Half-way to Halloween Celebrations in Long Beach

Long Beach is getting ready for the Halloween season with the Halfway to Halloween Hootenanny and Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror Convention. 

Halfway to Halloween Hootenanny will take place on April 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Museum of Latin American Art. The event is being put on by Festival Obscura and Craft Beer LB and will feature over 40 craft breweries, cideries, and wineries. There will also be live music, food vendors, and local artists. 

The event is open to anyone age 21 or older, and tickets range from $50 for general admission tickets to $70 for VIP tickets. General admission tickets include entrance to the event at 1 p.m. as well as unlimited tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. VIP tickets allow for an additional hour inside the event with entrance at 12 p.m. and also include the souvenir tasting glass with unlimited tastings. 

Special designated driver tickets are available at $20. Those who purchase this ticket will not be able to drink inside the event. IDs are required for everyone attending the event including those with a designated driver ticket. Tickets are available for purchase at eventbrite.com

Midsummer Scream will be coming to Long Beach July 29 through 31 and tickets are currently being offered for 40% off of general admission prices with the discount code SCREAM. 

Midsummer Scream will bring more than 300 vendors featuring props, collectibles, and apparel to the Long Beach Convention Center. The event will also feature horror movie film festival The Screaming Room, The Museum of Halloween showcasing vintage collectibles, and the Hall of Shadows which will house more than a dozen haunted attractions. 

Ticket options include general admission starting at $32 which includes access to the special guest panels, exhibits, haunted attractions, and many other events offered at the convention. 

Gold Bat passes start at $135 and are not eligible for the 40% discount promotion. The Gold Bat pass offers priority access to many of the events inside the convention including panels and select attractions in the Hall of Shadows. Gold Bat pass purchasers will also receive limited-edition collectibles and admission into the Midsummer Scream After Dark party. Tickets can be purchased at universe.com

Midsummer Scream is currently unable to provide COVID 19 guidelines for the event as state requirements continue to change. Guidelines such as vaccine or mask requirements will be given closer to the event dates in July. Midsummer Scream is encouraging guests to stay up to date with the current guidelines and requirements set by the City of Long Beach Health Department. 

Horror and Halloween fans can look forward to events like the Halloween Hootenanny and Midsummer Scream as they wait with anticipation for October 31 to finally arrive. 

By Morgan Trivitt

Photo from Festival Obscura