By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Draculina Fest, a horror-themed market and music festival, will take over the Whitehead Memorial Museum, 1308 S. Main St., for two nights starting Friday.
The event is the creation of Krystal Torres, owner of Draculina’s Nerdvana, a comic book and anime shop at 225 S. Main St. The festival begins Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. and continues Oct. 4 at 4 p.m.
Torres said her inspiration came from her love of gothic aesthetics, her family’s passion for Halloween, and her own experiences organizing and attending market events. The festival will feature between 25 and 30 vendors selling food, witch-themed products and merchandise tied to the bands performing.
Live music is a cornerstone of the event. Ten bands from Del Rio, Uvalde, Eagle Pass and Ciudad Acuña will take the stage, bringing punk, metal and shoegaze sounds to a city more accustomed to country or Spanish music. Torres said she wanted to create a space for underground music fans to come together.
“I have gotten compliments from people who enjoyed it saying, ‘I have never been to something like this, especially in Del Rio,’” Torres said. “It means a lot to hear that from people.”
Launched in 2025 and inspired by festivals in San Antonio, Draculina Fest has already become a draw for audiences looking for something different. This year’s event will also include a haunted house set up in the Whitehead’s barn building, along with guided ghost story tours around the museum’s historic grounds.
A costume contest will be held both nights, open to all ages. Prizes include hand-crafted trophies and gifts donated by vendors, as well as T-shirts designed by local artist Javier Espinoza, who also created the event’s promotional flyers.
With Halloween just around the corner, Torres said she hopes Draculina Fest will continue to offer Del Rio something unique: a mix of horror, music, and community celebration.
