Nightmare in the Ozarks Turns Eureka Springs Into a Horror Movie Set
Eureka Springs already looks like a haunted Victorian town on a normal Tuesday, all steep hills tucked into the Ozark Mountains. The festival’s organizers call it The Halloween City, and this event is the reason why. Grab a few friends and carve out a long weekend with people who love this stuff as much as you do.
THE DEETS
📅 Wednesday, October 21, 2026 to Saturday, October 24, 2026
🕕 6 PM to 11 PM nightly
📍 City Auditorium, 36 S Main St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
🎟️ All-Access Film Pass: $48.70 | Single-night passes: $19.52 to $25.35 (fees and tax included)
🔗 More info | Tickets
A Historic Theater Built for Screams
The festival takes over the City Auditorium, known locally as The Aud, a 984-seat theater in the heart of downtown Eureka Springs. For nearly 100 years, the venue has hosted performers from BB King to Willie Nelson, and now you can watch the festival’s lineup on a 26-foot screen. The four-night bill covers new horror and thriller films, along with panels and workshops you can add to your schedule.
Beyond the Screen
You will find macabre vendors at the festival, and on Saturday evening you can catch the Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl as it winds through the downtown streets. The festival bills it as one of the largest zombie parades in the country.
The New York Times named the festival one of the top five Halloween horror film festivals worth traveling for.
Picking Your Pass
Tickets run in a few different tiers. The All-Access Film Pass covers every screening across all four days, plus the awards ceremony and vendor space, and you can come and go all weekend. Single-night passes include the awards ceremony and vendor space for the night you pick, at a lower price. Neither pass covers the Wine and Crime live podcast or other separately ticketed events.
Plan Your Trip
Plan to stay a while in Eureka Springs and leave yourself time to wander Main Street before or after screenings. The Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce notes that hotels and Airbnbs book up well ahead for Friday and Saturday, so reserve lodging early.
Last year’s festival drew about 600 people and held the world premiere of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, and this year adds an extra day to the schedule. Follow the festival on Facebook for film announcements as they roll out, then pick your night and head to Eureka Springs.
