I love the holidays, especially Christmas. From the cozy sweaters, to the string lights, and being with my loved ones, it’s always a magical season. But it seems like every year, Christmas creeps up a little bit earlier, doesn’t it? And this year, Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is putting an emphasis on creeps.
For the 2026 HHN season at Universal Studios Hollywood, Christmas is arriving ahead of schedule with the Terror Tram starring Art the Clown. After his runaway success at last year’s Halloween Horror Nights, Art is back — and this time, he’s creating mischief and mayhem on the Universal backlot. This adventure starts where the third film in Damian Leone’s cult classic, killer clown franchise left off, with Art the Clown creating his own holiday misgivings.
Art the Clown is bringing conniving killings and gutsy gore to the birthplace of the monster movies, and how will you fare? You’ll have to lace up your running shoes and head to the backlot to see.
We wish you a bloody Christmas, and a gruesome New Year!
Want to know what’s coming to HHN this year? Check out the complete lineup to Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood right here.
Lights, Camera, Art!
For the uninitiated, Terror Tram is a horror experience unlike anything else at HHN — in Hollywood, Orlando, or beyond! It’s an opportunity not only for fans to be scared out of their minds, but to do so while walking amongst real movie sets. Once home to these hit films, they will now serve as the backdrop for a unique and original continuation of everyone’s favorite silent murdering clown.
The Universal Creative team was drawn to expanding upon the world of Art the Clown after the rave reviews of last year’s fan-favorite house. “I was a teenager during the slasher film era, there was always this iconic horror movie character, and then it kinda just died,” says John Murdy, Universal Studios Hollywood creative director and executive producer. “Horror always changes and evolves. There really wasn’t an iconic horror character to rival the slasher era, until Art came around.”
And not only was last year’s house a major success, so was Art himself as he roamed the theme park throughout HHN. “He was the piped piper,” says John. ”Wherever he went, people wanted to follow him.” Which led John and his team to start asking themselves: What can we do next with Art the Clown?
Art the Clown is Coming to Town
The answer: Create something original. Original songs, original plotlines, and even a handful of new original characters are entering the Art the Clown universe. Creating an all-new world for the Terror Tram is no easy feat. “Terror Tram is the size of a football field. It’s huge. And the cast is huge, so we had to fill it out,” says John, who was able to work with the creator of Art the Clown, Damion Leone, when curating and stylizing a whole new world for the character to interact with. “He loves HHN, so I think it’s really fun and exciting for him to see this property brought to life.”
It was also a unique challenge because there wasn’t a 1:1 movie comparison for the inspiration for this experience. The Universal Creative team had to start at the drawing board to create a new (mis)adventure for Art the Clown. “It’s as if Art the Clown took over the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot and brought his own evil version of Christmas,” says John, “[It’s] something new and exciting we get to do with the Terror Tram that we’ve never done before.”
And for even the most die-hard fans, there are still surprises awaiting on the backlot. Because there is no telling what’s coming when Art the Clown is running the show.
Spreading Holiday Fear
When you disembark the Universal Studios Hollywood tram, Art the Clown, soaked in blood and wearing a Santa cap, is waiting for you. And it seems he may not be in a pleasant mood. As an unsettling version of a familiar Christmas tune fills the air, you’ll be greeted by other unfriendly faces, including a whole new world of twisted, chainsaw-wielding versions of the Nutcracker characters. They’re sure to make this season merry and fright-ful. “The new characters are playing off of Art — They’re all in his same color palette,” says Bobby Tilley, manager of costume design and production for Halloween Horror Nights. “He’s got minions that work for him that you’ll meet throughout the experience.”
After (hopefully) making it past the villainous welcoming committee in one piece, you’ll be ushered into a demonic winter wonderland run by Art the Clown. It will take everything you thought you knew about Christmas, and turn it on its head…and then cover it in buckets of blood. You’ll trek through Art’s Christmas Tree Farm, where demonic elves may sooner chop you down than the towering pine trees. You’ll round the corner into the 12 Slays of Christmas, where you’ll enter into a series of chaotic vignettes. Darting out at you will be some of Art’s minions trying to take a stab, literally, at unsuspecting Christmas carolers.
Rounding the corner, you’ll find yourself at Art’s Christmas Cafe, where the food’s a little funny, the grub is downright gruesome, and the menu stars you! The staff of the cafe, a Christmas turkey and ham (yes), are far more concerned with getting you on the plate than providing good service. You’ll have no time to leave a bad review, though. Because you’ll soon be surrounded by vicious, glowing snowmen with axes and baseball bats welcoming you into a suburban neighborhood where Art has been wreaking havoc.
The Terror Tram ends with a heart-stopping visit to Art the Clown’s lair. “It looks like a gingerbread house or Santa’s workshop,” says John, “but when you’re inside, you see it’s where Art makes his weapons.” That sends a chill down my spine just thinking about it!
After the huge success of Art the Clown as a roaming character in 2025, John and his team are thrilled to get Art back in on the bloody good time in 2026. “For fans, the excitement lies in getting to see their favorite character in a brand new way,” says John.
Will you be brave enough to walk the backlot with Art the Clown lurking around every corner? Let us know in the comments below!