MADHORROR is preparing its arrival in Madrid with a proposal set to transform Halloween into an immersive experience unlike anything previously seen in Spain. From 30 October to 2 November 2026, the festival will take over more than 25,000 square metres at IFEMA MADRID, bringing together film, series, video games, comics, immersive experiences, fan culture and major international names from the genre within one universe devoted to horror and dark fantasy.
Officially presented by IFEMA MADRID alongside key industry figures such as Álex de la Iglesia as the event’s official patron, MADHORROR was created with the ambition of becoming one of Europe’s leading festivals dedicated to fantasy culture and contemporary horror. The event will combine a film festival, convention, experiential fair and large-scale Halloween celebration designed for horror film fans, gaming communities, comic enthusiasts and lovers of immersive live events.
The first edition of MADHORROR will transform Madrid into Europe’s great capital of horror through a cross-disciplinary programme featuring international screenings, iconic guests, horror tunnels, gaming, cosplay, FX makeup and XR experiences. The event will be held across Hall 14, the South Auditorium and a large themed outdoor area with gastronomy, music and open-air activities that will reinforce the festival’s experiential dimension.
MADHORROR and the new major international horror festival
MADHORROR is built around a multidisciplinary identity connecting cinema, video games, comics and immersive entertainment through a shared visual and emotional narrative. The festival is committed to a participatory and sensory experience where visitors become an active part of the horror universe taking over IFEMA MADRID for four days.
The project will combine themed spaces, conventions, exhibitions and live activities designed for different generations of fans. MADHORROR aims to unite followers of classic horror with new audiences interested in dark pop culture, gaming, immersive experiences and interactive entertainment formats linked to contemporary culture.
The international dimension of the project will be reflected both in its guests and audiovisual programming. MADHORROR will bring together national and international talent through a combination of tributes, anniversaries, retrospectives and encounters with creators from the worlds of fantasy and genre cinema.
MADHORROR International Film Festival at the South Auditorium
One of the main pillars of the event will be the MADHORROR International Film Festival, taking place at the South Auditorium of IFEMA MADRID. The festival will screen ten of the most acclaimed and relevant horror films currently circulating on the international festival circuit, including titles from Toronto Midnight Madness, Austin’s Fantastic Fest and Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.
The film programme will also include special tributes to guest artists attending MADHORROR, alongside exclusive presentations, talks and meetings with directors, actors, producers and creative teams connected to the genre. The cinematic experience is designed to connect audiences directly with creators while expanding the festival’s cultural dimension.
The combination of contemporary horror cinema, genre classics and encounters with international figures positions MADHORROR alongside the world’s leading horror and fantasy festivals. Madrid will further strengthen its role as a meeting point for creative communities linked to audiovisual culture and fantasy storytelling.
Immersive experiences, exhibitions and themed universes
Hall 14 and its mezzanine level will host a major experiential fair organised into themed areas inspired by creatures and mythologies from the genre. Among the announced spaces are the HALL INFERNAL, PLAZA PAUL NASCHY, HALL XENOMORFOS and the “MIS TERRORES FAVORITOS” GRAND FORUM, alongside zones such as LIVING DEAD and HAIL SATAN.
MADHORROR will offer an extensive programme of themed exhibitions and immersive experiences, including a spectacular exclusive horror tunnel accompanied by two additional attractions inspired by Japanese horror. The experience will also feature escape rooms, interactive games and specialised workshops connected to comics, cosplay and FX makeup.
One of the festival’s standout exhibitions will be “DDT Special Effects: 35 Years in the Labyrinth of Fantaterror”, dedicated to the work of Montse Ribé and David Martí’s studio, winners of the Academy Award for Best Makeup for “Pan’s Labyrinth”. The exhibition will showcase original pieces and objects used in productions linked to directors such as Álex de la Iglesia, Juan Antonio Bayona, Pedro Almodóvar, Jaume Balagueró, Andy Muschietti and Alejandro Iñárritu.
The festival will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Aliens” with the exhibition “40 YEARS OF ALIENS”, featuring original objects from the iconic cinematic saga created by Ridley Scott and James Cameron in collaboration with 20th Century Studios.
