You long-time frog fans know Tad as our official Frog Family videographer. While he toadally enjoys making ride videos for our YouTube channel, he really has set his sights on becoming the next Spielberg. For him, it doesn't get any better than Universal Studios Hollywood. It's a thrill for him to be "on location" inside the theme park that just so hoppens to be where "Back to the Future" and "Psycho" were filmed. And we know he's not the only one who's excited to visit! With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and more family-friendly attractions, this theme park/working studio sure is more hopping than ever! Plus, we get to explore Super Nintendo World. Woohoo! Whether you have a filmmaker in your family or you're just a bunch of fun-seekers, it helps to know not only what to expect when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, but also, when to plan your trip in 2024 and 2025. And, action!
Planning When to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024 and 2025
While there is no reservation system in place at Universal Studios Hollywood, tickets are date-based, effectively limiting capacity each day through the number of tickets sold.
That means it's important to purchase your tickets ahead of time so that your preferred dates aren't sold out. And one other piece of advice: During our recent trips, Express Passes have become more useful than ever in maximizing our time at the park. Much like admission, it's best to purchase your Express Passes in advance (they can sell out, and more so, the advanced online price is usually the lowest). Psst ... Undercover Tourist can save you some green on your tickets, as well as Express Pass and VIP Experience!
Another hopful tool for people who want to get the most out of their visit to Super Nintendo World is Early Access. You can purchase this add-on separately from your theme park admission, but you must have theme park admission to use the Early Access ticket. No matter when you visit, this ticket gets you into Super Nintendo World an hour before the park opens, allowing you to access all the challenges with short lines and Mario Kart with the shortest line of the day. Then, at park opening, you can use our Universal Studios Hollywood park plan to maximize time for the rest of the park.
Our Los Angeles Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get a day-by-day look at expected crowds a full year in advance. If your particular dates are not listed, jump down to the comments below and ask. We frogs will be hoppy to answer. We've got a similar post devoted to the best times to visit Disneyland if you hoppen to be planning visits to both. (Now, if only we could predict travel times on those SoCal highways!) Or, check out the infographic below for a quick overview of the least crowded times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024.
Other Factors to Consider When Determining the Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
If you’re used to visiting Universal Orlando Resort rather than the Hollywood original, know that there are some differences. The best times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024 and 2025 aren't necessarily the same ones at Universal Orlando.
The biggest difference is the locals. Universal Orlando has locals, but not nearly as many as those in the Los Angeles regional area. More and more of these locals are annual passholders, who think nothing of popping in for a pint of Butterbeer after the end of a long week. A lot of passholders visit on Saturdays, so that may influence you to visit during the week if you can.
While the regional passholders have a large influence on crowds, it's not all doom and gloom. Many passholders have blackout times during the times most popular with tourists — mostly summer, spring break and the holidays, but also a few weekends here and there. Looking at Universal's passholder blackout calendars gives you a fairly good idea of the very busiest dates of the year. This is because these are the times when most of the passholders are not allowed to enter.
Other major contributing factors include school breaks, special events such as Halloween Horror Nights and the holidays and big openings. In 2025, an all-new event is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood. From the creators of Halloween Horror Nights, in spring 2025, fans can enter the worlds of their favorite genres in an all-new way at Universal Fan Fest Nights. This separately ticketed after hours event will feature immersive experiences, in-park activations and themed food and beverage around some of your favorite games, movies and more. Confirmed for this inaugural event are Star Trek, Dungeons and Dragons and Back to the Future. And beyond 2025, a new "Fast & Furious"-themed roller coaster is currently under construction and is set to open in 2026. When this one opens, consider it a family reunion — with lots of people wanting to ride!
Fall — August, September, October
Highlights
Bring on your worst nightmares. Halloween Horror Nights is the biggest event of the year at Universal Studios Hollywood. Terror unleashes inside the park with elaborate haunted houses, scare zones and the Studio Tour's transformation into the Terror Tram.
Things to Consider
Something to keep in mind if you visit weekends in September and October is Halloween Horror Nights. This separately ticketed event takes place after park hours on select nights. If you visit during the day on those days, you'll see more crowds coming in starting at 2 p.m. The parks may close earlier than usual by about 6 p.m. Hop over to our guide to Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood to learn more.
Even though the scareactors and haunted houses are not open until Halloween Horror Nights begin, some scary props and skeletons are out during the day. Just be aware if you are bringing sensitive small children with you in the fall.
- Rosh Hashanah - Oct. 2-4, 2024, and Sept. 22-24, 2025
- Yom Kippur (when it falls on a weekday) - Oct. 11, 2024, and Oct. 1-2, 2025
- Indigenous Peoples' Day - Oct. 14, 2024, and Oct. 13, 2025
- Utah and Arizona fall breaks during the first half of October
The park is not as busy during the day in the fall, as most crowds come for Halloween Horror Nights. But watch out for the park closing at 6 p.m. for the after-hours event. That means arriving early in the morning to accomplish everything in a shorter period of time.
Also, note the weather. While other places start to cool down, things are just getting heated up in Los Angeles in August and September. Hot summer weather can extend into early October. So dress accordingly and seek out the soak zone at WaterWorld if you need to cool off. Bring swimsuits and water shoes for the tadpoles to enjoy the water play area in Super Silly Fun Land.
