Hunting for blood donors instead of vampires this Halloween in Miskolc
Anyone visiting Miskolc during the Halloween weekend this year should plan for a full weekend. On 31 October, instead of hunting vampires, blood donors will be sought, witch trials will be re-enacted, Japanese dancers will take the stage, and horror and geek-themed programmes will run until dawn. Meanwhile, the city offers plenty of other attractions and leisure activities in the autumn.
Anyone visiting Miskolc during the Halloween weekend this year should plan for a full weekend. On 31 October, instead of hunting vampires, blood donors will be sought, witch trials will be re-enacted, Japanese dancers will take the stage, and horror and geek-themed programmes will run until dawn. Meanwhile, the city offers plenty of other attractions and leisure activities in the autumn.
The organisers of Miskolc-CON are preparing two events
A daytime Happy Halloween for families and an evening Dark Fest for those over 18. The first Miskolc-CON in May attracted over 3,000 visitors, and the October edition will once again focus on entertainment, community building, and charity.
On 31 October, the Miskolc House of Science and Technology, the II. Rákóczi Ferenc Library, and nearby public spaces will host the Miskolc-CON Happy Halloween and Dark Fest events. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., family-friendly activities will take place, and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning, the spotlight will be on horror, fantasy, cosplay, and gaming subcultures.
The same organising team behind the first Miskolc-CON in May is responsible for these two non-profit events. The May event, which catered to fans of comics, films, books, and games, welcomed over 3,000 visitors, with contributions from 46 vendors, 24 speakers, and 25 volunteers across 13 locations.
Donate blood – but not to a vampire!
In collaboration with the Hungarian Red Cross and the National Blood Supply Service, blood donors will be welcomed at the II. Rákóczi Ferenc Library between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The organisers have turned the vampire motif from horror films into a charitable cause. The campaign’s message: “Donate blood – but not to a vampire!” Blood donors will receive gifts, entry tickets, and raffle tickets.
Charity also played a key role in the May Miskolc-CON. At that time, comic books, children’s books, picture books, and educational games worth over half a million forints were collected and donated to the Children’s Health Centre of the Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Central Hospital and the II. Rákóczi Ferenc Library.
Bats, dragons, and a cosplay contest at the family Halloween event
The daytime Happy Halloween programme includes pumpkin carving, face painting, a drawing contest, a playhouse, a concert, and a costume cosplay contest. Those interested in medieval combat can watch a demonstration by the Iron Banner, while visitors can take photos with horror cars and custom-built sets.
Educational talks will cover a range of topics from pop culture to natural sciences. Dr. Sándor András Boldogh, a zoological expert from the Aggtelek National Park, will discuss bats, Zoltán Reiman, a writer, will give a talk on Miskolc’s dragons and witches, and Péter Szokol will introduce the audience to the world of voice acting. Tai chi instructor László Smid will use the story of Aang, the Last Airbender, to showcase Eastern martial arts. A total of 13 talks will take place at the Latabár Hall in the House of Science and Technology and the II. Rákóczi Ferenc Library. Local and national geek communities, board game clubs, and creators will also be featured.
Night-time horror programmes, Japanese dance, and witch trials
The Dark Fest for those over 18 begins at 6 p.m. The opening programme features a performance by the KAGARI YOSAKOI Japanese dance group, followed by talks on horror, fantasy, and supernatural stories in the Latabár Hall of the House of Science and Technology, presented by writers, journalists, and experts.
The audience will learn about the history of witch hunts, Miskolc’s witch trials, and Halloween traditions. In addition to the talks, retro consoles, card games, Warhammer, and other role-playing, TCG, and board games will be available for participants.
The Gémeskút Board Game Club is organising a 12-hour gaming marathon, and the Hungarian Board Game Developers Association and the Miskolc Meeple Board Game Club will also be present. At 8 p.m., the cosplay contest will focus on horror costumes. The POKONYA band will perform at 10 p.m., and at midnight, horror film screenings will begin under the title Midnight Movies. The programme also includes an ANIME Parade, figure painting, a test of courage, séances, re-enactments of medieval battles, writer roundtables, and exhibitions.
Tattoo art and a Halloween market
Both the daytime and evening events will feature a Tattoo Show, showcasing tattoo art through presentations, discussions, and live tattooing. According to the organisers, attendees will also have the opportunity to get tattoos from renowned artists from TATTOO PONT.
During the day, the Forbidden Goods Market will offer products related to fantasy, comics, and costume culture, while in the evening, the Shadows Market will cater to the goth, dark, and underground communities.
The detailed programme is available HERE.
Miskolc offers plenty of experiences for a full autumn weekend
In addition to the Halloween programmes, Miskolc offers numerous experiences in autumn that make it worth spending an entire weekend in the city. The hiking spots in the Bükk region are particularly stunning at this time of year, and popular destinations include the Lillafüred State Forest Railway, Hámori Lake, the Hanging Gardens of the Palace Hotel, and the Szinva Waterfall. In case of bad weather, the world-famous Miskolctapolca Cave Bath, the Ellipsum Adventure Bath, the exhibitions at the Ottó Herman Museum, the city centre’s cafés and restaurants, and the city’s cultural programmes provide excellent entertainment options.
