Eerie Horror Fest 2025 Scares Up a Ghoulish Time
Film screenings, celebrity meet-and-greets, and family tricks and treats
BEGINNING FRIDAY, OCT. 10
If you live in Erie, October means two things: absolutely bipolar fall weather, and the Eerie Horror Fest (EHF) once again filling the downtown Warner Theatre with otherworldly moans and groans. According to Press Relations Coordinator Aaron "Madman" Mook (who is also a longtime contributor to the Erie Reader), "Each year, the Eerie Horror Fest features unique and exciting programming along with new and returning vendors," and this year guests can look forward to merchants such as Mother Heffer Leatherworks and the Raven's Nest Oddities and Curiosities, and food trucks such as Mom and Pop Taters and Underdog BBQ (a full accounting of the selection of food and goods vendors can be found on EHF's social media pages).
Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Fest without spooky special guests. This year's lineup includes filmmaker and actor Josh Ruben with a screening of his film Heart Eyes on Oct. 10, as well as actress Adrienne Barbeau, star of 1980's The Fog, which will be shown on Oct. 11. "Both guests will have meet-and-greet availability and will have photos, signatures, and more for sale," Mook said.
There is one major change at the Horror Fest this year, though – the EHF recently announced it would be moving film screenings from the Warner Theatre's auditorium to its gorgeous Rehearsal Hall (in addition to the second floor annex space). The venue switch-up will limit the total seating to 300, though the EHF team feels "confident that this necessary pivot will seat any attendees that wish to see the films being screened, in addition to helping us deflect inflation and reduced arts funding," Mook told us. Film play times can run anywhere from two minutes to two hours and will be shown in themed blocks throughout each day.
Thrills and Chills on Friday, Oct. 10
Friday's EHF kicks off with a 2:15 p.m. WQLN block in the Rehearsal Space, and continues throughout the day with themes like "Click, Slash, Repeat," "Red Flags and Body Bags," and "Hell Hath No Fury." At 7 p.m., special guest Josh Ruben will take center stage with a live Q&A, as well as a screening of his 2025 film Heart Eyes in the Rehearsal Space. After that, themed blocks will continue through 10 p.m., then at 10:15 the Fest will show Wormtown, followed by Rats: Night of Terror at midnight, with the movie's novelization author Brad Carter on hand afterward.
What's Shrieking on Saturday, Oct. 11
The Eerie Horror Fest will get things started on its second day at 10 a.m. by making it a family affair, with its annual Morning Shrieks with Trick or Treat, sponsored by First Student. "Tickets for that are just $15 per adult and allow them to arrive with two children under 14, in costume, to trick or treat through the halls of the Warner," Mook explained. It also includes a spooky story time with Maggie Ignasiak (sponsored by Werner Books), a haunted house photoshoot, and a special screening of Disney's The Haunted Mansion (2003).
Then the film blocks begin at 12:30 p.m., with themes like Killer Cartoons, Slashstick Comedy, a special Awards Ceremony block at 3 p.m., featuring the winners of the EHF 2025 International Film Competition. At 7:30 p.m., vintage horror film-lovers can gather in the Rehearsal Space for the second special guest, Adrienne Barbeau, and a screening of her 1980 John Carpenter-directed movie The Fog. And the EHF comes to a close after the 11:45 p.m. viewing of The Threshold.
Friday, 2:15 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m // Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // All Access Pass: $45, Friday Day Pass: $25, Saturday Day Pass: $30, Saturday Morning Half-Day Pass: $15 // For more info or to purchase passes, please visit eeriehorrorfest.com // A full schedule is available ahead of the Fest, by subscribing to EHF's newsletter at eeriehorrorfest.com/subscribe
