by Patrick Bromley
One of my favorite weekends of the year is Chicago's annual Flashback Weekend, the horror convention created and run by Mike and Mia Kerz that takes place in Rosemont, Illinois. It's three days of panels, parties, contests, vendors, celebrity guests, live music -- everything you could want as a horror fan. This will be my sixth year hosting panels at the convention, but I've been going to Flashback much longer than just these six years. I love it.
This year's Flashback features a salute to 30 years of the Scream franchise, celebrates Halloween II, a Night of the Creeps reunion, features first-time Flashback appearances from Henry Thomas, Steven Weber, and the Silent Night, Deadly Night Santas, and even has Obsession co-star Megan Lawless making her convention debut (I get to host her panel on Sunday! Come on out!). Plus, this year sees the world premiere of a brand new Full Moon movie (relevant to my interests!), in-costume photo opps, Alan Howarth playing the score to Halloween II LIVE along with the film, a tribute to Svengoolie (the greatest horror host of all time), and so much more.
One of my favorite things about Flashback -- besides all the cool guests and the chance to spend the weekend surrounded by horror stuff and horror fans -- is that it's a family-run convention and really feels that way. All of the proceeds from the con go into supporting the Midway Drive-In located in Dixon, IL -- the nicest and best drive-in in Illinois -- which they bought in 2007. I love that Flashback is dedicated to preserving the big-screen theatrical experience.
From this year's press release:
Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention
July 31 - Aug. 2, 2026
Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago, Rosemont, IL 60018
- Horror Icons! Tribute to the 1980's Golden Age of Horror!
- "OBSESSION" (2026)!!! Megan Lawless - "Sarah Harper"!
- David Arquette - Deputy / Sheriff "Dewey Riley" - "SCREAM" 1-5
- Marley Shelton - Deputy/ Sheriff "Judy Hicks" - "SCREAM" 4-5
- Dermot Mulroney - Detective Wayne Bailey - "SCREAM 6"
- Roger L. Jackson - The Voice of Ghostface
- Tony Revolori - Jason Carvey "SCREAM 6"
- Celeste O'Connor - "Chloe Parker" - "SCREAM 7"
- Joseph Whipp - "Sheriff Burke" "SCREAM" (1996)
- Jeremy Conner - Ghostface - "SCREAM 7"
- Kraig Dane - Karl Gibbs - Ghostface "SCREAM 7"
- Spencer Charnas ICE NINE KILLS - Official "SCREAM 7" "Twisting the Knife" Hit Song & Music Video
- Megan Lawless "Sarah Harper" ("OBSESSION" 2026)
- Steven Weber - "Jack Torrance" "THE SHINING" mini-series (1997)
- Henry Thomas - "Elliott" - "E.T.", "THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE", "Jack Torrance" - "DR. SLEEP"
- William Katt ("CARRIE", "HOUSE")
- Spencer Charnas - Lead singer "ICE NINE KILLS" - Special "SILVER SCREAM" Costume Celeb Photo-Op
- Charles Band - Full Moon Founder
- Richard Band - Full Moon Composer
- Quinn Lord - "Sam" ("TRICK 'r TREAT" 2007)
- Svengoolie (Rich Koz) - Horror Host Icon
- David Naughton - "David Kessler"
- Tom Atkins - "Det. Ray Cameron"
- Jason Lively - "Chris Romero"
- Jill Whitlow - "Cynthia Cronenberg"
- Dick Warlock - "MICHAEL MYERS"
- Pamala Susan Shoop - "Nurse Bailey"
- Ana Alicia - "Nurse Marshall"
- Gloria Graham - "Nurse Alves"
- Alan Howarth - co-composer music score
- Robert Brian Wilson "SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT" (1984) - "Billy Chapman"
- Eric Freeman "SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2" (1987) - "Ricky Chapman"Stay tuned for more updates!!!
- Jason Paul Collum - "SCREAMING IN HIGH HEELS", "OCTOBER MOON" series, "MARK OF THE DEVIL 777"
- Tony Wash - Scothworthy Productions, "BETTER LUCK THAN CHUCK", Director of Programming SCREAMBOX.
