American Hauntings

28th annual event held at franklin lodge
1513 WASHINGTON AVENUE - alton, illinois
fEBRUARY 13, 2027 - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Join American Hauntings for the 28th Annual Dead of Winter Event in Alton, Illinois! In 2027, we return to haunted and mysterious Franklin Lodge, where we’ll spend the day celebrating the spooky winter season of ghosts, hauntings, folklore, and legends while also supporting a great cause! Your generosity during this annual food drive will help to feed the hungry in the region during the coldest time of the year! So, join us at Franklin Lodge for this FREE daytime event, where you’ll have the chance to be chilled by presentations on ghosts, hauntings, and the unexplained, meet speakers and authors, browse the vendor room, and make this one of the best days you’ll have all winter!

Don’t Forget Your Canned Goods and Non-Perishables to Help Local Food Banks for entry to the daytime event!

Join us at Franklin Lodge for our line-up of speakers (see below), who will be appearing throughout the day, and then check out the vendor room downstairs, where you can shop for a variety of books and other items geared toward paranormal interests, including American Hauntings Ink! We’ll also have ticketed After Hours events, plus off-site special events at the American Oddities Museum over the weekend, too. It’s going to be THE big weekend of the winter, and you don’t want to miss it!

There is no charge for general admission to the daytime events between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM, but we hope you can bring items to benefit local food banks in the area. The region has nearly 20,000 people in need, and more than 7,000 of them are children. We'll be donating all of the items collected to the local Alton food bank, so bring a canned good or non-perishable food item with you for entry to this eerie event!

DEAD OF WINTER 2027 AFTER HOURS EVENTS

dead of winter 2027 speakers

TROY TAYLOR & CODY BECK | AMERICAN HAUNTINGS PODCAST
Troy and Cody return with their annual live broadcast from Dead of Winter, featuring a winter-themed show with audience questions and participation, which will be featured in an upcoming episode of the podcast. Returning in 2027 for our 11th season!

MATTHEW JACKSON
Matthew Jackson began actively researching the paranormal in 2009. After a string of unexplainable events — the strangest being in 2003 when a discarnate voice whispered in his ear and then chucked a glass of water at his head at the exact location of an unsolved murder from 1970 — he began delving into connections between tragic history and supernational occurrences. He was instantly drawn to Instrumental Trans Communication (ITC) and has developed a passion for Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) and for using Spirit/Ghost Boxes in his sessions. He has investigated many locations, including iconic ones such as the Lizzie Borden House, and has braved the halls of Waverly Hills Sanatorium on numerous occasions. Matthew is also the proud owner of some of the most unique spirit boxes in the field.

TED WILLIAMS & ROBYN DAVIS
Ted and Robyn own The Haunted Galena Tour Company, and were co-creators of Galena's first ghost tour back in 2001. Robyn has an undergrad degree in History and a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. She blends these two disciplines to study the history of past events that have led to hauntings and interpret the motivation of those involved. Ted has been fascinated (and occasionally confronted) by the paranormal since his arrival in Galena in 1995. He has spent the last 23 years researching Galena history and the paranormal. Also a writer, Ted was honored to be named Galena's first Poet Laureate in 2024. Robyn and Ted live in an 1892 restored schoolhouse with their Golden Doodle. Harper Lee.

At this year’s, event, they’ll be talking about the ghosts of ANOTHER very haunted small town on the Mississippi River — Galena, Illinois and presenting their personal Haunted Galena Ghost Walk favorites, including slides of phenomenon and locations! We hope to lure you to Galena this upcoming season! Remember, ghosts don’t shout… they whisper, and this year, at The Dead of Winter, they might just whisper to you!

VINCE JOHARI & CARLOS DAVID
A master of theatrical séances, Vince Johari weaves the strange and bizarre into unforgettable live experiences. For four years, he captivated audiences in the famously haunted town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, with his flagship creation, Pre-Possessed. Specializing in Induced After Death Communication (I.A.D.C.), Vince blends mystery, dark arts, and psychological intrigue to craft immersive theatrical experiences that push beyond simple illusion, guiding audiences through presentations that seemingly unlock their own latent psychic abilities and forge personal connections with the paranormal. His performances have captivated audiences across landmark venues, including the King Opera House, The Pythian Castle, the 1886 Crescent Hotel, and Troy Taylor's Haunted America Conference. Whether coheadlining productions like Beyond the Ghost Light or guiding audiences through dark mysteries on stage, Johari commands the spotlight with an unforgettable aura of the bizarre.

Carlos David is a full-time professional magician, consultant, and seasoned haunted history storyteller whose work bridges the traditional art of magic and the supernatural. Driven by a lifelong fascination with the paranormal, Carlos co-created and co-stars in the hit theatrical séance Pre-Possessed and Beyond the Ghost Light alongside fellow paranormal performer Vince Johari. With over a decade of professional experience, Carlos is known for his engaging stage presence, charismatic style, and ability to connect with crowds, transforming classical and modern magic into an interactive theater experience. His vast background spans close-up, walk-around, stand-up, and thematic theatrical magic across historic theaters, festivals, and high-profile venue stages. Carlos focuses heavily on audience-centric showmanship, making every spectator an integral part of the performance. He can often be found taking the stage in his acclaimed one-man haunted magic show, The Ghosts Of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

At this year’s event, Vince and Carlos will be presenting “The Men from Beyond,” and you can join them as they discuss Harry Houdini's complex relationship with the spiritual movement and demonstrate magical methods of spirit communication as presented in Troy Taylor’s biography and tribute to Harry Houdini; The Man From Beyond, Houdini Among the Spirits.

DEAD OF WINTER SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:00 AM: DOORS OPEN FOR VENDORS AND SEATING
10:00 AM: WELCOME TO DEAD OF WINTER 2027 (TROY TAYLOR)
10:30 AM: LIVE RECORDING WITH TROY AND CODY (AMERICAN HAUNTINGS PODCAST)
12:00 – 1:00 PM: LUNCH BREAK

1:00 PM: VINCE JOHARI & CARLOS DAVID
2:00-2:15: BREAK
2:15-3:15: TED WILLIAMS & ROBYN DAVIS
3:15-3:30 PM: BREAK
3:30 PM: MATTHEW JACKSON

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AND VENDORS!
* GET A RAFFLE TICKET AT THE ALTON WARMING CENTER TABLE!
* GET GREAT STUFF FROM ALL OUR VENDORS THIS YEAR!

AFTER HOURS EVENTS!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12: DINNER UNTIL DEATH DO US PART: 7:00 PM (AMERICAN ODDITIES MUSEUM)
6:00 PM: BEYOND THE GHOST LIGHT MAGIC SHOW / CARLOS DAVID & VINCE JOHARI (FRANKLIN LODGE)
8:00 PM: GHOST HUNT AT FRANKLIN LODGE

hotel ROOMS for dead of winter

DON'T MISS the 2027 DEAD OF WINTER event!