Universal Studios’ Hollywood Fan Night event will return for a second year in 2026 with new experiences themed around Scooby-Doo, Harry Potter, One Piece, Sailor Moon and more. Our quick tips and overview will help you make the most of your time and money.
Taking place over 12 select nights from April 23 to May 16, 2026, Fan Fest Nights is an individually ticketed, after-hours event celebrating fandom in the science fiction, fantasy, gaming and anime worlds. All world experiences are included with event admission.
Food, drinks and merchandise need to be purchased separately. Some theme park rides also remain open during the event. This year’s lineup includes five new experiences and one returning favorite.
Essential Tips for Universal Fan Fest in Hollywood: We Attended Opening Night
One of our contributors, Melanie Gable, attended the opening night of the Universal Fan Festival in Hollywood and shared her insider tips for making the most of the event.
Arrive early and prioritize the experiences that matter most
I recommend arriving early to maximize your time attending the event. Some attractions close well before the official closing time of 1:30am. During my visit, “Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge” ended just before 11:00 p.m., and Super Nintendo World closed shortly after midnight. Start by heading to your must-do attractions and character meet-and-greets.
Even Express Pass doesn’t guarantee everything
I had a Universal Studios FastPass but still couldn't experience everything that had to offer. It pays to have a game plan before you arrive so you don't waste time deciding what to do next.
Pick five or six top tasks and complete them first. Then you might have time for two or three other less important things. Our guide below covers the main highlights of the event.
Eat early and stay hydrated
I recommend eating dinner earlier in the evening and bringing an unopened water bottle to stay hydrated. Many restaurants and food stalls close long before the fan festival ends. Thankfully, I found a late night coffee at Lard Lad Donuts in Springfield before heading home.
Wear clothes suitable for cooler nighttime temperatures
After sunset the weather was much cooler than expected. It's a good idea to wear layers of clothing to keep you comfortable throughout the night. If shopping is part of your plans, this might be an easy excuse to buy a Universal Studios hoodie.
The character performers are a highlight
One of the best parts of opening night is the interaction with the performers. The cast at Universal Studios did a great job with their impressions and improvisation – this is Hollywood after all!
My standout credits include roles in Jurassic World: A Journey Through Time, Scooby-Doo Meets Universal Monsters: Backlot Mystery, andForbidden Forest: Searching for the Hippogriff.'
Photo by Melanie Gable
New experiences at Universal Fan Festival Night 2026
Scooby-Doo Meets Universal Monsters: Backlot Mystery
Guests will take the Studio Tour Trolley to Universal Studios' famous backlots and travel with Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma through live-action mysteries. This adventure takes guests through authentic outdoor movie locations, including the cobblestone streets and Miracle Courtyard of Little Europe, the original filming locations of Frankenstein (1931) and The Wolf Man (1941), helping the gang solve mysteries involving Frankenstein, Dracula, the Bride of Frankenstein and the Wolf Man.
Last year's Fan Fest night featured a Back to the Future experience at the backlot and was widely considered the highlight of the event. The Scooby-Doo Experience replaces the same space with a new story.
On March 24, 2026, Universal announced additional details about the experience:
“In this ingenious adventure, guests will set out on a studio tour to play “extras” in a fictional monster movie, until a mysterious villain known as the “Phantom Director” hijacks the production by unleashing universal monsters – Frankenstein's monster, Dracula, Frankenstein's Bride and the Wolf Man – throwing the entire process into chaos and halting filming.
Equipped with a mysterious manual at their disposal, guests will join forces with Scooby-Doo and his pals Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy in an attempt to uncover the identity of the Ghost Director. Guests will explore Universal's world-famous outdoor movie locations at their leisure, including the cobblestone streets of Little Europe and the infamous Miracle Yard, the original filming location for Universal's historic horror films such as frankenstein (1931) and werewolf (1941). As they uncover a series of clues, it will lead them to unravel the mystery, identify the villain and restart production.
Fun photo opportunities with the Mystery Inc. team, Universal Monsters and Mystery Machine will enhance the experience with memorable, social-friendly content.
One Piece: The Great Pirate Show
One Piece was one of the most popular parts of last year's Fan Fest night, and it came in the form of character meet-and-greets.
In 2026, the franchise has been upgraded to a 20-minute live stunt show at the WaterWorld venue. Adapted from the Universal Studios Japan production, the show stars fan-favorite One Piece characters in a show built around action, comedy and mayhem.
