Daily Events

PLEASE NOTE: This page is a work in progress and many details are pending!

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
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. DETAILS & SCHEDULE PENDING!

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
Time TBA | Depart The Donald Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL | Tour details HERE

Friday, June 5

Registration Opens
12:00 PM | Convention Center Main Lobby

Friday Haunt Tour | GET TICKETS
Time TBA | Depart The Donald Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL | Tour details HERE

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 – 5:15 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.

Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #3
12:00 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage

Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #4
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 11:15 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

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

Haunt Feature and Ticket Giveaway #8
2:05 PM | Convention Center Show Floor Stage

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

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

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

MHC Costume Party
8:30 PM – 12:00 PM | Convention Center | 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! Costume Contest prizes sponsored by CU Scared

Show Floor Closes
5:00 PM

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

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) & Judges TBA.

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!

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, Make-Up, & 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
2:50 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