Halloween Horror Nights runs for 42 select nights at Universal Studios Hollywood through Nov. 1.
Jump through this guide
2026 event calendar
Event dates
September
October
November
Event dates can change. Check Universal Studios Hollywood’s current ticket calendar before making plans.
Current house waits
Recommended house order
A house-first plan for a regular event night without Express or Early Access.
- Loading the recommended order
Haunted houses
01 / 08 · Film house · Warner Bros. Pictures
Sinners
The Smokestack Twins return to their Mississippi hometown and open Club Juke, only to draw Remmick and his vampires inside. The house follows the film through music, period sets and its blood-soaked supernatural turn.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
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Typical waits throughout the night
02 / 08 · Netflix series · Final season
Stranger Things 5
Hawkins and the Upside Down collide in a house based on the final season. Demogorgons, the Mind Flayer and Vecna close in as the route follows the last fight for Hawkins.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
Average posted wait while operating
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Typical waits throughout the night
03 / 08 · Film house · Original trilogy
Hellraiser
The Lament Configuration opens the door to Pinhead, the Cenobites and the depths of Hell. Scenes draw from the original trilogy and its most recognizable rooms, creatures and torments.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
Average posted wait while operating
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Typical waits throughout the night
04 / 08 · Film house · New chapter
Evil Dead Burn
The Book of the Dead is opened again, unleashing an infernal force inside a family home. Deadites and the series’ trademark gore take over as the house moves through the sixth Evil Dead film.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
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Typical waits throughout the night
05 / 08 · Music house · Dark fantasy
Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness
Ozzy’s music becomes a decaying dark-fantasy world filled with the monsters and imagery of his solo career. The soundtrack pulls guests through decades of the Prince of Darkness.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
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Typical waits throughout the night
06 / 08 · Film house · Cult horror comedy
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
The Klowns are back with cotton-candy cocoons, circus-colored weapons and a fresh attack on Crescent Cove. This returning house leans into the 1988 film’s oversized creatures and warped carnival humor.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
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Typical waits throughout the night
07 / 08 · Original house · Undead funeral home
Dead, Deader, Deadest
The abandoned Deville Family Funeral Home used Ambrotox to restore faces without embalming. The treatment also raised the dead, leaving the mortuary packed with corpses that are no longer staying put.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
Average posted wait while operating
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Typical waits throughout the night
08 / 08 · Original house · Music by SLASH
KILLceañera: Music by SLASH
Lola’s quinceañera becomes a night of vengeance against the classmates who bullied her. Latin American folklore and original music by SLASH, including “15 Candles,” drive the party into darker territory.
Recommendation: Finding the best time.
Average wait by event night
Average posted wait while operating
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Typical waits throughout the night
Event overview
- Dates
- Sept. 3 through Nov. 1, 2026
- Event nights
- 42 select nights
- Haunted houses
- Eight houses
- Terror Tram
- Art the Clown takes over the backlot
- Scare zones
- Six outdoor experiences
- Live show
- The Purge: Dangerous Waters
Terror Tram, scare zones and shows
The event reaches well beyond the houses, with a backlot tram experience, six scare zones, roaming characters and a live stunt show.
Terror Tram: Art’s Bloodiest Christmas
Walk through part of the Universal backlot after Art the Clown turns the holidays into a bloody takeover.
Backlot walk-through
Art’s Bloodiest Christmas
Art the Clown hijacks the backlot for a Christmas bloodbath set to music by Ice Nine Kills. The route is longer and more exposed than a house, so wear shoes you can comfortably walk in.
Planning note: Do the Terror Tram before the final hour. Its operating window can end earlier than the rest of the event.
Scare zones
Walk through these outdoor environments after dark, when the lighting, performers and effects are fully visible.
FORTNITEMARES
The Battle Bus crashes onto New York Street as Fortnite creatures and hunters spill into the event.
El Circo de la Muerte
A sinister circus built around Día de los Muertos fills Universal Plaza with performers and skeletal figures.
Hackerz: Revenge of the Overseer
Cybernetic street fighters and a vengeful Overseer turn the passage into a hostile neon battleground.
Blood Bog
Swamp creatures and forgotten victims wait in a rotting bayou where the ground itself seems unsafe.