“Special Edition” Flashback Weekend Celeb Photo-Ops including:
- NIGHT OF THE CREEPS In costume Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow Sat. Aug. 1, 2026
- "TRICK 'r TREAT" - Quinn Lord in Costume Sat-Sun Aug. 1-2, 2026
SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT In Costume - Robert Brian Wilson Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1, 2026
- SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2 In Costume - Eric Freeman Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1, 2026
- DUO SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT In Costume - Robert Brian Wilson &Eric Freeman Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1
- Spencer Charnas - IN COSTUME - Silver Scream Ghostface Saturday Aug. 1, 2026
Svengoolie (Rich Koz) In Costume Fri-Sat July 31 - Aug. 1, 2026
Celeb photo-ops now on sale at https://celebphotoops.com/event/flashback
When the Vendor Room closes, the convention and party is just getting started!
Special evening events on Friday and Saturday night!
Elegant and Luxurious after-parties on Friday and Saturday evenings!
SPECIAL EVENTS!
Friday July 31, 2026
All Flashback Weekend ticket holders welcome.
One (1) drink purchase minimum from the bar upstairs.
*Attendance limited to capacity*
SVENGOOLIE SCHEDULE (Times TBA)
Fri. July 31, 2026
Celeb Photo-Ops - (purchased separately)
Sat. Aug. 1, 2026
Celeb Photo-Ops (purchased separately)
Autographs and Selfies (based on availability)
Svengoolie hosts the Sinister Visions Costume Contest
You may also purchase a professional photo-op with Sven by Celeb Photo-Ops and receive a high quality 8 x 10 photo with Sven!
SINISTER VISIONS COSTUME CONTEST HOSTED BY SVENGOOLIE
Sat. Aug. 1, 2026 at 5:00PM
Join us on Saturday, Aug. 1 in your favorite ghoulish costume for our 19th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest and compete for fun and prizes! The contest will be hosted by the Legendary Svengoolie (Rich Koz)! All ages welcome! Prizes are awarded for First, Second and Third Place, and there's a Kids Category for ages 12 & under. Winners are determined by audience applause. This event is sponsored by Sinister Visions. All you need to enter is to pre-register, your Flashback Weekend convention tickets, and your costume! Seating limited to capacity.
You must PRE-REGISTER for the 18th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest at the Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Con.
The last couple of years have seen overwhelming attendance at this event, which is great, but we only have so much time and space! The first 20 adults and first 10 kids (12 & under) who submit their info via this registration form - https://docs.google.com/forms/
Special $15.00 show special for autographs signed by the Celebrity guests at the convention weekend!
Other autographs authenticated at the JSA retail price.JSA will be set-up in the foyer along the windows inside the main entrance.
- Look for JSA in the Grand Foyer
Check out our schedule which features our 2026 convention hours at http://www.flashbackweekend.
THE HYATT REGENCY O’HARE CHICAGO – THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE!
Our venue, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago is one of the largest convention hotels in the world! The Hyatt is luxurious and elegant and will provide you with the extravagant and lavish weekend that you deserve!
TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
Buy your convention and Celeb Photo-Ops tickets now at www.flashbackweekend.com.
Flashback Weekend 2026 Hours of Operation
Check out our schedule which features our 2026 convention hours at http://www.flashbackweekend.
THE HYATT REGENCY O’HARE CHICAGO – THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE!
Our venue, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago is one of the largest convention hotels in the world! The Hyatt is luxurious and elegant and will provide you with the extravagant and lavish weekend that you deserve!
Buy your tickets now and visit www.flashbackweekend.com for updates!
- Cash accepted with no additional fees.
- CREDIT CARDS MASTERCARD OR VISA ACCEPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING FEES
- SINGLE DAY & WEEKEND PASSES TICKETS CREDIT CARD FEE - Add a $2.00 fee per ticket at the door with a Mastercard or Visa credit card
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