IN A CASTLE
🎲 A Premier
RPG Vacation
Dates & Location
Philadelphia, PA
June 19-21, 2026 - Limited Tickets Left!
August 14-16, 2026 - Limited Tickets Left!
October 23-25, 2026 - On Sale Wed 4/15
Special Summer Events (June & August) Discount - $75 Off Discount Code:
SUMMER 75
Applies to summer events only.
Complete a Scenario in
One Weekend of Madness!
What is Cthulhu in a Castle?
A four-day horror experience for those who dare to peer into the unknown. Unravel a chilling official Call of Cthulhu investigation with more than 24 hours of in-game time, guided by a seasoned Keeper in an atmosphere dripping with dread and mystery. Brilliant minds, dark secrets, and a setting that makes the horror feel terrifyingly real.
Dates & Location:
August 14–16, 2026 - Limited Seats Left!
October 23-25, 2026 - Going on Sale Soon!
📍 Glencairn Museum | Philadelphia, PA
What Your Ticket Includes!
A premium Call of Cthulhu experience for adults who want genuine atmosphere and masterful storytelling — this is your weekend to investigate, unravel, and maybe just survive.
Every event is built around one thing: drawing you completely into the darkness. No immersion-breaking distractions, no rushed investigations, just an officially licensed Chaosium scenario designed to keep you guessing until the very end.
Your ticket covers everything:
✦ An officially licensed Chaosium scenario run by an exceptional, hand-selected Keeper
✦ Carefully balanced tables matched for investigative chemistry and collaborative play
✦ Dedicated on-site staff managing every detail while you focus on surviving the night
✦ Catered meals all weekend — because even investigators need to eat
✦ Unlimited snacks and beverages throughout
✦ A community of adult players who appreciate slow burn tension, dark humor, and knowing when to run
“A weekend of insanely fun and intense gaming that you can't easily replicate at home or at a convention.”
- Rick Meints, President of Chaosium
Upcoming Events
SUMMER EVENTS 2026
June 19-21, 2026 - Limited seats left!
August 14-16, 2026 - Limited seats left!
Glencairn Museum (The Castle)
1001 Cathedral Rd | Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
Bryn Athyn College (On-Site Housing)
(minutes north of Philadelphia, PA)
HALLOWEEN EVENT 2026
October 23-25, 2026 - Tickets go on sale soon!
Glencairn Museum (The Castle)
1001 Cathedral Rd | Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
Holiday Inn, Fort Washington PA (Hotel)
(minutes north of Philadelphia, PA)
WINTER PALACE EVENT
Dates to be announced in a few weeks.
Cairnwood Estate (The Palace)
1005 Cathedral Rd, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
Holiday Inn, Fort Washington PA (Hotel)
(minutes north of Philadelphia, PA)
The Castle:
Glencairn is a true medieval masterpiece with soaring halls, stone staircases, and museum-level architecture that elevates every moment of play. From dramatic roleplay scenes to late-night dice rolls beneath vaulted ceilings, this is tabletop gaming the way it was meant to be experienced.
“The setting was truly inspiring for the gameplay. Our GM was amazing, engaging, and uplifting. It may have been our group, but I can certainly see playing with all our party members in the future!” - Scott
Scan the QR Code to step inside the Castle!
Escape the Ordinary. Embrace the Unreal.
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An RPG Vacation
Keepers ensure a fully cinematic, emotionally charged journey through an Accelerated Campaign over 3 days of cosmic horror.
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Authentic Atmosphere
Play RPGs in historic landmarks under real stone arches, low lantern light, and rumbling moans—everything’s designed to warp reality.
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Accelerated Scenarios
Experience a complete scenario in one unforgettable weekend! No cancelations, no distractions, be fully present with friends, old and new, to complete your investigation - if you dare!
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All Inclusive
We handle everything so you can focus on gaming! Meals, lodging, unlimited snacks/beverages, event prep, and more are included!
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Party Options
We offer private party group tables and mixed parties for new friends, couples, and solo players. When Sanity’s a Luxury, Horror is Home.
