Festival tickets can be purchased online here.  Take advantage of our exclusive presale discount when you buy your tickets online! Secure your spot in advance and enjoy savings before the fear takes hold. Presale tickets are available at a discounted rate, but only for a limited time!

If you wait until the gate, tickets will be sold at full price.  Avoid the lines, lock in your discount, and ensure you don’t miss out on the chills and thrills this season.

Appalachian HorrorFest 2026 is set to deliver another year of spine-chilling thrills and eerie delights at the Holiday Inn – Cedar Bluff Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Located at 9134 Executive Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37923, this venue provides the perfect setting for an immersive horror experience, bringing fans together for a weekend of haunting performances, eerie storytelling, and unforgettable encounters. Whether you’re a returning guest or a newcomer eager to explore the horrors that await, mark your calendars and prepare for an event that promises to be bigger, bolder, and more terrifying than ever before. Stay tuned for more details, and be ready to step into the shadows of Appalachian HorrorFest 2026!

Attendees will receive a non-transferable event badge upon entering the festival, which serves as proof of admission and must be worn at all times. While this badge grants access to festival activities, those who wish to exit and return later the same day must first visit an admission gate before leaving to obtain a re-entry armband. This armband is required for re-entry and must remain intact and visible until re-entry.  To ensure a seamless return, attendees should secure their armband properly and avoid tampering with it.  Failure to present a valid re-entry armband may result in denied access upon return.

All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.  No refunds will be issued under any circumstances. However, unused tickets may be carried over and redeemed at the following year’s event.  In the unlikely event of a festival cancellation, ticket holders will be provided with options regarding their tickets, including the ability to transfer them to a future event.

Festival tickets are non-transferable, and passes purchased from third-party sources will not be honored. To ensure authenticity, tickets must be purchased exclusively through the Appalachian HorrorFest website and its official ticketing provider.  For 100% confidence in your purchase, always use the official links provided on our webpage. Appalachian HorrorFest is not responsible for counterfeit or invalid tickets acquired through unverified or unofficial sellers.

Our festival schedule is available on our website and may be updated as additional details are finalized. Traditionally, the storytelling segment of the event is scheduled in the afternoon or evening, though timing and programming are subject to change.  For the most accurate and up-to-date schedule, we recommend visiting our program page regularly. There, you’ll find a comprehensive listing of events, including any updates or additions to the lineup.

We welcome families to attend and participate. We encourage you to bring your children! However, for safety and enjoyment, all attendees under the age of 16 must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. While many activities are designed to be family-friendly, some performances and presentations contain mature themes and are strictly designated as “Adults Only” (18 and over). These shows are not suitable for younger audiences, and individuals under 18 will not be admitted under any circumstances. Parents and guardians are responsible for determining whether general admission performances and presentations are appropriate for their children. To ensure the best experience for all attendees, we strongly recommend reviewing our event schedule and program descriptions in advance to identify age-appropriate content. Planning ahead will help families make the most of their time at the event!

To honor those who have served, all current active-duty military and veterans qualify for a discount on the purchase of any adult general admission pass at the gate. To receive the discount, a valid Military ID Card or VA Identification Card must be presented for verification. This offer is available exclusively for in-person ticket purchases at the gate and cannot be applied to online sales. We appreciate your service and look forward to welcoming you!

Parking is free with your festival ticket, ensuring a seamless arrival experience. While there is plenty of parking, spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure a convenient spot, we recommend arriving early, especially during peak festival hours. Accessible parking is available; please visit the festival website for details on designated areas and accommodations.

Parking at Appalachian HorrorFest is completely free for all attendees, ensuring a hassle-free arrival and departure. To accommodate guests with disabilities, we provide designated accessible parking spaces that comply with ADA guidelines, making it easier for everyone to navigate the event comfortably.

At Appalachian HorrorFest, inclusivity is at the heart of our mission. We are fully committed to ADA compliance, ensuring that every attendee enjoys a welcoming and accessible experience. Our festival upholds rigorous accessibility standards, providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities, clearly marked accessible pathways, and designated areas for service animals. We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully participate and immerse themselves in the festivities without barriers.

For details on our accessibility policies, visit our ADA Guide. If you have specific needs or questions, our team is here to help. Please refer to our official festival guidelines or reach out for assistance, we’re dedicated to making Appalachian HorrorFest accessible for everyone!

If you have lost an item during Appalachian Horror Fest, please visit the festival entrance and speak with a member of our security team for assistance.

Unclaimed items will be securely stored until the end of the festival. After the event concludes, all remaining lost items will be transferred to the corporate office, where they will be held for five days. If items are not retrieved within this period, they will be either discarded or donated to a suitable charity. 

