EVIL SANTA
SATURDAY: 11am-5pm
SUNDAY: 11am-5pm
You better watch out! You better not cry! Evil Santa is coming to town! This is Evil Santa. Straight from the bowels of Christmas Hell to walk among the living during this creepy holiday weekend. Get the ultimate holiday card pictures taken with the Evil one. Take the perfect picture with your fiends and family to display on your mantle. A great addition to your family Neckronomicon.
EVIL SANTA
Ready to slay in his finest — provided by the award-Winning, HAWGFLY PRODUCTIONS
PHOTOS BY
Professional photographer, Andrew Gamble
PRICING
DIGITAL: $10 / PRINT: $20 (8x10)
Digital pics will be posted in the days after the event on an online gallery. You'll be able to scroll through the gallery to find your pic and download a hi-res image. Prints will be made on-site.
LIL' EVIL ELVES
Calling all creepy kids! Come dressed as an Evil Elf and get a free digital photo with Evil Santa (a $10 value)!
Kids 12 and under. Free coupon given at entry.
KRAMPUS PARADE
SUNDAY: TBA
THE PARADE
The epic Krampus Parade takes place within the aisles of the market and is led by a demon drum procession. The Krampi in the parade are a mix of Krampi created by our contributors and sponsors and those from the public that join in hopes of winning Krampus King. Kids are allowed to follow the parade by holding onto chains at the end of the line.
This is one of our biggest attractions at the market. Get your cameras ready and enjoy this most ancient of Christmas traditions.
THE CROWNING
Hosted by Scarah, Damsel of the Doomed
At the end of the parade, all of the Krampi gather in front of the stage to get ready for the Crowning of the Krampus King of 2026. Our "professional Karmpi" move aside to make way for the "public" Krampi as they are the only ones eligible to win the crown. Our esteemed judging panel will then choose the winner. The King will be crowned with the special Texas Mum Of Death by Evil Santa and will a cash prize, a Blood Over Texas swag bag and bragging rights.
KRAMPUS KING PRIZE PACKAGE
• $100 Cash
• BOT Swag Bag
• Mum of Death
• Bragging rights!
There is no fee to enter and there is no need to pre-register. You must arrive in costume and check in by 1:30pm. Stay tuned for this year's info on times and rules for being in the parade.
THE JUDGES
Michael Faust of House of Torment
Meredith Johns of Hawgfly Productions
PANELS & Q&As
PANELS & Q&AS TAKE PLACE ON BOTH DAYS
Enjoy a variety of panels and Q&As while you're at the event. Everything from hunting cryptids to hearing stories from the set by our Special Guests. Panels and Q&As take place in the Screening Room on the 4th floor. Space is very limited so line up early. VIPs get priority seating.
DAY/TIME TBA
HUNTING CRYPTIDS
Featuring Lyle Blackburn
Do real life monsters exist? Learn the fascinating, true stories behind all your favorite cryptids with Texas monster hunter, Lyle Blackburn. From Bigfoot to Mothman, from Goatman to werewolves and all manner of creepy creatures in between, Blackburn has spent decades researching and writing about these subjects, while exploring the vast swamps and forests of North America. Blackburn himself was inspired by the 1970s cult classic, The Legend of Boggy Creek, and has appeared on television shows such as The UnXplained, Strange Evidence, Monsters & Mysteries in America, and Joe Bob Brigg’s The Last Drive-In.
DAY/TIME TBA
LESS IS GORE
THE ART OF THE HORROR SHORT
A filmmaker panel featuring Cliff Bogart, Kyle Bogart, Chris McInroy and MC, Kris Phipps
Think making a horror short is easier than making a feature? Think again. Short films are their own strange little beasts, and you only have a few minutes to scare ’em, shock ’em, gross ’em out or just make sure they remember you. We’ll dissect what makes a killer horror short, from that first creepy idea to the final cut, then dig into festivals, promotion, finding an audience, and how one small film can become a bloody big step toward making your first feature.
Filmmakers and brothers, Cliff Bogart and Kyle Bogart have been directing independent shorts and features in Austin for over a decade. Their horror shorts have drawn over a half-million views online and premiered at festivals around the world including SXSW, Fantastic Fest, and the Friars Club in New York.
