FLASHBACK WEEKEND 2026: A PREVIEW

It's time once again for The Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention, and if you've been reading my work or listening to me for any length of time, you already know how much this convention means to me.

It isn't just my favorite weekend of the summer. It has become my favorite weekend of the entire year. I look forward to it twelve months in advance, and every year it somehow manages to exceed my already ridiculously high expectations.

This year's Flashback Weekend takes place Friday, July 31st through Sunday, August 2nd at the Hyatt Regency Chicago O'Hare, and once again Mike and Mia Kerz and their incredible team have assembled what I honestly believe is one of the finest horror conventions anywhere in the country.

The celebrity lineup is remarkable, the special events are outstanding, the screenings, concerts, parties, and Q&A sessions are packed from morning until late at night, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else you'll experience as a horror fan. If you've never attended Flashback Weekend before, I can't think of a better year to finally discover what you've been missing.

I've been lucky enough to be part of Flashback Weekend since the very beginning. When Mike and Mia launched the convention back in 2002, they asked me to come aboard as one of the hosts and moderators.

I immediately said yes, never imagining that more than two decades later I'd still be running around the convention every summer with a microphone in my hand, introducing celebrities, moderating panels, helping backstage, emceeing events, and basically doing whatever needs to be done to help make the weekend a success.

One of the reasons Flashback Weekend has remained so special over the years is that it has never lost sight of what made it work in the first place. Unlike many conventions that have grown into giant corporate productions, Flashback still feels personal. It still feels like it's run by people who genuinely love horror movies and genuinely care about the fans who attend.

Mike and Mia have built something that has always felt more like a family reunion than a convention, and that's because, in many ways, it actually is. Much of the staff consists of family members, longtime friends, and volunteers who return year after year simply because they love being part of this extraordinary weekend.

Every year I get to spend three days surrounded by people who understand exactly why horror matters. I call horror fans "The Tribe," and I do that with enormous affection. It really is our annual family reunion.

That idea actually became one of the central themes of my upcoming book, 40 Years, 40 Horror Films, which Eckhartz Press will publish this September. The book is, in many ways, a love letter to horror itself, but it's also a love letter to the people who have embraced the genre throughout their lives.

Flashback Weekend appears throughout the book because I honestly can't tell my own story as a horror fan without talking about this convention. It has introduced me to lifelong friends, unforgettable experiences, and some of the greatest memories I've ever had as both a fan and a film critic.

I've lost count of how many extraordinary people I've met because of Flashback Weekend. I've interviewed heroes I never imagined I'd meet, shared meals with people whose movies I've watched dozens of times, and developed genuine friendships that never would have happened without this convention.

But just as meaningful are the friendships I've made with fellow horror fans. One of the wonderful things about Flashback Weekend is how quickly complete strangers become friends. You'll find yourself standing in line waiting for an autograph and suddenly you're having a twenty-minute conversation about your favorite George Romero movie.

You'll sit down before a Q&A and discover the person next to you has been attending Flashback for fifteen years and has stories that are every bit as entertaining as the celebrities on stage. That's the magic of this convention. It creates connections.

As for me, my weekend is always a blur...in the best possible way.

I'll be moderating celebrity Q&A sessions throughout the convention, introducing guests, helping host events, working backstage, interviewing actors and filmmakers, and generally running from one ballroom to another trying to stay on schedule.

It's become something of an annual joke that if you actually manage to catch me standing still for more than thirty seconds, you should probably check to make sure I'm feeling okay. Flashback Weekend keeps me busy from the moment the doors open on Friday morning until the final goodbye on Sunday afternoon, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

One of the reasons I enjoy moderating these Q&A sessions so much is that they aren't simply interviews. They're conversations. The audiences at Flashback Weekend know these movies inside and out, and they ask terrific questions.

Some are funny, some are insightful, some are incredibly moving, and many of them lead to stories that even the guests haven't told before. That's one of the real joys of the convention. Every panel becomes its own unique experience because the fans are such an important part of it.

And speaking of the guests...Mike and Mia have outdone themselves once again this year.

The massive Scream reunion alone is enough to make horror fans clear their calendars. Representing virtually every era of the franchise will be David Arquette, Marley Shelton, Dermot Mulroney, Roger L. Jackson (the unforgettable voice of Ghostface himself), Tony Revolori, Celeste O'Connor, Joseph Whipp, several of the performers who have portrayed Ghostface over the years, Spencer Charnas from Ice Nine Kills, whose music has become wonderfully intertwined with modern horror fandom, and many more.

