Halloween has long been “a happy space” for Janelle Monáe.
As a kid growing up in Kansas City, the multi-talented performer loved the holiday and all of the seasonal spookiness that comes with it, especially horror movies. The passion has evolved over the years as Monáe has become more serious about October’s main event, upping the ante each year with her elaborate and jaw-dropping costumes to become one of Hollywood’s most watched creatives. “I’m just doing what I want to see more of,” she told The Hollywood Reporter last year as the first-ever Halloween cover star. “Bringing Halloween experiences and creative experiences is heart work, not hard work. I do this because my heart needs it.”
Her heart is overflowing his year as Monáe and the team from her Wondaland Arts Society are putting in the work to deliver a series of events that span music and film to games and live events. “It’s a full Halloween festival and universe,” she explains to THR, adding that it’s the culmination of years of planning and imagination. “I’m just really excited to announce all of the events we are curating as a way to build community around my genuine love for Halloween. Halloween has always been about transformation, creativity, community. What we’re doing at Wondaland is the manifestation of that passion.”
Looking at this schedule, it really covers so many aspects of your creativity from film and music to gaming and events. Let’s walk through some of the highlights. You’ll be back with Monáe Manor at the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride…
Yes, that’s happening now. It opened the last week of September and runs through Nov. 2. I’m so excited about it because while I know a lot of people visited last year, many of them are coming back this year and bringing their families and friends. It runs all month so please go check that out.
I was one of those who got to check it out last year, and it was very cool and scary. What lessons did you learn from the inaugural run that you’re applying this time around?
First of all, I must give a special shout out to all the scare actors. That’s a tough job to be in character for as long as they do. I’ve learned to make it even more scary. I added just a little bit more flair. I posted something on social media telling folks how much it means to me, and asking them to come audition. We’re looking for really passionate actors, and I wanted to make sure that folks understood the passion that I wanted to bring to it. It’s not just a side hustle for me. I care so deeply about it. I want to make sure we have even more jump scares for guests, and if you are signing up to be a character, stay locked in.
As someone who got to hear about your passion for the season, another event you’re doing seems very cool and such a perfect fit. Tell me about Brains Behind the Blood at USC?
I’m so thankful to USC for hosting us. I’ve always wanted to get inside the minds of some of my favorite music composers and special effects folks to learn more about sound, horror, prosthetics. This is a free event — just RSVP at Wondaween.com — and I hope a lot of students who hear about it can come. I’m going to have a conversation with the iconic, the legendary Danny Elfman. I’m pinching myself that he said yes to this conversation. We’ll be joined by the talented writer and director Akela Cooper, who I’m developing a Medusa project with. She’s an incredible writer, a friend of mine. I’m going to also be talking to two folks from my incredible costume team, Sasha Glasser and Alex Navarro. People will get an opportunity for the first time to hear how we come up with our costumes. We’re going to be inside the Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre.
I see that “costumes are strongly encouraged” for this event. Will you be in costume?
Oh, you know I will, so I’m asking everybody to come in costume please, and thank you.
Another great way to build community is through game nights. Tell me about Wondaween Game Night at the Spare Room?
This is hosted by me and Wondaland Games. Wondaland Arts Society is the umbrella organization and underneath we have Wondaland Games, Wondaland Pictures, Wondaland Music, Wondaland Books. I’m hosting each of these events with these departments. Wondaland Games is spearheading this one and it’s a themed costume event. It’s free and all you have to do is RSVP. The theme is ‘70s retro. We’re going to premiere a new card game called KBÓM. It’s going to be a wonderful game night rooted in community, good banter and good times. I cannot wait to see how people react to this game.
We’ve been doing game nights privately for the past three to four years. We’re now opening that up to fans to come have the game night with us. We’ve been developing this card game privately with our friends and family, and this is the first time that we’re allowing real Wondaweenies to come play with us. We’re in a world where so much of our connection happens through screens and Wondaween is really about bringing people together in real life.
This next one is a fun one. Thinking about how many big stages you’ve performed on in your career, I can’t think of a better one that allows you to mix all your creative passions together like you’ll get to do for The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. How does it feel to be a part of the cast?
Danny Elfman is a friend and he invited me to come play Sally and sing as part of this incredible cast. It’s two nights, Oct. 25-26, and you will get to see me transform into Sally from A Nightmare Before Christmas. We will have a full orchestra. Get your tickets now. I am such a musical theater baby, and the song I get to sing for Sally is not a simple one. The melodies are pretty intricate. Being an artist, I look at the character to get to the heart of what she sang. It then becomes a glove on me once I get to the heart of it. I just cannot wait to fully get into the costume of Sally.
How did you settle on Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs for the Archive Bites Back screening event at Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills?
I watched Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs when I was little and I’ve always remembered it. The story resonated with me and my community growing up in Wyandotte County, one of the poorest counties in Kansas City. I grew up with working class parents and I feel like this movie is so timely as it deals with underdogs and the folks living paycheck to paycheck. They finally get redemption and can stand up for themselves and for anyone who has felt like an outcast or someone wronged by the wealthy. They come together, regardless or race, class or what they look like, to fight against their oppressor. It’s all wrapped in so much fun, too. The lead character, Fool, I had such a crush on him growing up. I’m encouraging everybody to come in costume so we can have a really fun theatrical experience.