Appalachian HorrorFest is a smoke-free event.  The host facility has designated outdoor smoking areas available for those who wish to use tobacco, e-cigarettes, or legal vapor-smoking products. We ask that all smoking remain within these designated areas in accordance with Tennessee state law. To maintain a clean and enjoyable environment for all attendees, please dispose of cigarette butts properly using the provided receptacles. Littering, including improper disposal of cigarette waste, is strictly prohibited. Thank you for helping us keep the festival site welcoming for everyone.

We love our furry friends, but pets are not permitted at the festival. To maintain a safe and enjoyable environment, we enforce a strict no-pets policy. However, service animals are welcome in accordance with Tennessee State Law and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To ensure accessibility for all attendees, service animals must remain under control at all times. They should be leashed, harnessed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with their ability to perform their trained tasks. Handlers are responsible for their service animal’s behavior and must ensure they are up to date on all required vaccinations, including rabies, as mandated by state law. Additionally, handlers must clean up after their service animal to help maintain a welcoming and sanitary space for all guests.

Thank you for supporting an inclusive and enjoyable festival experience for everyone!

Appalachian HorrorFest welcomes media coverage from local, state, and independent press. By purchasing a ticket and attending, guests consent to being recorded through audio, video, and photography in all media formats, existing or future, without limitation on time.

We welcome and encourage attendees to capture their festival experience through photos and videos for personal enjoyment. Feel free to share your moments on social media and tag Appalachian HorrorFest…we love seeing your creativity!

However, cameras, video recorders, and auxiliary equipment intended for commercial use are strictly prohibited unless explicitly approved by festival organizers. Accredited media outlets may request authorization in advance to document the event professionally.  By attending Appalachian HorrorFest, you acknowledge that any personal photos or videos taken must not be used for commercial purposes, including resale or promotional content, without prior written consent.

Thank you for respecting this policy and helping us preserve the immersive atmosphere of the festival!

Appalachian HorrorFest encourages and invites attendees to immerse themselves in the atmosphere by donning costumes, cosplay, or horror-themed attire that enhances the festival’s eerie charm. To foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, all costumes must be suitable for audiences of all ages, ensuring they are free from offensive imagery or cultural appropriation. Additionally, masks and face coverings should be easily removable upon request for identification purposes, while all props must adhere to festival safety guidelines. For a comfortable and enjoyable experience, attendees are encouraged to consider weather conditions and mobility when selecting their attire, allowing them to embrace the event’s haunting atmosphere without compromise.

Appalachian HorrorFest gladly accepts credit and debit cards for ticket purchases on the day of the festival. While most vendors will accommodate card payments, some may operate on a cash-only basis. For your convenience, the venue provides an on-site ATM, but to avoid potential wait times or transaction limits, we highly recommend bringing some cash to ensure smooth and hassle-free purchases throughout the event.  

Absolutely! You won’t have to face the horrors of an empty stomach at Appalachian HorrorFest. Several food trucks will be stationed at the festival, offering a variety of delicious options to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.  Additionally, the host venue features an on-site restaurant and bar, offering a selection of food and drinks. Please note that the restaurant operates on limited hours, so we recommend checking its schedule in advance.  

To maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees, outside food and beverages are not permitted within the venue. However, exceptions are made for essential items, including baby formula, baby food, and food required for service animals. These items must be either in their original, unopened packaging or clearly labeled to ensure proper identification. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines, which help us uphold health and safety standards for everyone.

Outside alcohol is prohibited at the festival. Guests are welcome to enjoy the venue’s fully stocked bar, offering a diverse selection of beverages.  Check with the host facility for available times.

Appalachian HorrorFest is hosted in a fully indoor venue (with the exception of food trucks), guaranteeing that all scheduled events will proceed rain or shine without weather-related disruptions. No matter the forecast, you can enjoy the festival in comfort.  However, in the unlikely event of a severe weather emergency, the safety of our guests, performers, and staff remains our top priority. Should any urgent changes or precautions become necessary, we will promptly communicate updates through our official website and social media channels.  

We encourage all attendees to check for the latest information as needed and follow any guidance provided by festival organizers. Your safety and enjoyment are our top concerns, and we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a smooth and secure experience for everyone.

Appalachian HorrorFest is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all attendees. If an individual engages in harassing behavior, festival security will take immediate action as deemed necessary, which may include expulsion from the event without refund. This policy applies to everyone at the festival, including vendors, attendees, speakers, guests, professionals, press, staff, and volunteers. Appalachian HorrorFest does not tolerate harassment in any form, and we encourage all participants to uphold a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

Guests are welcome to bring bags to Appalachian HorrorFest. However, for the safety of all attendees, all bags are subject to inspection upon entry. Please be advised that firearms, knives, pepper spray, and other weapons are strictly prohibited.  To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, security personnel will be stationed at the entrance to conduct bag checks. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us create a secure event atmosphere.

If you need more information or have additional questions, please contact us directly via our contact page or by emailing us at info@appalachianhorrorfest.com. Please note that any storytelling submissions sent to this email will not receive a response.