PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Oddities and Curiosities Expo is set to bring its one-of-a-kind showcase of the bizarre back to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on August 16 and 17. Featuring a mix of vendors, artists, performances, and hands-on classes, the traveling event continues its coast-to-coast tour with a stop that promises a full weekend of strange sights and immersive experiences.
With tickets starting at $10, the expo offers attendees the chance to explore hundreds of booths featuring taxidermy, preserved specimens, macabre art, Halloween-themed collectibles, skulls, bones, antiques, metaphysical items, and handcrafted oddities. The event caters to fans of the eccentric, the obscure, and the downright unusual.
Now in its sixth year, the Oddities and Curiosities Expo has grown into a national phenomenon, with events planned in 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada in 2025. Founded in Oklahoma by Michelle and Tony Cozzaglio, the event was created to provide a space where alternative artists and small businesses could thrive and connect with like-minded audiences.
Beyond browsing and shopping, the expo includes tarot readings, interactive photo ops, sideshow-style entertainment, and concessions. The event is open to all ages, though organizers advise parents to consider whether the content is appropriate for younger children.
The weekend also includes educational workshops for those interested in hands-on experience. On Saturday, August 16, a raccoon taxidermy class will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., priced at $325 and led by Heather Clark of Sleeping Sirens Art & Oddities. Sunday, August 17, will feature two beginner insect pinning classes focused on beetles and spiders, each lasting 2.5 hours and priced at $150. All materials are provided, and registration includes admission to the expo. Organizers emphasize that all animals and specimens used are ethically sourced and died of natural causes.
The Oddities and Curiosities Expo will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, located at 100 Station Avenue in Oaks. Tickets are available online in advance for $10, or $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
The event remains one of the most distinctive showcases of alternative art and curiosities in North America, blending retail, performance, and education in a format that continues to attract growing audiences nationwide.
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