by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine
Universal Studios Hollywood is stepping into new territory with its first-ever Universal Fan Fest Nights, an after-hours event celebrating sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and anime fandoms. Set to launch in spring 2025, this separately ticketed event invites guests to dress in their favorite character costumes and immerse themselves in uniquely crafted experiences based on popular franchises.
A New Kind of After-Hours Experience
Created by the same team behind Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Fan Fest Nights shifts the focus from scares to celebration. The event has been described as “Halloween Horror Nights meets Comic-Con,” offering fans a chance to step into the worlds they love while connecting with fellow enthusiasts.
Running select nights from April 25 through May 18, 2025, the event transforms Universal Studios Hollywood into a playground for fans of all ages. Guests can experience the park from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with early access beginning at 5:30 PM for those with special tickets.
Immersive Worlds to Explore
Universal Fan Fest Nights features seven distinct themed experiences, each offering unique interactions, photo opportunities, and atmosphere.
Star Trek: Red Alert
This walkthrough adventure takes place “aboard” the U.S.S. Enterprise-D, utilizing the actual screen-used bridge set piece from Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard. The story unfolds two years after the Picard series, with the Enterprise docked at the Starfleet Museum before an interstellar threat creates chaos.
Guests will journey through iconic ship locations including the shuttle bay, sick bay, and engineering before arriving on the bridge. The experience occupies the former space of The Walking Dead attraction and was developed in collaboration with Paramount to ensure authenticity.
Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley
Fans will travel to Hill Valley 1955 on the actual Courthouse Square set on the Universal Studios Backlot (a recreation, as the original burned down). Transportation to this area will be via a special “Fan Tram.”
The experience includes photo opportunities with the Time Machine and Einstein, character interactions with Doc Brown and Marty McFly, and a recreation of the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. Multiple times each night, guests can witness the Clock Tower lightning strike sequence that sends Marty “back to the future.”
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep
Located in Soundstage 15, this action-packed walkthrough experience invites guests to join fellow Harpers on a mission to save Waterdeep from Xanathar the Beholder. The experience includes a large-scale, articulated Xanathar figure created in collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and features distinct scenes taking approximately 10-12 minutes to complete.
ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Gathering
This “Fan Zone” allows guests to meet Luffy and members of the Straw Hat Crew, including Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. Interactive photo opportunities and sketch artists creating “wanted pirate” portraits add to the experience.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed
Presented in the DreamWorks Theatre, this show was initially produced for Universal Studios Japan. The storyline involves guests attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Jujutsu High branch in Osaka, which turns out to be a trap set by a Curse User named Kuroishi. Characters Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara arrive to battle the threat.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Beyond the usual attractions, the land will feature the debut of “Hogwarts Always,” a new nighttime projection show on Hogwarts castle depicting a magical school year. The experience also introduces new magical creature encounters, including a Niffler, a baby dragon (previously seen at Universal Studios Japan), and an Occamy.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
The land will feature the character meet-and-greet debut of Yoshi at Universal Studios Hollywood, in addition to a Yoshi’s Hidden Egg scavenger hunt activity throughout the Mushroom Kingdom.
Cosplay Welcome (With Guidelines)
A key feature of Universal Fan Fest Nights is the invitation for guests to wear costumes inspired by their favorite fandoms. This marks a significant departure from Universal’s usual dress code policies.
However, specific Cosplay Costume Guidelines must be followed:
- Guests may not create a false impression that they work for Universal or any emergency personnel
- Face coverings that fully or partially obscure a person’s face are not permitted, except for religious or medical reasons
- Face painting is allowed, though alcoholic beverages won’t be served if it covers more than half the face (applied vertically)
- Prosthetic makeup concealing any part of the face other than the forehead is not permitted
- No weapons or items that could be used as weapons
- No special effects like balloons, smoke, fog, or sound effects
- No oversized costumes, veils, long trains, or stilts
- Costumes cannot measure more than 25″ in width or 80″ in height
For safety reasons, some costumes may not be permitted on certain rides. Costume accessories not allowed on attractions can be stored in lockers.
Themed Food and Exclusive Merchandise
Executive Chef Julia Thrash has curated themed food and beverage menus for each franchise area. A “Dining Pass” option will be available for purchase within the park, allowing guests to sample multiple food and beverage items for one price.
Highlights include:
- Quark’s Cafe offering the Tribble Truffle Trio and 10 Forward Bar serving the Ceti Eel Margarita (Star Trek area)
- First Roll Tavern featuring Hunter’s Mark, Red Dragon’s Breath, and Beholder’s Brew (D&D area)
- Sanji’s Galley serving Luffy’s Meat on a Bone and Franky’s Cola Barbacoa (ONE PIECE area)
- Jujutsu Kaisen-themed snacks like Yuji’s Chocolate Brownie and Sukuna Cursed Crunch
- Three Broomsticks offering house-inspired churros in Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw flavors
Each themed experience will have corresponding merchandise collections available for purchase. For Star Trek fans, exclusive new Starfleet-themed jackets, t-shirts, badges, and Tribble shoulder pals will be available. Back to the Future merchandise includes Marty McFly’s signature puffer vest and metallic rainbow hat. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS offerings feature a Paladin-inspired lace-up hoodie and exclusive playing mat.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will debut a Collector’s Edition Interactive Wand, available exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as the first-ever The Wizarding World of Harry Potter popcorn bucket inspired by the iconic Time-Turner.
Select items can be personalized at the Universal Studio Store inside the park and at select locations within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Park Rides Open During the Event
During Universal Fan Fest Nights, several popular rides will remain open, including:
- “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge”
- “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”
- “Flight of the Hippogriff”
- “Jurassic World—The Ride”
- “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem”
- “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride”
- “The Simpsons Ride”
Tickets and Important Details
Tickets for Universal Fan Fest Nights are now on sale, with prices ranging from $74 to $373 for VIP tour packages. The event runs on select nights: April 25-27; May 2-4, 9-11, and 15-18, 2025.
Universal Studios Hollywood Pass Members can take advantage of special pricing. Those interested in purchasing tickets can visit the Universal Studios Hollywood website for complete terms and conditions.
The event creators will closely monitor guest flow, feedback, and interactions during this inaugural year to create better future experiences. Many performers are genuine fans of the properties, and several will return from Halloween Horror Nights to ensure authentic experiences.
Universal Fan Fest Nights represents a new direction for Universal’s theme park entertainment, combining the immersive environments parks are known for with the cosplay energy of fan conventions.
Explore More: Videos
Universal Fan Fest Nights
Cosplay Do’s & Don’ts
Explore More: Resources
- Website: Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights
- Web page: Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights Tickets
- Website: Universal Studios Hollywood
The magic of themed experiences is meant to be shared, explored, and preserved. Theme Park Magazine is dedicated to doing just that, free from distractions and advertising. We rely on the passion of our readers to keep this mission alive. Your donation is a direct investment in the stories that inspire and transport us. Help us keep the focus on the wonder, not the ads. Support us directly via PayPal today. Your generosity fuels our passion. – Joe Tracy, Editor of Theme Park Magazine
About Joe Tracy
Joe Tracy, the creator, and editor of Theme Park Magazine, is a lifetime enthusiast of theme parks and immersive experiences. The publication was launched under his leadership on June 1, 2021, as a manifestation of his deep-seated love for all things themed. Joe has amassed over 20 years of expertise in both traditional print and online publishing.
