tour details HERE
Sponsored by Saffire
Saturday, June 6
Registration Opens
8:30 AM | Convention Center Main Lobby
Show Floor & Kids Zone
Chicago Haunt Builders’ Walk-Through Haunted House
Haunted House Chicago Row
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor
Saturday Seminars
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Convention Center
Stage Opens And Ticket Giveaway Instructions
10:00 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #1
10:05 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #2
10:10 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Main Stage Premiere: T3 Entertainment and Productions
10:15 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Incredible Bats Animal Demonstration
11:00 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Meet & greet with live animals! Most animals can be held, for the exception of the bats. Come meet our tarantula, armadillo, ball python, milk snake, bats, sand boa, goliath bird eater spider, skunk, corn snake and bearded dragon! Please note all animals may be subject to change.
Learning Lab FREE to all Attendees
11:00 AM | Airbrush in Action: Fast Faces That Pop
Donna Novak| ProAiir / ShowOffs Body Art | 30 Min
Speed meets style in this fast-paced airbrush demo. Learn techniques for creating bold, eye-catching face designs quickly and efficiently, perfect for high-volume event nights without sacrificing quality.
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #3
12:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
12:05 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Graveyard Dash Part 1 (Olympics)
12:15 PM | Convention Center Show Floor
This is the first part of the Olympic events, exclusive to Haunted House Chicago Row participants. There will be (4) events in this round and HHC haunts will be offered the opportunity to assemble a team of (4) players. Other than a slider component, the events will not be skill-based, but fun and whimsical. Points will be awarded to the top three teams based on course finish time. Want to participate? Sign up HERE!
Ghoul School
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor KIDS ZONE | FREE to Attendees!
Teacher: Japes Palles
LIMITED TO 30 STUDENTS | AGES 6-12 | PLEASE ARRIVE AT 12:00 TO CHECK IN. Sign up form
This workshop is limited to just 30 students, so pre-registration is required if there are spots left at time of show, you can sign up on-site). In this workshop, Japes Palles, veteran actor trainer and former elementary school teacher, will host fun games and activities that will introduce elementary-school-aged kids to the fundamentals of haunt acting. This engaging class will have your kids moving and developing scare tactics that really work. Provide an additional level of interaction and scares at your home haunt by giving your kids the skills to make your neighbors pee their pants. Or, start prepping your kids for a future in pro haunts.
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #5
1:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Learning Lab FREE to all Attendees
1:00pm | Dave & Aubrey| HorrorProps |60 Minutes
Dave & Aubrey have turned their home haunt and horror prop builds into viral success. Come hear them talk about starting your own home haunt, what to expect in the first few years, and how to grow through trial, error, and creativity. Then join the round table in the Learning Lab to ask questions and talk all things horror, Halloween, props, and home haunting.
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #6
1:05 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Scary-oke (Open to All)
1:15 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Welcome to Scary-oke: Where Your Vocals Might Actually Wake the Dead! Think you have a voice that kills? It’s time to prove it. This year, we’re blurring the lines between a concert and a nightmare. Nestled right in the heart of the Pit, Scary-oke is the ultimate stage for those who are brave enough to grab the mic!
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #7
2:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Learning Lab FREE to all Attendees
2:15pm | Bruise Control: The Art of Impact
Bobbie Weiner and Rebecca Pajcz | Bloody Mary Makeup | 30 Min
Learn the fast tricks behind realistic bruising, discoloration, and trauma effects that hold up under haunt lighting. Perfect for makeup artists, actors, and anyone looking to add believable detail without slowing down the makeup chair.
Come Meet Jennifer Penelope Corcoran at the Show!
2:00 PM | The PIT on the Tradeshow Floor (tables will be reserved for this meet up)
Jennifer Penelope Corcoran is the ultimate enabler of over-the-top Halloween and holiday decorating and proudly responsible for the fact that thousands of people no longer have room in their garages, attics, closets, or storage units.
