Friday the 13th flashback to Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend 2013, bringing a little horror to the holidays

It’s been more than a month since Halloween and we’re now in the midst of the Christmas season – but that doesn’t mean we can’t find an excuse to share some ghoulish sights. Today’s date is just that opportunity.

In honor of Friday the 13th (even in December!), we’re looking back at Spooky Empire‘s Ultimate Horror Weekend 2013. We were there to preview the Mucklebones Museum tribute to Disney’s Haunted Mansion, but never quite got around to following up with a look at the rest of the annual event celebrating all things sinister, courtesy of photographer Michael Gavin.

So today we present an assortment of the best sights and frights from throughout the 3-day event that took place in Orlando during October 25-27, 2013 at the DoubleTree hotel across from Universal Orlando. It was a new venue this year, offering ample room to spread out and invade the convention spaces with terror-ific celebrity appearances, merchandise, costumes, and much more…

Zombie Make-up

The event kicked off with a zombie walk, this time applying makeup at nearby Hooters.

Show Floor and Costumes

Throughout the weeekend, plenty of macabre merchandise was for sale to attendees wandering in their most creative and creepy costumes.

Costume Contest

The best cosplayers competed in a costume contest, including children and adults.

Celebrity Panels

Celebrity guests included George Romero, Danielle Harris, Dee Snyder, Jason Mewes, a reunion of the cast of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” Lisa Marie, judges from Syfy’s “Face Off,” Tom Savini, and more.