Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights Survival Guide 2026

Welcome to our yearly Survival Guide for Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood!

Putting this guide together since 2014 is one of our favorite things to get us all ready to have an amazing time at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood! We hope you enjoy the guide and it helps you to have a great night at HHN 2026!

Below you will find some of our tips for making the most out of your Halloween Horror Nights experience. Some do's and don'ts and most importantly, what should be your "plan of attack" for the night.

You can also check out the HHN site for more information on tickets, hours, etc.

For a full breakdown of Prices, Dates, Haunted Houses, Shows, Scare Zones and more, check out this link!

Note: For full transparency, our Survival Guide, as written, does require a bit of hustle at least at the beginning of the night. Unfortunately that's the nature of Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood.

If you want to complete all of the houses on any given night without express, you're going to have to rush a bit. As always, we build in time for breaks. This is why one of our suggestions is to get a frequent fear pass.

Event Dates

September: 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 25-27, 30
October: 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-31 (Halloween Night)
November: 1

Just like the past few years, the event will run Wednesday through Sunday beginning on September 30th. Wednesday Nights are a great night to visit.

Survival Guide Video Overview

Video breakdown of our Survival Guide for those who prefer video content.
This goes into a bit more detail of our strategy.

Tips

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE!!! The event sells out. Tickets will not be available at the ticket booths. Make sure you print them or use your phone to get in the gates.
Get Express!!! We can't stress this enough. If your budget can swing it this is truly the best way to have an enjoyable and relaxing night at the event. Click here for Express Pass info and prices. Express passes do sell out so your best bet is to get them online.
- After 11pm Express: Yes, there is an Express Pass that is only good after 11pm, and it's only sold at the event. If you got to the event late, or just want to make sure you experience everything, this is a pretty great deal. But be warned, this DOES sell out (we got the last 2 one night last year). So if you see the signs for the After 11pm Express, get them right away!
DON'T GO ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT!!! If you cannot swing the cost of the Front of the Line Pass then you should try to go on a slower night. Sunday's are typically a good night to go, especially early in the event. Last year however, Thursday Nights were busier than we'd ever seen them.
DON'T BE LATE!!! You are paying a LOT of $$ to go to HHN. Don't show up at 9:00pm and expect to do everything or expect there to be no lines. The event starts at 7:00pm, you should be lined up by 6:00pm AT THE LATEST. Earlier on Friday and Saturday nights.
- If you have the After 2:00pm pass, do not show up at 5:00pm. You're losing 3 hours of park time. If you are showing up at 5:00pm, just get the early entry. (Yes, we saw people arriving after 5:00pm with their after 2:00pm pass).
USE EARLY ENTRY!!! This is the only way to get into the event early. Early Entry begins at 5:30.
- Early Entry is $20- $30 depending on the night. You can find info and prices here.
  - Note: Universal Studios Hollywood Passholders will also need to purchase an early entry ticket for early Entry!
IGNORE THE RIDES!!! (Unless you have a Front of the Line Pass). You are there for Halloween Horror Nights. You can come back on most days and ride Mummy, The Simpsons or Transformers: 3D all you want. Especially if you have an Annual Pass. Ride lines are typically longer during HHN than they are during the day.
- If you have visitors from out of town, consider the After 2pm Day/Night Pass so you can ride during the day and get scared at night. These passes are available on the HHN site when you buy tickets.
New for 2026! Super Nintendo World will be open during HHN. If you have not experienced Super Nintendo World yet you have our permission to spend some time in the Mushroom Kingdom.
After 2:00pm Day/Night Pass with EXPRESS is an exceptionally good value. Not only does this pass give you Express access to all attractions and shows from 2:00pm to 5:00pm it ALSO gives you access to all Halloween Horror Nights Houses during HHN AND all of the attractions that are open during HHN. So you can double dip your favorites!
Get the App!! The Universal Studios Hollywood app is great, even better during HHN. It will allow you to see what has long waits and what you can come back to later in favor of something not so long.
WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! This should pretty much be a no brainer but you'd be surprised what we've seen some people wearing. You will be walking A LOT. Taking escalators up and down to the lower lot. Do yourself a favor and be comfortable.
Avoid the busiest nights: HHN is busy every night, some nights are "less busy". Assume that any night not included with the regular Frequent Fear Pass to be the busiest nights. These would be October 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24.
Get a Frequent Fear Pass: This really is the best way to see all of Halloween Horror Nights, and not feel that you have to rush through to get everything done in one night. We've found that we really do enjoy going on multiple nights, doing a few houses, and just hanging out and enjoying the event.

