Horror has always played an important part in Universal Studios’ history. Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) has transformed the horror industry by creating our own dreadful storylines and characters, as well as placing you right in the middle of your favorite scary movies, shows, and more. Here’s what you need to know about HHN:
- HHN is a separately ticketed event that takes place on select nights in the fall at Universal Studios Florida. Click here to view this year’s event dates and purchase tickets.
- At HHN, you can step into terrifying haunted houses, come face-to-face with ghastly creatures in scare zones, and marvel at mind-bending live entertainment.
- HHN features exclusive food and beverage offerings, as well as must-have merchandise themed to the year’s haunted houses and offerings.
Whether you’re an HHN first-timer or a die-hard fan, keep reading for the answers to all of your questions.
(Jump ahead, if you dare)
HAUNTED HOUSES | SCARE ZONES | LIVE ENTERTAINMENT | MERCH | RIDES | FOOD & DRINKS | TICKETS & MORE | WHAT TO BRING
Things to Do at HHN
Haunted Houses
The haunted houses are the beating heart of Halloween Horror Nights. Every year, Universal’s entertainment team brings to life the biggest names in horror from movies, TV shows, musicians, video games, and urban legends in twisted, maze-like haunted houses. They also create their own original storylines and characters that have become iconic over the years. There’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than by walking through your very own, real-life horror movie where you’ve been cast in the role of victim.
HHN Haunted House Tips
- Never Go Alone: Whether you’re a scaredy-cat yourself and need a friend to get through the haunted houses, or you’re a die-hard fan that enjoys seeing your scaredy-cat friend jump, the best way to experience HHN is to bring your crew with you to maximize the scares and fun.
- Start in the Back: The haunted houses near the front of the theme park tend to fill up first. Start with the houses in the back of the theme park instead!
- Visit Early: Both in time of year and time of day. September at HHN is often less crowded than October at HHN, and if you come earlier in the evening, you are more likely to beat the crowds and see more of the haunted houses.
- Take Advantage of Stay & Scream: Guests with valid Universal Studios Florida admission or a Scream Early ticket and valid HHN admission for the same night can experience select haunted houses starting at 2 p.m. Click here for more information about Stay & Scream!
- Appreciate the Details: Take time to appreciate the level of detail the art & design team puts into the houses. They’re movie set quality, and you may even discover hidden Easter eggs. You can even book an Unmasking the Horror Tour to see all the details in the light of day!
- Watch the Movies: Before you come to HHN, watch the movies or TV shows that are featured in this year’s event. You’ll be able to truly appreciate the houses by recognizing the iconic scenes, details, and characters.
Click here to see this year’s haunted house lineup.
Scare Zones at HHN
During Halloween Horror Nights, the streets transform into demented scare zones that are swarming with creatures and monsters born from the darkness like hellish demons, morbid deformities, and the undead. You are quite literally walking through real-life nightmares. Oh, and watch out for the roaming chainsaw hordes!
HHN Scare Zone Tips
- Snap a Photo if You Dare: Keep an eye out for killer photo ops that will give your friends who were too scared to come serious FOMO.
- Scaredy Cats: If you’re a little bit of a newbie when it comes to all things scary, no worries — you can still have a blast, despite your nerves. Check out our scaredy cat’s guide to HHN for tips.
Click here to see this year’s scare zones.
Live Entertainment at HHN
Every year at HHN, there are new shows and street experiences that bring horror to life in thrilling ways. In the past, there have been pulse-pounding dance troupes, mind-bending acts, pop-culture infused comedy skits, and a jaw-dropping lagoon show. These performances are perfect for those who may not be too keen with the intense scares of haunted houses but still want some thrills.
HHN Live Entertainment Tips
- Plan Ahead: I recommend downloading the Universal Orlando Resort App to see the show times. That way you can navigate around house wait times and grab a drink or quick bite before a show starts.
- Arrive Early: People line up for the shows at HHN, and seats can fill up quickly. To secure your spot, plan to arrive ahead of showtime!
