NEW DELHI: From the eerie Shakchunni of Bengali folklore and the Nun to Harry Potter, Joker and Wednesday Addams, Halloween took on a distinctly desi-meets-pop-culture flavour as horror enthusiasts, children and families gathered at HorrorCon India 2026 in the capital Saturday.Dressed as ghosts, witches and characters from popular horror films and fantasy franchises, participants brought an assortment of fictional and supernatural worlds to life. Among the attractions were appearances by characters such as Wednesday Addams, while children dressed as their favourite characters walked around the venue, posed for photographs and took part in various activities.Organised by TMV’s Khooni Monday, the third edition of HorrorCon India is being held on Oct 31 and Nov 1 at NSIC Grounds, Okhla. The two-day festival features a Halloween parade, a horror cosplay competition, live storytelling, musical performances, gaming zones and horror film screenings.What made this year’s celebration stand out was its attempt to bring families and younger audiences into a genre traditionally associated with chills and thrills. A dedicated section, HallowVille, offered children activities such as face painting, puppet and magic shows, gaming arenas, a Monster Academy and family cosplay competitions.For seven-year-olds, the festival was as much about dressing up as it was about experiencing Halloween. One family brought their seven-year-old son dressed as Harry Potter, complete with the wizard’s signature look.“We wanted him to experience something different and enjoy the celebration. He loves Harry Potter, so dressing him up as the character was an easy choice. It is lovely to see children getting an opportunity to dress up, participate and enjoy themselves,” said the child’s parent, Vashu.The enthusiasm was not limited to children. Young adults also turned up in elaborate costumes inspired by their favourite characters. One participant, who dressed up as Maddy from Wednesday, said the character’s look and personality made it her favourite choice.“I have always liked Maddy’s character and wanted to recreate the look. Halloween gives you the freedom to step into a character you admire and express yourself through costumes. It is not just about being scary; it is also about having fun,” Manvi Sharma said.Beyond the costumes, the venue featured stalls selling books, food, merchandise and Halloween-themed props. Visitors could also get their faces painted, browse themed merchandise and shop for accessories, adding to the carnival-like atmosphere.From horror storytelling and cosplay to family activities and food stalls, the festival offered visitors a chance to celebrate Halloween beyond the usual spooky costumes, turning NSIC Grounds into a gathering space for horror fans, fantasy enthusiasts and families alike.
