“Halfway to Halloween 2” Unleashes the Macabre in a Celebration of Horror and Music

Horror fans and music lovers alike are preparing for a night of eerie entertainment as “Halfway to Halloween Fest 2” returns on Saturday, April 25. Hosted at Yellow Cab Tavern, the event celebrates the midpoint to All Hallows’ Eve with a blend of live performances, themed activities, and a vibrant vendor marketplace. 

Doors open at 6 p.m., with music kicking off at 7 p.m., promising a full evening of horror-inspired fun. Tickets are currently available, and organizers encourage early purchase as interest continues to build. Tickets are available at www.horrorshockrecords-shop.fourthwall.com

The festival, organized by HorrorShock founder Chad Wells, has quickly grown into a staple regional horror event. Wells, who also performs in The Creepy Crawlers, has built HorrorShock into a platform dedicated to supporting underground artists across horrorpunk, metal, and hardcore genres.

“This isn’t just a record label…it’s a movement,” Wells states regarding HorrorShock’s mission. “We aim to give a voice to artists who create music inspired by the darker side of imagination.”

This year’s lineup reflects that vision, bringing together the perfect mix of horror-punk themed bands. Featured acts include Pumpkin Guts, Rise From Your Grave, Where Monsters Dwell, and Bat Thorn. What sets these performances apart is their theatrical flair and attention to gory detail. Every act is full of scary surprises and horrifically spectacular storytelling. With inspirations varying from Abbott and Costello, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Alice Cooper, each band perfectly intertwines familiar dark tales with their own flair. 

According to Wells, Halfway to Halloween is heavily inspired by the popular convention “Horrorhound”, but in bite-sized, single-day form. Festivals that span multiple days can be hard on families and the older alternative community as a whole. So Halfway to Halloween aims to provide a great local option for horror fanatics of all ages. Wells aims for accessibility as well as good experiences for every aspect of the event. From the band members to the audience and everyone in between. 

Beyond the music, attendees can expect interactive entertainment throughout the evening. The Slash Sisters Podcast will host horror trivia between sets, along with themed karaoke that invites guests to take the stage themselves. 

A curated vendor marketplace will further enhance the experience, featuring offerings from B&K Creations, Designs by Des, Pumpkin Patch Knick Knacks, Secret Chamber House of Oddities, Eclectic Artificers, Aarika’s Awful Art, HorrorShock Records, Slash Sisters, and Blood Scream Comics. The event aims to strike a balance between a horror convention and a punk-driven music festival, giving attendees a little bit of everything.

Organizers are encouraging guests to come dressed in costume, leaning into the Halloween spirit months ahead of October. The venue maintains a 16+ policy, though younger attendees may enter with a parent or guardian.

Known for its support of local arts and inclusive programming, Yellow Cab Tavern has become a fitting home for the festival. Its commitment to showcasing diverse talent aligns closely with HorrorShock’s mission to elevate underground voices.

With a “special performance” also teased for the evening, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be one of Dayton’s most unique spring events. As the countdown to Halloween unofficially begins, “Halfway to Halloween Fest 2” offers a chance for fans to embrace the spooky season early, complete with music, community, and a touch of the macabre.