Another major tribute will honour Narciso Ibáñez Serrador through the exhibition “Chicho Ibáñez Serrador: His Favourite Terrors”, a journey through the life and career of the creator and director behind landmark titles such as “The House That Screamed” and “Who Can Kill a Child?”, the latter also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
Gaming, XR and fan culture at MADHORROR
The connection between horror and video games will become one of the core elements of the programme thanks to Playable Nightmares, the major gaming area within MADHORROR. This space will feature competitions, streaming and an XR zone integrated into the MADHORROR Exploratorium, expanding the immersive experience into new interactive formats.
Beyond gaming, the festival will include exclusive presentations of films, series and comics, together with retrospectives and anniversaries linked to fantasy culture. The programme will also feature masterclasses, panels, conferences and round tables led by international artists, creators and specialists.
Specialised workshops focused on FX makeup, creature creation and cosplay will reinforce the festival’s participatory spirit. MADHORROR is designed as an experience to explore, create and share, connecting live entertainment and fan culture within an immersive environment.
Already announced collective activities include live podcasts, fan competitions, the Zombie Walk and the Day of the Dead parade, alongside a large commercial area dedicated to merchandising, collectibles, art, publishing and exclusive horror-related products.
International guests and iconic genre figures
The first edition of MADHORROR will feature internationally renowned guests from the worlds of cinema and fantasy culture. Among the first confirmed names are Linda Blair, Robert Englund, Michael Biehn and Malcolm McDowell, legendary genre icons and stars of some of the most influential films in contemporary horror history.
Juan Antonio Bayona will also attend to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the filming of “The Orphanage”, alongside video game designer and producer Glen Schofield, creator of “Dead Space”, one of the most influential modern survival horror franchises.
The comic section will welcome leading national and international guests such as Jorge Fornés and Eugenio Mira, creators behind acclaimed horror graphic stories published in “Creepshow”. The role-playing games area will also feature Sandy Petersen, creator of “Call of Cthulhu”, as its first major confirmed guest.
MADHORROR will further strengthen its connection with new digital audiences through the participation of content creators and influencers specialising in film, television, gaming and pop culture, including Mister Jägger, NeliWR, Javier Olivares from La Botella de Kandor and Ana Yubari, among many other names linked to the fan community.
Village MADHORROR and the festival’s social experience
The MADHORROR experience will also extend beyond the halls of IFEMA MADRID through Village MADHORROR, a large themed social and gastronomic area designed to extend the festival atmosphere throughout the day.
The Village will feature food trucks, bars, music, entertainment and special outdoor activities. The experience will combine leisure, gastronomy and Halloween culture within an environment created to share the celebration beyond the indoor venues and exhibition spaces.
The visual scale, staging and experiential approach make MADHORROR one of the most ambitious new additions to Spain’s cultural calendar. Madrid will thus host a major international gathering devoted to horror, dark fantasy and immersive pop culture.
With cinema, gaming, comics, exhibitions, XR experiences and major international guests, MADHORROR is set to become a European reference point for lovers of contemporary horror. The combination of spectacle, fan community and immersive entertainment will shape an experience designed to live Halloween from the inside.
Useful info about MADHORROR
What is MADHORROR?
MADHORROR is an international festival dedicated to horror, dark fantasy and Halloween culture, combining cinema, video games, comics, immersive experiences and fan activities in Madrid.
Where does MADHORROR take place?
The festival will be held at IFEMA MADRID, occupying Hall 14, the South Auditorium and a large themed outdoor area.
When is MADHORROR?
The first edition of MADHORROR will take place from 30 October to 2 November 2026 in Madrid.
What kind of activities will MADHORROR include?
The programme will feature film screenings, exhibitions, horror tunnels, gaming, XR experiences, cosplay, FX makeup, podcasts, fan competitions, the Zombie Walk, role-playing games and encounters with international guests.
Who are some of the confirmed guests at MADHORROR?
The first announced guests include Álex de la Iglesia, Linda Blair, Robert Englund, Michael Biehn, Malcolm McDowell, Juan Antonio Bayona, Glen Schofield and Sandy Petersen.
How do I get to MADHORROR?
The festival will take place at IFEMA MADRID, a venue with direct public transport connections and convenient access from different areas of the city and the airport.
The Feria de Madrid metro station (Line 8) connects directly to the venue, while several EMT bus lines including 112, 122, 104 and 828 provide easy access from across Madrid.
Where can I buy official tickets for MADHORROR?
All updated information and official MADHORROR tickets are available at entradas.com.
