Most theme parks have special events and seasonal celebrations throughout the year. Some take place during regular park hours and are included in the cost of admission, while others are separately ticketed after-hours events — Universal Studios Hollywood has both types! Let's hop to it and break down the popular Universal Studios Hollywood events, as well as what hoppens during peak seasons. Some events take place every year, and other celebrations may occur just this year. We have all of the details for 2026, so you can start planning your visits now!
FAQs
- Are all Universal Studios Hollywood events included with admission? Some celebrations are included in your ticket. However, there are separately ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights and Fan Fest Nights. The good news is you can save on Universal Studios daytime and after-hours tickets with Undercover Tourist!
- Are there are any Universal Studios ticket deals? Undercover Tourist has year-round, discount tickets. And for a limited time, you can buy a day and get a second day FREE through Undercover Tourist! Your second visit can occur through Dec. 16, 2026. The second day is subject to blackout dates.
- What are Pass Member events? People who have Universal Studios Hollywood annual passes might be able to get free giveaways or sign up for exclusive after-hours events throughout the year.
- When are the exact dates of Universal events? They can vary each year. We update this post as exact dates are announced closer to each actual event.
- When does Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift open? Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift opens in summer 2026. We've seen it testing, and we can't wait!
Overview of Universal Studios Hollywood Events
For a limited time, Buy a Day, Get a 2nd Day FREE for General Admission Tickets at Universal Studios Hollywood! Valid for visits through Dec. 16, 2026
Whether you enjoy being chased by monsters, meeting the Grinch, sipping hot Butterbeer with a holiday meal or dancing under fireworks, there are a few Universal Studios Hollywood events for which you might want to time your visit while they occur. Keep hopping back as more events, dates and details may be announced. Most of these events return year after year. Our post on what's coming to Disneyland and Universal Studios has all the details on new attractions coming in 2026.
Spring 2026
Spring break is a popular time to visit Universal Studios. It also falls during Butterbeer Season.
Butterbeer Season (March 1 to May 31, 2026)
From March 1 to May 31, Universal Studios hosts Butterbeer Season! Guests can try delectable treats, such as a Butterbeer creampuff. This year, there's a new Butterbeer Waffle at the Three Broomsticks! The syrup has a great Butterbeer flavor. There's also a Butterbeer ice lolly.
Sport your Butterbeer fandom in some new, exclusive merchandise. You can find it at Flich's Emporium, the Universal Studios Store or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter store in CityWalk.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Experiences (March 10 through April 13, 2026)
For a limited time this spring, you can meet Yoshi and purchase themed food and merchandise related to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Taste the Rosalina Cupcake. It's a blue velvet cupcake filled with blueberry cheesecake, lemon buttercream and topped with a chocolate crown and star. The Galaxy Popcorn is a multicolored berry-flavored popcorn with edible glitter.
Purchase interactive shoulder pals themed to the Luma. They are offered in both blue and yellow. They feature light and sound and communicate with each other when close together.
The fun extends to Universal CityWalk, where guests can capture unforgettable memories with a themed photo opportunity inspired by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Pose in a galactic tunnel-like experience straight from Mario’s newest onscreen journey.
It's important to know that the last two weeks of March through the first two weeks of April generally see larger crowds and often the return of longer hours.
Universal Fan Fest Nights (Select nights April 23 through May 16, 2026)
On select nights between April 23 and May 16, 2026, there's even more movie action to jump in on at Universal Studios Hollywood with the return of Universal Fan Fest Nights! This interactive, separately ticketed event will invite you to enter some of your favorite worlds. The first announcement is the mashup we did not know we needed in our lives: Scooby-Doo! x Universal Monsters! Jinkies! Tickets are on sale now. You can save when you purchase Fan Fest Nights tickets through Undercover Tourist.
Here are the 2026 event dates (subject to change, and more dates could be added):
- April 23, 24 & 25
- May 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 15 & 16
From the creators of Halloween Horror Nights, this after-hours event elevates the fan experience, featuring immersive experiences, in-park activations, specialty food and drink and more.
In 2026, we can embark on a Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot. This is an all-new, walk-through experience. Plus, there is a new ONE PIECE show, a Wizarding World walk-through experience and a new Yoshi experience in Super Nintendo World. Meet colorful Yoshis and solve a puzzle. You could also meet characters or see dinos and vehicles from Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies. Learn more at our Universal Fan Fest Nights post. Get your cosplays ready!
The 2025 event included "Star Trek," "Back to the Future," "One Piece," "Jujutsu Kaisen," "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" and "Dungeons & Dragons." A highlight from 2025 was stepping into Hill Valley in 1955 in the backlot to recreate iconic scenes from "Back to the Future."
We can't wait to see what 2027 will bring!
Grad Bash
Grad Bash is a separately ticketed event that occurs on select Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights after regular park hours for graduating seniors. These events with DJ dance parties are organized through schools, and they take place on select nights in May and June. They should not affect your daytime visit as they hoppen after the park is closed. You may see stages, photo ops and decor set up for the events.
2026 Grad Bash Dates:
- May 20, 21, 27, 28, and 29
- June 4 and 5
The park closes by 8 p.m. on Grad Bash nights (check the calendar for actual operating hours). Attendees can enter the park at 8 p.m., and the party starts at 9 p.m.
Pass Member Collectible Giveaway
Universal Studios Hollywood pass members can collect a giveaway item in May.
Summer 2026
Summer is peak season at Universal Studios Hollywood. That means long hours, a new ride, usually the return of Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle (or the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle) and finding ways to cool off. Summer crowds typically fill the park from mid-June through mid-August. You'll want to purchase tickets early and get Early Access tickets if Super Nintendo World is a priority. It's a great time to get Universal Express or take a VIP Tour to skip the lines. A perk of the VIP Experience is that it allows you to skip the line for the highly popular Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge. That ride is now included with Universal Express.
