Steam Scream V Fest starts October 26: horror game deals until November 2
According to Valve's Steamworks event calendar, Steam Scream V Fest starts on October 26 and runs until November 2, 2026: the fifth edition of the yearly discount event for horror and Halloween-themed games begins on the very day Steam Next Fest and its free demos end. For anyone looking to add horror games to their library, it is October's last big Steam opportunity.
In short
- Dates: October 26 to November 2, 2026. The Steamworks calendar gives no start time, and Valve has not yet opened the event page.
- Scope: games in Steam's horror category and games that are clearly Halloween-centric. Developers set their own discounts.
- The October round of Steam Next Fest (October 19 to 26) ends the same day: October 26 is the last day to grab demos.
- Next up: Auto-Battler RPG Fest on November 16 to 23, and the Winter Sale from December 17 to January 4, 2027.
What is Steam Scream Fest and who takes part?
Scream Fest is one of the themed festivals Valve runs through the year. Like the other theme fests, it hands the store's front page to a single genre for a week; developers register their games and choose their own discount. The official Steamworks documentation sums up this year's eligibility in two lines: games that fall into the horror category, and games that are explicitly Halloween-themed. Being listed does not mean a horror game is discounted; Valve shows discounted and full-price games side by side on its event pages.
The "V" in the name marks the fifth edition. Valve has again picked the week that spans Halloween.
Do Next Fest and Scream Fest overlap?
Yes, by a day. In the Steamworks calendar the October 2026 round of Steam Next Fest is listed as October 19 to 26, and Scream V Fest as October 26 to November 2. In practice October 26 is the last day for demos and the first day for deals. Next Fest demos may disappear from the store once the event ends; a developer can keep a demo up, but do not count on it. We rounded up the demos worth your attention in our Steam Next Fest October 2026 piece.
What else is on Steam in late October and November?
Valve's published calendar covers the rest of the year too. Mid-November brings Auto-Battler RPG Fest, and December brings the store's biggest sale, the Winter Sale. The first theme fests of 2027 are already listed: Desktop Companion Fest and Shop Keeper Fest in January, Couch Co-Op Fest in February. The Autumn Sale 2027 is still marked "TBD".
| Event | Dates | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Next Fest (October) | October 19 – 26, 2026 | Free demos |
| Steam Scream V Fest | October 26 – November 2, 2026 | Theme fest, discounts |
| Auto-Battler RPG Fest | November 16 – 23, 2026 | Theme fest, discounts |
| Winter Sale | December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027 | Seasonal sale |
| Desktop Companion Fest | January 14 – 18, 2027 | Theme fest, discounts |
| Steam Next Fest (February) | February 22 – March 1, 2027 | Free demos |
| Source: Steamworks "Upcoming Events" calendar, accessed October 24, 2026. No times are given. | ||
How to get the most out of Scream Fest
Discount percentages are not visible before the event starts, but the wishlist works: Steam sends an email and a notification when a wishlisted game goes on sale. Adding the horror games you like to your wishlist beforehand is faster than combing the store page on October 26. Regional prices only appear on the event page once it opens.
One reminder: Scream Fest is a sale, not a giveaway. The "free" part is the Next Fest demos, and those end the same day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Steam Scream Fest 2026?
October 26 to November 2, 2026, according to the Steamworks calendar. No start time has been announced.
Which games will be discounted?
Games in the horror category and Halloween-themed games are eligible; each developer sets its own discount. The list goes live on Steam when the event starts.
When do the Next Fest demos end?
The October 2026 Next Fest ends on October 26; Scream Fest starts the same day.
What is the next Steam event after Scream Fest?
Auto-Battler RPG Fest, November 16 to 23, 2026. The Winter Sale starts on December 17.
Sources
- Valve / Steamworks — Upcoming Events (Steamworks Documentation) Official source
- Steam — Steam Next Fest: October 2026 Edition Official source
How this content was prepared
Prepared with AI assistance from the sources listed, key facts checked against official sources, not copied verbatim. Our AI principles
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