RECOMMENDED EARLY ENTRY HOUSE ORDER:
STRANGER THINGS 5 AND OZZY OSBOURNE: PRINCE OF DARKNESS FIRST

While we don't know what houses will be open for early entry officially, based on last year the lower lot houses will open at varying times starting with Stranger Things 5, which we still think will be one of the more popular houses for 2026 along with Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness.

This rundown of recommended houses is if Stranger Things 5 and Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness are your priority houses.

If Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn and Sinners are your priority houses, we have a recommended
early entry house order below.

If you have a daytime ticket or an Annual Pass and are already in the park, you can get your early entry wristband starting at 3:00 at the front entry area or near Universal Plaza. If you have the After 2:00 ticket they will give you your early entry wristband when you enter the park.

Front of the Line tip: If lines are short when you get to the a particular attraction DO NOT use your Front of the Line Pass. Go through once in the stand-by line and then use your Front of the Line later in the evening. This way you get two trips through each House. With no backlot this year, getting back to a favorite house will be rather easy.

Lower Lot First

As soon as you pick up your early entry wrist-band head down to the Lower Lot. If you're down there early enough chill and grab a snack or ride Jurassic World/Mummy/Transformers while you wait for the Stranger Things Early Entry line to open. Single Rider is your friend!

Based on the press release, Jurassic World will not be open during HHN as they are using that queue for Dead, Deader, Deadest. We will update if this changes.

Recommended Early Entry Order (with or without express):

Note: Times are based on 2025 early entry times (subject to change after opening night)

1. Stranger Things 5 - Early Entry Begins at 5:00pm
2. Killer Klowns From Outer Space - Early Entry Begins at 5:45pm

A lot of people say they're over Stranger Things 5 but for it's final run it will easily be one of the most popular houses this year for Halloween Horror Nights. So if this is a priority for you, make sure you get here early.

3. Ozzy Osborne: Prince of Darkness - Early Entry Begins at 6:30pm
4. Dead, Deader, Deadest - Early Entry Begins at 6:45

Upper Lot and Terror Tram

If you've followed the guide so far you have already experienced 4 of the 8 houses. If you decide to skip one of the houses on the lower lot and make it to the upper lot prior to 7:00pm, get in line for Sinners. It will be one of the more popular houses of 2026.

Recommended Order (with or without express):

5. Sinners - Early Entry Begins at 6:30pm
6. Killceañera - Early Entry Begins at 6:45pm

After Sinners and Killceañera it's time to take a bit of a break while the general crowds shuffle in. Get some butterbeer ice cream in Hogsmeade. Have dinner in Springfield or any of the eateries upstairs.

After your break, head over to the Terror Tram.

7. Terror Tram - Early Entry Begins at 6:30pm

Express Tip: If the line for the Terror Tram is relatively short, 30 minutes or less, you CAN go through the stand-by line and use your Front of the Line later. But remember, this experience generally takes 30-45 minutes from beginning to end and closes early, so you may not have time to do it twice.

Curious George Lot

Recommended Order (without express):

8. Hellraiser - Early Entry Begins at 5:30pm
9. Evil Dead Burn - Early Entry Begins at 5:30pm

RECOMMENDED EARLY ENTRY HOUSE ORDER:
HELLRAISER, EVIL DEAD BURN AND SINNERS FIRST

While we don't know what houses will be open for early entry officially, based on last year the Curious George Houses as well as Upper Lot houses will open at varying times starting with Hellraiser and Evil Dead Burn at 5:30pm with Sinners following at 6:30pm

This rundown of recommended houses is if Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn and Sinners are your priority houses.

If Stranger Things 5 and Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness are your priority houses, we have a recommended early entry house order above.

If you have a daytime ticket or an Annual Pass and are already in the park, you can get your early entry wristband starting at 3:00 at the front entry area or near Universal Plaza. If you have the After 2:00 ticket they will give you your early entry wristband when you enter the park.

Curious George Lot First

As soon as you pick up your early entry wrist-band feel free to enjoy the upper lot attractions depending on what time it is. If it's after 4:30 we recommend getting in the early entry queue.

Recommended Early Entry Order (with or without express):

Note: Times are based on 2025 early entry times (subject to change after opening night)

1. Hellraiser - Early Entry Begins at 5:30pm
2. Evil Dead Burn - Early Entry Begins at 5:30pm

Out of the two houses in the Curious George lot, Hellraiser will definitely be the more popular house. So make sure you get in line for this before Evil Dead Burn. If the crowds are all going to the Lower Lot, you may be able to do these houses more than once while you are back here.

Express Tip: If you have Express and don't mind the walk back to Curious George later in the night, by all means go ahead and do Standby for both and come back later in the evening and do them again. However, if you don't want to make that walk twice, go ahead and use your express during early entry.

