Universal’s parks are entering a particularly busy period as summer begins to give way to the Halloween season. This week brings the final chapter for one attraction at Universal Orlando, continued Passholder celebrations, the last Volcano Bay Nights of the summer, and plenty of Harry Potter magic at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Meanwhile, in Hollywood, guests have another reason to keep an eye on the entrance to the park as Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift continues its soft-opening phase ahead of its official debut.
Here’s what is happening across Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood from 17th through 23rd August 2026.
Universal Orlando
Passholder Appreciation Days continue
Universal Orlando’s Passholder Appreciation Days remain underway, giving Annual Passholders additional reasons to visit throughout the summer.
The celebration runs through 30th September and includes a selection of special benefits and offers. Passholders can take advantage of dedicated entrances and lines, exclusive food and merchandise, and additional savings around the resort.
For regular visitors, the event is largely business as usual, but for Annual Passholders, it provides an opportunity to make a Universal trip feel a little more special. With the celebration continuing well into September, there is still plenty of time for Passholders to take advantage of the seasonal offerings.
Volcano Bay Nights reaches its final week
The summer is also winding down at Universal’s Volcano Bay, with Volcano Bay Nights entering its final week.
The after-dark event gives guests the opportunity to experience the water park in a very different atmosphere, with special entertainment, exclusive food and drinks, and access to many of Volcano Bay’s popular attractions.
The event is scheduled to continue with its final nights around 20th and 21st August, giving guests one of the last opportunities of the season to enjoy Volcano Bay after sunset.
It is worth noting that the original Inside Universal article contains an apparent date typo when listing the event nights, referring to Friday as 14th August. The surrounding information identifies this as the final week of the event, with the relevant dates being 20th and 21st August.
Back to Hogwarts continues
Harry Potter fans can also continue celebrating the 25th anniversary of the film franchise with Back to Hogwarts at Universal Orlando.
The seasonal celebration began on 1st August and brings new experiences and limited-time offerings to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One of the highlights is a new limited-edition Butterbeer mug, available while supplies last.
Special food and beverage options are also available throughout the Wizarding World, making this a particularly good time for fans to revisit the Harry Potter-themed areas.
Fast & Furious: Supercharged takes its final ride
One of the biggest changes at Universal Studios Florida this week is also one of the most significant attraction closures of 2026.
Fast & Furious: Supercharged officially closed permanently on 17th August, following its final full day of operation on 16th August. Annual Passholders attending Passholder Nights were given an additional opportunity to experience the attraction before its closure.
The attraction opened in 2018 in the former location of Disaster! and the Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue. During its eight-year run, Supercharged developed a reputation as one of Universal Orlando’s more divisive attractions, but its departure marks the end of an era for the park’s San Francisco area.
With the attraction now closed, attention will inevitably turn towards what Universal eventually plans for the space.
Current refurbishments at Universal Orlando
Several attractions and venues remain unavailable while work continues.
Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure is undergoing a major refurbishment and is currently scheduled to reopen on 20th November 2026.
The Horror Make-Up Show at Universal Studios Florida remains closed as part of a planned reimagining. It is currently expected to return in winter 2026.
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill is also undergoing a major refurbishment at Universal Studios Florida, with a winter 2026 reopening currently anticipated.
As always, refurbishment schedules can change, so guests planning a future visit should check the latest information before travelling.
You can find out more information regarding refurbishments at The Park Beat’s own refurbishment schedule
Universal Studios Hollywood
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift continues its soft opening
The biggest development at Universal Studios Hollywood is Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, which has entered its soft-opening phase.
The new attraction is currently undergoing technical rehearsals with members of the general public. A soft opening allows Universal to test the ride under real operating conditions before its official opening.
For guests, however, there is an important catch: soft openings are never guaranteed.
Hollywood Drift may operate for part of a day, run throughout the day, close temporarily, or not operate at all depending on technical issues and other operational considerations. There is also currently no fixed public schedule guaranteeing when guests will be able to ride.
In other words, visitors heading to Universal Studios Hollywood specifically to experience Hollywood Drift should treat the opportunity as a bonus rather than something guaranteed.
The attraction is expected to become one of the park’s major additions once officially opened, making these early public rehearsals particularly interesting for fans eager to experience the ride ahead of its formal debut.
Pass Member Appreciation Days return
Universal Studios Hollywood is also celebrating its Pass Members with another edition of Pass Member Appreciation Days.
The event began on 15th August and runs through 30th September. During the celebration, Pass Members can take advantage of limited-time giveaways and special offers across Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk.
The timing gives Pass Members several weeks of opportunities to make use of the seasonal perks, while the park moves towards the much busier Halloween season.
Back to Hogwarts returns to Hollywood
Back to Hogwarts is also taking place at Universal Studios Hollywood, continuing the wider 25th anniversary celebrations for the Harry Potter film series.
The celebration includes new experiences within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including an encounter featuring the Monster Book of Monsters. Guests can also find Hogwarts house-themed giveaways, speciality treats and other limited-time offerings throughout the land.
For Harry Potter fans visiting during August and September, the combination of the anniversary celebration and the seasonal offerings makes the Wizarding World one of the areas worth spending extra time exploring.
Summer is giving way to Halloween
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this week’s Universal updates is just how quickly the parks are transitioning from summer into the Halloween season.
At Universal Orlando, the final Volcano Bay Nights are approaching, Fast & Furious: Supercharged has now officially closed, and Passholder Appreciation Days continue through September. At the same time, Back to Hogwarts is keeping the Wizarding World firmly in its summer-season mode.
In Hollywood, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is beginning to find its feet with public technical rehearsals, while Pass Member Appreciation Days and Back to Hogwarts continue.
Beyond the immediate week, Halloween Horror Nights is also becoming increasingly prominent across both destinations. Universal Studios Hollywood has already revealed its full 2026 Halloween Horror Nights lineup, including Terror Tram starring Art the Clown, the original KILLceañera: Music by SLASH, and other new experiences. The event begins on 3rd September.
Universal Orlando is likewise preparing for Halloween Horror Nights 35, with Halloween-focused announcements and offerings beginning to dominate the resort’s calendar.
For guests visiting Universal during the week of 17th August, then, there is a mixture of endings and beginnings. Summer events are winding down, Harry Potter celebrations remain in full swing, a major attraction has reached its final day, and a highly anticipated new ride is beginning its journey towards an official opening.
It is a transitional week for Universal, but one that offers plenty for returning fans and first-time visitors alike.
Find out more refurbishment news for Universal Hollywood here