Texas Frightmare Weekend 2026 Preview - 20th Anniversary!

 

Texas Frightmare Weekend – May 22-24

20^th Anniversary Show

For horror fans, spring in Texas means one scary thing: Texas Frightmare Weekend. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, TFW has grown into one of the largest horror conventions in the nation—and I’ve been fortunate enough to attend since the very first show back in 2006, when it was held at the small Grapevine Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. That inaugural event already boasted an impressive guest list, including Joe Bob Briggs, scream queens Linnea Quigley and Brinke Stevens, effects legend Tom Savini, and more. A Lifetime Achievement Award was even presented to the “founding father of bad cinematic blood,” Herschell Gordon Lewis, making it clear from the start that this convention was serious about honoring horror history. Even in those early days, you could feel the passion in the room. It was intimate, grassroots, and packed with die-hard fans. Two decades later, the show has expanded dramatically, but the spirit remains the same—and I still have a great time every year.

For the past few years, the event has taken place at the much larger Irving Convention Center (500 West Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX 75039), and it fills the venue wall-to-wall with horror energy. Texas Frightmare Weekend is famous for its celebrity meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, professional photo ops, cosplay, film screenings, panel discussions, and awesome parties. The vendor floor is a collector’s paradise, offering everything from rare vintage horror memorabilia and autographed items to DVDs, VHS tapes, Blu-rays, toys, action figures, original artwork, and horror-themed clothing.

This milestone 20th anniversary celebration features some incredible reunions and major guests. Horror fans will be lining up for the Saw reunion with Tobin Bell, the chilling Jigsaw himself; Shawnee Smith, who became a franchise mainstay as Amanda; and Leigh Whannell, co-creator and writer of Saw who later directed acclaimed genre hits like Insidious: Chapter 3 and The Invisible Man. It’s a rare opportunity to see key architects of one of the most successful horror franchises of the 2000s together in one place.

Equally exciting is the announcement of the Halloween III: Season of the Witch reunion (my second favorite film in the franchise), featuring Tom Atkins—beloved for roles in The Fog, Night of the Creeps, and Escape from New York—alongside Stacey Nelkin and writer-director Tommy Lee Wallace. Halloween III has evolved from misunderstood sequel to cult classic, and this once-in-a-lifetime reunion will be a major draw for fans of the franchise.

Beyond the reunions, the guest list is stacked with familiar faces from horror and beyond. Warwick Davis, known for Leprechaun, Willow, and multiple Star Wars and Harry Potter films, bridges horror and fantasy fandoms. Mira Sorvino, an Academy Award winner for Mighty Aphrodite, also starred in genre fare like Mimic. Skeet Ulrich is forever linked to Scream and The Craft, two defining films of 1990s horror, and he was great as Jughead’s dad in Riverdale. Billy Zane brings crossover appeal from Demon Knight, Dead Calm, and the blockbuster Titanic. And Gina Gershon, known for Bound and Face/Off, adds even more star power to the lineup.

From its humble beginnings in Grapevine to its current status as a nationally recognized horror powerhouse, Texas Frightmare Weekend has become a permanent highlight on my calendar. Whether you’re a lifelong horror devotee, a memorabilia collector hunting rare treasures, or simply someone who loves the electric atmosphere of genre fandom, this 20th anniversary edition promises to be something special. I’ll be there—just like I have been since 2006—and I can’t wait to celebrate two decades of frights.

For hours, schedule, and other information, click HERE.