Q: When will the final schedule be available?
A: The final schedule will be available sometime in late August or early September.

Q: When do tickets and passes go on sale? How much will they be?
A: Tickets will go on sale on Friday, July 13 through the Sunrise Box Office, and via phone at (812) 323-3020, as well as online. Ticket prices are TBA.

Q: Will there be merchandise tables?
A: Yes, there will be merchandise. If you’re interested in renting a table for the weekend it is strongly recommended that you contact us early, as booths ALWAYS sell out. Go to our VENDOR page for info.

Q: I’m coming from out of town. Do you have hotel recommendations?>
A: We work with the Bloomington Visitor’s Bureau to offer a discount hotel rates for our guests and patrons. Visit our HOTEL page for more info.

Also, be sure to check out www.visitBloomington.com for a comprehensive hotel listing, as well as a list of excellent restaurants and shopping within easy walking distance of the Festival.

Q: Is your event wheelchair accessible? Do you have listening devices for the hearing impaired?
A: Yes! The historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater is wheelchair accessible and has reserved wheelchair seating. Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired. Just ask the nearest usher for assistance.

Q: Why the logo change?
A: We had a great logo, but after five years we felt like it was time for a reboot.  The old logo was kind of cartoony and didn’t really reflect our personality as a festival. The new logo is a little darker and edgier, which is a much better representation of the atmosphere of Dark Carnival.

Q: What is Dark Carnival all about? Where’d the name come from?
A: Contrary to what some may think, our name has absolutely nothing to do with hardcore hip hop clowns.

Dark Carnival’s home in Bloomington has a long history as a circus town, going back more than a hundred years. In the early 20th century, there were at least two or three traveling circuses that called Bloomington home.

In addition, the festival is influenced by the writings of HP Lovecraft, and a series of horror short stories by Ray Bradbury which deal with a demonic fall carnival that rolls into small towns in the dead of night to prey upon the souls of the weak.

The carnival theme creates a unique atmosphere for an event that celebrates multiple facets of horror, including live entertainment, music and film.

If you have any questions that aren’t addressed above, be sure click on the CONTACT link.