Universal Orlando Resort just announced the dates for events and happenings in 2025, so you can get to planning your theme park vacation right away. I don’t think I’ve been this excited since I was picked as the audience participant for the Animal Actors on Location show back in the early 2000s.

From our award-winning Halloween Horror Nights event to our brand-new nighttime exclusive Volcano Bay Nights to the much-anticipated grand opening of Universal Epic Universe, there’s something for everybody at Universal!

Mark your calendars (or get your day planners, if you’re like me) because here we go! Here are the 2025 events and happenings coming to Universal Orlando Resort.

Rock the Universe | January 24–25 at Universal Studios Florida

Rock the Universe is Florida’s biggest Christian music festival. At this separately ticketed event, fans can gather to enjoy live music, worship experiences, and thrilling rides at this event that Christian music fans have looked forward to for over 25 years.

Find out more here: Rock the Universe: A Christian Music Festival | Universal Orlando.

Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval | February 1–March 30

It’s a Mardi party — and you don’t want to miss it! Honestly, this is one of my favorite events because it’s just pure vibes. Plus, it’s included with your admission to Universal Studios Florida!

Start off by eating and drinking everything in sight, from classics like freshly baked beignets doused in powdered sugar to international dishes that change every year. Catch beads at the famed Mardi Gras Parade, which is just pure spectacle. And then finish the night grooving along to concerts on select nights with your friends. Need I say more? This event should definitely be on your spring itinerary.

PRO TIP: If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando hotel, you can enjoy even more Mardi Gras-themed food and beverage offerings!

Find out all the details here: Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2025 | Parade, Concerts, Food, Beads & More.

Butterbeer Season | March 1–May 31

I’ll never forget when my best friend tried his first-ever Butterbeer. He rhapsodized how it tasted just like he imagined (aka delicious) and proceeded to get a second frozen Butterbeer and Butterbeer ice cream before the day was through. (He has since petitioned to be the ambassador of Butterbeer Season. He’s demanding a sash.)

Butterbeer Season is the perfect time to gather and toast to everyone’s favorite wizarding beverage, whether you’re trying it for your first or 100^th time! This event, which features seasonal-exclusive Butterbeer treats and specialty merchandise, is included with your admission and takes place in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. Hot, cold, or frozen, grab a mug and share a laugh over your frothy Butterbeer mustache. (There’s even a vegan variety!)

Stay tuned as more delicious details are revealed in the coming weeks.

Grad Bash | April 4, 5, 11, & 25

I wish I could say I love going to these events, but, alas, I haven’t been eligible for a graduation event for many (many) years. But I can guarantee high school seniors will have a blast with their friends at this grad celebration with exclusive, private access to both Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Plus, they’ll enjoy thrilling rides and attractions, street entertainment, and more.

This is a separately ticketed event — get your grad on here: Grad Bash 2025 | Universal Orlando Youth Grad Events.

*NEW* Universal Volcano Bay Nights | April 19, 26, May 3, 10, & 17

Hold me back! I am READY to buy tickets for this exclusive, nighttime event at my favorite theme park when they go on sale soon.

I’m low-key obsessed with Volcano Bay during the day. It seriously has some of the best water park attractions I have ever experienced. But add in nighttime lighting (like, have you seen how gorgeous that volcano is lit up at night?), seriously reduced wait times, and some uniquely Universal entertainment and I’m ready to dive right in.

Another hot tip that I’m selfishly hesitant to share (but I won’t gatekeep from you): I’m going to book a Volcano Bay view room at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort so I can truly maximize everything about this event.

Tickets for Universal Volcano Bay Nights will be on sale soon — stay tuned!

Gradventure | May 2, 9, 16, & 17

Oh my goodness, now we’re really going way back. Middle school grads can celebrate with their friends as they enjoy complete, private access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure all night long at this separately ticketed event. I’m pretty sure I just went to the local diner when I graduated, so you go, teens!

Read all about it here: Gradventure 2025 | Universal Orlando Youth Grad Events.

*NEW* Grand Opening of Universal Epic Universe | May 22

The level of excitement I am currently harboring for Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22, 2025, is next level. Epic Universe will raise the bar on the theme park industry. I could gush about it here, but there’s already a TON of information you can find about:

• Celestial Park
• SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
• Dark Universe
• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Not to mention three new hotels, all located close to Epic Universe. Oh — and if you want to enter the portals to the worlds of Epic Universe yourself, guess what? Tickets are already on sale here.

Fourth of July

Sport your red, white, and blue and grab your sunscreen so you can spend the whole day celebrating independence with special activities sprinkled throughout Universal Orlando Resort — all included with your admission.

Passholder Appreciation Days | August 15–September 30

Gosh, I love a perk. It’s so VIP. And UOAPs are the VIP-est of them all.

Passholder Appreciation Days are an annual celebration of the UOAP family — exclusive to Passholders! — with over six weeks of offers, special events, and more. It’s our way of returning the love to our favorite people.

Passholder Appreciation Nights | August 15–August 16

There’s just something about going on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure when the sun goes down that hits different. And having exclusive access to the theme park doesn’t hurt, either.

