Art the Clown is hijacking the Terror Tram. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood adds even more frights to its 2026 lineup, including “Terror Tram starring Art the Clown,” where the killer shows up on the backlot with a bag of blood-soaked presents, realizes it’s too early for Christmas, and takes over the tram for his own holiday. The event starts Thursday, September 3 and runs select nights through Sunday, November 1.
Ice Nine Kills is writing new music for the tram, twisting classic Christmas songs into something darker. And Art doesn’t stay on the backlot. Universal says guests who think they got away from him may run into him inside the theme park, lurking where nobody expects.
What new haunted houses are coming?
“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” is back, dropping guests into the 1980s to escape a pack of murderous alien circus clowns. “Dead, Deader, Deadest” is an original house set in an abandoned funeral home where some disturbing things happened.
The one I’d get in line for first is “KILLceañera: Music by SLASH.” It continues the event’s tradition of Latin American myths and legends, centering on Lola, a girl who turns her quinceañera into a festival of death to get revenge on everyone who wronged her. SLASH composed an original score with Spanish guitar and an exclusive song called “15 Candles.” A Grammy-winning guitarist scoring a haunted house is not a normal Tuesday.
Those join the previously announced “Sinners,” “Stranger Things,” “Hellraiser,” “Evil Dead Burn” haunted houses and “Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness.” The Halloween Horror Nights slate is now complete.
Which scare zones and street experiences are included?
“Hackerz” sends a troop of chainsaw killers after guests early in the night, “Fortnitemares” builds on Fortnite’s in-game horror event, and “Blood Bog” turns loose moss monsters in the bogs and bayous. “El Circo de la Muerte” waits right at the KILLceañera exit, built around the 1930s circus and sideshow acts that toured Mexico.
“Murder of Crowz” returns with dad, mom and baby crow, and “Shriek of the Banshee” brings a wagon run by a carnival barker and his talking skeleton. “The Purge: Dangerous Waters” stunt show is back at the WaterWorld venue.
What is the Unmasking the Horror Tour Add-On?
For the first time, Universal Studios Hollywood is debuting a daytime, behind-the-scenes add-on. The guided lights-on walkthrough covers the creative work behind “Sinners” and “KILLceañera: Music by SLASH,” and guests can take photos in select designated areas.
Select attractions stay open during the event, including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, “Transformers: The Ride-3D,” “Revenge of the Mummy” and “The Simpsons Ride.” Death Eaters roam The Wizarding World of Harry Potter starting in the early evening.
Shark Take:
Ticket options run from General Admission to Universal Express, R.I.P. Tour, Day/Night and After 2 P.M. Day/Night. If you want a head start on the houses, the Early Access Ticket gets you into select houses at 5:30 p.m., subject to change. Going more than once? The Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass cover repeat nights across the season.
Source: Universal Studios Hollywood
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