And then there's Jane Levy.

Anyone who has listened to me over the years already knows how much I admire her work. She gave one of my favorite horror performances of the last twenty years in Fede Álvarez's Evil Dead, was sensational in Don't Breathe, charmed audiences in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, and has consistently demonstrated that she's one of the most talented actresses working today.

Of course, that's only the beginning...

Another guest that fans are especially excited about is Megan Lawless, one of the stars of the massively popular horror film Obsession. One of the great things about Flashback Weekend is that it doesn't just celebrate the legends whose movies we grew up watching; it also gives fans the opportunity to meet some of the performers who are helping shape the future of the genre. Horror is constantly evolving, and it's always exciting to see new talent become part of that tradition.

There will also be an incredible celebration of one of the greatest horror-comedies ever made: An American Werewolf in London, when the star of that classic, David Naughton appears!

If you love horror...and E.T., then prepare yourself because Elliott himself, Henry Thomas, will be at Flashback to not only talk about that Steven Spielberg blockbuster, but also his work in such modern terror classics as Psycho IV: The Beginning, The Haunting of Hill House, and Doctor Sleep, in which he portrayed Jack Torrance!

Fans of classic horror will also have plenty to celebrate with appearances from legends including Steven Weber, who also gave an unforgettable performance as Jack Torrance in the television adaptation of The Shining, William Katt from Carrie and House, Charles Band and Richard Band representing the incredible legacy of Full Moon Entertainment.

There will also be a fantastic 40th anniversary celebration of Night of the Creeps featuring Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, and Jill Whitlow. The convention will also feature a terrific celebration of Halloween II, including Dick Warlock, who portrayed Michael Myers in the 1981 sequel, along with a reunion of several of the film's nurses.

And then there are the Christmas horror fans, who will have a very special reunion featuring stars from the Silent Night, Deadly Night series, including Robert Brian Wilson and Eric Freeman.

And, of course, no Flashback Weekend would be complete without the one and only Svengoolie.

Rich Koz is not only one of Chicago's greatest entertainment personalities; he is also one of the most important ambassadors for classic horror that we have ever had. For generations of fans, Svengoolie has been the person who introduced them to horror movies, celebrated the history of the genre, and reminded everyone that watching scary movies should also be fun. He's a friend, a hero, and someone I have enormous respect and affection for.

This year I'll once again have the honor of sharing the stage with Rich during Svengoolie LIVE, which takes place Friday night, July 31st at 8:00 p.m. It is always one of the most entertaining events of the entire weekend because you never quite know where the conversation will go.

Rich is the host, I'm there as his sidekick (basically my version of Ed McMahon) and together we welcome special guests, share stories, and celebrate everything we love about horror. Getting to do this with Rich is something I never take for granted. Svengoolie is a legend, I never imagined that one day I would be standing next to him on a stage in front of a room full of horror fans.

Rich will also be returning on Saturday to host one of the most beloved Flashback traditions: the Sinister Visions Costume Contest. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the contest, and if you've never experienced it, you are missing one of the most creative and entertaining events of the entire weekend. The costumes are unbelievable. I'll be joining Rich on stage for the costume contest, and I can promise you it is always one of the highlights of the weekend.

Because that's another thing about Flashback Weekend: the fans are not just spectators.

They are part of the show.

They are part of the celebration.

They are what makes this convention different.

Another major part of the Flashback Weekend experience is the opportunity to meet these incredible guests in a more personal way through the celebrity photo opportunities. This year the photo-op lineup is especially exciting, with individual and group opportunities featuring many of the weekend's amazing guests.

There will be special costume photo opportunities as well, including Night of the Creeps in-costume photos with Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, and Jill Whitlow, Trick 'r Treat in-costume opportunities with Quinn Lord as Sam, Silent Night, Deadly Night costume experiences featuring Robert Brian Wilson and Eric Freeman in the Santa costume, Spencer Charnas appearing as the Silver Scream Ghostface, Svengoolie in costume, and many more.

There will also be some fantastic special events throughout the weekend that go beyond the celebrity appearances. One of the things I love about Flashback Weekend is that Mike and Mia always find ways to create experiences that you simply cannot get anywhere else.

One of the events I'm especially excited about is the live performance by composer Alan Howarth, who will perform the score of Halloween II while the film screens for the audience.

Hearing that music performed live while watching Halloween II is going to be something truly unforgettable.

Flashback Weekend will also feature exciting film premieres, including the acclaimed haunted attraction documentary The Fright Stuff and the world premiere of Full Moon Entertainment's Robotica.