Bring swimsuits and water shoes for the tadpoles to splash in the water at Super Silly Fun Land. Sit in the soak zone for WaterWorld. We have hot tips to beat the heat and summer crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Here are a few Universal Studios Hollywood events hoppening this summer.
Fast & Furious: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Coaster Opening in Summer 2026
Start your engines! Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is racing into Universal Studios Hollywood in summer 2026.
It reaches speeds up to 72 mph and has rotating cars to give riders that drifting sensation. When we say cars, we mean the ride vehicles are designed to look like four different 4-seater cars!
This daily event heats up the park June 13 to Aug. 9, 2026!
Snap a photo with Wicked’s Elphaba or Glinda near the DreamWorks Theatre and enjoy food themed to Jaws, Fast & Furious, Minions and more.
Enjoy a DJ and an array of cars from Fast & Furious movies to celebrate 25 years of the movie franchise during the Mega Movie Summer event. Shake it off at a Minions dance party, and experience behind-the-scenes moments (and a ship) from "The Odyssey" on the Studio Tour.
Fourth of July Celebration (July 3-4, 2026)
If you hoppen to be visiting the park on Independence Day (July 3-4, 2026), catch a spectacular fireworks display (accompanied by Universal Studios-themed music and patriotic tunes) at 9 p.m. You can also enjoy live music and themed décor. It's all included in your theme park admission.
Back to Hogwarts
Celebrate students going back to Hogwarts (and Muggles going back to regular school) with special "Back to Hogwarts" school bundles available for purchase. (Bundles include items such as a backpack and journal themed to your Hogwarts house and a Hedwig plush.) Put on your house robes and raise your wand in pride for your Hogwarts house: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. This magical time starts in August and ends in early September.
Pass Member Appreciation Days
The Pass Member exclusive time is in August and September 2026.
Halloween Horror Nights 2026
On select nights from Sept. 3 through Nov. 1, 2026, Universal has a separately ticketed nighttime event that will terrify even the bravest visitors. We have separate posts on Halloween Horror Nights and survival tips. Enter the park to the unleashing of monsters, encounter themed mazes, scare zones and a Terror Tram that takes you down to encounter more than just monsters in the Backlot. You can catch a breather by enjoying music, special drinks and themed food. You can even save on select tickets through Undercover Tourist! Tickets go on sale in the summer. Buy early for the best prices and selection.
Pass Member Collectible Giveaway
Universal Studios Hollywood pass members can collect a giveaway item in November.
Holiday Season at Universal Studios Hollywood 2026
Between Thanksgiving week and New Year's Day, a lot is hoppening at Universal Studios, and it's all included in your Universal Studios ticket. The park and CityWalk are decorated with a bunch of garland, lights and trees. Characters are in their holiday and winter best. You can enjoy special entertainment, seasonal characters and celebrations. You can get all the festive details in our guide to Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Here are four events that fall daily during the holidays at Universal Studios from late November through early January. Grinchmas, Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and seasonal offerings in Super Nintendo World run Nov. 24, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026. We also recommend the Universal Express (save up to $126) or VIP Experience (save up to $178), so you have time to see and do it all.
Grinchmas
Meet the Grinch, Max and all the Whos, including Cindy Lou Who, during Grinchmas. You can eat special treats, watch special entertainment and experience a Seussian tree lighting with snowfall. It's one of our favorite Universal Studios Hollywood events, for sure!
Christmas in the Wizarding World
Step into Hogsmeade to the sights of festive holiday décor with glimmering lights, wreaths, trees, garland and the largest ball of mistletoe you’ve ever seen. Each shop is decorated with its own holiday-themed garland! Watch The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle and the Holiday Frog Choir. You can also do some holiday shopping for the wannabe wizards and witches in your family.
Warm up with hot Butterbeer and the English Holiday Meal with juicy turkey, gravy, sourdough stuffing, carrots, Brussels sprouts, bacon-wrapped sausage and cranberry sauce at the Three Broomsticks. It's quite tasty!
Christmas in Super Nintendo World
The holiday season returns to the Mushroom Kingdom with themed décor. Look for a tree adorned with a Super Star topper, festive wreath and two mustached snowmen for a photo op. One wears a red Mario hat and scarf, and the other wears a green Luigi hat and scarf. Toadally cute! Shop for holiday merchandise at select Super Nintendo World retail locations and collect seasonal digital stamps in the Universal Studios Hollywood app with your Power-Up Band. Grab a Toadstool Cafe reservation online or in the app up to 60 days in advance.
EVE
Ring in the new year on Dec. 31 at EVE, the New Year's Eve party. Enjoy multiple party areas with music, dancing, drinks and souvenirs. The midnight countdown is celebrated with fireworks. Winter snowfall and confetti bursts add excitement to designated areas. The festivities are included in your theme park ticket, and the park stays open until 2 a.m. The New Year's party festivities kick off at 9 p.m.
CityWalk is also festive with a tree, live music, DJ performances and street performers. No admission needed to enjoy CityWalk festivities.
Pass Member Holiday Takeover
Pass members can sign up for some after-hours holiday fun on select nights in December.
Which Universal Studios Hollywood Events are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below. Don't froget that you can save big on Universal Studios Hollywood tickets, Universal Express, VIP Experiences and Halloween Horror Nights when you purchase authorized discount tickets and book nearby hotels with Undercover Tourist!
Related: Best Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Related: Universal Studios Hollywood Tips to Maximize Your Time
Hoppy planning!
