The Midwest Haunters Convention (MHC) returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, for three action-packed days on June 6-8, 2025. Produced by TransWorld Trade Shows, MHC welcomes everyone from professional attraction owners and actors to home haunt enthusiasts and Halloween-loving families. Best of all, the show is open to the public – no industry credentials required – offering pro-level education and entertainment for any fan of spooky season.
MHC 2025 promises an action-packed weekend full of haunted excitement. Attendees can explore an expansive trade show floor with top-notch exhibitors, take part in an education-focused seminar series, go on an exclusive behind-the-scenes haunt tour, enjoy thrilling evening parties, compete (or watch) live contests and makeup wars, attend the annual costume ball, network with fellow haunters, and even bring the kids to enjoy the popular MHC Kids Zone.
The show can get overwhelming – so we’ve made this guide to help you plan!
Table of Contents
Quick Facts & Event Overview
- Three-day format: Fri night haunt tour · Sat trade show & parties · Sun trade show finale
- All-access: Open to the public; kids ≤ 12 free on show floor with adult badge
- Signature events: Abandoned Haunted House Tour (Fri), Zombie Walk & Costume Party (Sat), Sinister Visions Costume Contest (Sun)
- Family fun: MHC Kids Zone, live animal demos, hourly ticket giveaways
- New for 2025: Dedicated changing rooms & Halloween Learning Lounge on the show floor
- 100+ exhibitor booths: masks, animatronics, DMX lights, fog machines, makeup, costumes, and more!
- 15+ classes & workshops: Learn life casting, pneumatics, prop controllers, creative costume design, and more.
Three-Day Schedule at a Glance
| Date | Where / When | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Fri June 6 | Stephens Convention Center – Registration 12:00 pm Off-site tour approx. 6:00–11:00 pm | 3:00 pm: Haunt Season film screening (free admission) Evening: Abandoned Haunted House Complex tour (bus departs ~6 pm, returns ~11 pm) – includes dinner stop and Q&A with haunt owners |
| Sat June 7 | Stephens Convention Center – Show Floor 9:30 am–5:00 pm | Vendor exhibit floor & MHC Kids Zone open all day; Chicago Haunt Builders’ walk-through haunted house; Haunted House Chicago Row (meet local haunt actors); 11 live seminars in session throughout the day; Main Stage entertainment with contests and hourly ticket giveaways |
| (Sat Evening) | Rosemont – special events | 5:30 pm: MHC Zombie Walk (free outdoor event) 8:30 pm: MHC Costume Party (at convention center, 8:30 pm–12:00 am) 12:00 am: TransWorld Live After-Party (Embassy Suites hotel, midnight–2:00 am) |
| Sun June 8 | Stephens Convention Center – Show Floor 10:00 am–3:00 pm | Vendor floor & Kids Zone open; Haunted House Chicago Row continues; Main Stage entertainment & final giveaways; 11:15 am: Sinister Visions Costume Contest (all ages); Haunt Olympics final rounds and awards; 2:55 pm: Grand Prize drawing for 2025 haunt tickets |
- Friday, June 6
The convention kicks off with registration opening at noon, followed by a special 3:00 PM screening of “Haunt Season,” filmed at Chicago’s Realm of Terror featuring local haunters. The evening offers an exclusive haunt tour to Abandoned Haunted House Complex in Wisconsin, featuring dinner at the famous Brat Stop. - Saturday, June 7
The convention floor opens from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, featuring vendor exhibits, the Kids Zone, and a full schedule of entertainment including hourly haunted attraction ticket giveaways, Haunt Olympics competitions, and the signature Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars. After the show, join the free Zombie Walk at 5:30 PM, then get ready for the highlight of the weekend—the MHC Costume Party featuring DJ entertainment, dancing, and a costume contest with cash prizes. - Sunday, June 8
The final day runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, highlighted by the Sinister Visions Costume Contest, more Haunt Olympics events, and the grand prize ticket giveaway. The day also features the final round of educational seminars, covering topics from spray foam sculpting to scenic finishing techniques.
Midwest Haunters Convention Exclusive Haunt Tour
Friday Night Tour to Abandoned Haunted House Complex
- Experience three unique attractions:
- Ambush Haunted House: An intense startle-scare haunt with loud noises, unexpected scares, and engulfing scene effects.
- Hysteria Haunted House: A sensory-focused haunt centered on confusion, misdirection, and illusions.
