Universal Studios Hollywood Announces the Introduction of Wicked Characters at Universal Fan Fest Nights

Universal Studios Hollywood Announces the Introduction of Wicked Characters,
Elphaba and Glinda, at Universal Fan Fest Nights, Inviting Guests and Fans to Defy Gravity
as Part of the Theme Park’s All-New After-Hours Event Tapping into
Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming and Anime
 
Highly Anticipated Fandom Event to Feature Immersive In-World Experiences Inspired
by Star Trek, Back to the Future, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen,
as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
 
Visit Universal Fan Fest Nights to Purchase Tickets;
Additional Night Added to Due Popular Demand as Tickets are Selling Fast;
Event Begins Friday, April 25 and Continues Select Nights Through Sunday, May 18, 2025

Universal City, California, February 25, 2025 – Guests and fans of Universal Pictures’ blockbuster hit Wicked will have a chance to rejoicify with Wicked characters, Elphaba and Glinda, when they make their West Coast theme park debut as part of Universal Studios Hollywood’s imaginative all-new, after-hours, separately ticketed event, Universal Fan Fest Nights, beginning Friday, April 25, 2025.


Tickets are now on sale and are selling fast for the inaugural event which takes place on the following dates: April 25-27; May 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18, 2025.


The Elphaba and Glinda characters, fully adorned in familiar costumes from the film, will greet guests at the theme park’s existing vibrant Wicked themed photo op, currently situated near the main entrance. As guests make their way into Universal Fan Fest Nights, they can look forward to defying gravity with these two popular characters.


The Feature Presentation store located within the theme park will offer guests a memorable Wicked experience with its large collection of exclusive Wicked inspired merchandise, from elevated apparel, home goods and accessories to toys and more.


Launching exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Fan Fest Nights will feature all-new, uniquely curated experiences inspired by sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime. Guests will really go there as they tap into their inner fandom and join forces with their favorite characters while sharing their enthusiasm with like-minded fans. They will also have a chance engage in cosplay (subject to Cosplay Costume Guidelines) while experiencing such renowned favorites as Star Trek, Back to the Future, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen. Additionally, theme park favorites, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ will offer special additions and introduce character and interactive elements during Universal Fan Fest Nights.


All in-world experiences and activations will be included every event night for guests to enjoy when they attend Universal Fan Fest Nights (subject to change).


An energetic block party will invite fans across every genre to share their passions and enthusiasm in fandom celebration, and an array of interactive activations will take place throughout the theme park, including live entertainment, cosplay and photo opportunities.

Here’s what guests and fans can expect at Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025:

• Star Trek: Red Alert—Inspired by the Star Trek universe that has entertained millions of fans, this daring walk-through experience will boldly take guests on an immersive adventure aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D on a mission to prevent an interstellar threat. Guests will find themselves transported to the year 2403, just as an otherworldly entity wreaks havoc on the ship. As the chaos ensues, guests will venture further into the Enterprise, navigating familiar Star Trek environments, from the ship’s engineering room to transporter pads, to the soul of the Starship Enterprise, the bridge—an original set piece featured in the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard—in a desperate quest to stop the perceived danger and restore peace aboard the ship. Laden with special effects, audio-visual effects, multi-sensory activations and themed performers, this all-original experience will create an unforgettable, awe-inspiring moment that will elevate Star Trek fandom to new levels.
• Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley—This nostalgic experience is based on the 1985 Back to the Future blockbuster movie and invites guests to time travel back to 1955 Hill Valley alongside the film’s iconic characters. Time travel begins the moment guests climb aboard the Studio Tour “Fan Tram” and venture towards Courthouse Square, the original filming location for this classic film located on the Universal Studios world famous backlot.

Brimming with authenticity, Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley will pay homage to this groundbreaking film by inserting guests into many familiar scenes with iconic props. From Hill Valley with the original Lyon Estate monuments to the Time Machine on display, guests will have the sensation of going back in time as they partake in the energetic recreation of the Enchantment Under the Sea dance and Hill Valley Festival plus experience a stunning recreation of the Clock Tower lightning strike, sending Marty back to the future multiple times each event night. 

• DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep—Inspired by the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game™, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D), this epic experience will welcome guests and fans to partake in a one-of-a-kind adventure and explore the fantastic world of D&D. Guests will join the Harpers—a heroic spy network—to foil a plot by the legendary beholder Xanathar and save the city of Waterdeep.

In creating this unique experience, Universal Studios Hollywood is collaborating with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the legendary beholder Xanathar that will come to life within DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep. For over 40 years, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has been a world-renowned innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation.

