Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 runs on select nights at Universal Studios Hollywood: April 23-25, May 1-3, May 7-9, and May 14-16. This is a separately ticketed after-hours event that celebrates anime, gaming, sci-fi, and fantasy fandoms through live shows, walk-through experiences, themed dining, and character interactions. Six franchise experiences are confirmed for 2026, including a brand-new 20-minute live stunt show built around One Piece and a Sailor Moon film screening making its North American debut.
Below is everything confirmed for the event, including full ticket pricing and tips for planning your visit.
Table of Contents
- All Experiences
- ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show
- Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
- DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
- Tickets and Pricing
- Which Rides Are Open
- Tips
- FAQ
All Experiences at Fan Fest Nights 2026
All six experiences are included with every Fan Fest Nights ticket. There is no upcharge to access individual experiences. Every experience runs on every event night.
ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show
The centerpiece of Fan Fest Nights 2026 is a 20-minute live stunt show staged at the WaterWorld venue. The show is set on Midori Island and follows Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper as they search for Pop Greens. Marines arrive to attack the crew. Buggy crashes the operation. The production includes pyrotechnics, full battle sequences, and comedic interactions between characters throughout. The show is inspired by the Universal Studios Japan production.
Alongside the show, the ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Gathering fan zone offers themed food from Sanji’s Galley and photo opportunities with the Straw Hat Crew.
For full details on the show, see my breakdown: ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show at Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026.
Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot
This walk-through experience runs via the Studio Tour tram and moves guests through historic backlot sets including Little Europe and the Court of Miracles. The experience features Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, and the Bride of Frankenstein alongside Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang. Guests work through the mystery across the backlot sets in an after-dark format not available during regular park hours.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest – A Search for the Hippogriff
Inside Hogsmeade, a walk-through experience leads guests into the Forbidden Forest guided by a Hogwarts Professor. The experience includes encounters with magical creatures and spell-casting moments. The Forbidden Forest overlay runs exclusively during Fan Fest Nights and is not available during standard park operating hours.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon the Miracle: Moon Palace Chapter Deluxe
A CG anime short film screens at DreamWorks Theatre during Fan Fest Nights. The film is in Japanese with English subtitles. It is drawn from the USJ Cool Japan program, making this its first major North American presentation. This was added to the 2026 lineup after the event was originally announced.
More on this addition: Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 Adds Sailor Moon to Its Hollywood Lineup.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep
This returning experience comes back for 2026 with enhancements. Guests enter an immersive adventure set in Waterdeep from the Forgotten Realms. The beholder Xanathar, built by the Jim Henson Creature Shop, anchors the experience as the primary antagonist. D&D: Secrets of Waterdeep was one of the debut experiences at Fan Fest Nights 2025 and is expanded for this year’s run.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Colorful Yoshi Celebration
During Fan Fest Nights, multi-colored Yoshis appear throughout the Mushroom Kingdom land. The Colorful Yoshi Celebration brings light blue, pink, yellow, and purple Yoshis into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD for character interactions and photo opportunities that are exclusive to event nights.
Tickets and Pricing
All ticket types below are for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood. Prices listed are starting prices and may vary by date.
- General Admission: from $74 per person. One selected event night. All six experiences included.
- Express: from $144 per person. General Admission plus one-time Express access to select attractions.
- Express Unlimited: from $174 per person. General Admission plus unlimited Express access to select attractions all night.
- After 2PM Day/Night: from $114 per person. Includes daytime park entry from 2PM plus Fan Fest Nights access in the evening.
- 2-Night General Admission: from $129 per person. Access to two event nights of your choice.
- Ultimate Fandom Pass: from $249 per person. General Admission to every event night across the full run (April 23 through May 16).
- VIP Tour: from $350 per person. Guided VIP experience with additional access and amenities.
- Early Access Add-On: $20. Early entry before general admission opens for the night.
- Annual/Season Pass Members: Discounted pricing is available for current Universal Studios Hollywood pass members. Check your pass benefits for the applicable rate.
