The World Oddities Expo, featuring everything from contortion to taxidermy, is coming to Philly this weekend

Those looking for something macabre, supernatural, or downright strange will have no trouble finding it at the World of Oddities Expo in Center City this weekend.

Hundreds of vendors selling everything from animal bones to rare historic artifacts will take over the Pennsylvania Convention Center between noon and 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be an array of live music and circus performances and educational events focused on history, science, and arts and crafts.

“It’s a peculiar paradise like no other,” said organizer Adam Hutter, who co-owns the Little Devils Oddities shop in Fishtown. He held the first iteration of the expo in Philly in 2018. Since then, demand for the event has grown massively.

So many Philadelphians wanted to participate this weekend that he had to move the event from a smaller venue and add a second day. In total, he estimates 5,000-8,000 people attending.

A $20 general pass gives access to the main floor on both days. There attendees will be able to see contortionists, a strongman, a glass walker, and an array of other circus performers practicing their trade.

Philadelphia’s Not-So-Silent Cinema, a band which performs original live scores over classic silent horror films, will play sets at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The group will perform over the iconic vampire flick Nosferatu and the 1925 version of Phantom of the Opera.

Noted bone dealer Jon Ferry, who sells ethically-sourced human body parts to universities and other institutions, will lecture on the history of the medical skeleton trade at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 4:15 p.m. Sunday.

Those willing to shell out a little extra can also partake in a workshop.

For $20, attendees can participate in a family-friendly class on owl pellet dissection, where instructors will teach about the bird’s diet and the place they hold in the food chain. The classes take place at 2, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Taxidermy expert Divya Anantharaman will also offer classes. Participants can learn how to taxidermy a rat head for $175 or an entire bird for $420.

The bird taxidermy classes will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, while the rat versions are scheduled for 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. The classes are available to anyone older than 15, but those younger than 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent.

Hutter said making education fun and accessible has always been an important part of the event.

“Come to learn, come to play,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be dry and stuffy.”

Tickets for general admission and the events are available through the expo’s website. Children younger than 12 will be admitted to the main event for free.