🎃 Cthulhu in the Castle: A Weekend of Cosmic Horror and Unraveling Sanity 🕯️
Review Scenario Seating Availability Below
Key Details
Both June and August 2026 weekends share the same format, details, and ticket options.
Venue
Glencairn Museum| 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009 — 40 minutes north of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Free parking is available at both the castle and on-campus housing.
Schedule
Check-in begins at 10:00 AM Friday. Gaming begins at 11:00 AM and runs through Sunday afternoon. Plan flights accordingly.
On-Site or Commuter
On-site tickets include suite-style housing at Bryn Athyn College, directly across from the castle. Choose a 2-night (Fri–Sat) or 3-night (Thu–Sat) stay. The 3-night option is ideal for travelers arriving from out of the area. Commuter tickets are for local players or those with their own accommodations — housing is not included, but all gameplay and meals during event hours are.
Meals
On-site tickets include all meals from Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Commuter tickets include Friday and Saturday lunch and dinner, plus Sunday lunch. All tickets include unlimited snacks and beverages throughout the weekend. Adult beverages are served at dinner. We accommodate vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets and avoid common allergens including seafood, shellfish, and peanuts.
Adventure Tables
Tables are capped at 6 players to preserve quality and immersion. Couples, friends, and families who book the same campaign are seated together. Groups of 3–4 will have additional players added to complete the table. A table closes at 5–6 players.
Pre-Event Prep
Discord channels open 2–3 weeks before each event. Your party will receive a private channel to meet your GM, build characters, coordinate backstories, and prepare for the weekend.
Why Investigators Choose Us:
✅ A Complete Scenario in One Epic Weekend Dive into a full, story-driven adventure with a beginning, middle, and end — no cliffhangers, no sessions left unfinished.
✅ Professional Keepers, Hand-Selected for Your Table Every GM is chosen for their craft. Expect cinematic storytelling, responsive gameplay, and a session you'll be talking about for years.
✅ Historic Landmarks, Not a Convention Center Play, explore, and rest in a cinematic locations with rare access. The setting doesn't just look the part — it transforms the entire experience.
✅ Your Table, Your People Whether you arrive solo or with a party, you'll be thoughtfully matched with fellow players who share your love of the game. Meet your party on Discord before you ever roll a die.
✅ Everything Included — Nothing Left to Arrange Catered meals, unlimited snacks, adult beverages, professional GMs, custom maps, props, and miniatures. Show up and play.
✅ A Rare Experience Worth Every Penny A full RPG vacation — complete campaign, castle venue, all meals, and on-site housing — is something most players dream about their entire lives. This is it.
Whether you come with lifelong friends or forge new alliances at the table, we're here to make your RPG vacation real. Adventure awaits.
SAMPLE WEEKEND SCHEDULE
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Thursday
🏨 3-Night Stay: check-in begins at 3:00 PM for all room types.
Summer Events (On-Site Housing):
Pick up your room key directly from our staff on-site—quick and easy.Fall & Winter Events (Hotel):
Please check in at the hotel front desk upon arrival.🏨 2-Night Stay Tickets (Summer Events): Pick up your room key from our staff table at the event site at any time.
🏨 2-Night Stay Tickets (Fall & Winter Events): Hotel check-in is after Day 1 concludes on Friday evening.
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FRIDAY: DAY 1
7:00 am Breakfast opens
10:00 am Castle/Palace Check-In
11:00 Gaming Begins!
12:30 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Gaming continues
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Gaming continues
11:00 pm - End Day 1
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SATURDAY: DAY 2
7:00 am Breakfast opens
10:00 am Castle/Palace opens
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Gaming continues
6:00 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Gaming continues
11:00 pm - End Day 2
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SUNDAY: DAY 3
7:00 am Breakfast opens
10:00 am Castle/Palace opens
12:30 pm Pizza Lunch
1:30 Final Gaming Rounds!
