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Events and Experiences

Whether you’re a first-time guest or a seasoned survivor, there is always more to discover at ScareFest Weekend. Collect trading cards, test your horror knowledge, enjoy live performances, explore creative demonstrations, join community meetups and keep the fun going with special after-hours events. Many activities are included with admission while select limited-capacity experiences require a separate ticket. Explore everything happening throughout the weekend and start planning your ScareFest adventure!

You can also check out the interactive floor plan: Click here to visit the map!

Featured Experiences
All Weekend
During The Show
Kids Day
After Hours & Offsite
Promotional graphic for ScareFest Weekend’s Battle Axe Event featuring Felissa Rose, R.A. Mihailoff, Kane Hodder and Steve Nappe. The event is part of ScareFest Weekend, October 23–25, 2026, at Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky. The four guests are pictured in front of wooden axe-throwing targets, with several holding axes. ScareFestWeekend.com appears at the bottom.

BATTLE AXES
Thursday, October 22 | Separate Ticket Required

Promotional graphic for Zombie School with Greg Nicotero at ScareFest Weekend, October 23–25, 2026, at Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky. The image shows Greg Nicotero screaming as a crowd of bloodied zombies reaches toward him. ScareFestWeekend.com appears at the bottom.

ZOMBIE SCHOOL
Sunday, October 25 | Separate Ticket Required

WICKEDBEARD’S COSPLAY SHOWDOWN
Sunday, October 25 | Included With Admission
Online sign-ups available

 

All Weekend Experiences
  • Where: Convention floor – pick up cards at the Vendor table (Under the big 5 on Level 3)
  • When: Play anytime during show hours, turn in by Sunday at 4 PM
  • Description: Spot things around ScareFest (from costumes to props) and mark them off your card. Completed cards can be entered for prize drawings.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Hidden throughout the convention, plus select vendor and guest tables
  • When: All weekend
  • Description: Over 20,000 ScareFest cards are scattered across the event. Collect them, trade with friends, and see if you can complete the series!
  • Cost: Free with admission

Click Here for more information on ScareFest Trading Cards. Visit our Add-Ons  page to purchase prebuilt decks.

  • Where: Throughout the convention center & “Trinket Tree” is located in the Entertainment room (Level 2 – Meeting room 6-8)
  • When: All weekend
  • Description: Bring handmade bracelets, stickers, magnets or other small trinkets to exchange with fellow fans. A simple way to connect and make new ScareFest friends.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Throughout the convention center
  • When: All weekend
  • Description: Cosplayers roam ScareFest showing off their craft, and most love posing for photos! Be sure to ask permission before snapping pics.
  •  Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Throughout the event (check booths for special setups)
  • When: All weekend
  • Description: Strike a pose with ScareFest’s themed props and displays. Some vendor-hosted displays may charge a small fee — please ask first if unsure.
  • Cost: Free with admission (unless noted at vendor booths)
  • Where: Level 2 – Meeting Room 5
  • When: All weekend during con hours(October 23-25)
  • Description: Step into the terror with two thrilling live-action experiences from STN Adventure Games. Dead Alley is a brand-new arcade-style challenge featuring live actors (no VR), where up to 4 players can test their survival skills. Chained is an escape-style horror experience for groups of up to 6 players, putting your wits and teamwork to the ultimate test. Play one—or face both—for a full dose of fear.
  • Cost: $10 per person for Dead Alley, $20 per person for Chained, or $25 for both.
  • Where: Level 2 – Classroom (Meeting Room 9)
  • When: Classes each day, schedule at the bottom of this page.
  • Description: Learn insider tips, tricks, and techniques from experienced cosplayers. Perfect for beginners and veterans looking to level up their craft.
  •  Cost: Free & Ticketed. Ticketed classes available Here
  • Where: Level 1 – Ballroom 2 (Main Panel Room), Level 2 – Meeting Rooms 12 & 13 (Panel Room 2), Level 2 – Meeting Rooms 6-8 (Entertainment Room) Click here to visit the floorplan
  • When: Scheduled all weekend Click here for schedule
  • Description: From the paranormal to pop culture, our  panelists bring unique insights, stories, and scares to the stage.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Meeting Rooms 3 & 4
  • When: Scheduled all weekend (Click here to see the schedule)
  • Description: Hear directly from featured guests, authors, and experts as they share personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and thought-provoking talks. These spotlight sessions offer a closer look at the people shaping the worlds of horror and the paranormal.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Various locations around the convention center
  • When: Scheduled throughout the weekend (check our ScareFest Weekend Fans! Facebook group)
  • Description: Connect with fellow horror lovers, fandom groups, and communities who call ScareFest home. A great way to make friends that last beyond the weekend.
  • Cost: Free with admission
During the show

