18th Annual

PoeFest

to benefit ACT INC

OCTOBER 23rd - 31st, 2026

18 years of madness and terror at PoeFest

Experience one of Phoenix's top Halloween events and premier haunted attractions.

About PoeFest: 18 Years of Gothic Horror & Live Theatre in Phoenix

Eighteen years ago, PoeFest launched in Downtown Phoenix with just six people in the audience. By the following weekend, we were sold out, and an unforgettable live horror theater experience was born. Now one of the top Edgar Allan Poe festivals in the U.S., and a staple among Phoenix Halloween events, PoeFest draws fans from around the world every October for a month of Gothic horror and immersive theater. Huge thanks to the actors, crew, and audiences who've made PoeFest a Phoenix Halloween tradition and a must-see haunted attraction in Arizona.

PoeFest presents the works of Edgar Allan Poe in a chilling new way. - Downtown Devil

PoeFest 2026 features 'The Raven' performed at Rosson House Museum on Halloween Night. Be there October 31st at Rosson House Museum for our finale - 'The Raven' performed every 20 minutes on the grand staircase inside the historic Rosson House Museum. Secure your Edgar Allan Poe festival tickets early!

Phoenix New Times' Best Halloween Tradition
New Times "Best Halloween Tradition"

What Critics Say

Phoenix New Times

"100% pure, mind-blowing acting... masterful and breathtaking."

Arizona Republic

"PoeFest captures creepy magic... creepy mix of erudition and depravity."

KJZZ

"PoeFest delights in darkness. Unsettling. Unnerving."

Arizona Foothills Magazine

"A one-of-a-kind delight... poetically haunting and engaging."

The Paranormal Project: Where Science Meets Supernatural

21+ After-Hours Event

Science With a TWIST

The Paranormal Project: Where Science Meets Supernatural

Friday, October 23, 2026 | 6:00-10:00 p.m.

Explore strange phenomena, creepy demonstrations, hands-on experiments, and an entertaining séance with Arizona Curriculum Theater. Your Science With a TWIST admission includes general admission to Arizona Science Center.

VIP Experiences (Choose 1)

Option 1: Rosson House Séance & Spiritualist Tour Sold Out

Option 2: Arizona Curriculum Theater Séance Experience
Join Arizona Curriculum Theater for an exclusive VIP experience exploring the strange and unexplained through creepy demonstrations, experiments, and an entertaining séance.

Members $20

Advance admission $30

At the door $35

Member VIP $65

VIP $75

Reserve Tickets

CaveScape admission is not included; it can be added on-site or by phone. Cocktails, food, and snacks will be available for purchase.

PoeFest 2026 Tickets - Phoenix Halloween Event

'THE RAVEN' at ROSSON HOUSE

$20.00 plus fees

  • Choose a time slot on 10/31 for your showing of 'The Raven'.
  • Repeats every 20 minutes.
  • You must check in 15 minutes before showtime
  • Transferrable. Anyone may use your ticket(s).

The Raven performed inside a Queen Anne Eastlake Victorian. A perfect Halloween night experience in Phoenix.

PoeFest 2026 Schedule

Phoenix's Premier Edgar Allan Poe Festival

Reserve your spot for PoeFest 2026, Phoenix's premier Edgar Allan Poe festival and a top Halloween event. See the full schedule for our live theatrical performances below.

23
SCIENCE AFTER DARK

Friday, Oct 23

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Science With a TWIST

The Paranormal Project: Where Science Meets Supernatural

Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ

Join Arizona Curriculum Theater for VIP Option 2: an exclusive séance experience with creepy demonstrations and experiments. This after-hours event is for ages 21+.

Reserve Tickets
31
🎃 HALLOWEEN

Saturday, Oct 31

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
(every 20 minutes)

The Raven

Rosson House Museum
113 N 6th St, Phoenix, AZ

Get Raven Tickets

PoeFest Student Writing Competition

Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Logo Sponsored by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

Channel Edgar Allan Poe in Phoenix

Each year, ACT Inc. and PoeFest, in proud partnership with Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, host a fun and educational Student Writing Competition for all Arizona students in grades 7, 8, and 9.

