Halloween Horror Nights is coming back to Universal Studios Hollywood for its biggest run yet, with a record 42 select nights of scares between 3 September and 1 November 2026. Known as Southern California’s scariest Halloween event, it transforms the park after dark into haunted houses, roaming scare zones and the famous Terror Tram. Tickets are on sale now!
If you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles this autumn, this is the guide to have open in another tab. We’ve pulled together everything currently confirmed about the 2026 event, so you know exactly what you’re walking into.
Quick summary:
- Dates: Select nights from 3 September to 1 November 2026
- Event hours: Gates open 6:30pm, event begins 7:00pm
- Haunted houses: 8 confirmed for 2026, including Stranger Things 5, Sinners and Hellraiser
- Ticket type: Separately ticketed - your daytime Universal Studios Hollywood ticket won’t get you in
- New for 2026: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ open to all guests from 7pm to 10pm during the event
- Age guidance: Not recommended for children under 13
When is Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 runs across the following select nights:
- September: 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 23-27, 30
- October: 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-31
- November: 1
The event officially begins at 7:00pm each night, with gates opening at 6:30pm. Closing times vary by date, so it’s worth checking the Universal Studios Hollywood app ahead of your visit.
The 2026 haunted house lineup
Universal has confirmed seven of the eight haunted houses so far, and the roster leans hard into 2026’s biggest names in horror and pop culture:
- Stranger Things 5 drops you straight into Hawkins as the Upside Down closes in, with familiar locations like the Wheeler house leading the way to a final confrontation with Vecna.
- Sinners takes you back to a 1930s Mississippi juke joint, based on the Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan film, right as bloodthirsty vampires crash the party.
- Hellraiser pulls guests into a realm of pure torment inspired by the original trilogy, where Pinhead and the Cenobites are waiting.
- Evil Dead Burn sends you running from possessed, bloodthirsty Deadites through an infernal family home, based on the newest film in the franchise.
- Killer Klowns from Outer Space has you dodging cotton candy cocoons as the extraterrestrial clowns look for their next snack.
- Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness is a heavy metal tribute house dedicated to the rock legend’s legacy, spanning his solo career.
- Dead, Deader and Deadest is one of Universal’s own original concepts, uncovering dark secrets of the Deville Family Funeral Home after a miracle drug goes very wrong.
- ??? - The eighth and final house is yet to be revealed. We’ll update this guide as soon as Universal confirms the last piece of the 2026 lineup!
The Terror Tram
This is the experience that sets Universal Studios Hollywood’s event apart from every other Halloween Horror Night. The Backlot Studio Tour comes to life after dark, taking guests through real film sets on the tram before you disembark and continue on foot, right through the middle of the scares.
Universal hasn’t confirmed the 2026 theme for the Terror Tram yet, but it’s consistently one of the most talked-about parts of the event each year. We’ll add the details here as soon as they’re announced.
Scare zones and live entertainment
The terror doesn’t stop once you’re through a haunted house door. Universal Studios Hollywood’s streets turn into scare zones patrolled by roaming actors, and FORTNITEMARES headlines the 2026 lineup, dropping guests into a video game-inspired zone where The Storm brings its own set of horrors!
For a break from the walking scares, The Purge: Dangerous Waters returns to the water stage with a stunt spectacular full of fire, chaos and lawless energy. It’s a great one to build into your evening if you fancy a seat and a show between houses.
What else is open during the event?
A number of the park’s daytime attractions stay open during event hours too, including:
- Mario Kart™: Bowser's Challenge (7pm-10pm)
- The Simpsons Ride
- Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D
New for 2026, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ will be open to all guests from 7pm to 10pm during the event, giving you the chance to see the land lit up after dark - a rare opportunity most guests never get!
Your Halloween Horror Nights ticket
Our Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights ticket gives you one night of general admission to the event on the date of your choice, and it’s completely separate from daytime Universal Studios Hollywood admission, so make sure you’ve booked the right one for your visit!
Book with us and you’ll get:
- Guaranteed entry on the date you select
- Instant digital delivery, straight to your Customer Account and ready to add to your phone
- An official gate-ready ticket, so you’re all set to head straight in
- Savings of up to $40 on select event nights versus buying at the front gate
- A free 5% saving with code CAL5 at checkout
- A free 1GB eSim with every adult ticket, so you can stay connecting on the night
Halloween Horror Nights tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable, so it’s worth being sure of your date before you book. If you’d like to explore the park by day too, take a look at our full range of Universal Studios Hollywood tickets here.
Tips for getting the most out of your night
A little planning goes a long way at Halloween Horror Nights. Here are a few lesser-known details worth knowing before you go:
- Keep your phone charged. Your ticket is delivered digitally with a QR code for entry, so it’s worth packing a portable charger, especially if you’re taking photos and using the app throughout the night.
- Check your costume dimensions. Costumes can’t exceed 25 inches wide by 80 inches high, since Universal’s metal detection screening has to be able to process everyone quickly. If you’re planning something elaborate, this is worth checking before you leave your hotel or home!
- Face paint has rules too. You can wear face paint, but it can only cover up to half your face if applied vertically, unless it’s a design applied by one of Universal’s approved artists on-site.
- Bring valid ID if you fancy a drink. Alcohol is served at select locations during the event for guests aged 21 and over, and state or government ID will be checked, so don’t leave it in the hotel safe!
- Visit SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ after dark. It's open to all guests from 7pm to 10pm this year, a rare chance to see the land lit up at night rather than in daylight.
- Check the health guidance before you commit to a haunted house. The haunted houses feature strobe lighting, fog effects and enclosed spaces, and Universal advises against them if you’re pregnant or have heart conditions, so it’s worth choosing your houses with that in mind if it applies to you.
Costumes and age guidance
Costumes are welcome at Halloween Horror Nights, but there are a few rules to keep in mind!
- Costume masks and anything that fully or partially covers the face aren’t allowed, and outfits can’t resemble Universal team members, emergency services or the military.
- Weapons or weapon-shamed props of any kind are also not allowed.
- There’s no minimum age to attend, however, the event is only recommended for mature audiences and Universal advises against bringing children under 13.
- Haunted houses feature loud sounds, strobe and fog effects, and sudden movements, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re a little more sensitive to that sort of thing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate ticket for Halloween Horror Nights?
Yes. Regular daytime Universal Studios Hollywood tickets don’t grant access to the event, and your Halloween Horror Nights ticket doesn’t include daytime park admission. You’ll need a dedicated event ticket to get through the gates.
What time does Halloween Horror Nights start?
The event begins at 7:00pm each night, with gates opening at 6:30pm.
What’s included in my Halloween Horror Nights ticket?
The Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights ticket gives you one night of general admission to the event on your chosen date, with guaranteed entry, instant digital delivery and a free 1GB eSim included with every adult ticket.
How many haunted houses are there in 2026?
Eight haunted houses will make up the 2026 lineup. Seven have been confirmed so far, with the final house yet to be announced.
Will it be cancelled if it rains?
No. Halloween Horror Nights runs rain or shine, and there are no rain checks or refunds.
Can I use my Universal Orlando ticket at Universal Studios Hollywood?
No. Tickets for the Orlando event are only valid at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and can’t be used for the Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles.
Ready to book your night of screams?
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights only runs for select nights in autumn, so it’s worth booking ahead once you’ve settled on the date you want. Browse our Universal Studios Hollywood tickets page to start planning the rest of your visit.
Looking for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort instead? Check out our guide for this event here.
