HorrorHound Weekend 2026 Brings Horror Fans Together in Cincinnati

Photojournalist: Antonina Schubert

There is something special about returning to the same convention year after year and watching it continue to evolve. For my fourth time attending HorrorHound Weekend, I returned to Cincinnati for another weekend filled with celebrity guests, panels, cosplay, artists, vendors, tattoos, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate everything that makes the horror community so passionate.

I personally attended Saturday and Sunday this year, and one of the first things I noticed was how much calmer the weekend felt compared to previous years. HorrorHound has always had a lot happening at once, but this year felt easier to navigate. 

Rather than feeling like we had to race from one attraction to the next, this year's atmosphere gave us the chance to slow down, wander, and let the weekend unfold naturally. We could spend time diving into the things that caught our attention, whether that meant sitting in on a panel, discovering something new on the convention floor, or stopping to admire the creativity throughout the event.

There was a little bit of everything waiting around each corner, and we made our way through as much of it as we could.

Going Behind the Scenes with American Horror Story

As a massive American Horror Story fan, one of my personal highlights was getting to sit in on the American Horror Story panel. With Season 13, American Horror Story: Secret Lives, arriving September 24, the timing could not have been better. After hearing stories from the actors who have helped shape the series over the years, I left wondering what surprises the next season could have in store and, of course, who we might see make an appearance.

Denis O’Hare, Finn Wittrock, and Dylan McDermott brought plenty of laughs and stories to the stage. Hearing them talk about their experiences on the series offered a different perspective on some of the characters and moments fans have watched unfold over the years.

One of the most entertaining parts of the panel was hearing about how scripts could change once the actors actually got on set. When discussing the scripts they received from Ryan Murphy, the group jokingly referred to them as a “sheet of lies,” explaining that what was on the page was not always exactly what ended up happening once cameras started rolling.

That unpredictability seemed to be part of the fun of working on the show. The actors shared that they never quite knew what was coming next and that Murphy often kept them on their toes. O’Hare also shared that Murphy always seemed to have a note that was helpful and clarifying, even when things were changing.

When asked about their favorite characters they had played on the series, O’Hare pointed to Liz Taylor and Wittrock selected Dandy Mott. McDermott chose Bruce from American Horror Story: 1984, jokingly describing the character as someone who “didn’t have any thumbs but he was a hitchhiker.”

O’Hare also spoke about how unexpected it was for him to take on a character like Liz. During the costume fitting, he started walking around dressed up in character and something simply clicked. Liz was experiencing her own journey of self-discovery, which O’Hare felt paralleled his own experience discovering the character.

The panel also included plenty of stories from behind the scenes and insight into how some of the show's memorable moments came together. You could tell these three actors genuinely enjoyed reminiscing about their time on the series and reconnecting with fans who have followed their work.

With Season 13 just around the corner, hearing these stories was a fun reminder of just how much history sits behind a series that continues to surprise its audience.

Who knows what, or who, we might see next?

Mortal Kombat, Dead Meat, and Stories Fans Came to Hear

The Mortal Kombat panel was another standout. Linden Ashby, Robin Shou, Paul W.S. Anderson, and Chris Casamassa brought an infectious energy to the stage, and it was obvious that their friendships from the film have continued long after filming wrapped.

The panel was filled with stories from the set, funny memories from off the clock, and explanations of how certain scenes were filmed. Watching the four of them reconnect and hearing them reminisce about making the movie made the panel especially fun. You could tell they genuinely still enjoy spending time together and sharing those memories with fans.

The stories were good enough that my friend and I went home and immediately put on Mortal Kombat for a rewatch.

The Dead Meat panel offered a completely different kind of connection to the horror community. Chelsea Rebecca and James A. Janisse have built their business around their genuine passion for horror, and it was refreshing to hear from two people who clearly understand what it means to be a fan.

The questions and answers felt real and authentic, with plenty of moments where you could hear the audience reacting because they had clearly wondered about the same things. Their love for the genre and the community surrounding it was obvious, and that passion is a huge part of what makes Dead Meat so enjoyable to follow.

I am excited to continue following their journey and see what they create next.

Cosplay That Left Us in Awe

One of my favorite parts of any convention is always the cosplay competition, and this year's Horrors of Cosplay competition was phenomenal.

With both kids and adults competing, the amount of talent on display was incredible. The details, originality, and creativity behind the costumes showed just how much time, passion, and dedication went into bringing each concept to life.

