The most wonderful time of year is fast approaching. We’re talking, of course, about Halloween Horror Nights, the highly anticipated autumnal event hosted by Universal Destinations & Experiences. Celebrating its 35th year in 2026, Halloween Horror Nights has garnered a cult following of park-goers, delighting guests with its terrifyingly over-the-top haunted houses, sinister scare zones and heart racing live entertainment.
With admission running on select dates from August through November at Universal Orlando Resort and from September through November at Universal Studios Hollywood, the hype is building as fright-seekers prepare to celebrate Spooky Season the most festive way they know how.
To help spread the Halloween spirit, we’ve rounded up everything we know about Halloween Horror Nights 2026 (so far).
Haunted Houses
At the time of writing this article, Universal has announced four of 10 official haunted house themes for 2026: Evil Dead Burn, Hellraiser, Stranger Things 5 and Sinners. Each of the four haunts will appear at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.
- Evil Dead Burn: A haunt where “evil comes home,” according to Universal, “Evil Dead Burn” is based on the new “Evil Dead” film by the same name where possessed “Deadites” will descend upon park-goers in pursuit of bloodshed. According to Universal, visitors will “encounter not just the root of evil, but the whole family tree.”
- Hellraiser: Pinhead and friends are back in this year’s “Hellraiser” haunt, a “realm of pure pain” where guests will descend on a “journey through the depths of Hell,” dodging Cenobites and their freaky rituals along the way.
- Stranger Things 5: The “Stranger Things” gang is back for “Hawkins’ Last Stand,” an epic Halloween Horror Nights haunt where park-goers will traverse The Upside Down, encountering their favorite villains along the way including Demogorgons, the Mind Flayer and perhaps even Vecna himself.
- Sinners: After taking the world by storm in 2025, “Sinners” is sinking its teeth into Halloween Horror Nights with an original haunt based on the award-winning vampire film. Set in 1930s Mississippi, guests can expect sightings of the Smokestack Twins and Remmick’s bloodthirsty fanged friends as they bob their heads to soulful music and try to survive the night.
Sinister Scare Zones, Street Experiences and Shows
While Universal Studios Hollywood hasn’t officially shared details surrounding this year’s scare zones or the theme for its famous Terror Tram, Universal Orlando Resort has published a handful of teasers including info on “Sideshow of Decay” and “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares”— two official scare zones at the park — and “Mel’s Die-In: Zombies” and “Club Horror” — two official street experiences.
In an interview with The Compass on VAX earlier this summer, Lora Sauls, assistant director of creative development and show, direction for art and design at Universal Orlando Resort, shared some exciting details surrounding “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares,” saying: “We’re transforming Universal Studios Florida into an ‘Infernal Carnival of Nightmares’ — a twisted, fear-filled carnival featuring 10 all-new haunted houses inspired by horror’s biggest names and original stories, along with scare zones, live entertainment, themed food and beverages and more. Serving as ringmasters of this year’s event are Jack the Clown — one of the most notorious Halloween Horror Night icons — and his legendary rival, Dr. Oddfellow. For the first time, these two nemeses will join forces to unleash chaos on our guests, making this anniversary celebration one for the books.”
Speaking of teasers, in a recent LinkedIn post, Universal Orlando Resort shared a promotion for “FORTNITEMARES,” a “Fortnite” themed scare zone where park-goers will “brace for the Storm, because there’s no telling what horrors it’ll bring with it,” according to the post.
Lastly, Universal Orlando Resort has confirmed two exciting live shows: “A Rockin’ Stranger Things Rewind” and “Nightmare Fuel Blood Noir.”
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