Tickets are available at universalstudioshollywood.com.
Which Rides Are Open at Fan Fest Nights
Major attractions operate during Fan Fest Nights. The confirmed ride lineup includes:
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (SUPER NINTENDO WORLD)
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Jurassic World – The Ride
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Transformers: The Ride-3D
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
- The Simpsons Ride
Not every attraction in the park operates during Fan Fest Nights. The after-hours format means lower crowd levels on rides compared to a typical daytime visit, which is one of the practical benefits of the event ticket.
Tips for Fan Fest Nights 2026
- Arrive at gate open. Fan Fest Nights begins in the evening, but arriving when admission starts gives you the full runtime. The ONE PIECE show in particular is likely to have high demand, so getting your bearings early matters.
- Do the ONE PIECE show first. It is the only timed, scheduled experience in the lineup. Check the show schedule when you arrive and plan the rest of your night around those showtimes.
- General Admission is the baseline value. If you are not a frequent visitor, the base GA ticket at $74 covers all six experiences. The After 2PM Day/Night option at $114 is worth considering if you want daytime park access as well, since it bundles both for under the cost of a standard day ticket plus a Fan Fest ticket separately.
- Express Unlimited makes sense for short nights. If you have limited time or want to prioritize rides over walk-throughs, Express Unlimited at $174 removes waits from the equation. For guests focused mainly on the experiences, standard GA is sufficient.
- The Ultimate Fandom Pass is only worth it if you plan to attend multiple nights. At $249 for all nights, it breaks even at roughly three to four event nights depending on which base ticket you would otherwise buy.
- Budget separately for food. Sanji’s Galley and other themed dining options are not included in the ticket price. Plan for additional spending if you want to eat at the themed food locations.
Rumors and Speculation
Universal Studios Hollywood quietly opened Jurassic World: A Journey Through the Eras, an outdoor walkthrough experience on the backlot, earlier this month. The experience features life-size dinosaur figures arranged along a themed trail.
There is currently no official confirmation from Universal that this experience will be part of Fan Fest Nights. However, given its location on the backlot and its walkthrough format, some have speculated it could be incorporated into the event lineup. Universal has indicated more announcements are coming ahead of the April 23 opening night.
This is unconfirmed. If Universal adds Jurassic World: A Journey Through the Eras to the Fan Fest Nights lineup, this guide will be updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Universal Fan Fest Nights worth it?
It depends on what you want from the night. Fan Fest Nights is worth attending if you have interest in at least two or three of the six franchises featured. The ONE PIECE live show alone is a full production that justifies the ticket for One Piece fans. If you are only mildly interested in the franchises, a standard park day gives you more ride access for similar money.
What rides are open at Fan Fest Nights?
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Jurassic World – The Ride, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Transformers: The Ride-3D, Revenge of the Mummy, and The Simpsons Ride are all open during Fan Fest Nights. Not every park attraction operates during the after-hours event.
Do I need an Express Pass for Fan Fest Nights?
Not necessarily. Fan Fest Nights draws a smaller crowd than a typical park day, so ride wait times are generally lower. An Express Pass makes the most sense if you have limited time or if you want to cycle through rides multiple times in a night. For most guests focused on the fan experiences, standard GA is fine.
Can I go to Universal during the day and Fan Fest Nights in the evening?
Yes. The After 2PM Day/Night ticket option, starting at $114, covers both daytime park entry from 2PM and Fan Fest Nights access in the same visit. If you already have a regular park ticket, you still need a separate Fan Fest Nights ticket for after-hours event access. The two are not interchangeable.
When are the Fan Fest Nights 2026 dates?
April 23, 24, 25 – May 1, 2, 3 – May 7, 8, 9 – May 14, 15, 16.
Is Fan Fest Nights family-friendly?
Yes. Unlike Halloween Horror Nights, Fan Fest Nights is not a horror event. The tone across all six experiences is celebratory. There is no scare content. The event is appropriate for all ages.
