Milwaukee Paranormal Conference

The Milwaukee Paranormal Conference brings Wisconsin’s stranger side into the spotlight with a day devoted to Milwaukee ghost stories, urban legends, UFO sightings, Wisconsin folklore and unexplained phenomena. Founded in 2015 by Milwaukee author and journalist Tea Krulos (Monster Hunters, Wisconsin Legends & Lore), the conference has developed into a gathering for paranormal investigators, researchers, storytellers, skeptics and anyone fascinated by the things that don’t fit neatly into the ordinary. Past editions have covered everything from ghosts, Bigfoot and UFOs to local legends, paranormal investigation and Wisconsin’s unusual history. The inaugural 2015 conference drew approximately 900 attendees, establishing the event as a significant gathering for Wisconsin’s paranormal community.

The Milwaukee Paranormal Conference is now operated by American Ghost Walks and combines guest speakers, paranormal events/tours, and a paranormal vendor market.

Admission is free but registration is required.

Speakers & Performers

Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 10am–6pm · FREE (registration required)

21+ — under 21 welcome with a parent or guardian

10:30am · Ghost Story Open Mic with Mike Huberty

Got a ghost story? Bring it! Mike Huberty of American Ghost Walks hosts an open mic where you can share your own brush with the unexplained — from your house, your family, or your favorite Milwaukee bar.

11:30am · Allison Jornlin – Haunted Milwaukee & In the Shadow of City Hall Book Launch

Recipient of the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference’s 2016 Wisconsin Researcher of the Year Award, Allison has been investigating hauntings and other strange phenomena for more than 20 years and developed Milwaukee’s first haunted history tour in 2008. She’ll share stories from her new Milwaukee ghost story collection, In the Shadow of City Hall, and sign copies. Paracon is the book’s first day on sale!

12:30pm · Lunch Break with Live Paranormal Violin by Wendy Lynn Markus

Electric violinist Wendy Lynn Markus will be setting the mood over lunch with eerie, otherworldly violin.

1:30pm · Jeff Finup – Badgerland Legends

Jeff is the creator of Badgerland Legends and author of Wisconsin Legends for Kids, and a go-to storyteller for Wisconsin’s cryptids, UFOs, and strange local lore.

2:30pm · Dan Stair – Wisconsin MUFON

Dan represents the Wisconsin chapter of the Mutual UFO Network and will talk about UFO sightings and investigations from around the state.

3:30pm · Scott Markus – Wisconsin Hauntings

Scott is a paranormal researcher, author of Voices from the Chicago Grave, founder of the LA Hauntings tour, and former co-host of the paranormal radio show “The Mothership Connection” on WLIP Kenosha. He’ll be sharing Wisconsin stories from his latest book.

4:30pm · John Wenz – The Weirdest and Wildest Wisconsin UFO Encounters

John is a writer, artist, and zine maker, formerly based in Milwaukee and now in Chicago. His zine Strange Highways covers the history of the strangest UFO encounters set to his paintings, and he’s appeared on the Hi, Strangeness podcast. Space pancakes are just the beginning — his talk covers men-in-black, prune-faced aliens in a suburban backyard, possible UFO cults, and a teleporting UFO seen by military pilots.

Schedule

10:00am – Vendors open
10:30am – Ghost Story Open Mic with Mike Huberty
11:30am – Allison Jornlin
12:30pm – Lunch break with live violin by Wendy Lynn Markus
1:30pm – Jeff Finup, Badgerland Legends
2:30pm – Dan Stair, Wisconsin MUFON
3:30pm – Scott Markus
4:30pm – John Wenz
5:30pm – Last chance for vending
6:00pm – Close

Reserve your conference spot now »