This all culminates with a marquee event, Vampire Beach, at a secret location on Oct. 30. I imagine this one took a long time to organize? What can you share about it?
Vampire Beach is the big music festival. I’ve always wanted to have a Halloween music festival with a new theme every year. For the first year, we picked Vampire Beach because it’s fun to think of vampires out in the sun with their sunscreen on. We are launching the inaugural Wondaween Music Festival on Oct. 30, and I’m allowing 1,000 lucky fans, or Wondaweenies, the chance to experience Vampire Beach for free. It’s a secret location in California and all you need to do is wear a costume with your interpretation of Vampire Beach. Sign up at Wondaween.com for a chance to be selected. Think fangs meets fashion.
We’re going to have surprise deejay sets throughout the night, incredible bites, dancing with other vampires from all around the world all descending in one place. I’m really grateful to our sponsors for Vampire Beach, Bacardi, Vacation and Wingstop. This is ambitious to have a monthlong curated Halloween arts festival and we couldn’t do it without help from our amazing partners. Bacardi is helping us bring spirits to Vampire Beach, Vacation sunscreen is making sure our vampires are protected and Wingstop is helping make sure everyone has the right bites.
A promo for Janelle Monáe’s Vampire Beach event in Los Angeles on Oct. 30, 2025.
Courtesy of Janelle Monáe
I don’t expect you to tell me as it’s a huge surprise every year but how is the planning going for your Halloween costume? How are you going to top yourself?
This year I have so many costumes because we have so many events that are costume themed. I do have one that I planned a few years ago, and that one’s coming along very well. I’m really happy about it. It’s one that I’ve wanted to do for quite some time. I guess I can tell you that I am going to be a vampire for Vampire Beach.
And I saw you got in the spirit the other night while attending the Los Angeles premiere for Frankenstein. How did that go?
First of all, that movie is incredible. Guillermo del Toro is just in a league of his own. When I got invited and knew that I was going to the premiere, I had an idea to do something special for it. As you know, I’m a big fan of Frankenstein and we did a twist on it for The Hollywood Reporter cover. My assistant texted me asking if I wanted glam for the red carpet and I said, “Glam, what?” I knew I needed to be some version of a monster. It didn’t feel right coming in normal red carpet glam. I wanted to be in the spirit of Frankenstein. I didn’t go all out but just enough to lead people to do a double take. And they were all night. All of the actors loved it, and Guillermo loved it. He said, “Janelle, you look incredible. I’m so happy you came out like this.” It really meant a lot. It was so cool for him to see me like that.
Monáe introduces a screening of The Craft at Cinespia on Oct. 11, 2025. “Wondaland is a communal celebration that allows us to break down the barriers, all the things that keep us apart, so we can really connect over our shared love of the strange, the peculiar, the spectacular and the wonderful.”
Credit: Cinespia / Kelly Lee Barrett
Wondaween 2025 Event Schedule
Monáe Manor
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, through Nov. 2
Step into the Monáe Manor where it’s Halloween every night and things aren’t quite what they seem. Where the walls talk and the music blares. You may have more than one ghostly encounter at this twisted soiree and it may even be from your host. Tickets here.
The Brains Behind the Blood
USC, Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
A creative conversation hosted by Janelle Monáe and Wondaland Pictures on horror, sound, prosthetics and spectacle featuring Danny Elfman, Akela Cooper and Monáe’s costume team Sasha Glasser and Alex Navarro. Conversation moderated by Monáe. Costumes strongly encouraged. Free event, RSVP here.
Wondaween Game Night
The Spare Room, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m.
Hosted by Janelle Monáe and Wondaland Games, the event is ‘70s retro themed and will feature strangers becoming neighbors and tricks that may actually be treats. Costumes required for entry. Free event, RSVP here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
The Hollywood Bowl, Oct. 25-26
Disney Tim Burton‘s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert featuring Danny Elfman singing as Jack, Monáe as Sally, Keith David as Oogie Boogie, Riki Lindhome as Shock, and John Stamos as Lock.
Costumes strongly encouraged. Tickets here.
The Archive Bites Back Screening of Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs
Fine Arts Theatre, Beverly Hills, Oct. 27
A classic movie night screening of the 1991 horror classic. Hosted by Janelle Monáe and Wondaland Pictures. Costumes strongly encouraged. Tickets here.
Vampire Beach
Secret Location, Oct. 30
Serve fangs and fashion for Wondaland’s inaugural Halloween Music festival in Los Angeles. This is a next level costumed celebration with surprise deejay sets throughout the night, unlimited rides, bites, progenys and vamps from all around the world. In partnership with Bacardi, Vacation and Wingstop. Hosted by Janelle Monáe and the Wondaland Arts Society. Costumes required for entry. Free event for 1,000 lucky fans. Visit here to sign up.