What to know before going to Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood?

Eat Before the Event- While Halloween Horror Nights has its own special dining experiences, you should plan on eating a big meal before it starts. Like any special event at a theme park, you will have a busy night and may encounter long lines for food! Best to eat beforehand and have a lighter meal later.



Before attending Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2026, the most critical thing to know is that the event is physically demanding and intensely crowded. You should prepare to walk between 13,000 and 17,000 steps, so supportive, closed-toe shoes are a non-negotiable requirement. In 2026, the event features a revamped "Costume Policy" that allows guests to dress up, but strictly prohibits masks, veils, long trains, or anything that obscures the face or resembles a weapon. Another "pro" tip is the "Stay and Scream" option; if you are in the park during the day, you can wait in designated holding areas to get a head start on the haunted houses before the general public is admitted at 6:30 PM. Given that wait times for popular houses can exceed 120 minutes, many visitors find the Universal Express Pass essential to see all 8–10 houses in a single night. Finally, remember that the event runs regardless of rain, and while it is terrifying, the "Scare Actors" are strictly prohibited from touching you, and you must extend the same respect to them to avoid immediate expulsion from the park.

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Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time. HHN Universal Express tickets can sell out scary-fast, so buy them well in advance. Are you a Universal Studios pass member? Annual pass members can take advantage of special pass member pricing for themselves and friends for some tickets.

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Just note that even if they don't plan on going into houses, scare actors are still walking around. They make it a point to jump out and scare you. There really is no avoiding walking through the scare zones.

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Wear t-shirts from your favorite horror movies and match them with skater skirts. It can still be brutally humid in September and October. Pants might be too much, especially if you plan on getting there before the sun goes down. I prefer skirts (with pockets if possible), leggings or tights, and comfortable shoes.

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Face nightmarish creatures prowling the streets of Universal Studios, appearing where you least expect. Experience some of the park's most exhilarating rides and attractions, which will be open during the event.

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The official theme of Halloween Horror Nights 2023 is Never Go Alone. There are many items that feature this tagline, from mugs to shirts to jackets. Items featuring the 2023 year or tagline are the items produced just for this year's Halloween Horror Nights.

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Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights resumed having their version of Bill and Ted starting in 2007. Unlike Orlando, which strictly forbids photography/videotaping of the show, Hollywood has historically allowed and generally encouraged photography and videotaping of their Bill and Ted show.

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Industry watchers estimate that Universal spends more than $100 million every year to stage, market and staff its Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) events at its theme parks in Florida, California, Japan and Singapore.

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Negligent Scare Tactics Another injury seen during these events has been labeled “scares gone too far.” This occurs when actors get into their roles, chasing guests and causing them to fall or run into other guests. Heart attacks and anxiety attacks have also been reported due to overzealous staff members.

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