This article was written by staff writer, Michael Worthan. (Image credits to: Michael Worthan and GeekNerdNet) - *If you would like to use any images from the written post below, you must have permission from GeekNerdNet.com to do so.
Season’s Screamings 2022
Over the weekend of December 2 - 4, I was able to attend Seasons Screaming’s at the Pasadena Convention Center in Southern California. This is a Halloween/Christmas convention put on by the folks who put on Midsummer Scream.
This is the second year it has been put on and the second year my wife and I have attended, and it was a blast, maybe even more so than the first time we went. The convention seemed bigger, and had amazing vendors, special guests, and the “Hall of Yuletide Spirits” was not only filled with Christmas cheer, but filled will some creepy stuff, including a Creepy Santa Claus that would only move when approached for a picture.
As press, we were treated to being on their Naughty List and were able to enter the convention an hour early at 10 a.m. This gave us the opportunity to speak to some of our favorite vendors that we have run across at other conventions, as well as meet new ones and enjoy seeing—and in some cases purchasing—their products minus some of the crowds that you tend to experience at cons.
Aside from walking the two vendor areas, we were also able to walk through where they had their special guests such as Stephen Webber from “Wings” as well as 1997 “The Shining” television show. They also had Keith David who was in Jordan Peele’s hit “Nope” and he also voiced Goliath in the 90’s cartoon Gargoyles, which is what me as a nerd remembers him as the most.
It was also fun to see all of the different styles of Krampus running around, as well as the different cosplayers and performers of all different types. It is difficult to explain in words just how fun this convention is. When my wife and I tell people what we went to they do not seem to understand the concept of Seasons Screaming’s. If you love Halloween, if you love Christmas, if you want to see them mixed together this is the convention for you.
If you look at the history or Christmas in not only the states, but the world at large, there is a lot of spooky stories out there, and harsh lore. One of these being Krampus who comes and takes the naughty children in his sack. He is the shadow of Santa Claus, and Krampus is very much seen and heard at Seasons Screaming’s. The dark side of Christmas is very evident and very fun to be a part of, and we plan on being a part as longs as this convention is put on.
The “Hall of Yuletide Spirits” gave us a creepy look at Christmas including a scary Santa, evil Christmas gifts, Gremlins galore, and haunted mazes that scared even the bravest of folks. With the dark room and black lights anything could be around the corner, and it was obvious that there was terror to be had.
Aside from the main halls there were definitely some awesome panels such as the Shining Legacy with the cast of the 1997 television show, as well as How the Grinch Stole Our Hearts, with Boris Karloff’s daughter Sara Karloff talking about how much her father loved the Grinch and his passion for the now famous Christmas cartoon.
As someone who starts celebrating Halloween in August, and Christmas comes November first this convention is definitely for me. I love the atmosphere, the people, the vendors are always so amazing and welcoming, and more than anything the folks that put it on do an amazing job and communicate everything that will be happening. This was definitely a high point to my December.
Happy Holidays folks!
