At a Glance
- Universal Studios Hollywood will host 12 nights of Fan Fest Nights in 2026
- Five immersive worlds include Harry Potter, Super Mario, One Piece, Scooby-Doo, Universal Monsters and Dungeons & Dragons
- Tickets are on sale now for the after-hours event
Why it matters: Fans get exclusive access to themed attractions, character meet-and-greets and limited-edition merchandise across multiple blockbuster franchises.
Universal Studios Hollywood is doubling down on fandom. On January 15, 2026, the park unveiled the full roster of franchises anchoring its second annual Universal Fan Fest Nights, a separately ticketed after-hours celebration that will run for 12 nights this spring.
Five Worlds, One Night
Each ticket unlocks entry to five unique activations built around sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime icons. Guests will roam immersive sets, snap photos with costumed characters and collect themed food, drinks and souvenirs.
The 2026 Lineup
- Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot! – A live-action whodunit aboard the Studio Tour tram. Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby enlist riders to crack a case involving Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolf Man on the same outdoor backlots used for the 1931 classics.
- One Piece: Grand Pirate Show – A stunt-filled stage spectacular at the WaterWorld venue, imported from Universal Studios Japan and starring fan-favorite pirates.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – A new walk-through trek into the Forbidden Forest to rescue a lost Hippogriff, guided by a Hogwarts professor and populated by magical creatures.
- Super Nintendo World – A Yoshi-centric scavenger hunt for multi-colored dinos hidden across the Mushroom Kingdom.
- Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep – The returning walk-through quest sends guests to join the Harpers spy network and thwart the beholder Xanathar, brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Tickets & Dates
Passes are on sale now for the 12-night window: April 23-25, May 1-3, 7-9, 14-16, 2026. Event hours begin after the regular park closes; select rides-including Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Flight of the Hippogriff-will remain open.
From Last Year to Next
The 2025 debut featured Star Trek and Back to the Future, drawing sold-out crowds and prompting the expansion. Amanda S. Bennett reported for News Of Los Angeles that the 2026 edition swaps in Scooby-Doo and Universal Monsters to keep the lineup fresh.
Park officials promise the same formula that worked last year: in-world character interactions, cosplay meet-ups and limited-run merchandise, all included in the single ticket price.
Key Takeaways
- 12 nights only-once the final May date passes, the event disappears until 2027
- Every activation is included; no upsells inside the event
- Fans can book now via the Universal Studios Hollywood website
The countdown to April 23 is officially under way.
