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For over 30 years, Universal Studios Orlando has been the home of some of the best horror events you’ll find at any theme park. In fact, Universal Studios has received Best Halloween Event honors by Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards 15 times!
What started as a weekend of Fright Nights at Universal Studios Florida back in 1991 has grown to the impressive Halloween Horror Nights event that it is today. If you love horror, gore, and being terrified, then this is the right Halloween event for you. (Speaking of being terrified, the event is not recommended for children under the age of 13. And those in the 13 and over crowd may still find it quite intense.)
In this Universal Studios Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2025 guide, we’ll share the details of this thrilling event. You’ll find out up-to-date information about the best days to visit, the haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment, tips for making the most out of your experience, and more. Plus, you can learn how to get discounted tickets to save you money on this special Halloween themed event!
Halloween Horror Nights Hours & Dates
Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event at Universal Studios Florida. The event is only held in the evenings on select dates. It always starts at 6:30 PM. The closing times vary, but generally it ends at 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM.
Here are the 2025 Halloween Horror Nights Dates:
August 2025
Friday, August 29 – Sunday, August 31
September 2025
- Wednesday, September 3 – Sunday, September 7
- Wednesday, September 10 – Sunday, September 14
- Tuesday, September 16 – Wednesday, September 17
- Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21
- Wednesday, September 24 – Sunday, September 28
October 2025
- Wednesday, October 1 – Sunday, October 5
- Wednesday, October 8 – Sunday, October 12
- Wednesday, October 15 – Sunday, October 19
- Wednesday, October 22 – Sunday, October 26
- Wednesday, October 29 – Friday, October 31
November 2025
- Saturday, November 1 – Sunday, November 2
What is the best day to go to Halloween Horror Nights?
Clearly, there are a lot of options for when to go to Halloween Horror Nights. You’re probably wondering what would be the best day to visit.
If you want to avoid crowds, the best day to go to Halloween Horror Nights is a Wednesday. Thursdays and Sundays are the next best options. And it’s best to avoid opening weekend or the last two or three weeks, as those are more crowded periods in general.
The most crowded day of the week is Saturday, though Friday is very crowded as well. Again, opening weekend and then the last few weeks before Halloween are going to have the Saturdays and Fridays with the heaviest crowds.
Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Houses
The most popular part of Halloween Horror Nights is the selection of chilling haunted houses. Some are based on well known horror movies and characters, while others are original concepts.
There are ten new haunted houses this year, and they look great (or terrifying, or both, depends on your point of view!).
Fallout
Anyone who has watched the popular Amazon Prime TV series or played the popular video game series has to be excited to learn that Universal recently announced there will be a brand new haunted house this year based on Fallout!
This haunted house is set in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles devastated by nuclear war. You’ll navigate through this haunted house by traveling into vaults while being attacked by raidfers alongside Lucy. You’ll make your escape to the wasteland where you’ll get to confront the bounty hunter, The Ghoul. Other highlights of this haunted house include seeing Maximus with the Brotherhood of Steel as well as T-60 power armor.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a popular video game franchise and a popular 2023 movie. Do you think you have what it takes to survive fight night at Freddy’s? Or in this case, just one night? You might think you can make it through the creepy, abandoned hallways. But the deadly animatronics Freddy, Foxy, Bonnie, and Chica will be hunting you, so let’s see if you can make it out alive after one night at Freddy’s!
An exciting thing about this haunted house is that Freddy, Foxy, Bonnie, and Chica are full-scale animatronic replicas from the movie and were created in collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, who masterfully produced the animatronics for the movie.
WWE Presents: The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks
Get immersed in a WWE experience in this terrifying haunted house, where you’re transported into the maniacal minds of The Wyatt Sicks. Getting out of here won’t be easy. Uncle Howdy, the Ramblin Rabbit, Abby the Witch, Mercy the Buzzard, and Huskus the Pig want to get their revenge on the world that abandoned them. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also be stalked by the eerie presence of The Fiend, Bray’s sadistic alter ego.
Jason Universe
This haunted house is dedicated to the horror movie icon Jason from the the Friday the 13th movie franchise. From the summer camp where it all begin to his shack in the woods, this is your way to step inside his world…if you are brave enough.
Terrifier
This haunted house is themed to Art the Clown from the Terrifier film series. Now instead of seeing his heinous acts on the big screen, you’ll be seeing them in person. But let’s hope you don’t become the next victim!
Dolls: Let’s Play Dead
Once you enter this haunted house, you’ll be doll-sized and immersed in a sick world full of unnatural creations by a demented young girl. You’ll then be chased by the toys she’s melded together and burnt fashion dolls.
Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters
Red-hot lava demons in an Old Western Town are trying to possess everyone and melt everything they see. Hatchet and Chains and their mystical weapons are your only hope.
Gálkn: Monsters of the North
A wicked creature has risen from the dead in a remote northern village. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, they had have brought a horde of demons and monsters from the fjords. They want to cause mayhem to the townspeople – and now you’re among them. Can you escape?