As she likes to say: you don’t have a decorating problem… you have a storage problem.
With a social reach spanning more than 25 highly engaged Facebook communities and over 2 million combined members, Jennifer has built one of the internet’s most passionate and entertaining holiday decorating communities. She has become one of the go-to sources for all things spooky, festive, over-the-top, and impossible to resist.
Her groups have become a destination for:
- Decorating inspiration
- Viral holiday trends
- Must-have shopping finds
- DIY ideas
- Seasonal excitement that turns “just one pumpkin” into a full-blown front yard spectacle
Her loyal followers proudly joke that Jennifer Penelope is their bank account’s worst nightmare thanks to the endless stream of viral décor finds, must-have seasonal trends, and decorating inspiration she shares year-round. Known for spotting trends before they sell out, she has built a reputation for always being one step ahead of the season’s biggest decorating crazes.
Known for creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere full of camaraderie, Jennifer has connected millions of holiday lovers who encourage each other to go bigger, brighter, and spookier every season. Her influence has inspired countless followers to fully embrace the magic of decorating — even if it means renting another storage unit along the way.
Jennifer has partnered with some of the biggest names in retail and home décor, including multiple Fortune 500 companies, and is widely recognized as a trusted affiliate and promotional partner for leading brands in Halloween and holiday decorating. Her recommendations regularly drive viral demand for must-have seasonal products and collectibles across the country.
Her expertise and larger-than-life holiday passion have been featured by major national media outlets including:
- The Washington Post
- The Today Show
- The New York Times
- Mashable
- Time Magazine
- Forbes
In addition, Jennifer and her decorating communities have been highlighted in news stories across more than 60 cities nationwide.
Whether it’s 12-foot skeletons, elaborate Christmas displays, or the latest viral décor craze, Jennifer Penelope Corcoran has become one of the most recognizable voices in the world of holiday decorating , inspiring millions to celebrate every season to the fullest.
Graveyard Dash Part 2 (Olympics)
2:15 PM | Convention Center Show Floor
This is the second part of the Olympic events exclusive to Haunted House Chicago Row participants. Similar to part 1, there will be (4) events in this round and HHC haunts will be offered the opportunity to assemble a team of (4) players. No sliding this time, but the events will continue not to be skill-based except for a final/ending puzzle. The focus again is on fun and entertainment. Points will be awarded to the top three teams based on course finish time. Want to participate? Sign up HERE!
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #9
3:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
LEARNING LAB FREE TO ALL ATTENDEES
3:00 pm | What Pro Wrestling Can Teach Your Haunt Cast
Speaker: Japes Palles and Tom Koudelik | 60 Min
Live crowd. No script for every moment. One job: get a response. Whether you’re in the ring or in the fog, the fundamentals are the same.
Professional wrestling is live, interactive performance built on reading an audience and adjusting in real time to get the reaction you’re after. Sound familiar? In this session, we’ll dig into the parallels — and pull techniques directly from the wrestling world that translate immediately to your haunt.
We’ll cover the art of selling (committing hard enough that the audience buys in), getting over (earning the response you’re working for), and how to read a crowd that isn’t giving you what you expected. We’ll also look at how wrestlers build and promote their own personas — and what haunters can learn from that approach.
Expect hands-on exercises, video breakdowns of legendary wrestling promos, and real discussion led by a haunt industry veteran and an active professional wrestler who has done both.
After this class, you won’t be ready for the ring — but you’ll have a new perspective and some fresh ideas to add to your toolbox.
Japes Palles — Owner/operator of Lost Souls Chicago and 25-year haunted attraction veteran who has managed some of Chicagoland’s most respected haunts.
Tom Koudelik — Haunt acting veteran and professional wrestler currently performing at HellsGate Haunted House.
