by Dot Cannon

ScareLA™ 2018 is just about to darken the Los Angeles Convention Center.

And we mean that in the nicest possible way.  We also mean it literally.

For its sixth anniversary, Los Angeles’ original Halloween convention ventures into new eerie territory…

… They’re turning off the lights!

From the minute they come in, ghosts and ghouls will experience ScareLA™ 2018  in a low-lit, “Halloween night’ environment.

They’ll also experience it as the world’s first summer Halloween pop-up theme park.   This year’s theme: “Descend Into Darkness”.

“At ScareLA™, we pride ourselves on truly pushing the boundaries of what a convention can and should be,“ says ScareLA™ founder and Executive Producer Lora Ivanova, in a recent press release.

“After quickly becoming the largest event of its kind, we are now setting our sights on a new goal – delivering the ultimate scare fan experience.

“What better way to do that than by truly embracing what Halloween is all about – complete immersion, engagement and dark fun!”

The shivers of anticipation

We can absolutely attest to the “immersion, engagement and fun” aspects.

We’ve had the gooseflesh-raising pleasure of attending every ScareLA™ event since the show started in 2013.

And this year, we have two ScareLA™ 2018 surprises,  which we hope will leave you screaming with delight.

The first?   A 20% discount off your tickets!  When you order your tickets here, type in this promo code: 20ween.

And the second?  We get to record Over Coffee® live on the show floor, on Day One of ScareLA™, Saturday, August 25th!

Come say “boo” to us as we explore the science, technology, and “dark arts” of a great scare with a lot of the denizens of ScareLA™’s unique “Halloween in the summer” celebration, between 3:15 and 5:00 that afternoon.

But, you’ll want to be at ScareLA™ a lot earlier than that.

We hear that the bands, which  start playing at 10:30 each morning to welcome incoming zombies, demented clowns and other creepy creatures, will be something to shriek about.

And once the festivities start at the “witching hour” of 11:00 each morning, you’ll be haunted by the fear of missing something.  (

With more than 200,000 square feet of exhibitors, experiences,  film screenings, talks, seminars, entertainment and haunts, that ominous feeling won’t be easily laid to rest.    You’ll have to make the chilling choice between:

The haunts;

The appearances (this year’s special ghosts–er, guests–include Linda Blair of “The Exorcist” fame!…

…And even the most demented zombie would never want to miss John Murdy and Chris Williams’ preview of Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights”);

The workshops;

The experiences;

The entertainers (yes, the zombie ballet IS awesome!);

And sliding into a state of pre-Halloween dark delight.

Oh, wait–that last is inevitable anyway.  There’s no escape.

ScareLA™ 2018 happens Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  “Witching hours” are 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday.  Our favorite monsters at ScareLA™ are also hosting a costume party, “Summerween”, on Saturday evening, 8 pm to 2 am, and you’re invited!  “Summerween” tickets are available here.

Warm thanks to ScareLA™ for their scary amazing hospitality!   Here are links to a couple of our favorite interviews from past events.