El Artista: A Spanish Haunting
The backstory behind this haunted house is that a tortured artist in 19th-century Spain moved to an isolated country manor, hoping to get inspiration for his art. The only problem? The art came alive and possessed him. A worse problem than this? How about the fact you’re about to become part of the exhibit…a permanent exhibit.
Grave of Flesh
You’ll enter your own grave in this one, and things get worse from there. After all, you will have just entered the underworld where you’ll be hunted for all of eternity by flesh-eaters. That is, unless you can make it out alive. Good luck.
Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Scare Zones
While walking through the park, you can enter into different Scare Zones. It’s a creative (and sometimes terrifying!) way to keep the scary fun going outside of the Haunted Houses. Basically, “scareactors” will jump out and try to spook guests. They are not allowed to touch you (and, similarly, you are not allowed to touch them) – but that certainly doesn’t mean they can’t scare you! The no touch rule also does not prohibit them from getting in your personal space.
Each scare zone will be unique.
Masquerade: Dance with Death
It’s always great and flattering to be invited to a masquerade ball. The only problem here is that it is being held by bloodthirsty vampires. Once their masks come off…look out!
Mutations: Toxic Twenties
The story behind this scare zone is that a BuzzCon truck with radioactive cargo crashed into a mobster getaway car in a 1920s neighborhood. Obviously, nothing good could come from that, right?
The Origins of Horror
Artists have carved tributes to Halloween Horror Nights in a decaying conservatory. It’s time for you to encounter creepy gargoyles, monstrous crows, and more.
The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane
This scare zone takes place on a winding path to a mysterious home where legend has it, unsuspecting trick-or-treaters are turning into feral cats. Be careful here, unless of course you want this to happen to you.
Halloween Horror Nights Shows & Entertainment 2025
The live shows held during Halloween Horror Nights are also very popular. If your top priority is getting a good seat, keep in mind that the first and last performances tend to be the least crowded.
Nightmare Fuel Circus of Decay
A once-vibrant circus has turned into a nightmare. The aerialists, illusions & pyro are there, but it is more nightmare-fueled than family fun.
Haunt-A-Phonic A Ghoulish Journey
A ghost story has risen to haunt the Universal Studios lagoon. This show features eerie music and towering water screens.
There is also other entertainment at HHN this year.
Mel’s Drive-In Zombies
A horde of zombies has taken over Mel’s Drive-In, but the good news here is that their service can’t be much worse than what it is during the day at Universal Studios, am I right?
Club Horror
An all-night street party you’ll be dying to be a part of.
HHN Extra Experiences & Add Ons
With the haunted houses, scare zones, and shows, there’s more than enough to keep you entertained during Halloween Horror Nights. But there are still more options to take your enjoyment to the next level.
R.I.P. Tour
This special nighttime guided walking tour gives you Priority VIP access to the haunted houses (once per house) and participating park attractions. You’ll also get reserved seating at select event shows during your tour. And you’ll receive a special R.I.P. Tour credential, lanyard, and pin. Plus, you can enjoy a pre-tour reception in Cafe La Bamba, and access to exclusive cash bar locations.
This tour is a separate fee from regular event admission. Event admission is required.
Private R.I.P. Tour
If you like the idea of the R.I.P. Tour but want to be able to get priority access to each haunted house more than once, consider taking this Private R.I.P. Tour. In addition to everything you get with the R.I.P. Tour, you will receive unlimited VIP entry to houses with your tour guide. And while the R.I.P. Tour will include multiple parties in the same tour, the Private R.I.P. Tour is just for you and your group (up to 10 people). You’ll also get the My Universal Photos 3-Day photo package, with the first day being the day you take the tour.
Behind The Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour
This tour is different in that it’s actually a daytime tour. You aren’t required to have theme park admission or event admission (and it’s not included in the tour, either). On this tour, you get a lights-on look at some of the haunted houses. You can either take a 3 house tour or a 6 house tour. The informational walking tour also includes the opportunity to photograph select rooms in select houses.
While the lights will be on, there is still an, as Universal describes it, “intensely graphic nature” of the haunted houses. Therefore, the tour is not recommended to children under the age of 13 years old.
Cabana Bay Halloween Horror Nights
In recent years, Universal hotel guests have been able to enjoy a special Pop Up Experience at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Here’s a video of the 2019 Pop Up, themed to the TV series Stranger Things:
Universal Halloween Horror Nights Merchandise
Special 2025 Halloween Horror Nights merchandise will be available throughout the park.
The Tribute Store, in the New York part of Universal Studios Florida, will feature Halloween themed merch in the fall. And make sure to stop by All Hallows Eve Boutique at Universal’s Island of Adventure theme park. It’s another great location to find Halloween and HHN themed merchandise. You can find the store near Doc Sugrue’s Desert Kebab House.
