Monsterpalooza 2026 – Pasadena, CA May29-31
Three days in a convention center filled with people like me but you know, probably cooler. Makers, imagineers, fans dressed up and the celebrities that inspire them. A friend who was vending at the event suggested Friday might be the best for a one day experience, people would be fresh and friendly and maybe not as crowded as Saturday. After getting over being sick and feeling low energy but not wanting to miss out, the 6pm to 11pm day sounded perfect. I was planning on going solo but last-minute my friend Christina decided to join me on this spooky adventure, so the trip was off to a great start.
It’s Alive with Creativity
I’ve “Comic Coned” and “Midsummer Screamed” but I didn’t head into Monsterpalooza 2026 with a to-do list, a plan of what to buy or who to meet, just wanted to feel some Halloween vibes and be around those I consider my people. As an October 31st junkie I was looking to get my Halloween fix.
What makes for a good palooza? Is it the size of the event, the variety of headliners or is it about the passion of the attendees? The fans that go all out, showing dedication to artists in costume and commitment? With over 450 exhibitors, a Monster Museum, makeup demonstrations and special celebrity guests it was lining up to be a great event.
In line I counted 13 Hellfire Club t-shirts. It wasn’t a heavy costume day, but of course there were Michael Myers masks, Ghostface and an Art the Clown or two roaming the grounds. I saw a take on Lily Munster in a different color scheme and Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, was represented with guests dressed as the whole cast. I myself am strange and unusual so I loved that.
Fangirl Shopping
With brands like Rock n Horror and Kreepsville, I knew this could be a spendy event just considering fun fashion finds, not even considering the drops and art I would encounter… a place where budgets would be blown by people with much more in their bank accounts than mine but I spent my fun money just a few steps in.
StrangeCvlt was there and they were having a sale. I met Ernie Nuñez, designer, owner, and founder of Strange CVLT and was so excited, I could feel Christina’s embarrassment and concern for my wallet. I gushed about my love for my furry jackolantern platforms and my excitement over Monster Mall, a traveling spooky shopping experience for my fellow Halloween junkies. Then I asked for a selfie.
There were a couple pieces that were on my birthday wish list, items that are really summer essentials, the Salem Bat Bag and RIP Bat Clogs, and I got both so I would say we were off to a successful start.
Shopping Til You Drop Dead
My fun money long gone with no buyer’s remorse, I did take photos of other items that tickled my soul while making plans on when and how I would treat myself.
My long-held desire to have my very own Wolf Wolf doll almost came to fruition thanks to a company called Coffin Creeps. I found their vintage dolls irresistible and with a witch, creature and Frankenstein it wouldn’t be easy to decide. Maybe it was more of a hang on a shelf and “collect them all” type of situation?
Next the gilded treasures at Dealer of the Dead caught my eye. Tarah Una makes art of x-rays, bones and wet specimens mixed with vintage finds. I was surprised it was my first time coming across her business but I know it won’t be my last. Her creepy creations had an upscale look, more polished than crafty and felt like fine art.
As someone who almost daily wears a bat pack, a backpack that looks like a bat, of course Windy Willow’s frog bags seem like a sensible and necessary purchase. While most living frogs would at best make for a good coin purse, Windy Willows could easily fit all of your daily needs, phone, wallet and a hefty supply of flies. Toad-ly cool, they ranged in color from green to purple and of course there were small hats to buy for your amphibious bag.
Demonsterous Displays
I love the smell of fresh pumpkin, but it’s something I rarely get to enjoy outside of October… now I didn’t give them the sniff test but was excited to see live pumpkin carving by Carvers and Creators Matt Harper and Paul Dever. You, like me, may have seen their work on Food Network, Matt on Halloween Wars and Paul on Outrageous Pumpkins. I’ve long been in awe of the sculpting that pumpkin artists do and these artists creating live brought energy and an interactive element that added to the event. It was early in the night and the event so they were just getting started. I wanted carving tips and to know how their skills have shaped being part of unique events like this but I thought playing it cool might be a better move after the geek out at the Strange Cvlt booth so I asked for a couple photos and moved along. If I lingered at each booth like this we would never make it through the whole event.
The carvers weren’t the only live action happening in the booths, makeup and special effects artists were transforming models throughout the night. Something I have seen at other events but the glowing green beacon that was Nocturnal Designz’s model was a great marker to the rows of vendors. She wore antlers and made for a pretty monster instead of a creature of nightmares. That seemed to be the range for creators, nightmarish to sweet and otherworldly. A monster is not to be confined.
Outta Line
I’m not good with lines, standing around or waiting. I’m not sure if it’s a matter of patience or the ache in my bones if I can’t keep moving. Due to my shortcoming we did miss out on the Monster Museum. As I walked by tables of celebrity signings I saw Fairuza Balk’s table, Lin Shaye and as we were heading into the theater I looked over my shoulder and saw Alice Cooper. Having an Insidious moment or invoking Manon with Nancy herself definitely sounds appealing to me but I’m not sure the geeky interaction would mean much to them so we kept on walking.
Meeting Creators
The perfect mix of cute and creepy, Ted Haines the Foam Fabber and monster maker, was there with his wife. Both creators, she had Halloween-inspired stained glass creations but Ted said he’s the real Halloween fanatic in his home. I love that a creative couple can share their talents and create together and as a costume maker she had a hand in dressing the creations like the witch who has been an important part of their home decor for over ten Halloweens. The expressive eyes seem to be part of Ted’s signature design. I fell in love with his fortune teller, Frankenstein and a few other ghouls. They were the type of creations you wanted to hear their story and step into their world, hear their voice and get to experience their personality. Simply magical and I can’t comprehend what trick or treating at the Haines house would be like.
Then there were the frighteningly realistic sci-fi creations of Imaginerick. Masks, sculptures, life-sized character displays that have you questioning if they were about to move—maybe I’ve gone to too many haunts. I’m in awe of artists like Erick Rodriguez who launched Imaginerick in 2000, turning his talent and love of ‘80s horror into a dream career and working on Marvel movies and TV shows. It’s hard to believe that this art is obtainable. You can get Hollywood-production-worthy pieces on Etsy, bringing a little movie magic home.
Am I a Monsterpaloozer?
I didn’t dress up, I didn’t plan and I didn’t leave with my own creature creation, an autograph or a celebrity photo, does that mean I am a “Monsterpaloozer”? Did I make the most of the experience, maybe not, but did I find Halloween? YES! Even though I didn’t leave with all the treats my haunted heart desired I got my fix. I could have geeked out more and maybe made a couple friends or gotten a new restraining order or two and maybe that’s the goal for the next event. You don’t have to feel 100% or commit to a long weekend and hotel stays. Sometimes it’s just good to go, get out and hang with monsters. If your pumpkin pail is empty, enjoy the eye candy and ask questions and say hi.
I wish I had the talent of the artists I saw or the entrepreneurial drive of the vendors there making it happen but that doesn’t mean I don’t belong. I saw cool things, I had quality time with a good friend and left with a couple summer essentials. Friday was a perfect fit for what I needed and I can’t wait for my next Halloween adventure.