At a Glance
- Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 returns to Universal Studios Hollywood on April 23-25 and May 1-3, 7-9, 14-16
- Tickets start at $74 for evening-only admission; combo tickets allow entry as early as 2 p.m.
- New experiences include Scooby-Doo x Universal Monsters on the backlot and a One Piece Grand Pirate Show
- Why it matters: Fans can step inside beloved worlds-Dungeons & Dragons, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and Wizarding World-in one after-dark event
Universal Studios Hollywood is reopening its after-dark portal to fandom. Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 will spread across nine April and May evenings, letting guests wander from a Hippogriff hunt in the Wizarding World to a Colorful Yoshi Celebration inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Ticket Options & Dates
Tickets are on sale now. Choices include:
- Evening-only admission: $74 (park entry after daytime guests leave)
- Combo tickets: Enter the park as early as 2 p.m. and stay into the night
Event nights:
- April 23-25
- May 1-3, 7-9, 14-16
Daniel J. Whitman reported for News Of Losangeles that guests should browse selections quickly, because the spring 2025 debut drew ready-to-explore droves of manga mavens, sci-fi buffs, and fantasy enthusiasts.
New 2026 Experiences
Scooby-Doo x Universal Monsters
- Mystery Inc. meets classic monsters on the famous backlot
- Expect lurking ghouls among the soundstage façades
One Piece
- Sail into the Grand Pirate Show, a new live performance
Returning Favorites
- Secrets of Waterdeep: Dungeons & Dragons interactive quest
- Xanathar, the beholder crime lord, crafted by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
- Colorful Yoshi Celebration: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD parade
- Wizarding World Hippogriff Hunt: Help track a wayward Hippogriff through Hogsmeade
The Fan Fest Formula
The limited-time event works like this:
- Daytime guests exit
- Ticket-holders enter (or stay) after 5 p.m.
- The park rethemes into immersive worlds
- Characters, shows, and scavenger hunts run until late evening
Daniel J. Whitman noted that books, games, and films usually offer the only portals to these spaces-Fan Fest simply swings the gate open inside the real world for a few nights.
Planning Your Night
- Arrive early with a combo ticket to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge before crowds shift
- Download the park app; showtimes for the Grand Pirate Show and Secrets of Waterdeep update nightly
- Wear comfortable shoes-the backlot trek for Scooby-Doo covers uneven streets made to look like New York, Europe, and the Old West
- Bring a portable phone charger; interactive quests require scanning QR codes
Key Takeaways
- Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 tickets are live now
- Nine event nights span late April and mid-May
- Prices start at $74 for evening-only access
- New crossover: Scooby-Doo and Universal Monsters share the backlot
- Returning hits include One Piece, Dungeons & Dragons, and Yoshi Celebration
Universal Studios and NBC-owned TV stations operate under the same parent company NBCUniversal.