• One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering—This unique experience is inspired by the long-running global hit anime series, One Piece, from creator Eiichiro Oda, that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew, including Zoro, Nami, Usopp and Sanji, on their quest to find “One Piece,” the legendary treasure of the former King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger.  The Grand Pirate Gathering will transport guests into the series’ fictional world of pirates through an immersive and interactive experience, complete with iconic visuals and scenic environments that place fans at the heart of the action. Guests will also have time to enjoy uplifting meet and greet opportunities with different characters and as well as participate in themed interactive photo ops.
• Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed—This anime experience, inspired by a widely popular Japanese manga and its anime adaptation, follows high school student Yuji Itadori after he accidently becomes the host of a powerful curse and joins Tokyo Jujutsu High School, an organization that fights the curses. This epic adventure will be transformed into an exciting film-based experience, which first debuted at Universal Studios Japan.
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Guests and fans will have a chance to further engage in the theme park’s immersive land with all-new magical creature interactions, including the opportunity to meet the Niffler, a Baby Dragon and grand Occamy. The centerpiece of the experience will feature the visually spectacular Hogwarts™ Always light projection show designed to take guests on a whimsical journey through a school year at Hogwarts. Weaving together unforgettable music and incredible moments of wizardry, Hogwarts Always will shine bright as it comes to life set against the majestic backdrop of Hogwarts™ castle.
• SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Let’s Go, Yoshi—This exciting addition to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will mark the debut of beloved fan favorite Yoshi as a brand new meet and greet character within the land during Universal Fan Fest Nights. As part of Yoshi’s welcome to the land, guests will have a chance to interact with Yoshi as they engage in a scavenger hunt to locate all five colorful Yoshi eggs.  After completing this original quest, guests will reap the benefit of a very special reward with the unique opportunity to meet a different colored Yoshi. Plus, guests will be treated to celebratory drone moments that will illuminate the night sky throughout the evening.
• WICKED—This engaging meet and greet opportunity will feature the first-ever addition to Universal Studios Hollywood of the Elphaba and Glinda characters from Universal Pictures’ blockbuster movie.
  
  

Additionally, fans can look forward to an enticing menu of themed foods that Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Chef Julia Thrash will elevate to meteoric levels. New merchandise, including collectibles, apparel, drinkware, accessories and more, will debut in tandem with the grand opening of Universal Fan Fest Nights, inviting guests and fans to display their fandom during the event and beyond.

Tickets are on sale now with a variety of ticket offerings available. Click here to purchase tickets and for full Terms and Conditions. Details for each ticket type are subject to change.
 

• General Admission: General Admission ticket to Universal Fan Fest Nights.
• Universal Express: Admission to Universal Fan Fest Nights, including one-time (per day) express access to each in-world experience, ride and attraction. Does not include early event access.
• Universal Express Unlimited: Admission to Universal Fan Fest Nights, including unlimited express access (per day) to each in-world experience, ride and attraction. Does not include early event access.
• After 2PM Day/Night: Daytime General Admission to the theme park after 2pm and same day General Admission to Universal Fan Fest Nights.
• After 2PM Day/Night Universal Express: Daytime admission to the theme park after 2pm and same day to Universal Fan Fest Nights, including one-time (per day) express access to each ride, attraction and seated show during the day, plus one-time (per day) express access to each in-world experience, ride and attraction during the event.
• 2-Night General Admission: 2-Night General Admission access to Universal Fan Fest Nights. Blockout dates apply to second visit.
• Ultimate Fandom Pass: General Admission pass to enjoy up to all event nights of Universal Fan Fest Nights. No blockout dates on return visits. Does not include early event access.
• Early Access Ticket: Early access, beginning at 5:30pm (subject to change) to select Universal Fan Fest Nights in-world experiences prior to event opening. A Universal Fan Fest Nights admission ticket must be purchased separately.
• Fan Fest Nights VIP Tour: Enjoy VIP treatment of the event, including a shared, expertly guided walking tour of the in-world experiences, rides and attractions, as well as a gourmet dinner (alcoholic beverages excluded) in the private VIP dining room and complimentary valet parking.
• Pass Member Special Pricing:  Pass Members can take advantage of special online Pass Member pricing on General Admission tickets to Universal Fan Fest Nights when visiting on select nights.

Adding to the adventure, guests will be able to experience select theme park attractions open during the event, including “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge,” “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™,” “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” “Jurassic World—The Ride,” “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride” and “The Simpsons Ride™”.


For more information visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com and Universal Fan Fest Nights, follow @UniFanFestNights on Instagram, visit Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X.

---