Halloween Horror Nights Shirts
Want a great Halloween Horror Nights shirt to wear to HHN? Check out this list of the 50 best Halloween Horror Nights t-shirts so you can buy one beforehand!
Halloween Horror Nights Food 2025
During the event, you can find food – and plenty of alcoholic drinks – at select dining locations. Specialty food and drinks are themed to the 2025 haunted houses.
Here are a few:
- Fallout Booth
- Yum Yum Deviled Eggs
- Coconut panna cotta “eggs”
- Topped with chili lime seasoning & pineapple whipped ganache
- Radaway
- Mocktail made of chipotle pineapple, lemonade, and spiced brown sugar
- Comes in a souvenir RedAway bag
- Yum Yum Deviled Eggs
- Five Nights at Freddy’s Booth
- Cupcake
- A chocolate cupcake filled with cannoli cream and raspberry
- Topped with milk & mascarpone
- Decorated with white chocolate eyes & teeth
- A milk chocolate candle is placed in the very top
- Cupcake
- Terrifier Booth
- Clown Cafe Bloody Popcorn
- Bucket of popcorn
- Topcorn is topped with bloody marinara sauce, pizza-spiced parmesan, pepperoni & chicken
- Clown Cafe Bloody Popcorn
- Jason’s Universe Booth
- Elotes
- Mexican street corn in the husk
- Choice of:
- Traditional with cotija cheese & chili lime seasoning
- Spicy, cheesy corn puffs
- Elotes
- Wyatt Sick’s Booth
- Huskus’ Muscle Man Slop
- Beef sloppy joe with bacon, dill pickle chips & cheese sauce
- Comes in a chocolate almond bread bun
- Huskus’ Muscle Man Slop
Rides Open During Halloween Horror Nights
What’s a theme park without rides, right? At Halloween Horror Nights, not only can you enjoy spooky experiences, but you also can ride some of your favorite attractions, such as:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Men in Black Alien Attack
- Revenge of the Mummy
- TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D
If going on rides is important to you, don’t wait until the end of the night to do it. Some of the rides will close up to two hours before the end of the event.
Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Discount
You may still be wondering, can I get a discount for Halloween Horror Nights?
If so, don’t worry! I haven’t forgotten about that!
If you’d like to save money with discount tickets to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando in 2025, then learn how get a great Halloween Horror Nights coupon here. You can save up to $66 off a single-night ticket for HHN!
Please note: if you’ll also be in Southern California during the fall, click here to learn more about how to save money on tickets for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Additional HHN Tips
What to Wear
Although it’s a Halloween themed event, guests are not allowed to wear costumes or costume masks. (You can still get into the spirit with one of these fun HHN themed shirts!)
Make sure to check the weather on the day of the event. Fall weather in Orlando can be extremely hot, but nighttime temperatures can sometimes be chilly.
When to Arrive
As mentioned earlier, the event officially starts at 6:30 PM. However, gates often open early – up to 30 minutes early. To be among the first ones through the gates, you’ll want to be outside the gates somewhere between 5:00 and 5:45 PM, depending on how crowded you think the park will be that night.
Note: If you’re staying onsite at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel, then look for the dedicated entrance for hotel guests. It should be on the left side. Find out how you can save money on a Universal Resort hotel stay with these money-saving tips. To find out more about the hotels at Universal Orlando, check out the following hotel reviews and videos:
- Surfside Inn (part of Endless Summer Resort)
- Dockside Inn (part of Endless Summer Resort)
- Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Royal Pacific Resort
- Portofino Bay Hotel
- Sapphire Falls Resort
- Terra Luna Resort
You can avoid worrying about these lines, however, if you’re already in the park. This is possible if you have both park admission AND event admission, and you’re already in the park by 5:00 PM. That’s because 5:00 PM is when the park’s regular day ends. To be safe and to avoid crowds of exiting guests, aim for being in the park at least by 4:30 PM. During the time between when the park closes for the day and the event begins, you’ll remain in a holding area in the park; you can find out more about that here.
And if you do want to take advantage of this early entry, you can get discounted park tickets here.
Other Orlando Halloween Events
If you love scary nighttime events and will already be in Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights, then Howl O’Scream may be a great addition to your travel itinerary. Howl O Scream is an evening Halloween event held at SeaWorld Orlando theme park. Like Halloween Horror Night, Howl O Scream is aimed at older children and adults, and you can enjoy things like haunted houses and scare zones.
If you’d like a more kid-friendly Halloween event for your fall Orlando vacation, we recommend SeaWorld Spooktacular. Unlike HHN and Howl O Scream, admission to SeaWorld Spooktacular is actually included in park admission. So not only is it a fun, family friendly event, but it’s a great value, too!
And while it is for an additional price, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World is also a fun option if you’re looking for a Halloween event appropriate for children.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about the Universal Orlando Resort in general, we highly recommend this travel book. It was very helpful in writing this guide.
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