- Take a Break: I prefer to see a show after I’ve already hit a few haunted houses; it’s a nice opportunity to take a seat and catch your breath between scares.
Click here to see this year’s live entertainment line-up.
Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store
One of my first stops at HHN is the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store, where I can check out what merch I’m going to snatch up. The store is themed with a design level that rivals the haunted houses. You’ll find event must-haves like T-shirts, hats, drinkware, pins, lanyards, and collectibles. There are also fun photo ops inside as well. The Tribute Store is located in the New York area of Universal Studios Florida near Revenge of the Mummy. Wanna beat the crowds? It’s open during regular daytime park hours, too!
Attractions During HHN
Need a break from all that screaming in the haunted houses? How about screaming on some rides? A select number of Universal Studios Florida attractions are open during the event, including Revenge of the Mummy, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, and more. Since there’s so much to do at HHN, attraction wait times are typically shorter than normal. Keep track of them with the Universal Orlando Resort App!
PRO TIP: If there’s a ride you or your friends definitely want to do, make sure to do it early in the event. Although HHN goes until late, a lot of the rides will close before the event ends.
What to Eat & Drink at HHN
Dinner, Snacks & Drinks at HHN
All that screaming, jumping, and running from getting scared can be tiring work. Make sure to fuel up for the fear. Elevate your HHN experience by trying the themed specialty food and beverages inspired by each year’s event. Expect some fun dishes and treats based on the haunted houses with drinks paired to enhance the flavors. You can find these offerings in select food tents, restaurants and bars during the event.
You can also grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in Universal CityWalk or at the hotels before the event starts. Wash it all down with HHN-themed signature drinks at select bars at the hotels or at the event in a souvenir cup! There are also plenty of yummy snacks you can grab on the go, like Pizza Fries and Walking Tacos.
Things to Know About HHN
HHN Is a Separately Ticketed Event
In order to experience all HHN has to offer, you’ll need to purchase a separate event ticket for a night of your choosing. If you’re visiting the theme parks during the day, make note of when Universal Studios Florida will be closing for the event. If you want to access HHN early, there are several ways to do so:
- Purchase a Scream Early add-on with your HHN ticket. With this, you can enter Universal Studios Florida as early as 2 p.m. and access at least three haunted houses before the event officially starts, along with the rest of the theme park’s attractions.
- Purchase a daytime ticket to Universal Studios Florida or an annual pass. With these, you can enter the theme park at any time — no Scream Early add-on required! If you’re in the theme park before the event officially starts, you’ll get to stay in the park and access at least three haunted houses early.
You can also snag a Frequent Fear pass to attend multiple times! There are several tiers to choose from depending on how frequently you plan to attend, all the way up to the Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass, which includes all event nights. HHN is known to sell out on certain nights, so whatever ticket you choose, make sure to grab it early!
PRO TIP: Parking is not included with a standard HHN ticket. Universal Annual Passholders, Premium Scream Night guests, and guests with an Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass can take advantage of free self-parking.
Click here to learn more about the event ticket options, current offers and vacation packages.
Download the Universal Orlando Resort App
Take the horror to the next level with the Universal Orlando Resort App. In addition to all of the app’s usual perks — a dynamic digital map, mobile food and drink ordering, easy access to your tickets and passes in your Universal Account Wallet — you can even check wait times for the haunted houses.
Upgrade Your Scares at HHN
I’m a die-hard horror fan, so every year I splurge to get the most out of my nights at HHN. You can choose from a number of event extras to “upgrade” your experience:
- With a Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour, you can see either three or six haunted houses with the lights on and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the scares are crafted.
- A Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass lets you get to the fear faster and skip the regular lines one time at all haunted houses, plus participating attractions.
- With an R.I.P. Tour, your guide will lead you through each haunted house with Priority VIP entry, along with other premium benefits.
Click here to learn more about this year’s event extras.