Upper Lot and Terror Tram

After going through Hellraiser and Evil Dead Burn, head back through Hogsmeade and to Sinners which should be opening for early entry at 6:30pm.

Recommended Order (with or without express):

3. Sinners - Early Entry Begins at 6:30pm
4. Killceañera - Early Entry Begins at 6:45pm

After Sinners and Killceañera make sure it's completely dark before getting in line for the Terror Tram. If not, take a quick snack break or hang out in one of the Scare Zones for a bit.

5. Terror Tram - Early Entry Begins at 6:30pm

Lower Lot

You've now completed 5 of the 9 attractions and it's time to head to the Lower Lot. While we have a recommended order below, if one of these 4 houses has a shorter wait time when you make it to the lower lot, just get in line. The order below is just the least amount of walking.

Recommended Order (with or without express):

6. Ozzy Osborne: Prince of Darkness - Early Entry Begins at 6:30pm
7. Killer Klowns From Outer Space - Early Entry Begins at 5:45pm

8. Stranger Things 5 - Early Entry Begins at 5:00pm
9. Dead, Deader, Deadest - Early Entry Begins at 6:45

If you have time/energy and the lines are relatively short, feel free to take in a ride or two after you've completed all the houses. You've earned it. =)

RECOMMENDED HOUSE ORDER:
NO EARLY ENTRY

This rundown of recommended houses is if you are not doing Early Entry

MAKE SURE YOU ARRIVE BEFORE 7:00PM!

Upper Lot

If you are not doing Early Entry we suggest starting your night with Sinners on the Upper Lot. This will probably be one of the more popular houses at the event this year. Once you exit Sinners, the entrance for Killceañera will be just to your left.

1. Sinners
2. Killceañera

Curious George Lot

After visiting Killceañera take a walk through Hogsmeade and head to the Curious George Lot houses. Based on wait times you might want to swap the order, but Hellraiser will definitely be the more popular of these two houses.

3. Hellraiser
4. Evil Dead Burn

Terrifier Tram

5. Terror Tram

Before heading to the Lower Lot for your final 4 houses of the night, make sure you get in line for the Terror Tram. This attraction typically closes at 11:30pm and you will be down at the lower lot the rest of your evening.

Before heading to your next house, it's time to take a break to grab a snack or dinner. Enjoy some HHN food or a Krusty Burger.

Lower Lot

You've now completed 5 of the 9 attractions and it's time to head to the Lower Lot.

While we have a recommended order below, if one of these 4 houses has a shorter wait time when you make it to the lower lot, just get in line. The order below is just the least amount of walking.

6. Ozzy Osborne: Prince of Darkness
7. Killer Klowns From Outer Space

8. Stranger Things 5
9. Dead, Deader, Deadest

If you have time/energy and the lines are relatively short, feel free to take in a ride or two after you've completed all the houses. You've earned it. =)

Remember, you can always get the After 11pm Express pass to make sure you can see everything without early entry.

Food

Click here for the full list of specialty food at this years event!

Shows

As of right now there is only 1 show scheduled for HHN Hollywood 2026. But there have been teases of yet another announcement coming. So stay tuned!

Scare Zones and Interactions

There are Five Scare Zones and Chilling Interactions featured at Horror Nights Hollywood this year.

“Hackerz,” guests will need to dodge a troop of chainsaw killers
“Fortnitemares,” n immersive scare zone based on Fortnite’s signature in-game event, which brings new characters and horror-themed gameplay together every year
“El Circo de la Muerte,” centered on the 1930’s circus and sideshow acts that traveled across Mexico – but with a terrifying twist
“Murder of Crowz,” dad, mom and baby crow flocking to the nest (interaction)
"Shriek of the Banshee," a wagon run by a carnival barker and his talking skeleton (interaction)

Unmasking The Horror Tour

For the first time ever, Universal Studios Hollywood will debut “Unmasking the Horror Tour Add-On,” a behind the scenes, daytime experience for guests who want a closer look at the craftmanship that goes into Halloween Horror Nights. The guided lights-on walkthrough offers unique insights into the creative process behind the “Sinners” and “KILLceañera: Music by SLASH” haunted houses with the opportunity to photograph within select designated areas. Tickets can be purchased here.

Chainsaw Chaseout

If you are brave enough, not tired enough, or want to experience a true Horror Nights Hollywood original, stay until the very end of the night and experience Chainsaw Chaseout. This is absolutely one of our favorite things every year, and we always make at least one late night trip to HHN to experience it (the benefits of having Frequent Fear).

Even if you're not staying for Chainsaw Chaseout, make sure you do some shopping, grab a t-shirt and hang out in the scare zones before heading out.

Drive home safely!

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