One moment that especially stuck with me came when we heard about one of the younger contestants bonding with their grandfather while creating their cosplay together. Cue the tears. I'm a sap, but there was something genuinely special about hearing how a shared love of creativity and fandom could bring two generations together.

That is the kind of story that makes cosplay about so much more than the costumes themselves.

I also had the chance to photograph the incredible cosplay throughout the weekend, and there was far too much talent to fit into this review. Check out our full Horrors of Cosplay gallery to see more of the characters and creations that caught my eye throughout HorrorHound Weekend.

Mask Fest, Tattoos, and Creative Inspiration

We also made our way through the entire Mask Fest area, and my jaw just continued to drop the more we walked around.

The craftsmanship and creativity behind the masks were incredible, and getting to speak with some of the artists made the experience even better. Hearing them talk about their creative processes, how they built their pieces, and where their ideas came from gave us an even greater appreciation for the finished creations.

There was so much talent packed into the space that it was nearly impossible to walk away without finding something that caught your attention.

The tattoo area also nearly got me. I may not have added to my ever-growing collection this time around, but some of the Scream-inspired flash options came dangerously close to convincing me otherwise. We also got to watch a few attendees get their newest pieces throughout the weekend, adding another fun element to the convention experience.

Night Terrors Brings the Horror After Dark

For those looking to keep the party going after the convention floor closes, Night Terrors offered an after-hours experience combining live music, activities, and a darker atmosphere.

This year's musical lineup featured The Rumours, Dark Ride, The Epidemic, and The Big Bad, giving attendees a chance to keep enjoying live entertainment after the main convention activities.

There were also games and activities throughout the evening, including one where I managed to walk away with a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck. Somehow, that little duck became one of my favorite souvenirs of the weekend.

A Little Shopping Never Hurts

Of course, no HorrorHound Weekend experience would be complete without spending some time wandering through the vendor floor.

I love browsing the vendors, and I definitely went home with some new goodies. There was plenty to discover from artists, creators, and sellers throughout the space.

One aspect that did give me pause this year was seeing more sexualized artwork depicting women in violent situations. While horror is certainly a genre that explores mature and disturbing themes, some of these pieces felt uncomfortable in a convention environment that welcomes families. It was especially noticeable when some artwork needed to be covered while on display.

It was a relatively small part of an otherwise enjoyable vendor experience, but it is something I hope continues to be considered as HorrorHound grows.

Connecting With the Guests

Of course, the celebrity guests remain one of the biggest draws of HorrorHound Weekend, and there are so many different ways for fans to create their own memories.

Whether it is meeting someone at their table for an autograph and selfie or opting for a professional photo op, the convention gives fans plenty of opportunities to connect with the people behind the characters and franchises they love.

One of my favorite things about attending HorrorHound is seeing those moments play out around me. I always love hearing fans talk about their experiences and seeing the photos they get to take home.

This year, I heard from several fans who had professional photos taken with Robert Englund, including some incredible photos featuring his Freddy Krueger claw. The results were ICONIC.

I also had the opportunity to meet Bryce Dallas Howard, who was one of the guests I was especially excited to see announced for this year's convention. Getting to chat with her about Jurassic World, the Ohio Renaissance Festival, tattoos, and more was a memorable part of my weekend.

Those small interactions are what make conventions so special. The guests are part of the experience, but the memories fans create with them are what stay with you long after the weekend ends.

I also had the chance to capture some of the incredible guests who attended this year's HorrorHound through my Polaroid series. You can check out The Faces of HorrorHound Weekend 2026 for a closer look at some of the talent who stepped in front of my camera.

Four Years of HorrorHound and Counting

After attending HorrorHound Weekend for four years, I continue to understand why it remains one of my favorite conventions.

It is an affordable way to spend a weekend immersed in horror and fandom, with enough activities and experiences to make each day feel different. There are always new guests to meet, new costumes to admire, new artists to discover, and new stories to hear.

This year may have felt a little different from previous HorrorHound Weekends. The atmosphere was calmer, the convention felt a little more niche, and some of the programming naturally appealed to different corners of the horror community. But none of that takes away from what makes the weekend special.

At the heart of HorrorHound is the passion.

Whether it is an actor reconnecting with longtime friends, a cosplayer showing off months of hard work, a mask artist explaining their creative process, a fan asking a question during a panel, or someone simply walking around in a horror T-shirt because they love the genre, HorrorHound continues to bring together people who genuinely love fandom.

And after another weekend in Cincinnati, I am already looking forward to seeing what next year's HorrorHound Weekend brings.