The Water World Amphitheater will be reimagined as Green Island, a mysterious outpost in the world of One Piece, where live performances will invite guests to join the adventures of the Straw Hat Crew – Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji and Chopper – in search of the island's one powerful resource – the rare pop of green.
But, as always, things quickly go wrong when the Marines storm the island, blowing open the doors and setting off pyrotechnics and high-energy battle sequences. Comic relief will come in the form of pirate rival Buggy, who bursts onto the scene to claim the Pop Green Team for his own.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—The Forbidden Forest: The Search for the Hippogriff
A new walking experience takes visitors into the Forbidden Forest in search of the missing hippogriff. Hogwarts professors guide guests through the forest, where they will encounter magical creatures and face obstacles that require spellcasting skills.
This is a departure from the Wizarding World that was added to last year's event, which included roaming creature puppets and a projection show at Hogwarts Castle.
Super Nintendo World—Colorful Yoshi Celebration
This new experience invites guests to explore the Mushroom Kingdom and meet the colorful new Yoshi’s discovered in the land.
Last year, Super Nintendo World hosted a scavenger hunt that ended with a meet-and-greet with a pink or blue Yoshi.
Sailor Moon Sailor Moon-Miracle Moon Palace Deluxe Edition
This all-Japan original CG animation short film will be released at DreamWorks Theater on March 12, 2026. The Japanese-language film, with English subtitles, follows Super Sailor Moon as she battles enemies in the Moon Palace targeting the legendary Silver Crystal.
The experience originally debuted at Universal Studios Japan as part of the Cool Japan event and made its U.S. debut on Fan Fest night. This replaces the Jujutsu Kaisen movie shown during Fan Fest Night 2025.
Return experience
Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep
By popular demand, this walking experience takes visitors on an adventure in Waterdeep.
The guests join the Harpers in stopping the beholder Sanatha from carrying out his evil plot. The experience features Xanathar creatures created by the Jim Henson Creature Shop. Universal says improvements have been made for its 2026 return.
Amusement facilities open during the event
The following attractions will be open during Fan Festival Night:
- Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Jurassic World – Ride
- Despicable Me Minions Mayhem
- Transformers: The Ride — 3D
- Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride
- simpsons ride
Universal Fan Fest Night 2026 Tickets
Fan Fest Nights 2026 will take place April 23-25, May 1-3, May 7-9 and May 14-16.
Tickets are on sale now. All real-world experiences and activations are included with every ticket type. Details for each ticket type are subject to change.
- General admission — General admission to Universal Fan Festival Night. Does not include daytime theme park admission or early event admission.
- Global Express —Universal Fan Festival Night Ticket, which includes one-time (daily) fast entry to experiences, rides and attractions within each world. Does not include daytime theme park admission or early event admission.
- Global Express Unlimited — Universal Fan Night Ticket, which includes unlimited express entry (daily) to experiences, rides and attractions within each world. Does not include daytime theme park admission or early event admission.
- Day/night after 2pm — Daytime general admission to the theme parks after 2 p.m. and same-night general admission to Universal FanFest nights.
- Day/Night Global Express after 2pm — Daytime admission to the theme parks after 2 p.m. and same-night admission to Universal FanFest Night includes one-time (daily) fast entry to every ride, attraction and seat show during the day, as well as one-time (daily) fast entry to every in-world experience, ride and attraction during the event.
- 2 nights general admission — Universal Fan Fest Night 2 nights general admission. Does not include daytime theme park admission or early event admission.
- Ultimate Fan Pass — General admission to all event nights at Universal FanFest (based on your first visit date selected at time of purchase). There is no blackout date for return visits. All visits must be completed by May 16, 2026. Does not include daytime theme park admission or early entry to events.
- Early Access Tickets — Early access, select Universal FanFest Night World Experiences before the event, starting at 6 p.m. (subject to change). Tickets for Universal Fan Fest Night on the same dates must be purchased separately.
- Universal Movie Fan Festival Night VIP Tour — Enjoy VIP treatment at the event, including expert-guided shared walking tours of experiences, rides and attractions around the world, plus a gourmet dinner (non-alcoholic) in a private VIP restaurant and complimentary valet parking.
- Special offer for pass members — Pass members can take advantage of special online pass member pricing on Universal Fan Festival night general admission tickets when visiting on select event nights.
Click here Get full details and purchase tickets.
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