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #10
3:05 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Screamin’ Hot Sauce Challenge (Olympics)
3:15 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Ever see the show “Hot Ones” on YouTube? This is our version. First conceptualized at MHC in 2021, this event takes lucky contestants on a voyage through progressively increasing Scoville units of hot sauce. Come watch a representative from each of the HHC haunted attractions and see them cry, beg for mercy, and pray for the burning to end! Points will be awarded to all that finish all (10) levels of hell. Want to participate? Sign up HERE!
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #11
4:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #12
4:05 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars (Open to All) | GET DETAILS & SIGN UP HERE
4:15 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
One of the Midwest Haunters Convention’s signature events is Monster Makeup Wars. Five teams of three (two makeup artists and a model) have 30 minutes to create a monster from the neck up. The catch? They must do it only with the items we supply them at the start of the competition! (Not part of Olympics.) Sponsored by Bloody Mary Makeup
Show Floor Closes
5:00 PM
MHC Zombie Walk | FREE TO ATTENDEES
5:30 PM | Meet in the Convention Center Lobby
Want to participate? REGISTER HERE!
The Chicago Zombie March presents the MHC Zombie Walk. This FREE event is a great way to gather with friends new, old and undead. Dress up in your zombie best (or worst) and meander from The Donald E. Stephens Center, shuffle your way into and around Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District, then shamble back down Balmoral Avenue and return to the Center. After the Zombie Walk, you can attend the annual Costume Party* later in the evening.
- 5:15 PM | Meet in the Convention Center Lobby
- 5:30 PM | Start shuffling!
Please note: All participants in the Zombie Walk will be required to sign this Release and Waiver (REGISTER HERE! in conjunction with registering for the event. Release & Waiver Forms will be available at the registration table on site as well.
*Separate tickets must be purchased to the MHC trade show floor and Costume Party, and you must be a registered MHC attendee to purchase those tickets. You do NOT have to be an MHC attendee to participate in the Zombie Walk.
**Pre-registration required for all participants. REGISTER HERE!
Sponsored by Chicago Zombie March
NEW FOR 2026 -MHC GAME NIGHT FREE for all Attendees
5:30 PM | Embassy Suites-Slyce Pizza (back room)
Get ready to unwind, laugh, compete, and kick off one of the most entertaining nights of Midwest Haunters Convention weekend as Scott “Tater” Lynd hosts his legendary Game Night!
Before the annual Midwest Haunters Costume Ball begins, it’s time to relax with friends, meet fellow Halloween enthusiasts from across the country, and dive into an evening packed with games, fun, and nonstop laughs. Whether you’re a hardcore competitor, a trivia master, or just looking to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere, Game Night is the perfect chance to let loose after a busy day at the show floor.
Expect an energetic mix of party games, classic favorites, spooky surprises, ridiculous challenges, and plenty of opportunities for bragging rights as Tater keeps the crowd entertained with his signature humor and chaos. This is more than just a game night , it’s a chance to connect with the Halloween community, make new friends, and create the kind of unforgettable convention memories that everyone talks about long after MHC is over. Sponsored by Froggy’s Fog
MHC Costume Party
8:30 PM – 12:00 PM | Convention Center Room 22 | GET TICKETS
The MHC Costume Party is THE Social Event of the year for the haunt industry! Hosted by John LaFlamboy from HellsGate Haunted House. Join hundreds of haunters and Halloween lovers for an evening of music, competitions, dancing, and socializing – this is your chance to have your yearly Halloween party with all your favorite industry friends! Get ready to strut your stuff: The costume contest is back and better than ever before! Party details HERE! Sponsored by Froggy’s Fog and Costume Contest prizes sponsored by CU Scared
Sunday, June 7
Registration Opens
9:00 AM | Convention Center Lobby
Sunday Seminars
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Convention Center
Show Floor & Kids Zone
Chicago Haunt Builders’ Walk-Through Haunted House
Haunted House Chicago Row
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor
LEARNING LAB FREE TO ALL ATTENDEES
10:30 am | Fear in the Air: The Froggy’s Effects Playground
Scott “Tater” Lynd | Froggy’s Fog | 30 Min
Get hands-on with atmosphere effects and learn how to control them like a pro. Go beyond “turn it on and hope for the best” as you experiment with different fog effects, fluid types, machine setups, airflow, timing, and environmental conditions. This session breaks down practical techniques for creating layered atmosphere that enhances lighting, actors, and storytelling without wasting product or killing visibility.
