The short answer
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 is in its final week. At Universal Orlando, the last event nights are Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, and Universal Studios Hollywood also ends its run on November 1. Buy a dated ticket online now, because Universal warns that event nights can sell out.
- Orlando: 10 haunted houses, 4 scare zones and 2 shows at Universal Studios Florida.
- Hollywood: 8 haunted houses, the Terror Tram, scare zones and The Purge stunt show; the event starts at 7 p.m.
- Final nights left: Oct 28, 29, 30, 31 and Nov 1 in Orlando; Nov 1 is also the last night in Hollywood.
- Ages: Universal does not recommend the event for children under 13.
- Costumes: Not allowed on regular Orlando event nights; costume masks are banned at both parks.
5
Orlando event nights left (Oct 28 to Nov 1)
10
Haunted houses in Orlando
8
Haunted houses in Hollywood
13+
Universal’s recommended minimum age
In this article
Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is Universal’s separately ticketed nighttime Halloween event, where the parks fill with walk-through haunted houses, roaming scare actors and live shows. In 2026, Universal Orlando is celebrating the event’s 35th year, while Universal Studios Hollywood is running what NBC calls a record 42 nights. Both events close on Sunday, November 1, so this guide focuses on what you need for the final nights.
Below, you will find the remaining dates, every haunted house and scare zone, the ticket types Universal still lists, and practical tips. For everything else this season, start at our Halloween hub.
When is Halloween Horror Nights 2026, and which nights are left?
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 runs on select nights through Sunday, November 1 at both parks. As of October 27, five Orlando nights remain: Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1.
Universal Orlando’s official Halloween Horror Nights page lists select nights from August 28 to November 1, 2026, on Wednesdays through Sundays, plus Monday, October 12. Since today is a Tuesday, the next Orlando night is Wednesday. Meanwhile, Universal Studios Hollywood runs select nights from September 3 to November 1, according to the official Discover Universal blog.
| Park | Season | Final nights | Start time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios Florida (Orlando) | Select nights, Aug 28 to Nov 1, 2026 | Wed Oct 28, Thu Oct 29, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 | Not published on the event page; check the Universal app |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | Select nights, Sept 3 to Nov 1, 2026 | Ends Sun Nov 1; confirm open nights on the official calendar | 7 p.m. general admission |
Also, note the clock change: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, during the Halloween night event. So, if you stay late on October 31, your phone will fall back an hour. Our Daylight Saving Time guide explains the change.
Watch out. Universal states that event nights can sell out in advance, and HHN runs rain or shine with no rain checks, returns or refunds. Therefore, check the date in your cart carefully before you pay.
What are the Halloween Horror Nights 2026 Orlando houses?
Universal Orlando has 10 haunted houses this year, mixing film and TV brands with original stories. Universal’s Discover Universal announcement lists them as follows.
| Haunted house | What it is |
|---|---|
| Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control | Original 35th-anniversary house on the rivalry between HHN icons Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow |
| Sinners | A 1930s Mississippi juke joint overrun by vampires, based on the film |
| Stranger Things 5 | A final-season trip through Hawkins with Demogorgons, the Mind Flayer and Vecna |
| Hellraiser | Pinhead and the Cenobites, based on the original film trilogy |
| Evil Dead Burn | Deadites attack a family home, based on the new film |
| Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness | A decaying world inspired by the rock legend’s music |
| H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright-Tacular! | A gory late-night horror TV broadcast on WKNB |
| MADLANDS: Caged Cannibals | Survivors in an abandoned zoo face rival cannibal factions |
| Cybergoria | Machine caretakers strip humans of flesh in pursuit of immortality |
| INVASION: Alien Abduction | An alien abduction amid a wrecked Southwestern homestead |
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 scare zones and shows in Orlando
In addition to the houses, the Orlando event has four scare zones, which are open-air streets filled with scare actors. These are Infernal Carnival of Nightmares, Sideshow of Decay, FORTNITEMARES and Downtown Clowntown. There are also two shows: Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir, a vampire-themed stunt musical, and Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins, which projects moments from the series onto the park’s lagoon.