And then, of course, there are the parties. Because what would a horror convention be without a chance to celebrate together after the panels are over?

This year's official after-parties include the Welcome to Woodsboro Dance Party, a celebration of the music and atmosphere of the Scream franchise.

But beyond all of the incredible guests, panels, screenings, and special events, one of my favorite parts of Flashback Weekend has always been the vendor room.

And I need to warn you right now: give yourself plenty of time. You are going to need it.

The vendor room at Flashback Weekend is one of the best places in the entire convention because it represents everything that makes horror fandom so creative and passionate. You can find virtually anything and everything connected to the genre.

Original artwork. Posters. Books. Blu-rays. Collectibles. Clothing. Toys. Memorabilia. Handmade items from talented artists. Horror-inspired candles. Masks. Props. Jewelry.

Rare discoveries that you didn't even know existed until you saw them sitting on a table.

Every year I walk into the vendor room telling myself that I'm only going to look around. Every year I leave carrying something. The vendor room is basically a museum, a shopping experience, and a nostalgia trip all at the same time.

And while I'll be spending a lot of my weekend hosting events and moderating panels, I'll also have something very special happening that I'm incredibly excited about.

On Saturday, August 1st, I'll be bringing a live version of The Nick D Podcast to Flashback Weekend.

For years, I've had the privilege of doing my podcast with my amazing co-host Esmeralda Leon, and we have always loved the idea of taking the show out into the world and sharing it with a live audience.

Flashback Weekend is the perfect place to do it because it brings together exactly the kind of audience that understands our conversations about movies, television, pop culture, comedy, and, of course, horror.

Esmeralda and I will be recording a special live episode in the big ballroom, and we want the audience to be part of the experience. We'll have a microphone available for audience participation, we'll be taking questions, we'll be giving away prizes and T-shirts, and we'll have some surprises along the way.

We will have a very special surprise celebrity guest joining us....and my friend Rich Koz (Svengoolie himself) will be joining Esma and me on stage. Rich has been such an important part of my life professionally and personally, and having him join us for a live podcast at Flashback Weekend is going to be a very special moment.

We will talk about horror, television, Chicago, our friendship, and his incredible career, and knowing the three of us, there will probably be plenty of unexpected laughs along the way.

We'll also talk about something else that is incredibly meaningful to me: my upcoming book, 40 Years, 40 Horror Films.

One of the greatest honors of my career is that Rich Koz wrote the foreword to this book.

I still get a little emotional thinking about that.

When you spend your life loving horror, and someone who has become such an important figure in the genre says yes when you ask them to be part of your book, it means something extraordinary. Rich didn't just put his name on it. He wrote a beautiful, thoughtful, heartfelt foreword that perfectly captures what I hoped the book would represent.

On Sunday the 2nd, I'll also be talking about the book during a special panel discussion. I'll have information available about 40 Years, 40 Horror Films, including special cards with a code to reserve your copy before its release from Eckhartz Press this September.

I'll also be selling and signing copies of my first book, 40 Years, 40 Films, which has been such a wonderful experience since it was released last year.

Being able to share these books with fellow movie lovers and horror fans at Flashback Weekend feels absolutely perfect because these books were created for people exactly like the people who attend this convention.

Every year, I walk away from Flashback Weekend with new memories that I know I'll carry with me forever.

I say that as someone who has spent over forty years professionally talking about movies. I've attended countless festivals, conventions, premieres, and entertainment events. I've interviewed some of the biggest names in film and television. I've been incredibly lucky to experience so many wonderful things throughout my career.

And yet Flashback Weekend remains one of the events I look forward to the most every single year. Because it feels different. It feels personal. It feels like home.

That is because horror has always been about more than just scares. The best horror movies are about imagination, creativity, emotion, and the shared experience of watching something that makes you laugh, scream, think, and feel. The fans who attend Flashback Weekend understand that better than anyone.

They are The Tribe. And every summer, we gather.

So whether you're a longtime Flashback Weekend veteran or someone who has never attended before, I hope you'll come out and experience this incredible convention for yourself.

I can't wait to see all of you at:

• Flashback Weekend 2026

• Friday, July 31st through Sunday, August 2nd

• At the Hyatt Regency Chicago O'Hare.

Tickets are now available at:

• flashbackweekend.com

Celebrity photo opportunities are also available at:

• celebphotoops.com/event/flashback

This is my favorite weekend of the year, and I am thrilled, honored, and incredibly grateful to be part of it once again.

So come join us. Come be part of The Tribe.

I'll see you at Flashback Weekend.

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