FRIDAY

  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room
  • When: 6:00 PM Friday
  • Description: A horror game like no other.  Horror movies have some of the best and worst death scenes of all times! Come test your knowledge by picking out famous last words.  Can you recognize which movie has these ……..Killer Lines? 
  • • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Panel Room 2 – Level 2, Meeting Rooms 12 & 13
  • When: 7:00 PM
  • Description: Dress as your favorite scream character from 1996 “Scream” & reenact your favorite scene, either true to form or with a comedic spin. Prize awarded for best performance!
  •  Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room
  • When: 7:30pm Saturday
  • Description: You gotta fight for your right to party at ScareFest Weekend! Imposters in Effect are celebrating 40 years of the Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill by performing the entire album live. From “Rhymin & Stealin” to “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” and “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!),” hear every track from the album that started it all. Bring your crew, bring your voice and get ready for a full-album performance that’s going to get loud.
  •  Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room
  • When: 9:30pm Friday  
  • Description: Glamour meets the macabre at Horror Drag Theater! Enjoy a wickedly entertaining show filled with spooky looks, fierce performances and killer stage presence.
     Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: LexLive
  • When: 9:15pm Friday  
  • Description: Join the Killer Klowns cast for a sweet treat with a sinister twist! The Ice Scream Social serves up ice cream, laughs and a killer good time with your favorite cosmic clowns.
  •  Cost: SOLD OUT
  • Where: LexLive
  • When: 9:15pm Friday  
  • Description: Step up to the mic and sing your heart out at Scaryoke! From killer classics to guilty pleasures, pick your song and give us a performance worth screaming about.
  •  Cost: Free

SATURDAY

  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room
  • When: 12:00 PM Saturday
  • Description: Step up to the mic and share your original words of terror, or sit back and experience haunting verses performed live by fans and creators.
  • • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Main Street Lobby
  • When: 1:00 pm Saturday
  • Description: Join Jason Vanntastic and learn the art of blood spatter
  •  Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment room
  • When: 2:00 pm Saturday
  • Description: Think you have the most sinister laugh at ScareFest? Step up to the mic and unleash your best villainous cackle in the Evil Laugh Contest. Let’s hear how wicked you can be!
  •  Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Ballroom 2
  • When: Saturday — Prejudging 2–4 PM, Finals at 6 PM
  • Description: Costumes everywhere! Watch incredible cosplayers compete for the crown. From handmade horrors to pop culture icons, this showdown is a fan favorite.  Sign Up Here
  •  Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment room
  • When: 4:00PM Saturday
  • Description: We are not done crying for Ghost in Kentucky. Join the Meeting of the Clergy for photo ops, trinket trading, cosplays, and more! We will have an exclusive print from artist Terence Muncy, and perhaps a singalong!
  • Cost: Free 
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room
  • When: TBD
  • Description: Horror knowledge battles all weekend long — test your memory of movies, monsters, and the macabre against other fans. Prizes for the top minds!
  •  Cost: Free with admission

