Universal Fan Fest Nights

Universal
Fan Fest Nights
Universal; Fan Fest Nights
Universal Studios Hollywood
Status	Operating
Opening date	April 25, 2025; 17 months ago
Ride statistics
	Wheelchair accessible

Universal Fan Fest Nights is an annual after-hours fandom-focused event at Universal Studios Hollywood. The first Fan Fest Nights took place on select nights from late April through mid-May 2025, featuring immersive experiences from Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, Back to the Future, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen, and cosplay, unique food, and character interactions in The Wizarding World and Super Nintendo World. The event also included the 80s/90s nostalgia band The Flux Capacitors as a featured act.

2026

The second annual Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood took place on select nights from April 23 through May 16, 2026, spanning a total of 12 event nights.

The event continued the after-hours, separately ticketed format introduced in 2025, expanding its lineup of themed experiences and fandom-based attractions.

Experiences

The 2026 event featured the following experiences:

ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show – A live stunt show held at the WaterWorld venue, featuring characters from the One Piece franchise.
Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot – An interactive walk-through experience on the studio backlot featuring Scooby-Doo and the Universal Monsters.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Forbidden Forest: A Search for the Hippogriff – A walk-through experience set in the Forbidden Forest area of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon the Miracle: Moon Palace Chapter Deluxe – A subtitled Japanese CG anime short film presented in the DreamWorks Theatre.
Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep – A returning interactive experience based on Dungeons & Dragons.
Super Nintendo World – Colorful Yoshi Celebration – A themed overlay in Super Nintendo World featuring multiple colored Yoshi characters.

Event details

The event included themed food, merchandise, cosplay opportunities, character interactions, and access to select park attractions including Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and Jurassic World – The Ride.

Ticket options included general admission, Universal Express, Universal Express Unlimited, After 2PM Day/Night tickets, 2-Night General Admission, the Ultimate Fandom Pass, Early Access, VIP Tour, and Pass Member special pricing.

Changes from 2025

The 2026 event expanded upon the inaugural year with several new intellectual properties and experiences, including ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show and Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot.

The event also introduced Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon the Miracle: Moon Palace Chapter Deluxe as a theatrical anime presentation.

Returning offerings included Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep, while new themed experiences were added to existing lands, including a Forbidden Forest walk-through in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and a character-based overlay in Super Nintendo World.

References

↑ "Universal Fan Fest Nights: The All-New, After-Hours Fandom Event at Universal Studios Hollywood Debuts April 2025". Visit Burbank. February 22, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
↑ Chen, Eve. "Welcome back Horror Nights. Hello new events: Universal Studios 2025 plans". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
↑ Chen, Eve. "Celebrating Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, and MORE at Universal Fan Fest!". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
1 2 3 "Welcome to Mr. Toad's wild ride — and Universal Studios' Fan Fest Nights". Los Angeles Times. April 28, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is Now Open" (Press release). Universal Studios Hollywood. April 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

[1] "Universal Fan Fest Nights: The All-New, After-Hours Fandom Event at Universal Studios Hollywood Debuts April 2025". Visit Burbank. February 22, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.

[2] Chen, Eve. "Welcome back Horror Nights. Hello new events: Universal Studios 2025 plans". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 8, 2025.

[3] Chen, Eve. "Celebrating Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, and MORE at Universal Fan Fest!". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 8, 2025.

[LATimes2026-4] 1 2 3 "Welcome to Mr. Toad's wild ride — and Universal Studios' Fan Fest Nights". Los Angeles Times. April 28, 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

[USH2026-5] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is Now Open" (Press release). Universal Studios Hollywood. April 2026. Retrieved May 3, 2026.