Tortured Hearts Ball 2026

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, San Diego will experience heartbreak in a grotesquely beautiful apocalypse - the return of the Tortured Hearts Ball!

Returning in 2026, this sequel will be a mesmerizing twist, set in a series of hotel ballrooms, and elevating itself from the first, as despair and desire reunite.

You're invite to this celebration of the bizarre and exotic at our ode to the bitter and the lonely, the bound and the broken, at a dark masquerade almost too bold for San Diego.

Expect two DJ dance spaces with a variety of melodies, a ballroom dance hall, specialty vendors, a karaoke salon, a hidden speakeasy, side quests, a gaming den, a performance room, and more secrets to be revealed soon!

Be engrossed in our demented world inspired by your most beautiful nightmares. Have a front row seat to peculiar and uncommon entertainment and performances. Acquire one-of-a-kind items from our specialty vendors. And satiate your morbid curiosity as you bask in the glorious darkness of the Tortured Hearts Ball.

Come in your masquerade finest - as costumes are mandatory and necessary for entry. The requirement, however, is flexible, as a mask, costume, or anything thematically relevant for a masquerade ball is acceptable.

Casual attire is not acceptable and will not allow entry into the Dark Realm.

This is a 18+ event only.

Tier differences are only in price and availability. Once Tier 1 tickets are gone, the price goes up to the Tier 2 price. Once Tier 2 tickets are gone, the price will remain at the final price at Tier 3. Only VIP Tickets come with extra benefits, as described below.

VIP BENEFITS (VIP is 21+ only)

• Entry at 6:00 pm for VIP Hour
• Private VIP room with exclusively brewed Mead
• Two drink tokens
• VIP appetizer reception
• Reserved seating in Entertainment room
• Collector's Tote bag
• Limited Edition Tortured Hearts Ball Poster Signed by the Artist
• Limited Edition Tortured Hearts Ball Trading Card
• Special Rose pin to designate VIP Status

Wristbands given at the event are to be kept on at all times. If it gets ripped or damaged, you may bring it to registration and have it replaced. However, if you lose your wristband, you will not be allowed back in the event without buying a new ticket to the event. There is reentry with the official Tortured Hearts Ball wristbands.

Refund policy - refunds for tickets will be honored until the day before the event. No refunds will be given on or after the event date. If you buy a ticket and do not attend the event (or if you do attend and do not like the event), you will not be refunded (this applies to you and to whatever situation you explain - no exceptions, there are no refunds on or after the event).

Reselling, sharing, or transferring a Tortured Hearts Ball wristband is strictly prohibited. If this is violated and ownership cannot be proved, the wristband will be revoked and canceled without refund.

This is a Silk Road Productions event, creator and producer of other popular events, like Fangaea, San Diego Anime Con, AnimeLand, Scream Diego, HMatsuri, the San Diego Ramen Festival, and many more!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Handlery Hotel San Diego, 950 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, United States