Welcome to The Park Beat’s complete guide to Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Here you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit, from haunted houses and scare zones to tickets, dates, food, merchandise and what to expect at each event.
Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 35 (Florida)
Dates:
28th August to 1st November 2026 on select nights.
Location:
Universal Studios Florida
Confirmed theme:
The 35th anniversary event is built around the “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares” concept, with Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow as major figures.
Confirmed houses announced so far:
- Sinners haunted house: guests enter the world of Club Juke and encounter the vampire threat from the film.
- Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, an original HHN story exploring the rivalry between the two icons.
- Stranger Things returns as a house based on the final season, including locations such as Hawkins Lab, the Upside Down and encounters with Vecna.
- Fortnitemares Scare Zone – Live action version of Fortnite’s Halloween event and will feature The Battle Bus, Freaky Fields, Familiar Fortnite characters
- Evil Dead Burn Haunted House – based on the new film Evil Dead Burn
- Confirmed Original Houses – Cybergoria, H.R Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright0Tacular!, Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, Madlands: Caged Cannibals, Invasion: Alien Abduction
- Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness
What Orlando is known for:
- Usually a larger house lineup than Hollywood.
- Multiple scare zones spread through the park streets.
- More “classic HHN” street atmosphere because the entire park becomes the event.
- More original lore-driven houses, especially anniversary years.
Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights
Dates:
3rd September to 1st November 2026 on select nights.
Location:
Universal Studios Hollywood
Confirmed houses announced so far:
- Sinners: the same film-inspired concept is coming to Hollywood, focused around Club Juke and the vampire storyline.
- Stranger Things: a new house based on the final season is confirmed for Hollywood too.
- Fortnitemares will be coming to Hollywood, making it a shared scare zone with Orlando
- Evil Dead Burn
- Hellraiser
- Dead, Deader, Deadest (Hollywood-exclusive original house)
- Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness
Confirmed event elements:
- Haunted houses
- Scare zones
- Live entertainment
- Themed food and drinks
- Terror Tram
What Hollywood does differently:
- The Terror Tram is a major exclusive feature. Guests go onto the famous Universal backlot, which Orlando does not have.
- The event feels more like a horror film set because of the backlot locations.
- The number of houses is generally smaller than Orlando; the official site lists 8 haunted houses for 2026.
| Feature | Orlando | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Larger overall event | Smaller but more cinematic |
| Houses | Usually more houses | 8 houses confirmed for 2026 |
| Unique Attraction | Bigger street scare atmosphere | Terror Tram |
| Setting | Entire Theme Park Takeover | Theme Park, plus backlot |
| Original HNH Stories | Usually a bigger focus | Present but fewer slots |
| Film/TV IP Houses | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Hardcore HNH Fans wanting volume | Fans who want Hollywood-style horror |
Food and Merchandise at Halloween Horror Nights 2026
Food has become a major part of the Halloween Horror Nights experience, and Universal Studios Hollywood has unveiled a particularly extensive lineup for 2026. From Stranger Things and Sinners to Ozzy Osbourne, Art the Clown, Fortnite and the first-ever Treehouse of Horror food offerings, there are plenty of themed dishes and drinks to try throughout the park.
For a closer look at the 2026 menu, including the full range of food, drinks and Halloween Horror Nights merchandise, read our Halloween Horror Nights 2026 Hollywood Food & Merchandise guide.