Stage Opens And Ticket Giveaway Instructions
11:00 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #13
11:05 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #14
11:10 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
10th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest (Open to All)
11:15 AM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Not an Olympic event, this is open to the public. Join us in your favorite ghoulish costume or as your haunted house character for our Tenth Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest and compete for fun and prizes! All ages welcome! A metal sign certificate will be awarded to the winner (courtesy of CU Scared) in the Adult Category (18 & up), Teen Category (12-17) and Kids Category (11 & under). Hosted by Kris Zahrobsky (TransWorld LIVE! and HauntedHouseChicago.com) and Dan Mackey (Six Flags) & Judged by Katie Lane (Froggy’s Fog), Alex Woday (HellsGate Haunted House/Zombie Army Productions) and Joseph Goratowski (Macabre Intentions).
THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION: Contestants should start assembling beside the trade show floor main stage starting 15 minutes prior to the event. Chad Savage will be there to direct you as necessary.
Sponsored by Sinister Visions
AWARD PLAQUE/SIGNS PROVIDED BY
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #15
12:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #16
12:05 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Frightening Facts (Open to All)
12:40 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Think you know trivia? This is your chance to win fun stuff and eternal glory… right from your seat! Compete right from your phone and see how many questions you can answer as attendees stretch their minds to try and take home the prize!
LEARNING LAB FREE TO ALL ATTENDEES
1:00 pm | Ripped, Rotten & Ready: Interactive Distressing Lab
Dani Panik | Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group | 30 Min
New costumes are great. Destroyed costumes are better. Learn hands-on techniques for aging, weathering, staining, and distressing clothing for haunted attractions and immersive characters. Bring your own item and leave with something convention-ready and creep-approved. Sponsored by Nightmare Forge
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #17
1:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #18
1:05 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
The Great Build-Off (Olympics)
1:15 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
An Olympic event exclusive to Haunted House Chicago Row participants, haunts will choose their best builder who will have only (20) minutes using their own tools and tricks to build and decorate a birdhouse as only a haunter can! Wood pieces of the birdhouse will be provided pre-cut. Points will be awarded to the top three competitors based on a panel of judges. BUT, crowd applause will be taken into consideration. Want to participate? Sign up HERE!
Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #19
2:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Creepy Creative Costume, Makeup & Dance Challenge (Olympics)
2:10 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
This is an Olympic event and exclusive to Haunted House Chicago Row participants. Each haunt will be able to assemble a team of (3) people to compete in this event. The first team member will receive the same “canvas” and have (15) minutes using their own tool kit and tricks to distress, alter, decorate, and harness their skills to make a costume for their model. Then, the second team member will have (15) minutes to assemble the costume on the model/third team member) and complete the look with make-up and paint. Finally, the models will line up backstage and then have to strut their stuff for the crowd during a dance/runway showdown! Points will be awarded to the top three teams based on a panel of judges. BUT, crowd applause will be taken into consideration. Want to participate? Sign up HERE!
HauntedHouseChicago.com Actor Showcase and Grand Prize Ticket Giveaway
2:45 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
The grand finale of Midwest Haunters Convention, attendees get their chance to win (2) tickets to each of the sponsoring attractions in Haunted House Chicago Row! This will change your October! You won’t want to miss this rare opportunity!
Sponsored by HauntedHouseChicago.com
Haunt Olympic Awards
2:55 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage
Of course, we wouldn’t put these haunters through all this fun if we didn’t have some hardware to take home. When the dust settles, there will officially be bragging rights and tangible trophies (courtesy of Ghost Ride Productions) to take home for the haunted attractions that end up in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Show Floor and Event Close
3:00 PM