What is at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood 2026?
Universal Studios Hollywood has eight haunted houses, the Terror Tram, six scare zones and a stunt show. Several houses share brands with Orlando, but Hollywood adds its own originals.
| Haunted house | Also in Orlando? |
|---|---|
| Sinners | Yes |
| Stranger Things 5 | Yes |
| Hellraiser | Yes |
| Evil Dead Burn | Yes |
| Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness | Yes |
| Killer Klowns from Outer Space | No |
| Dead, Deader, Deadest | No |
| KILLceañera: Music by SLASH | No |
Terror Tram, scare zones and The Purge show
First, the Terror Tram this year is “Terror Tram Starring Art the Clown,” which NBC reports features music by Ice Nine Kills. Next, the scare zones are FORTNITEMARES, El Circo de la Muerte, Hackerz, Blood Bog, Shriek of the Banshee and Murder of Crowz. Finally, The Purge: Dangerous Waters is a fiery stunt show at the WaterWorld venue.
General admission begins at 7 p.m. However, NBC reports that early-access tickets let guests into select houses from 5:30 p.m. and the Terror Tram from 6:15 p.m.
How do Halloween Horror Nights tickets and Express Pass work?
HHN needs its own ticket; regular daytime park admission does not include it. At this point in the season, a single-night ticket for a specific date is the practical choice for most people.
| Ticket option | Orlando | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Single-night ticket | Yes, buy online | Yes, one-night general admission |
| Multi-night passes | Rush of Fear, Frequent Fear, Frequent Fear Plus, Ultimate Frequent Fear | Frequent Fear Pass, Ultimate Fear Pass |
| Day plus night combo | Not listed for HHN | 2 p.m. Day/Night ticket |
| Early entry | Scream Early ticket | Early Access ticket |
| Line-skipping | Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass | Universal Express and Express Unlimited |
| VIP guided tour | R.I.P. Tour | R.I.P. Tour |
| Lights-on daytime tour | Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour | Unmasking the Horror Tour |
Universal does not publish one fixed price, because prices vary by night and availability. So, check the live price for your date on the Universal Orlando HHN tickets page or the Universal Studios Hollywood HHN page. Notably, Universal Orlando’s Frequent Fear Pass calendar includes October 28, October 29 and November 1 but not October 30 or 31, so most multi-night passes will not help on Halloween weekend.
Is the Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass worth it?
For the final weekend, Express is usually worth it if you only have one night and want to see most houses. That is because Halloween weekend tends to be busy, and Express cuts waits for an upgrade fee. On the other hand, if you can go on a Wednesday or Thursday, you may get through many houses without it.
Is Halloween Horror Nights OK for kids, and what age should you be?
Universal says the event may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under 13. That is a recommendation rather than a hard ban, so parents decide.
Even so, think carefully before taking a younger child. Scare actors work in the scare zones, so there is no way to avoid frights simply by skipping the houses. For a gentler night with kids, a trick-or-treat style event is a better fit; see our guide to the Disneyland Halloween party or our trick-or-treating times and safety tips.
Can you wear costumes to Halloween Horror Nights?
No, not on regular Orlando nights. Universal Orlando states “no costumes or costume masks allowed,” and Hollywood also bans costume masks and applies its own costume policy.
In Orlando, the only exception is Premium Scream Night, which ran on August 27 and October 19 this year and is sold out. Its rules still show how strict Universal is: no masks, face paint on no more than half the face, no weapon-shaped props, and costumes no larger than 25 inches wide or 80 inches high. In addition, Universal notes that free self-parking after 6 p.m. is not valid on HHN nights.
Halloween Horror Nights tips for the final week
The best plan is simple: arrive early, head to the houses farthest from the entrance first, and save scare zones and shows for later. Here is how we would plan a single night.