Shriek of the Banshee
A soundtrack of screams follows guests through a street taken over by sound-hunting monsters.
Murder of Crowz
The stilt-walking flock returns with black wings, sharp beaks and a habit of appearing above the crowd.
Characters in the streets
Keep an eye out between the larger zones and attractions.
Nikki
The obsessive figure from Obsession leaves the screen and appears in the park streets.
Death Eaters
Voldemort’s followers roam The Wizarding World of Harry Potter after dark.
Live shows
Showtimes vary by event night. Check the Universal Studios Hollywood app after entering, then fit the houses around the performance you choose.
WaterWorld stunt show
The Purge: Dangerous Waters
The Purge takes over the WaterWorld arena with fights, fire effects, explosions and performers moving across the water and set pieces.
Planning note: Pick a showtime before you start the houses. Arrive early enough to clear the entrance and find a seat.
Food and drinks
The Hollywood menu spreads themed food across the Upper Lot, Lower Lot and Universal CityWalk. The Dining Pass can cover two eligible entrées and four eligible snacks, sides, desserts or beverages on the date selected.
Best use of your time: Eat before 7 p.m. or during the break in the recommended order. If you buy a Dining Pass, check the participating-item symbol before joining a food line.
Stranger Things and Sinners
Ozzy Osbourne and Killer Klowns
Quick stops around the park
Día de los Muertos and CityWalk
Universal Plaza has birria tacos, salsa verde walking tacos, esquites and pineapple spears. CityWalk restaurants with seasonal items include VIVO Italian Kitchen, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, Margaritaville and Voodoo Doughnut.
Alcoholic drinks are for guests 21 and older with valid identification. Menus and availability can change during the event.
Merchandise
The 2026 collection covers the event logo, the Hollywood lineup and individual houses. Apparel, accessories, collectible drinkware and smaller souvenirs are available inside the park and at select CityWalk locations.
Best use of your time: If one item matters, buy it before the event gets busy and use package pickup if available. Save casual browsing for the end of the night.
Art the Clown and Killer Klowns
Look for Art the Clown plaid button-ups with sunflower sunglasses, Terror Tram shirts, a Killer Klowns backpack, mugs, ornaments and mystery bag charms.
House collections
Smaller souvenirs
Lanyards, pins, ornaments, bag charms, light-up necklaces and collectible glasses are easier to carry through the houses than bulky apparel or bags.
Shopping notes
Popular sizes and limited pieces can sell out. Check the Studio Store and CityWalk before entering, then compare what is still available inside the event.
Tickets and planning
Entry and Early Access
The event starts at 7 p.m. on select nights. A separate Early Access ticket can open select houses at 5:30 p.m.; regular daytime admission does not include Halloween Horror Nights.
Tickets, Express and R.I.P. Tour
Single-night admission, an After 2 p.m. Day/Night ticket, Express and guided R.I.P. Tour options are available. Compare the exact inclusions for your date; event admission is required unless the ticket says otherwise.
Dining Pass
The pass includes two eligible entrées and four eligible sides, snacks, desserts or beverages for the selected date. Check the event menu for the Dining Pass symbol before ordering.
Touring tips
Choose your first two houses before entering. Put the Terror Tram and The Purge show into the plan early, then compare the current waits above before crossing between the Upper and Lower Lots.
Day and night together
The After 2 p.m. Day/Night ticket combines afternoon park access with the event. It is useful if you want daytime rides or SUPER NINTENDO WORLD before the HHN crowds arrive.
Parking and CityWalk
Allow time for the parking structures, security and the walk through CityWalk. If you plan to eat before the event, reserve enough time to finish and reach the gate before your intended entry window.
Rides during HHN
Select attractions run during the event, including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Transformers: The Ride-3D, Revenge of the Mummy and The Simpsons Ride. Check the app because the lineup and hours can vary.
Event rules
Universal recommends the event for guests 13 and older. Review the current costume, bag and prohibited-item rules before leaving home, especially if you are arriving in daytime park clothing.
Unmasking the Horror Tour
The daytime lights-on tour visits Sinners and KILLceañera and permits photos in designated areas. It is a separate experience and does not replace event admission.
Check current tickets and event details before travel.