- Stalker Haunted House: An interactive walking experience with characters lurking throughout shacks, scenes, and vegetation.
- All tickets include:
- Dinner at Wisconsin favorite Brat Stop in Kenosha
- Admission to all three haunted houses with live actors
- One drink ticket at the haunt
- Access to the Abandoned gift shop
- Q&A session with the owners
- Tour bus transportation (if selected)
- Schedule: Depart Convention Center at 6:00 PM; dinner at Brat Stop at 7:00 PM; experience haunts from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM; return to hotels by 11:00 PM.
Midwest Haunters Convention Expo Floor Highlights
Vendor Mega-Floor Browse more than 100 exhibitor booths featuring everything from masks and silicone suits to animatronics, DMX lights, fog machines, makeup, costumes, and controllers. Haunt actors from various attractions roam for scare-and-share selfies.
Main Stage Entertainment
- Hourly Haunted House Ticket Giveaways: Win free tickets to participating Chicago-area attractions all weekend.
- Incredible Bats Animal Demonstration: Meet and interact with live animals including tarantulas, bats, snakes, and more.
- Sinister Visions Costume Contest (Sunday): Join the excitement as contestants of all ages compete in Adult, Teen, and Kids categories for prizes and recognition.
- Competitions: Watch the Graveyard Dash, Screamin’ Hot Sauce Challenge, Creepy Creative Costume Challenge, and The Great Build-Off.
- Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars: Five teams compete to create spectacular monsters using only supplied materials in just 30 minutes.
Special Features
- Chicago Haunt Builders’ Walk-Through Haunted House: Experience a showcase haunt right on the show floor.
- Halloween Learning Lounge: A central gathering space for networking, impromptu demos, and connecting with the Halloween community.
- Kids’ Zone: Fun activities for young Halloween enthusiasts.
- Haunted House Chicago Row: Meet the teams behind Chicago’s top haunted attractions.
Educational Seminars
MHC 2025 Seminars & Workshops: The schedule features more than 15 one-hour classes plus an in-depth hands-on workshop. Seminars are taught by well-known industry experts including award-winning haunt designers, makeup artists, and marketing professionals.
Highlights include:
- “Using Life Casting to Build Chilling Props” with Brian Warner
- “Bringing Your Haunted House Icon to Life” with Alex Woday
- “Haunt Like a Pro: 21 Tips to Transform Your Home Haunt” with Allen Hopps
- “Mastering the Art of Scare: Programming Prop Controllers” with Scott Bibus
- “Scream School: Elevating Haunted House Performances” with Allen Hopps
Seminar Pricing: Educational sessions are ticketed separately from general admission. 1-hour seminars cost $35 each (Early Bird rate through May 29) or $45 after May 29. The 2-hour foam workshop is $90 early / $110. You can purchase seminar tickets à la carte for the classes you want to attend – advance purchase is recommended, as popular classes may sell out. (Note: If any seminar tickets remain, they may be available on-site, but the Early Bird pricing ends May 29.)
A Seminar Super Pass ($150) is available and grants access to all seminars on Saturday and Sunday.
All seminars occur in meeting rooms at the convention center, just upstairs from the show floor, and require an MHC admission badge. Registration is required – be sure to check in at the seminar room before the start time to claim your seat.