3:00-4:00 pm End Adventures
Summer Events - On-Site Housing Check-Out (4:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Fall-Winter Events - Check-Out with the front desk the day of your departure (Sunday or Monday)
Plenty of time to catch an evening flight out of Philadelphia.
Travel is Easy!
The majestic historic district of Bryn Athyn hosts many of our events. This world of genuine Gothic revival and Gilded Age architecture is just 40 minutes north of Philadelphia’s airport. No shuttles are provided between the airport and the venue. Of course, apps simplify travel nowadays.
Hotel & Housing
Your ticket includes hotel or on-site housing depending on the dates you choose. For Summer 2026 (June & August) we include on-site graduate student housing. For Fall 2026 (October) and forthcoming winter dates we include a hotel stay.
Summer 2026 Tickets (June & August)
On-site housing included at Bryn Athyn College
✔️ Proximate to the Castle (2-minute drive / 12-minute walk)
✔️ Suite-style residences with shared kitchen area & breakfast on campus
Learn more details about our in-site housing here
Wake up where the adventure happens!
Fall 2026 Tickets (October)
Hotel nights included with flexible add-on nights with the hotel:
432 Pennsylvania Ave.
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Phone: (215) 591-9000
Live nearby? We offer commuter tickets for players who live within driving distance of the event venues.
Prefer a different hotel or a B&B? Purchase a commuter ticket and then book your own hotel or B&B independently. Totally ok!
Questions? Email us at:
What Our Players Say!
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“My friend and I had a wonderful experience at the event. Our GM (Keeper) was stellar, both entertaining and deft at managing the pacing and engagement in the game. It was fun that most players, and the Keeper, did a bit of cosplay too. The event really had this 60-year-old man feel like he was reliving the glory days of teenage RPG games with his friends.”
- Bradley
”If you are a veteran of tabletop RPGs or just starting out, you will be amazed at how much fun you will have. The DM's are all amazing, the staff is incredible, and the thrills are endless! By the time you sit down, you have made new friends and are in for the adventure of a lifetime!”
- Adam
“This was easily the smoothest and most cohesive game I've ever been in (though that was probably the point of turning it into an event, lol), not to mention the most unique story.”
- Spenser
“Go with like-minded friends ready to spend most of the day on the campaign if you can, but even if you go alone, you'll likely meet new people just as excited about playing as you are!”
- Kevin
“Thank you for putting these events together. I can't express how meaningful they are to me. It's so much more than playing a game. It's an opportunity to make new friends and meet up with old ones. This was my third event, and each of them has been such an amazing experience. You and your team do a great job hosting. Thank you! Keep up the great work!
- John
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“Evan, Chris, and the Game Theatre Team: I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Cthulhu in a Castle, especially as a solo player who didn't know anyone beforehand. Everyone I met - that is, event organizers, game masters, and fellow players - was welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. The onboarding and check-in process was seamless and stress-free, making settling in easy. Cairnwood Estate was the perfect location, capturing the Lovecraftian atmosphere of the various campaigns. The catered food was excellent throughout the weekend. It was especially thoughtful of the organizers to provide dinner on Sunday for those of us unable to leave due to the winter storm. They really prioritized comfort and safety while still bringing the fun. I made so many good friends and connections, and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Thank you!”
- Michael
Contact us
We’re here to help!
Partnership with the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society
We are proud to feature immersive gaming materials from the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society (HPLHS), one of the most respected creators of Call of Cthulhu props and period artifacts worldwide. Their meticulously crafted prop collections—such as the legendary Masks of Nyarlathotep Gamer Prop Set—bring scenarios to life with authentic documents, maps, letters, and handouts designed to feel as though they’ve stepped straight out of the 1920s.
At Cthulhu in a Castle, select tables will experience enhanced atmosphere using HPLHS materials, deepening the sense of mystery, investigation, and cosmic dread throughout the weekend.
We encourage all investigators to explore their incredible catalog of games, props, films, and Lovecraftian treasures at hplhs.org and their official store. If you love immersive horror storytelling, their creations belong in your collection.