Get a Shriek Peek at Premium Scream Night
This year, you can beat the crowds and scream all night long at Premium Scream Night, an exclusive event on August 27 and October 19. Enjoy shorter wait times for the haunted houses compared to regular Halloween Horror Nights event nights, select all-you-care-to-enjoy food and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as souvenir credential and lanyard. It’s what an HHN fan would kill for. The only guests who are permitted to wear costumes to HHN are Premium Scream Night guests. No costume masks allowed.
Click here to learn more about Premium Scream Night. Tickets for August 27 are sold out.
Stay in the Middle of the Horror
Halloween Horror Nights ends late with closing times that vary depending on the night. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to stay until close to get the most scares in — so how great would it be to not have to drive home after? Recruit your friends and split a hotel room at one of Universal Orlando’s hotels. Enjoy complimentary transportation to and from the theme park, as well as a dedicated resort entrance into the event to get to the screams faster.
This year, there will be themed lobby experiences at select hotels to get you into the Halloween spirit before you even enter the event. Select hotels will offer food and beverage options for guests interested in some late-night snacks, plus there are specialty-themed HHN beverages at all hotels.
PRO TIP: Use your mobile device to scan QR codes in select hotel lobbies and pose with UOR hotel exclusive AR filters!
Click here to find all the details on hotel benefits, packages, and interactive experiences.
Experience HHN Like a Pro
Whether you’re going to experience one haunted house that caught your eye, or if this is the year you decided to face your biggest fears, it can be scary to come to Halloween Horror Nights for the first time. Have no fear: There are plenty of tips and tricks from HHN veterans to put your mind at ease. Coming with your friends and making a game plan are just a couple tips to get you started.
Click here to get an arsenal of tips to prepare yourself for what’s in store.
Scary-Good Passholder Parks at HHN
Universal Orlando Annual and Seasonal Passholders get special benefits such as exclusive menu items and merchandise, discounted single night event tickets (on select nights), a giveaway, and one complimentary event admission ticket for Premier Passholders.
Click here to check out all the UOAP perks and information for HHN.
What to Bring & Wear to HHN
If it’s your first time, you may be wondering what you should bring or wear for a nighttime Halloween event at a theme park. In short, you should pack light and dress comfy — but you can have some fun with it. Here are some of the more frequent questions we’ve seen pop up.
- Should I bring a bag or lanyard to HHN? My recommendation would be to wear a lanyard to hold your tickets, passes, money, etc. You’ll get through security faster, avoid lockers at rides and not have to worry about hauling a heavy bag around. If you do bring a bag to HHN, I would go small with a fanny pack or a crossbody and only bring the essentials.
- Can I bring in a Refillable Cup to HHN? Yes, you can bring your refillable Coke Freestyle cup or water bottle to the event to get soda and water refills. Getting scared (and laughing from getting scared) makes for thirsty work. Stay hydrated!
- What’s the weather like at HHN? It’s Florida. It can change its mind weather-wise last minute, so be prepared for warm, rainy, or even chilly weather. Check ahead of time and plan accordingly. I usually wear layers just in case. And if you’re in for a rainy night, I recommend boots to avoid soggy shoes.
- Should I prioritize comfort or style at HHN? How about a mix of both? You’re going to do a lot of standing and walking, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes. HHN is the perfect place to let your freak flag fly though! So don’t be afraid to rock some cute fishnets and boots, or rep your favorite horror movie or villain with a T-shirt or accessory.
- Can I wear a costume to HHN? For HHN event nights, costumes and costume masks are not allowed. Leave that to our scare actors. The only exception is Premium Scream Night, where guests are permitted to wear costumes subject to the costume policy. No costume masks allowed.
Get ready to face your biggest fears this fall. Click here to secure your ticket for this year’s event, and I’ll see you in the fog!
What are you most excited to experience at HHN this year? Comment and let us know!
WARNING: Event may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under the age of 13. No costumes or costume masks allowed.
Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.