🎮✨ Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Let’s set the scene.

Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 is a separately ticketed, after-hours fandom event at Universal Studios Hollywood where sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and anime worlds come alive after dark. This is not a daytime add-on and not a Halloween-style scare event — it’s a fan-first, immersive celebration built for people who love stepping into their favorite universes.

If Comic-Con energy + theme park immersion had a baby… this would be it.

📍 Where & When

Location:

Universal Studios Hollywood

Event Dates (12 nights total):

• April 23–25, 2026

• May 1–3, 2026

• May 7–9, 2026

• May 14–16, 2026

Event Hours:

Typically 7:30 PM – 1:30 AM

(Exact times are confirmed on your ticket)

This is a true after-hours event, meaning the park clears out and only Fan Fest Nights guests remain.

Universal

🎟️ Tickets & Entry Basics

• This event requires a separate ticket

• Daytime tickets and Annual Passes do not include Fan Fest Nights unless explicitly stated in a promotion

• Tickets are date-specific

• Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable

Ticket Options for 2026

• General Admission

• Universal Express

• Universal Express Unlimited

💡 Planning tip: If you want to experience everything in one night, Express can be a game-changer — especially on weekends.

Entry Process

Just like other after-hours Universal events:

• You’ll receive an event wristband

• Only wristbanded guests can remain in the park after closing

🌌 What Makes Fan Fest Nights Different

This isn’t one fandom per night.

👉 Every announced experience runs every event night.

You don’t have to choose between Scooby-Doo, Harry Potter, or Nintendo — it’s all available in one evening.

Your ticket includes:

• All immersive walkthrough experiences

• All live shows

• Fan zones and character interactions

Food, drinks, and merchandise are separately purchased.

🌟 Headlining Experiences for 2026

Universal

👻 Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot

A tram-assisted backlot walkthrough that feels like stepping into a live Scooby-Doo episode.

You’ll investigate a mystery with Scooby and the gang as classic Universal Monsters — including Frankenstein, Dracula, the Bride of Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man — take over real filming locations like Little Europe and the Court of Miracles.

Nostalgic, cinematic, and wildly immersive.

☠️ ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show

Hosted in the WaterWorld theater, this event-exclusive live show brings Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew to life with full-scale stunts, effects, music, and battles.

Inspired by Universal Studios Japan’s production, this is a limited-run performance created specifically for Fan Fest Nights.

🪄 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: Forbidden Forest Mission

A brand-new walkthrough adventure that sends you into a Forbidden Forest–style experience.

With guidance from a Hogwarts professor, you’ll:

• Search for a lost Hippogriff

• Encounter magical creatures

• Use spells to overcome obstacles

This is nighttime wizarding magic at its most immersive.

🐉 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep (Returning)

Back by popular demand with enhancements.

You’ll join the Harpers to stop the beholder Xanathar and save Waterdeep in an interactive, roleplay-style walkthrough that feels straight out of a tabletop campaign.

Deep lore. Big adventure energy.

🍄 SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™: Fan Fest Nights Exclusive Experience

Super Nintendo World remains open during the event — plus an all-new Fan Fest–specific activation offered only during these nights.

Details are still being revealed, but this is a limited-time experience layered on top of the land and exclusive to Fan Fest Nights.

🎢 Attractions Open During the Event

Fan Fest Nights is a party + rides experience.

Select attractions typically remain open with shorter waits than daytime, including:

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

• Flight of the Hippogriff

• Jurassic World – The Ride

• Revenge of the Mummy

• Transformers: The Ride 3D

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

• The Simpsons Ride

(Availability can change due to weather or maintenance.)

🎭 Cosplay, Characters & Atmosphere

Yes — cosplay is encouraged.

Universal publishes specific costume and prop guidelines to keep things safe and smooth, but Fan Fest Nights is designed to celebrate fandom culture.

Expect:

• Roaming and staged character encounters

• Immersive photo ops

• Themed lighting, music, and ambiance

• Easter eggs for serious fans

🍽️ Food, Drinks & Merchandise

• Event-exclusive themed food and drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic)

• Specialty cocktails tied to featured fandoms

• Event-branded and franchise-specific merchandise

🛍️ The 2026 commemorative medallion was a presale bonus, not guaranteed to be available in-park.

🧠 Smart Planning Tips (This Is Where I Come In)

✔️ Pick your date based on your schedule, not the fandom — everything runs every night

✔️ Weekend nights in May are busiest — Express helps

✔️ This event is ideal for:

• Potterheads

• Anime fans

• Gamers

• D&D players

• Convention lovers who want immersion without crowds

Think of Fan Fest Nights as a fandom convention meets a theme park after-hours party.

✨ Final Thought

Events like Universal Fan Fest Nights are not “show up and wing it” events if you want the best experience.

Knowing:

• which ticket tier fits your goals

• how to pace the night

• when to hit each experience

• how to pair this with the right hotel

…is exactly where working with a Universal-trained travel agent makes all the difference.

🎟️ I’ll be sharing booking strategies, hotel pairings, and night-of game plans as we get closer — and yes, I’ll help you build this into an unforgettable Universal vacation.

👉 Stay tuned.

This fandom-fueled event is going to be BIG — and I’ve got you covered.