🍁 FALL DATE:
OCTOBER 23-25, 2026
❄️ WINTER DATES:
JANUARY 8-10 & JANUARY 22-24, 2027
IN A CASTLE
Complete a Campaign in
One Weekend of Madness!
🎲 A Premier RPG Vacation
Cthulhu in a Castle is a weekend 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.
All events are 18 years and older. Scroll down for more information!
Upcoming Events
Our upcoming events are hosted at historical landmarks located minutes north of Philadelphia, PA.
☀️ SUMMER EVENTS☀️
June 19-21 and August 14-16, 2026
LIMITED TICKETS LEFT!
Glencairn Museum (The Castle)
1001 Cathedral Rd | Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
🍁FALL EVENT🍁
October 23-25, 2026
TICKETS ON SALE!
Glencairn Museum (The Castle)
1001 Cathedral Rd | Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
❄️ WINTER EVENTS❄️
January 8-10 and January 22-24, 2027
TICKETS ON SALE!
Cairnwood Estate (The Palace)
1005 Cathedral Rd, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
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
Whether you come with lifelong friends or forge new alliances at the table, we're here to make your RPG vacation real. Adventure awaits.
“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
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.
“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
The Castle & Palace
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.
Cairnwood Estate is a grand historic mansion with gilded rooms, sweeping staircases, and elegant architecture that elevates every moment of play. From intimate roleplaying scenes to late-night dice rolls in richly adorned halls, this is tabletop gaming with a refined, immersive atmosphere. It offers the perfect balance of character-driven storytelling, relaxed social energy, and unforgettable shared experiences.
Scan the Code to step inside the Castle!
Many Scenarios to Choose From
One Epic Investigation All Weekend!
Fall 2026 & Winter 2027 Details
Gaming Venues
October 23-25, 2026 - The Castle. Glencairn Museum 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009—40 minutes north of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
January 8-10 and January 22-24, 2027 - The Palace (two dates). Cairnwood Estate 1005 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009—40 minutes north of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Check-in & Departure
Check-in begins at 10:00 AM Friday. Gaming begins at 11:00 AM and runs through approximately 3:00 PM on Sunday afternoon.
Tickets include 2 nights at our partner hotel, Holiday Inn & Suites–Fort Washington, PA (20 mins from the Castle—no shuttles are provided, but rideshares are more than plentiful). You can add additional nights to your stay for the day before arrival and the day after departure. Commuter tickets (no hotel stay) are available for local players or those with their own accommodations.
Meals
Tickets with rooms 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.
Party 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 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.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE (FALL & WINTER)
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THURSDAY
🏨 3-Night Stay: Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 pm
If arriving Thursday and wanting things to do in the area, check out our partner, Valley Forge Tourism
Our Hotel is 5 mins from historic Ambler, PA: https://amblermainstreet.org/
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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
🏨 2-Night Stay Tickets (Fall & Winter Events): Hotel check-in is after Day 1 concludes on Friday evening.
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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
🏨 If checking out Sunday then check-out Sunday AM and bring your bags to the game venue
10:00 am Castle/Palace opens
12:30 pm Pizza Lunch
1:30 Final Gaming Rounds!
3:00-3:30 pm End Adventures
Plenty of time to catch an evening flight out of Philadelphia.
🏨 If checking out Monday, then return to the hotel for one more night.
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.
We offer room-inclusive and commuter (no room) ticket options.
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.