Oddities and Curiosities Expo returns to World Market Center Las Vegas

Thu, Sep 17, 2026 (2 a.m.) The Oddities & Curiosities Expo is set to return to the World Market Center in Las Vegas for its ninth year, opening its doors September 19‑20, 2026. Organizers promise a mix of taxidermied specimens, skeletal displays, pinned insects, vintage medical instruments and other macabre finds spread across the venue. Founded by Michelle and Tony Cozzaglio, the expo grew out of their earlier venture, the Punk Rock Flea Market, which launched in 2012 and gradually shifted toward darker, more unusual merchandise. Michelle, who describes herself as a “weird kid” raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said she found her sense of belonging in the local punk and hardcore scenes, though she felt a true community for the odd‑minded was still missing. “Tulsa, portion it’s a tiny city, had a beauteous chill alternate scene. Nowadays it’s thriving and it’s astonishing to see, but a batch of different places inactive don’t person that,” she says. “I emotion to spell to what I telephone underdog cities. …It’s much peculiar to maine to beryllium capable to bring our instauration to a smaller place. That conscionable feels truly meaningful.” The event bills itself as a prelude to spooky season, attracting hundreds of vendors and artists from across the state. In addition to retail booths, the schedule features tarot readings, endless photo opportunities and sideshow performances every half hour. Michelle elaborated on the stage acts: “You tin find idiosyncratic doing immoderate brainsick worldly connected stage, swallowing swords, walking connected glass, doing classical stunts similar that. Sometimes we person magic. Sometimes we person brainsick juggling. But it’s decidedly aged circus sideshow vibes,” she says. Hands‑on programming is provided by Sleeping Sirens, a taxidermy collective founded by Heather Clark. On Saturday participants can enroll in a raccoon taxidermy workshop, while Sunday offers a choice between a sunset moth or a scorpion‑focused entomology class. Beyond the curiosities, the expo serves as a gathering point where punk, hardcore, metal and goth subcultures intersect with artists, collectors and the simply curious. Many attendees depart with preserved specimens, antiques, macabre artwork or handmade jewelry, often unintentionally. “It’s important to maine to bring the assemblage unneurotic successful each metropolis due to the fact that of maine wanting that erstwhile I was younger,” says Michelle. “It honestly conscionable brings retired anybody. It’s morphed into precisely what I dreamed it could be.” Admission is $16 or more. Further details are available at odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com.