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| Photo: Texas Frightmare Weekend |
Founder and Event Director Loyd Cryer looks back on two decades of building one of horror’s most consistent fan-driven conventions.
by Tara Adams
Writer, Haunt Hunters App
IRVING, Texas – If you rewind it far enough, Texas Frightmare Weekend starts like a grainy tape passed hand to hand: a fan-made idea born out of love for the genre and conversations among friends.
Twenty years later, it’s still playing, just on a much larger screen.
Texas Frightmare Weekend launched in 2006 out of what Founder and Event Director Loyd Cryer describes as a gap in the region’s horror scene and a shared fan impulse to fix it.
“Texas Frightmare Weekend started back in 2006 out of a genuine love for horror films and a desire to create something special for fans in Texas,” Cryer said. “At the time, there really wasn’t a dedicated, large-scale horror convention in the region, and we felt that fans deserved a space that celebrated the genre year-round, not just at Halloween. It began as a passion project between friends and has grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined.”
Two decades later, that small-scale setup has turned into one of the country’s more established and popular horror conventions, drawing guests and attendees from across the U.S. and beyond.
For Cryer, the anniversary carries a dual weight.
“It means everything. As a fan, it’s surreal to see something you love reach that kind of milestone. As an organizer, it represents 20 years of hard work, relationships, and unforgettable moments. We’ve built a community that feels like family, and hitting this anniversary is both humbling and incredibly rewarding.”
This year’s event runs May 22-24, 2026, at Irving Convention Center and is packed with celebrities, reunions, screenings, panels, horror vendors and activities.
The lineup includes a Saw reunion with Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, and Leigh Whannell and a Halloween III: Season of the Witch reunion with Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, and Tommy Lee Wallace. Other guests include David Arquette, Roger L. Jackson, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, Emma Roberts, Tom Savini, Warwick Davis, Ice Nine Kills Lead Vocalist Spencer Charnas and Marilyn Manson Guitarist Piggy D., among a lengthy list of stars.
The shift from regional gathering to destination event didn’t happen in a single year or moment, he said. It came gradually, as the scope of the convention widened and its audience stretched far beyond Texas.
“There wasn’t one exact moment. It was more of a gradual realization,” Cryer said. “When we started seeing fans traveling in from across the country (and even internationally), and studios and major talent began treating Frightmare as a must-attend stop, that’s when it really clicked. The energy shifted from ‘local event’ to something people were planning their year around.”
This year’s convention is expected to feature more than 100 vendors, along with programming that reflects how much the horror landscape has changed since the early 2000s.
“Horror has evolved tremendously, and we’ve made it a priority to evolve with it,” Cryer said. “From practical effects legends to modern filmmakers, streaming-era stars, and content creators, we try to reflect the full spectrum of horror fandom. We’ve also expanded into screenings, live performances, and immersive experiences to give fans more ways to engage with the genre.”
Even with that expansion, Cryer said the underlying approach hasn’t shifted much since the beginning.
“Because we are fans first. Every decision we make, from guest selection to pricing to layout, is made with the attendee experience in mind. We listen to feedback, we stay accessible, and we try to create an environment that feels welcoming and authentic. That’s always been the core of what we do.”
Asked what he hopes people say after this year’s 20th anniversary event, Cryer keeps it simple.
“I hope they say it was something special—that it felt different. That it wasn’t just about meeting celebrities, but about being part of a community that truly loved horror. If people walk away with great memories and feel like they were part of something meaningful, then we’ve done our job.”
This year’s edition is being framed as both a look back and a reset point for what comes next.
“This year is a celebration of everything that’s come before and everything still ahead,” Cryer said. “We’ve got some incredible reunions, screenings, and surprises planned, and we’re really leaning into the idea of making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans. If you’ve never been, this is the year to check it out.”
For more information about the event, including the full lineup and ticket information, please visit texasfrightmareweekend.com.
