The Halloween & Party Expo will take place this week - Tuesday, January 11th through Thursday, January 13th - at the Mirage Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. HPE is a one-stop shopping destination for costumes, party goods, masks, accessories, makeup, decorations, props, and more. This year features over 100 exhibitors including: California Costumes, Cinema Secrets, Distortions Unlimited, Froggy's Fog, Halloween Costume Association, Morris Costumes, Trick or Treat Studios, Wolfe FX, and more. You can browse all exhibitors and learn more about the event via the online show directory and exhibitor floor plan. Halloween & Party Expo is open to all qualified industry professionals. Free registration is still available online. All registrants must show poof of a negative COVID test or full COVID-19 vaccination to participate. Masks will be required for all indoor spaces. 

Fear Expo Live will take place next weekend on January 21st - 23rd at the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Kentucky. The event will feature an exhibit floor, networking events, seminars, workshops, costume party, and more. Current exhibitors include: VFXcreates.com, Hot Wire Foam Factory, Pumpkin Pulp, Dental Distortions WolfeFX, Little Spider Creations, and many more. Friday through Sunday the event will feature educational programming including classes and workshops. In Creating a Foam Stunt Prop with Michael Burnett from FrightNight Studios LLC (Friday Workshop @ 2:30 p.m), participants will learn hands on to seam, assemble, and finish a realistic film-quality urethane foam stunt axe. In Monster Tips for Faster and Better Airbrush Makeup with Michael Green from MJG Bodyart (Saturday Class @ 2:30 p.m.) participants will learn about some simple steps to keep an airbrush system running smooth, as well as tips, techniques and tools to create more stunning looks quickly. In Making An Auto Drop Panel with Douglas Shelden from The Haunt (Sunday Workshop @ 9:00 a.m.) participants will learn how to measure, cut, and build a drop panel. A full list of all seminars and workshops can be found on the event's website, and education tickets range from $25 - $185 per class/workshop.

TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show has announced the theme of this year's costume ball: A Vintage Halloween. This celebration of nostalgic Halloween fun will feature a live DJ, dancing, door prizes, cash bar, appetizers, and more. Costumes and creative attire are encouraged (but not required). The costume party takes place on Saturday, March 19th from 8:00 p.m. - Midnight at the America's Center Ballroom. Registered guests can buy tickets online for $35, or on site for $40. 

Distortions Unlimited has released a new prop for this Halloween season: Jack Widow. This 22-pound giant spider with a jack-o-lantern body is 3' long from head to tail with up to a 5' leg span. The prop is made of latex and foam filled with metal armature. The pumpkin spider also features two LED lights to create an eerie glow. The prop is normally priced at $458, but is currently on sale for $398 for a limited time. 

Spirit Halloween has released a new animatronic for the new year: Dr. Illume. This 5.6' mad scientist dons a lab coat and holds a green beaker while his glowing LED eyes, gurgling screams, and rocking torso startle all who dare to pass by. The animatronic is on sale now on Spirit Halloween's website for $219.99. 

Film

A currently untitled Spirit Halloween film is slated for a 2022 release. While much surrounding the film is still under wraps, a recent article from All Hallows Geek summarizes all the information currently released regarding the upcoming horror movie. The project has been in the works since at least 2018 when an original screenplay under the title “Spirit Halloween” was submitted by writer Billie Bates to screenplay competitions and optioned by Turner/Warner Media. In recent months, Hideout Pictures began casting for a film based on the script and filming began in a Spirit Halloween location in Rome, Georgia in November of 2021. Actors Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future”) and Rachel Leigh Cook (“She’s All that”) are reportedly tied to the project in leading roles and David Poag is reported as directing.