Our Overall Pick: The second half of August and early September (minus the days around Labor Day weekend) sees low crowds as the tadpoles hop back to school.
Least Busy
- Weekdays during the last two weeks of August
- First half of September (minus days around Labor Day); Tuesdays through Thursdays for the remainder of September
Busiest
- First half of August
- Labor Day Weekend
- Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2025
- October 2024
- Elevated crowds from Sept. 22 to Oct. 31, 2025
Winter — November, December, January
'Tis the season to spread Who-liday cheer ... the crowds may be here, but have no fear! While yes, Universal Studios Hollywood can see its busiest weeks of the year around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, it's a magical sight to see Hogsmeade decked out in garland and celebrate with Who-ville citizens.
Highlights
The Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood is the main highlight as the season typically kicks off the day after Thanksgiving. Universal is decorated with colorful lights, bows, ornaments and more. Plus, you even get the chance to meet the Grinch and his dog, Max!
Things to Consider
Aside from the major holidays, there are a couple other small holidays to keep in mind:
- Veterans Day (Nov. 11 — a Monday in 2024 and a Tuesday in 2025)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 15, 2024, and Jan. 20, 2025)
During the first half of December, weekends may have more people than during the week, but crowd levels are not as bad as during the big holiday week between Christmas and New Year's. Plus, the park also has longer hours and more evening entertainment on weekends.
Our Overall Pick: If the holiday festivities are a must for you, we'd recommend the first week or two of December, which is right before the majority of schools are out for holiday breaks. However, if visiting during the lowest crowds is the bigger priority, January is best.
Least Busy
- January
- Weekdays in January (minus the week of New Year's Day and the days around Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- Jan. 7-15, 21-31, 2025
- November (minus the week of Thanksgiving and the days around Veterans Day)
- First half of December
Busiest
- The week of New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Jan. 1-6, 17-20, 2025
- Veterans Day
- Nov. 8-11, 2024
- Nov. 11, 2025
- Week of Thanksgiving
- Nov. 22 - Dec. 1, 2024
- Nov. 22-30, 2025
- Week of Christmas and New Year's
- Dec. 21-31, 2024
- Dec. 20, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026
Spring — February, March, April
Highlights
While Lunar New Year is an understated event at Universal Studios Hollywood, you can enjoy special decor, food and beverage options in the park from late January through February. You can purchase Lunar New Year merchandise in the gift shops. Celebrate by taking a photo with characters, such as Hello Kitty, dressed in their Lunar New Year best.
During select spring break weeks, you may experience Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle. The projection show usually returns for evenings during spring break. Like we mentioned earlier, spring 2025 will bring the first-ever Universal Fan Fest Nights event — stay tuned for more details!
Things to Consider
The fall of Easter impacts Universal crowds in the spring. Some school districts base their spring break around Easter; others do not. When Easter falls earlier in the season, in March or early April, it has the effect of making a more intense, but shorter spring break season. In 2025, Easter hoppens April 20, so this spring break season will be longer. Many California universities consistently have spring break at the end of March, which can affect crowds then.
Our Overall Pick: First week of March or second half of April
Least Busy
- February
- Weekdays in February (minus the days around Presidents Day)
- Feb. 1-13, 18-28, 2025
- First week of March
- March 1-6, 2025
- Second half of April
- April 21-30, 2025
Busiest
- Presidents Day Weekend
- Feb. 10-17, 2025
- Spring Break
- March 7 - April 6, 2025 & April 18-20, 2025 (Easter)
Summer — May, June, July
Highlights
Summer break unofficially begins with Memorial Day weekend and crowds remain steady until back-to-school season. There aren't any major events, but Universal has some low-key celebrations for Grad Bash, Pride Month and Fourth of July. The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle show returns for select nights of summer, usually mid-June to mid-August.
Things to Consider
May and June are the cooler and more comfortable summer months to visit, with "May Gray" and "June Gloom" morning clouds keeping the park from heating up too much. Temperatures rise in sunny July. Park hours are long once summer hits, so you have time to get it all done.
Our Overall Pick: Weekdays in May
Least Busy
- Weekdays in May (minus days around Memorial Day)
- First half of June
Busiest
- Weekends in May (particularly Memorial Day weekend)
- Second half of June
- July
What If I'm Visiting During a Busy Time?
We toadally understand that many families may not have the flexibility and can only visit during these busier times. Don't worry! Ultimately, the best time to go is when you can go. The good news is that busier times also bring longer park hours and more entertainment. The most important thing you can do is set realistic expectations and use our tips and tools to manage the crowds and maximize your time. During busier times, consider purchasing Universal Express tickets and/or Early Access tickets to get a jump on the crowds. If they're not in the budget, then make sure to arrive early before the park officially opens. And be sure to check out our Universal Studios Hollywood park plan for our recommended 1-day itinerary.
So there you have it — our recommended times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024 and 2025! If you can't avoid visiting during a busy time, don't sweat it! We have a ton more hopful tips and resources to help you save time waiting in line and plan a great trip.
Related: Tips to Maximize Your Time at Universal Studios Hollywood
Related: Tips for Maximizing the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass
Keep hopping!