SUNDAY

  • Where: Level 1 – Panel Room 1 – Ballroom 2
  • When: 9:30 AM
  • Description: Join Lola,  for a Scarefest Original Meditation. Release the Stabby, a 20 minute journey into relaxation, breathing and visualization on releasing the negative energy you may be holding onto.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room (Meeting Rooms 6-8)
  • When: 12:00–1:00 PM Sunday
  • Description: High-energy dance performance geared toward children—interactive moments and lots of movement.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Classroom (Meeting Rooms 9)
  • When: 12:00–1:00 PM Sunday
  • Description: Create your own spooky faux taxidermy piece with gilded bugs, tiny skulls, ornate frames, and creepy little details. Part gothic gallery wall, part cabinet of curiosities, and fully yours to make and take home.
  • Cost: Ticketed, purchase here
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room (Meeting Rooms 6-8)
  • When: 4:00–5:00 PM Sunday
  • Description: Learn how Greg Nicotero trains the iconic “walkers” in this 45-minute interactive class. Watch live demonstrations, hear behind-the-scenes stories, askquestions, and discover what it takes to bring the undead to life.
  • Cost: Ticketed, click here 
  • Where: Level 2 – Classroom (Meeting Rooms 9)
  • When: 1:00–2:00 PM Sunday
  • Description: Create your very own miniature Potion Bottle Keychain — spooky, magical, creepy, or cute… you decide! Add your own special touches and leave with a one-of-a-kind little potion!
  • Cost: Ticketed, purchase here
Kids Day
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room (Meeting Rooms 6-8)
  • When: 11:30am-1:30pm Sunday
  • Description: Join us for some fun free craft projects. Parent supervision is required at all times. 
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room (Meeting Rooms 6-8)
  • When: 1:00–1:30 PM Sunday
  • Description: Kids take the mic to unleash their best wicked cackles—judged for creativity, volume, and stage presence. Prizes and bragging rights!
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room (Meeting Rooms 6-8)
  • When: 1:45–3:00 PM Sunday (0-8 years followed by 9-15 years)
  • Description: Show off your spooky, silly, or heroic look! Quick walk-on, cheers from the crowd, and fun awards.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 2 – Entertainment Room (Meeting Rooms 6-8)
  • When: 4:00–5:00 PM Sunday
  • Description: Family-friendly Q&A and stories; bring your curiosities and enjoy behind-the-scenes insights tailored for kids.
  •   Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Level 1 & 3 Vendor Hall 
  • When: All day – Sunday
  • Description: Vendors will be passing out candy to kids during trick or treating. red pennant banners to designate vendors/artists/creators participating in Trick or Treat on Sunday.
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: Convention floor. Cards will be inside the kids day bags. 
  • When: All day – Sunday (Completed cards due by 4pm)
  • Description: A special spooky scavenger hunt just for Kids’ Day! Explore ScareFest, spot fun costumes, creepy creatures, and hidden surprises, and mark them off your bingo card. Completed cards can be entered into prize drawings!
  • Cost: Free with admission
  • Where: 164 Turner Cmns Wy #110, Lexington, KY 40511
  • When: Thursday 5:00pm
  • Description: Take aim with horror favorites Kane Hodder, Felissa Rose, R.A. Mihailoff and Steve Nappe at Battle Axes! Join them for axe throwing, laughs and a killer start to ScareFest Weekend.
  •  Cost: $173
  • Where: Night Kitty – 545 S Broadway #185, Lexington, KY 40508
  • When: Thursday 6:00pm-10:00pm
  • Description: Kick off ScareFest Weekend with Scaryoke Night at Night Kitty! Grab the mic or cheer on your fellow horror fans for an evening of karaoke, laughs and killer tunes on

  • Cost: Free – All Ages until 10pm / 10pm starts cover and 21+

  • Where: LexLive – 301 S. Broadway
  • When: Friday 9:00pm-??? / Saturday: 9:00pm-???
  • Description: Scaryoke is our fan-favorite after-hours tradition where horror lovers grab the mic and let loose with their best (and sometimes blood-curdling) performances. Whether you’re belting out classics, bringing spooky twists to your favorite songs, or just cheering from the crowd, it’s a night of music, laughter, and unforgettable scares.
  •  Cost: Free – All Ages
  • Where: Manchester Music Hall – 899 Manchester St
  • When: Saturday  8:15 for VIP ticket holders. 9:15pm for general admission ticket holders
  • Description: Keep the ScareFest fun going after dark at our VIP Party at Manchester Music Hall! Cherry Bombs kick off the night with an electrifying performance before Corey Taylor takes the stage with CMFT for a night of music and mayhem. Food trucks on site. 
  •  Cost: Ticketed, click here