Every summer, the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville sets aside a few days to pay homage to the venue’s starring role in a 1958 classic Steve McQueen film.
Blobfest centers around the popular feature, ‘The Blob,' and the three-day festival will give film buffs and horror fans the chance to check out live performances, special engagements, tours, and much more.
But in 2026, the experience will also hold a special theme.
This year’s extravaganza is dubbed Cirque Du Blobfest, offering “a captivating, carnival-inspired twist on the beloved cult classic, providing a more immersive, theatrical, and wildly entertaining way to experience The Blob than ever before.” That means new events, bigger thrills and some surprises along the way for the three-day festival, slated for July 10 to 12.
One fresh addition is the Friday Night Immersive Screening & Run-Out, featuring a pre-show experience led by a ringmaster, followed by a fully immersive screening of ‘The Blob.’ What does that mean exactly? Essentially, audiences won’t just watch the film; they’ll become part of the action in different ways with the use of props and cinema tricks before recreating the iconic theatre run-out scene — a staple of every Blobfest.
The public is also invited to attend Dinner en Blob, a brand-new addition inspired by the Dinner en Blanc tradition, with a twist. As a release notes, for Dinner en Blob, guests are invited to don their best all-red attire and bring their own dinner, drinks, and tables. Additionally, a variety of circus-themed films will be screened throughout the festival, including ‘Dumbo’, ‘Clown in a Cornfield’, ‘Big Top Pee-Wee’, and ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space.’
“Blobfest continues to evolve year after year, and this summer’s festival reflects just how much it has grown,” says Jennifer Carlson, Executive Director of The Colonial Theatre. “We’re always looking for ways to surprise audiences, deepen engagement, and create moments that not only can’t be found anywhere else, but keep people coming back, and this year delivers on all of that.”
Some fan-favorite events will also be back, including the Blob Ball, where guests can dance to live music, sip on themed cocktails and dress up in 1950s attire, and the Saturday Street Fair and Kids Carnival, which features different activities for all ages, a costume contest, stilt walkers and other circus surprises.
Additionally, locals can join Shorty’s Short Film Contest and the 9th Annual Blobfest 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Kids Fun Run. The former allows anyone to submit their own sci-fi-inspired riffs on ‘The Blob’ (there are specific instructions to be followed online), while the latter will kick off on the last day of the festival. Cost is $35 and proceeds support the Colonial, and every finisher in each race will receive a Blob-themed finisher's medal.
Attendees can also join the Façade Decorating Contest or Costume Contest to show off their most creative Blob-inspired storefront displays and head-turning looks. An additional 'The Blob' screening and second run-out event has been added to the lineup, along with a Spanish-language screening of ‘The Blob, La Masa Devoradora.’
A full schedule, ticket details and specific timing for Blobfest 2026 events at the Colonial Theatre (227 Bridge St., Phoenixville) can be found online at thecolonialtheatre.com
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