Fan Fest Nights returns to Universal Studios Hollywood with some new twists
Universal Studios Hollywood will once again celebrate Potterheads, Dungeon Masters and other obsessed fandom communities when a festival dedicated to sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime returns this spring.
The second annual Universal Fan Fest Nights featuring Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons, Scooby-Doo, Universal Monsters and One Piece will run on 12 select nights between April 23 and May 16 at the Hollywood theme park.
Fan Fest Nights tickets go on sale Thursday, Jan. 15 for the after-hours, separate admission event at Universal Studios Hollywood.
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Fan Fest is a cross between Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con with walk-through attractions, fan zones and character meet-and-greet photo ops as well as cosplay opportunities, themed food and exclusive merchandise.
The second annual Fan Fest brings back some familiar intellectual properties from the inaugural event with new twists added to the experiences.
More Fan Fest Nights experiences are expected to be announced soon.
Let’s take a closer look at the five Fan Fest experiences that will be available each night throughout the theme park.
Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot
Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Fred and Daphne will face off against the Wolf Man, Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster during Fan Fest 2026.
Scooby and the gang will take on classic Universal Monsters in Little Europe and the Court of Miracles on the Universal Studios backlot as they try to crack the case, save themselves and possibly even the world.
One Piece: Grand Pirate Show
The One Piece experience during Fan Fest 2026 will drop visitors into the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates from the Japanese manga series as they continue their quest to find a legendary treasure.
The One Piece crew moves to the WaterWorld theater for a live show filled with action, comedy and chaos starring Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Nami and Zoro from the hit anime series.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
A new Harry Potter walk-through experience in Hogsmeade village will take visitors into the Forbidden Forest in search of a lost Hippogriff.
A Hogwarts professor will lead the hunt for the flying horse with an eagle head and wings that will require spell-casting skills. Expect to encounter other magical creatures and fantastic beasts along the way.
The 2025 version of Fan Fest featured the “Hogwarts Always” light projection show on the Hogwarts Castle.
Colorful Yoshi Celebration
Fans will get a chance to snap photos with colorful Yoshi meet-and-greet characters in Super Nintendo World during Fan Fest 2026.
Fan Fest 2025 event included a Nintendo-themed drone show in the skies above the video game themed land.
Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep
The Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep walk-through attraction returns for Fan Fest 2026 with a few new enhancements that will bring visitors face to face with wizards, monsters and treasure hunters.
Visitors will join the Harpers spy network to help foil a plot by Xanathar the Beholder and save the city of Waterdeep during a quest to find a stolen MacGuffin.
A 30-pound Xanathar puppet creature from the D&D franchise created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop will be back again.
Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 event dates include April 23-25, May 1-3, May 7-9 and May 15-16.
Select attractions will be open during Fan Fest, including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster, Jurassic World — The Ride and the Simpsons Ride.