Top 10 Horror and Sci-Fi Conventions and Film Festivals

The conventions and film festivals on the 12AM calendar this month, in date order. Updated for November 2026.

1. Buried Alive Film Festival

Gold horned trophies with small lit screens for the festival's Sinema Challenge awards stand on a table.

Returning November 5 to 8, 2026, the Buried Alive Film Festival is an in-person horror film event at the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The festival’s program includes horror shorts and features, along with a Featured Filmmaker of the Year.

Nov 5 to 8, 2026, Plaza Theatre, Atlanta, GA. See the event

2. Hal-Con

A group of cosplayers poses in front of a flower backdrop at the convention.

Hal-Con is a sci-fi and fantasy convention scheduled for November 6 to 8, 2026, at the Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its website describes gaming activities including board games, tabletop role-playing games and video games, and lists cosplay team Doll Damage Cosplay among its 2026 featured guests.

Nov 6 to 8, 2026, Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax, NS. See the event

3. Hudson Valley Horror Fest

Two attendees dressed as Ghostface and a plague doctor pose on the show floor at Hudson Valley Horror Fest.

Hudson Valley Horror Fest takes place November 14 and 15, 2026, at the Fishkill Recreation Center in Fishkill, New York. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, with children 12 and under admitted free, according to its website.

Nov 14 to 15, 2026, Fishkill Recreation Center, Fishkill, NY. See the event

4. Blood in the Snow Film Festival

Festival director Kelly Michael Stewart speaks on stage to a full theatre at Blood in the Snow.

Blood in the Snow is a Canadian horror and genre film festival running November 16 to 21, 2026, at Toronto’s Isabel Bader Theatre. Its website says the 15th-year event will screen 61 films, including eight features, four short film programs, a web series showcase and 11 world premieres.

Nov 16 to 21, 2026, Isabel Bader Theatre, Toronto, ON. See the event

5. Days of the Dead Chicago

Days of the Dead logo under a row of horror film characters.

Days of the Dead Chicago is an in-person horror convention scheduled for November 20 to 22, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. The event’s listing gives its location as 8535 W. Higgins Road; Days of the Dead also holds conventions in Atlanta, Indianapolis and Los Angeles.

Nov 20 to 22, 2026, Chicago, IL. See the event

6. Monster-Mania Con 69

Guest banner for Matthew Lillard surrounded by stills from Scream and other films of his.

Monster-Mania Con 69 is a three-day horror convention running November 20 to 22, 2026, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. The event’s website lists autograph hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, alongside a dealers room that is open all three days.

Nov 20 to 22, 2026, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA. See the event

7. Philcon

Artist Donato Giancola sits in his painting studio.

Philcon, the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society Convention, is scheduled for November 20 to 22, 2026, at the DoubleTree in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Its 90th-anniversary program includes principal speaker Charlie Jane Anders, artist guest of honor Donato Giancola and musical guest Sarah Pinsker.

Nov 20 to 22, 2026, DoubleTree, Cherry Hill, NJ. See the event

8. Horror for the Holidays

A zombie Santa Claus sits on a red sofa under a Horror for the Holidays sign between two Christmas trees.

Horror for the Holidays is an in-person horror convention scheduled for November 21 and 22, 2026, at the Hilton Austin Downtown in Austin, Texas. The event listing says it includes a film festival and a Krampus parade.

Nov 21 to 22, 2026, Hilton Austin Downtown, Austin, TX. See the event

9. Chicago TARDIS

Two full size Daleks stand among vendor tables at Chicago TARDIS.

Chicago TARDIS is a Doctor Who convention taking place November 27 to 29, 2026, at the Westin Chicago Lombard in Lombard, Illinois. Its website lists activities including costumed events, gaming, after-hours events and a charity auction, and reports that Nicola Bryant is returning in 2026.

Nov 27 to 29, 2026, Westin Chicago Lombard, Lombard, IL. See the event

10. Loscon 52

Costumed attendees pose in a group at Loscon.

Loscon 52 is a sci-fi and fantasy convention scheduled for November 27 to 29, 2026, at the LAX Hilton in Los Angeles, California. Presented by the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society, it lists writer Bill Wolkoff, artist Selina Phanara, musician Griff the Filker and science guest G. David Nordley.

Nov 27 to 29, 2026, LAX Hilton, Los Angeles, CA. See the event

Join 12AM

Get new posts by email, and choose the topics you want.

Get in Touch

Send a message about screenings or press.

Related