Saturday, June 7 – Seminars (Room 46 and 48 run concurrently):
| Time | Seminar Title | Speaker(s) | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00–11:00 | Using Life Casting to Build Chilling Props | Brian Warner (Evilusions) | 46 |
| 10:00–11:00 | Bringing Your Haunted House Icon to Life: Character Creation… | Alex “Sharky” Woday (HellsGate Haunted House) | 48 |
| 11:15–12:15 | Haunt Like a Pro: 21 Tips to Transform Your Home Haunt… | Allen Hopps (Dark Hour HH / Stiltbeast) | 46 |
| 11:15–12:15 | Mastering the Art of Scare: Programming Prop Controllers | Scott Bibus (FrightProps) | 48 |
| 12:30–1:30 | Scream School: Elevating Haunted House Performances | Allen Hopps (Dark Hour HH) | 46 |
| 12:30–1:30 | From Shadows to Spotlight: An Artist’s Journey… | Ryan Visingard (Woods of Terror) | 48 |
| 1:45–2:45 | Terror Trends: Social Media Tactics to Pack Your Attraction | FearWorm “Hauntvertising” Team | 46 |
| 1:45–2:45 | FX / Haunt Makeup 101: Essentials for Transformations | Stevie Calabrese (Realm of Terror) | 48 |
| 3:00–4:00 | Beyond the Shadows: Immersive Haunt Design for Ultimate Fright | Boston Petit (Outerworlds) | 46 |
| 3:00–4:00 | Reviving the Frights: Electrical & Mechanical Fixes for Props | Franco Grisi (Skullkrane) | 48 |
| 4:15–5:15 | Is It the Algorithm or Is It You? The Truth of Going Viral | Dave & Aubrey Appel (HorrorProps) | 48 |
Sunday, June 8 – Seminars:
| Time | Seminar Title | Speaker(s) | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00–12:00 | Spray Foam Lab Workshop: Sculpting Monsters with Loctite | Allen Hopps | 48 ✱ |
| 12:30–1:30 | From Concept to Creature: Bringing Your Darkest Ideas to Life | Vinny Ringelsten | 48 |
| 1:45–2:45 | Building Worlds with Brushstrokes: Scenic Finishing Essentials | Teddy Summers (Outerworlds/Dark Hour) | 48 |
All seminar details are subject to change. For the latest schedule or any last-minute additions, refer to the official MHC program or website. It’s a good idea to arrive a few minutes early for sessions, as seating is first-come first-served (aside from the workshop). If you’re juggling seminars and show floor time, plan ahead – many classes repeat some concepts, but most are one-time-only opportunities!
Saturday Night Costume Party
- When & Where: Saturday, June 7, 8:30 PM–12:00 AM, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
- Hosted by: John LaFlamboy (HellsGate Haunted House)
- Features: High-energy DJ and dance floor, multiple bars and themed drink stations
- Costume Contest Categories:
- Best Costume
- Scariest Costume
- Best Group or Couple Costume
- Prizes: Cash prizes for winners in each category, plus metal award plaques
- After Party: TransWorld LIVE After Party continues the fun from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM at the Embassy Suites
Admission: $35 Early Bird through May 29th / $45 After May 29th
Pricing Information
- Weekend badge (Sat + Sun): $35 Early Bird through May 29th / $45 After May 29th
- Friday Abandoned Haunt Tour (bus / drive): $105 / $80 Early Bird through May 29th
- Friday Abandoned Haunt Tour (bus / drive): $120 / $100 After May 29th
- Saturday Night Costume Party: $35 Early Bird through May 29th / $45 After May 29th
- Individual seminars: $35 Early Bird through May 29th / $45 After May 29th
- Spray Foam Lab Workshop: $90 Early Bird through May 29th / $110 After May 29th
Kids under 12 enter the trade show floor free with a paying adult.
Travel Information
Venue: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
Nearest Airport: O’Hare International (ORD) ≈ 10 min
Host Hotels:
- DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago O’Hare/Rosemont ($146+ per night)
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare/Rosemont ($166+ per night)
- Comfort Inn O’Hare Convention Center ($119+ per night)
All host hotels offer special rates for convention attendees (cut-off date: May 23-30, 2025). Most offer complimentary airport shuttles.
Midwest Haunters Convention Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend the convention? The Midwest Haunters Convention is open to everyone—professional haunters, home haunters, actors, and Halloween enthusiasts of all kinds. No industry credentials are required.
Are children allowed at the convention? Yes, children under 12 receive free admission to the convention floor when accompanied by an adult. All children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Do I need to wear a costume? Costumes are encouraged throughout the convention, with formal costume contests held on both Saturday and Sunday.
What’s included with convention admission? Basic admission includes access to the convention floor, entertainment, and vendor exhibits. The haunt tour, costume party, and educational seminars require additional tickets.
Can I drop my kids off at the Kidz Zone? No, there are no childcare services offered at MHC. All children age 16 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Register Now
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the largest Halloween show of its kind in the US at the Midwest Haunters Convention. Early bird pricing ends May 29th, 2025, so secure your spot now for the best rates on convention access, exclusive tours, and educational seminars.
Registration is available online at midwesthaunterscon.com, with options to purchase individual event tickets or create a custom package based on your interests. Whether you’re a professional looking to enhance your haunt business, a home decorator seeking new ideas, or simply a Halloween enthusiast who can’t wait until October, the Midwest Haunters Convention offers something for everyone in the haunt community.
