WELCOME BACK HELENA
On May 17th 2025, emos from all over gathered at the iconic Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles where the My Chemical Romance music video "Helena" was filmed. This year marked the 5th annual Ghoul's Day Out, where fans spent the day enjoying a fully decorated church perfectly replicating the music video set, photo ops, live music, over 60 vendors, and the opportunity to meet Helena herself: emo legend Tracy Phillips.
SANCTUARY EXPERIENCE
The ambience was an emo dream come true. Upon entering the event, attendees were gifted the funeral card featured in “Helena”. Inside the church, SpooksieBoo Events recreated the music video experience with an exact replica of the casket, drapes, candles and decor. Fans did not miss the opportunity to show up in their Black Parade best, some cosplaying iconic MCR characters such as Pepe and Mother War. Cosplayers and elder emos alike took advantage of photo ops including backdrops of album art, a reproduction of the iconic bust from “Fake Your Death”, a sculpture of Black Parade Grand Marshall Pepe, and more. Attendees lined up for hours inside the sanctuary to snap photos in front of Helena’s casket, pose at the pulpit, or take a video of featured Helena cosplayer Amy Marie performing her character’s dance to perfection. Just a few feet away, fans clamored to meet Tracy Phillips for autographs and photos.
THE MUSIC
The lineup featured local bands paying homage to the emo genre. Green Day tribute band Green Today and pop punk/emo cover band Too Bad So Sad took attendees straight back to the 2000s with high-energy performances and set lists based on fan suggestions. MCR cover band Sweet Revenge had fans belting out “I’m Not Okay” and, of course, “Helena”, complete with the music video playing in the background.
VENDORS & POP-UP GOODIES
Over 60 food and retail vendors set up shop in Ghoul Market, selling limited-edition merch, horror-themed sweets, goth and emo home decor, and everything in between. Creepy Sweets and Jackie's Baked Goods featured Halloween, emo, and goth themed treats, including mini cakes with MCR art. Dark versions of just about any conceivable item were available. Looking for gothic decor and candles? Scent of Death Apothecary has you covered. Horror-themed soap? Brambilla Soap's got it. Need an emo flower arrangement? Final Girl Florals is two steps ahead of you. Cleverly named vendor Death Crafts for Cutie was a one stop shop for every emo, baby or elder. Then Horror Boodega was the perfect spot to find everything from spooky snacks to Halloween-themed pimple patches.
IT'S NOT A PHASE: DON'T MISS GHOULS DAY OUT 2026
As of now, Ghouls' Day Out 2026 is TBD, but without a doubt, the MCRmy will take over the church again next year. We anticipate SpooksieBoo Events will have an even bigger, more ghoulish day in store for the emo community. Follow @ghoulsdayoutla for updates.