Chris McInroy’s practical effects driven horror-comedy short films have had success at festivals all over the world. His film, GUTS, was nominated for a 2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Award. He likes werewolves and dipping chips in dips.
Our MC, Kris Phipps, is a filmmaker and creative producer of horror studio, Garth Manor — creators of a prolific run of award-winning short films.
The Bogart Brothers (top), Chris McInroy (right) and inset, Kris Phipps
COSPLAY CONTEST
SATURDAY: 5pm
NEW! HORROR COSPLAY CONTEST
For the first time ever, Horror For The Holidays Expo is showcasing the amazing talent of cosplayers in our new Horror Cosplay Contest! Contestants bring their favorite horror characters to life to show off their killer creations on stage. From iconic movie monsters to terrifying original designs to holiday themed horror, the Horror Cosplay Contest invites fans of all ages to step into the spotlight.
Attendees not only get a chance to watch the contestants on the stage but take part in the judging by helping us pick the Fan Favorite. Come ready to be wowed!
Hosted by Scarah, Damsel of the Doomed
PRIZES
BEST OVERALL
• $100 Cash
• Free digital photo w/Evil Santa
• BOT Swag Bag
• A pair of tickets to HFTH 2027
ALL OTHER CATEGORIES
• $50 Cash
• Free digital photo w/Evil Santa
• A ticket to HFTH 2027
CATEGORIES
BEST OVERALL
BEST CRAFTSMANSHIP
BEST HOLIDAY HORROR
MOST CREATIVE
FAN FAVORITE
Get all of the details here MORE INFO
THE JUDGES
TBA
CRAFT CLASSES
CRAFT CLASSES TAKE PLACE ON BOTH DAYS
Learn a new technique or make a gift for yourself or someone on your holiday list! Classes are created for adults and young adults and are approximately an hour.
SIGN UP FOR CLASSES WHEN YOU BUY YOUR TICKETS
CRAFT CLASSES WILL BE AT AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO YOUR ENTRY TICKET
2026 CLASSES TBA
• Limited spaces available! Buy your class ticket to secure your space
• Taught by experienced teachers
• All supplies are included in the class price
• Make a special gift for a friend or yourself
• Learn a new technique
• Bring a friend and experience a fun craft break during the event
FUN FOR THE KIDDOS
kIDS 12 & UNDER GET IN FOR FREE!
NECRO "NOMMIE" CANE'S STORYTIME
"Nommie" the Elf reads creepy holiday books to the kids. These are actual children's books that are about Zombie Santa, Little Krampus, etc. The Storytime takes place Hall 2, next to Concessions and coloring tables.
Sponsored by HOUSE OF TORMENT
LIL' EVIL ELVES
COSPLAY
Calling all creepy kids! Come dressed as an Evil Elf and get a free digital photo with Evil Santa (a $10 value)!
Kids 12 and under. Free coupon given at entry.
FACE PAINTING
Have the kiddo get in character by getting their face painted. The face painters are located on the 2nd floor. Adults are also welcome to get their mugs done too.
KIDS COLORING TABLE
We'll have a few tables set up for the kids to color lots of spooky cool pictures. Of course, parents are also welcome to color too! Located in the main hall, next to Concessions.
SANTA, KRAMPUS & CREATURES
Kids always like to get their pics taken with Evil Santa, see the Krampus Parade and meet our fun creatures roaming the event. In fact, if your kids want to walk in the Krampus Parade on Sunday, we'll have some chain in the back that they can follow along with the parade — accompanied by our creatures.
AND MORE!
PHOTO OPS
Take advantage of the multiple photo ops featured throughout the event. Photo boards and monster displays offer the best memorable pics with your family and friends.
CREATURES & COSPLAYERS
Walk among the many creatures, monsters and cosplayers roaming the market. Most of our professional creatures are brought to you by local haunted attraction, HOUSE OF TORMENT. We also get many visiting cosplayers dressed as your favorite horror characters. Feel free to stop these fiends and ask them to take pics.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
The hotel offers several restaurants to choose from including a full service bar. No outside food or drinks allowed.
AT THE HOTEL
• Starbucks
• Cannon & Belle (food and full service bar)
• To-Go Food Cart and bar outside the Main Ballroom (6th floor)
• Popcorn and bar outside the Screening room (4th floor)
Check out OUTSIDE ATTRACTIONS for some of our favorite spots in walking distance.