Thanks to the generous support of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, our contest winners receive fantastic prizes! Click here to find the nearest Bookmans location.

The 2026 contest is now OPEN. Submit your entries today!

Eligibility

  • Arizona students must be in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade for the 2025-2026 school year.
  • Home schooled students are welcome.
  • Submissions must be original, unpublished, and in English.
  • One entry per student per category (i.e., a student may submit one short story and one poem).
  • The author or poet must have the explicit permission of a parent or legal guardian.
  • The entry must include the email and/or phone number of a parent or legal guardian.
  • Entries must contain the author's full name, date of birth, school name, and grade level for the 2025-2026 school year.
  • The author or poet must be a resident of the State of Arizona.
  • Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM on October 29, 2026.

Submission Guidelines

Short Story Competition
  • Word Count: Between 1,000 and 7,500 words.
  • Format: Entries may be submitted electronically to [email protected] in Word document, Google Doc, or PDF format.
  • Theme: Entries must adhere to the genres of horror and/or mystery.
  • Copyright: All submissions must be original works. Authors retain full copyright ownership of their submissions.
Poetry Competition
  • Line Count: No more than 100 lines.
  • Format: Entries may be submitted electronically to [email protected] in Word document, Google Doc, or PDF format.
  • Theme: Entries must adhere to the genres of love, horror, and/or death.
  • Copyright: All submissions must be original works. Authors retain full copyright ownership of their submissions.

Prizes & Recognition

Short Story Competition Grand Prize
  • Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Prize Package
  • Certificate of Recognition
  • Recognition on PoeFest website and social media
Poetry Competition Grand Prize
  • Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Prize Package
  • Certificate of Recognition
  • Recognition on PoeFest website and social media

Winning entries may also be featured during a special reading at PoeFest.

Email your submission to:
PoeFest Student Writing Competition Poster

Meet the Cast of PoeFest

James D. Porter, performer

James D. Porter

The Tell-Tale Heart

Founder, ACT Inc.

Jim Coates, PoeFest performer

Jim Coates

The Cask of Amontillado

Founder, ACT Inc.

Danette Porter, PoeFest performer

Danette Porter

The Oval Portrait

Founder, ACT Inc.

Laurelann Porter, PoeFest teaching artist

Laurelann Porter

The Premature Burial

Teaching Artist, ACT Inc.

Megan Holcomb, performer in PoeFest

Megan Holcomb

Masque of the Red Death

Teaching Artist, ACT Inc.

Beau Heckman, PoeFest performer

Beau Heckman

The Raven

Teaching Artist, ACT Inc.

Our Shows

Experience Edgar Allan Poe's masterpieces brought to life through immersive theatrical performances in authentic Victorian settings.

The Paranormal Project: Where Science Meets Supernatural
The Paranormal Project

Science With a TWIST: The Paranormal Project

Explore the strange and unexplained with Arizona Curriculum Theater's exclusive VIP Option 2 séance experience, featuring creepy demonstrations and experiments.

Creepy science demonstrations
Arizona Curriculum Theater séance
21+ after-hours event
  • Friday, October 23 | 6:00-10:00 p.m.
  • Arizona Science Center, Phoenix
  • VIP tickets from $75
Reserve Tickets
The Raven at Rosson House Museum
The Raven

'The Raven' at Rosson House

Experience Poe's most famous poem, "The Raven," performed every 20 minutes on the grand staircase inside the historic Rosson House Museum. This Queen Anne Eastlake Victorian provides the perfect setting for this haunting performance on Halloween night.

Classic Poe Recitation
Historic Victorian Mansion
Halloween Night Special
  • Halloween Night (October 31)
  • Rosson House Museum
  • $20.00 plus fees
Get Raven Tickets

PoeFest Venues & Locations

Discover the haunting venues where PoeFest comes to life in historic Downtown Phoenix

Rosson House Museum

The Raven on Halloween

About the Venue

Built in 1895 in the rare Stick-Eastlake Queen Anne Style, this fully restored Victorian mansion features a 19th century doctor's examination room and creepy Victorian mourning artifacts.

Location Details

Rosson House Museum

113 N 6th St

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Historic Heritage Square

Contact PoeFest