Night Frights LA has been the little horror festival that could, and we have a whole lot of respect for what the brothers behind this event are building. (With a last name like Winchester, you know they mean business.) Their focus on bringing horror fans together, supporting independent filmmakers, and creating a welcoming space for the genre is exactly the kind of thing we love seeing in the horror community. We were supposed to attend one of their events a few weeks back, but illness unfortunately kept us away. Having seen what they have put together at previous events, though, we can say that these guys know how to make horror fans feel right at home.
Now, Night Frights LA is taking that same spirit across the country and bringing a little Haddonfield to Portland, Maine, with HALLOWEEN: AFTER DARK, a special horror celebration set for Friday, October 23, at Bissell Brothers Brewery. If you have ever wanted to watch John Carpenter’s Halloween with a room full of fellow horror fans, this sounds like a pretty great way to spend an October evening.
The night will also shine a spotlight on independent horror, with short films from emerging filmmakers, including a special showcase of Too Tight to Move. It is a chance to discover something new while celebrating one of the genre’s most enduring classics.
There will be plenty to explore between screenings, too. Attendees can browse local horror vendors offering artwork, collectibles, and apparel, check out photo opportunities, test their genre knowledge during Halloween trivia, and compete for prizes. Bissell Brothers Brewery will provide the craft beer, while Night Frights LA brings the horror-loving crowd together for a night dedicated to the genre.
We always appreciate events that go beyond simply putting a movie on a screen. Horror has always been about community, whether that means discovering an independent filmmaker, meeting someone who shares your obsession with a particular slasher, or spending an evening celebrating the movies that made you fall in love with the genre in the first place. That sense of community is something Night Frights LA continues to champion, and we are glad to see them bringing the party to Maine.
HALLOWEEN: AFTER DARK takes place Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Bissell Brothers Brewery, located at 38 Resurgam Place in Portland, Maine. The event is for guests 21 and older.
Tickets are available now through Eventbrite. You can grab yours HERE and get ready for a night of classic horror, independent filmmaking, local vendors, and plenty of Halloween spirit.
Everyone’s entitled to one good scare. Night Frights LA is aiming to make it a whole night of them.
