Universal Fan Fest Nights are back for 2026, and with it comes a few incredible additions that you do not want to miss.
The gates have reopened, the lights are dimmed, and the crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood are filled with hardcore fans. Last year marked the inaugural Universal Fan Fest Nights, but 2026 feels different. It feels bigger, tighter, and more ambitious. Universal has clearly taken the feedback from year one to heart, refining the experiences we loved and rolling out a slate of new content that pushes the boundaries of theme park immersion.
Whether you’re a die-hard One Piece fan, a lover of all things spooky, or just someone looking for an unforgettable night out, this year’s event has something for everyone. Here is my breakdown of what’s new, what’s returning, and how you should tackle this year’s lineup.
ONE PIECE Live Stunt Show
Last year, I walked away from the event convinced that the WaterWorld show space was criminally underutilized. It seems the team at Universal heard me – or at least, they had the same brilliant idea. This year, the space has been transformed into a high-octane ONE PIECE stunt show.
This is, hands down, the best part of the event. If you are a fan, you are going to lose your mind over the cameos and the way they visualize character powers in real-time. But even if you’ve never picked up a manga or tuned into an anime in your life, the production value here is still staggering.
It’s a 15-to-20-minute show that proves Universal Studios knows what they are doing when it comes to live entertainment. Packed with pyrotechnics, flawless stunt work, and a plot that will have you hooked from the very start, it captures the spirit of the Straw Hat Crew perfectly. Honestly? This show is worth the price of admission alone.
Scooby-Doo x Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot
Scooby Doo x Monsters is a massive, immersive undertaking that utilizes the Universal Backlot in ways I haven’t seen before. The Universal Monsters have taken over the studio backlot, and you have to help the Scooby-Doo gang solve the mystery.
The attention to detail here is impressive. They change the culprit every night, which means the revisit value is legitimately high. My pro-tip? Go late. Everyone rushes to this as soon as the gates open, leading to long, frustrating lines. By hitting it in the middle of the night, we had space to breathe and interact with the characters. Seeing Shaggy share a scene with the Wolfman and Daphne giving The Bride a makeover were highlights of the event.
Keep in mind, you need to set aside a solid hour to make the most of this experience, if not a little longer.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: Forbidden Forest
This is a beautiful, ambitious, and slightly flawed addition. The new Forbidden Forest experience allows you to encounter magical creatures like Pixies and Acromantula. The visual effects are top-tier – the Hippogriff encounter is genuinely breathtaking with its 20-foot wingspan. It is truly magical.
However, I have some notes. If you go, try your absolute hardest to be at the front of your tour group. The guides can be difficult to hear if you’re stuck in the back. Also, the team went a bit overboard with the fog machines on opening night. It created some visibility issues and left a few people in my group coughing. I’m hoping they dial that back, as it’s a stunning attraction otherwise.
It’s a guided experience, so be prepared for a longer wait than the more free-roaming activities.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
The DreamWorks Theatre is hosting a new, subtitled anime short film, and it is a delightful, high-energy change of pace. It’s colorful, emotional, and very cute.
A word of warning for the detail-oriented: the subtitles are displayed at the top of the screen. Because the action is so fast-paced, you’ll find yourself constantly toggling your eyes between the screen and the text. You might miss a beat or two, but the spectacle makes up for it.
The seats have some light haptic feedback (a gentle rumble), which adds to the immersion without being nauseating.
Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep Updates
It’s always a relief when a favorite returns and actually improves. Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep is back, and it feels more interactive than it did last year. The biggest, most welcome change? The actors have loud microphones. Last year, the narrative was almost impossible to hear, but this year, the story is clear, crisp, and compelling. It’s the same great quest, but with much higher production polish.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Yoshi Experience
If I’m being honest, it’s a bit underwhelming compared to the other heavy hitters. This is primarily a meet-and-greet zone for the different colored Yoshis. If you are a completionist or a massive Nintendo fan, you’ll love the photo ops, but I wouldn’t recommend waiting in a massive line for this one. Hit it when the wait is low and enjoy the atmosphere.
Overall Thoughts On Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026
Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 has successfully leaned into the “fandom” aspect of its identity. They are creating worlds that people love, and it is pretty incredible to see them in person. While some experiences have minor technical hiccups – like the fog levels in the Forest or the subtitle placement in the Sailor Moon show – the overall quality is a massive step up from last year.
My advice for your visit: Prioritize the One Piece stunt show and the Scooby-Doo backlot mystery first. Don’t stress about the rest. The atmosphere is half the fun. Grab a bite, soak in the cosplay, and enjoy the fact that Universal is finally giving our favorite franchises the high-budget, immersive respect they deserve.
Universal Fan Fest Nights is an after-hours, separately ticketed event exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood. All experiences and activations are included every event night for guests to enjoy. Tickets are available for purchase here to attend the event which runs for 11 more nights: April 24-25; May 1-3, 7-9, 14-16, 2026.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.