It’s UOAP’s park after dark. Join the UOAP family for a night where Passholders get the park to themselves. Enjoy favorite rides and attractions, character appearances, live entertainment, and more. Don’t forget to book a stay at your favorite Universal hotel, too!

Halloween Horror Nights | Select Nights August 29–November 2

There’s a reason this event has been named the Golden Ticket Legend Award for Best Halloween Event — it’s because it’s the best of the best Halloween events around, where your favorite movies, TV shows, and horror properties are brought to (terrifying) life.

If you are into the best jump scares, production quality of haunted houses, and unmatched atmosphere fueled by scare zones and park-wide entertainment, then you HAVE to get your tickets for Halloween Horror Nights early — especially if you want to participate in any of the lights-on “Behind the Screams” tour or specialty VIP tours!

PRO TIP: Book a stay at a Universal Orlando hotel and the fog will follow you home in the form of specialty themed bars and lobby experiences.

Find out about house announcements and ticket sales here: Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2025 | Universal Orlando

Holidays at Universal Orlando | November 21–December 31

The holidays at Universal deliver merry, bright, naughty, and nice, all wrapped with a beautiful Universal bow on top. It’s Holidays the way only Universal can do it.

See the Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter practically sparkle with the merriment of the season, see larger-than-life balloons soaring in Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, and laugh along with the antics of the Grinch (or sing “Fah Who Doraze” with the Whos) during The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.

Plus, enjoy seasonal entertainment, limited-time food and merchandise offerings, and decor throughout the destination, as well as holiday cheer and decor at all the Universal Orlando hotels!

PRO TIP: Experience everything the holidays at Universal have to offer on the Universal Holiday Tour, a four-hour guided tour through both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.

This event takes place in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, and it’s included in your theme park admission! Get in the holiday spirit here.

Universal Orlando Resort Hotel Events | Year-Round

A visit to Universal Orlando isn’t complete without checking in to one of our fabulous hotels. Not only do you get exclusive theme park benefits (walking paths or free transportation to the parks? Early entry? Yes, please!), but they also have their own slew of fun events throughout the year to make your vacation feel like nothing but fun from sunup to sundown.

Check out all the upcoming fun listed below:

January

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

February

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday
• Harbor Nights Romantico: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, February 14

March

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

April

• Easter Dining: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, April 20
• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday
• Harbor Nights Primavera: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, April 25

May

• Mother’s Day Dining: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, May 11
• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

June

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

July

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

August

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

September

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

October

• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday
• Harbor Nights La Dolce Vita: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, October 17

November

• Thanksgiving Dining: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, November 27
• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday
• Holiday Harbor Nights: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, November 28

December

• Christmas Dining: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, December 25
• New Year’s Eve Dining and Ticketed Events: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, December 31
• Wantilan Luau: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Every Saturday
• Acoustic Brunch: Universal Hard Rock Hotel, Every Sunday

Universal CityWalk Events | Year-Round

Head to Universal CityWalk to dine, shop, and enjoy entertainment year-round. Honestly, my vibes are definitely the Dead Coconut during Halloween Horror Nights and live music in the summer!

February

• Mardi Gras After Party at Pat O’Brien’s: Fridays & Saturdays, February 1–March 29
• Cursed Coconut Club: Wednesdays–Sundays, February 1–March 30
• Bob Marley’s Birthday Celebration at Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom: February 8
• Big Football Game Day at NBC Sports Grill & Brew: February 9

March

• Mardi Gras After Party at Pat O’Brien’s: Fridays & Saturdays, February 1–March 29
• Cursed Coconut Club: Wednesdays–Sundays, February 1–March 30
• St. Patrick’s Day at Pat O’Brien’s: March 16–17

May

• Latin Nights at Red Coconut Club: Thursdays & Fridays, May 2–30
• Kentucky Derby at NBC Sports Grill & Brew: May 3
• Cinco de Mayo at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food: May 5
• Mother’s Day Brunch at Vivo Italian Kitchen: May 11

June

• Love is Universal Nights at Red Coconut Club: Thursdays & Fridays, June 5–27
• Latin Nights at Red Coconut Club: Saturdays from June 7–28
• Father’s Day at Bigfire: June 15

July

• Independence Day: July 4
• Summer Live Music: Saturdays, July 5–August 9

August

• Summer Live Music: Saturdays, July 5–August 9
• Jamaican Independence Day at Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom: August 9
• Dead Coconut Club: Select nights, August 29–November 2
• Jimmy Buffett Day at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville: August 30

September

• Dead Coconut Club: Select nights, August 29–November 2

October

• Dead Coconut Club: Select nights, August 29–November 2

November

• Green & Red Coconut Club: Select nights, November 21–December 31
• Thanksgiving at Bigfire: November 27

December

• Green & Red Coconut Club: Select nights, November 21–December 31
• New Year’s Eve 2026 Celebration: December 31

Whew! And I think that’s it…I mean, in addition to all the awesome thrills of a Universal Orlando vacation. And the tasty treats. And meeting some of your favorite characters. And I didn’t even tell you about my favorite rooftop bar. And I can’t forget about my personal goal to go down the water slides in every hotel. Oh, and that reminds me there are also THREE brand new hotels opening. And…well, you know what? You’re gonna have to just come and see it all for yourself. We’ll be here waiting for you!