Universal Studios Hollywood has announced the full lineup for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026, confirming a mix of new and returning immersive experiences for the separately ticketed after-hours event.
Designed to be a celebration of pop culture fandoms, Universal Fan Fest Nights will run for 12 select evenings between April 23 and May 16, transforming the park into a series of interactive worlds inspired by film, television, gaming, and anime.
Headline Experiences for 2026
The 2026 edition introduces a major new backlot experience alongside enhanced returning offerings from the event’s inaugural year.
Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot
One of the most notable additions for 2026 is a new Studio Tour-based experience that brings the Scooby-Doo gang together with Universal’s classic monsters. Guests board the iconic tram and travel to the backlot, where they help Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred solve a mystery while encountering characters such as Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, and the Wolf Man across historic film sets.
ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show
The popular anime franchise returns in an all-new format for Hollywood, with a large-scale live show staged at the WaterWorld venue. Inspired by productions at Universal Studios Japan, the show features stunt work, music, comedy, and appearances from characters from the ONE PIECE universe, offering a theatrical centerpiece for the event.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep
Returning after a strong debut, this walk-through adventure once again places guests in the fantasy city of Waterdeep. Participants join the Harpers on a mission to stop the beholder Xanathar, navigating richly detailed environments filled with creatures, magical effects, and practical sets. Enhancements have been confirmed for the experience’s 2026 run.
Immersive Additions Across Themed Lands
Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 also expands activity within several of the park’s existing lands.
In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, guests will take part in a new walk-through experience set within the Forbidden Forest. The interactive storyline tasks visitors with helping a Hogwarts professor locate a missing Hippogriff, encountering magical creatures and environmental effects along the way.
At SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, the Colorful Yoshi Celebration adds a limited-time overlay focused on the beloved character. The experience emphasizes character encounters with multiple Yoshi color variations and additional visual elements throughout the land during the event.
Event Dates and Offerings
Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 will be held on April 23 to 25, May 1 to 3, May 7 to 9, and May 14 to 16. The event is separately ticketed and takes place after regular park hours.
In addition to the immersive experiences, guests will have access to select attractions throughout the evening, including Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Jurassic World The Ride, and Transformers The Ride 3D, subject to availability.
Universal Fan Fest Nights is positioned as a cosplay-friendly event and also features exclusive food and beverage items, limited-edition merchandise, themed photo opportunities, and live entertainment elements, all included with event admission unless otherwise noted.
Tickets for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 are now on sale.