- Pick the lightest night. If you can, choose Wednesday, October 28 or Thursday, October 29 over Halloween weekend.
- Arrive before the event starts. In Hollywood, general admission begins at 7 p.m., and early-access tickets start earlier.
- Do your must-see houses first. Brand-name houses such as Stranger Things 5 and Sinners are likely to build long lines, so do your top two early.
- Use the official app. It shows live wait times, so you can switch to a short-line house quickly.
- Pack light. Instead of a big bag, carry a phone, ID, card and a portable charger.
- Eat between houses. Also, eat during the late-evening lull rather than at peak times, because food lines grow quickly.
- Plan your ride home. Finally, budget for event-night parking, since free after-6 p.m. parking does not apply.
Pro tip. If November 1 works for you, the final night is also the last chance to see this year’s houses before Universal removes them. As a result, it can be busy, so treat it like a weekend night.
Halloween Horror Nights Orlando vs Hollywood: which is better?
Orlando is bigger, with 10 houses, four scare zones and two shows, so it suits fans who want the most content. Hollywood is smaller but has the Terror Tram, which runs through the studio backlot and has no Orlando equivalent.
| Feature | Orlando | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Park | Universal Studios Florida | Universal Studios Hollywood |
| Season | Aug 28 to Nov 1, 2026 | Sept 3 to Nov 1, 2026 |
| Haunted houses | 10 | 8 |
| Scare zones | 4 | 6 |
| Shows | Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir; Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins | The Purge: Dangerous Waters |
| Unique extra | Jack & Oddfellow 35th-anniversary house | Terror Tram Starring Art the Clown |
| Day/night combo | Not listed | 2 p.m. Day/Night ticket |
In short, choose Orlando for volume and original houses, and choose Hollywood for the Terror Tram and easier pairing with a daytime park visit.
Our verdict
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 is worth catching before it closes on November 1, especially in Orlando, where the 35th-anniversary lineup has 10 houses. Go on Wednesday or Thursday if you can, add Express if you are stuck with Halloween weekend, and leave costumes and kids under 13 at home.
Frequently asked questions
When does Halloween Horror Nights 2026 end?
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. In Orlando, the remaining event nights after October 27 are Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1. Hollywood also closes on November 1, but it runs on select nights only, so check the official calendar for your date before you buy a ticket.
How many houses are at Halloween Horror Nights 2026?
Universal Orlando has 10 haunted houses in 2026, including Jack and Oddfellow: Chaos and Control, Sinners, Stranger Things 5 and Hellraiser. Universal Studios Hollywood has eight haunted houses, including Killer Klowns from Outer Space and KILLceanera: Music by SLASH, plus the Terror Tram. Orlando also has four scare zones, while Hollywood lists six.
How much are Halloween Horror Nights tickets?
Universal does not publish one fixed price for Halloween Horror Nights, because single-night ticket prices vary by date and demand. Check the live price for your night on the official Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood website, and add Express Pass or an R.I.P. Tour only if your budget allows.
Is Halloween Horror Nights OK for kids?
Universal says Halloween Horror Nights may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under 13. It is a recommendation, not a strict ban, so parents make the final call. Even so, scare actors roam the streets in scare zones, so younger kids cannot easily avoid frights. Families with small children usually enjoy daytime or trick-or-treat events more.
Can you wear costumes to Halloween Horror Nights?
No, not on regular nights at Universal Orlando, where the official page says no costumes or costume masks are allowed. Orlando only allows costumes on Premium Scream Night, which is sold out for 2026. Universal Studios Hollywood also bans costume masks and applies a separate costume policy, so read it on the official site before you dress up.
Is Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass worth it?
Express Pass is usually worth it on Halloween weekend, when crowds peak and many guests have only one night. It shortens waits for haunted houses, so you can see more in one visit. However, on a Wednesday or Thursday you may manage most houses without it by arriving early and doing the most popular houses first.
