Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood — Tickets, Hollywood Drift and Strategy

Introduction

Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed after-dark event that turns Universal Studios Hollywood into eight haunted houses, scare zones, and a horror-themed Terror Tram through the backlot. Your regular park ticket does not get you in. And this year there's a new wrinkle: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the park's first outdoor high-speed coaster, officially opened September 16, 2026, and most HHN tickets do not include it.

This guide answers the questions people actually ask before they buy: when it runs, which ticket to get, whether the Drift add-on is worth it, and whether you should bring your kids. Every price here is attributed to its source and marked "starting from," because Universal prices HHN by night and adjusts as the season goes.

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When is HHN at Universal Studios Hollywood this year, and which nights sell out?

HHN runs on 42 select nights from September 3 through November 1, 2026, starting at 7pm, per Universal. WDWNT reports the event runs 7pm to 2am, with Early Event Access to select houses from 5:30pm.

The event nights, per WDWNT:

• September: 3–6, 10–13, 17–20, 23–27, 30
• October: 1–4, 7–11, 14–18, 21–25, 28–31
• November: 1

On sell-outs: Universal has not published a list of sold-out nights for Hollywood this year, and I have not found a confirmed one. Undercover Tourist describes the event as able to sell out most nights. The one hard signal Universal does give you is the Frequent Fear Pass blockout list — return visits are blocked on October 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24, per WDWNT. Every one of those is a Friday or Saturday in October. If you're targeting one of those nights, buy a dated ticket early rather than planning to walk up.

For how HHN season fits into the rest of the year, see my Universal Studios Hollywood Crowd Calendar and Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood.

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What HHN ticket types are there, and which one should I buy?

There are eight main options: general admission, an Early Event Access add-on, three levels of Express, the R.I.P. Tour, the new Hollywood Drift add-on, and two multi-night Fear Passes. General admission gets you into the event at 7pm with standby access to everything included; everything else is an upgrade on time, access, or number of nights.

Which one to buy comes down to three questions. Going once, on a weeknight? General admission covers the event. Going on an October Friday or Saturday, or with only one shot at seeing all eight houses? That is the case Express is built for. Going three or more nights? The Frequent Fear Pass starting price is below the cost of three reported single-night general admission tickets.

Two combo tickets also bundle daytime park admission: the After 2pm Day/Night ticket, starting from $117, and 1-Day General Admission + HHN, starting from $184, both prices per WDWNT. Both include Early Event Access to select houses from 5:30pm — the After 2pm combo per Undercover Tourist's product listing for that ticket, and the full-day combo per Universal's own ticket terms. On Drift: the After 2pm listings from Undercover Tourist and Get Away Today both state that Drift access during the event is not included, and Universal's full-day combo terms don't list Drift at all. Check the terms at checkout. My Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass Guide covers how daytime Express works if you're pairing a day visit with the event.

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Is the Hollywood Drift add-on worth it?

If you are only at the park for HHN and haven't ridden Drift, the add-on is the cheapest way to ride it that night. It runs $19.95–$24.95 depending on the night, per Theme Park Insider, for one-time access. The only other HHN product that includes Drift is the R.I.P. Tour, starting from $479 per WDWNT.

If you have daytime park admission the same day, you likely don't need it. Drift is open to regular day guests, per Theme Park Insider, so you can ride it before the event starts.

Know the limits before you pay: it is one ride, it only runs 7 to 10pm, and it does not include HHN admission or daytime admission. I could not find Universal's stated policy for what happens to the add-on if the coaster is down during your window, so check the terms at purchase.

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When should I ride Hollywood Drift during HHN?

Ride it early in the 7 to 10pm window — ideally as soon as the event opens at 7pm. The window has a hard close at 10pm and the add-on is one-time access, so if you leave it until 9:30 and the coaster goes down, there is no later window that night.

If you also bought Early Event Access, the order is simple: select houses from 5:30pm, then walk to Drift for 7pm. Drift is on the Upper Lot, so plan your first Lower Lot houses for after your ride, not before. Also on the 7 to 10pm clock: Universal's HHN opening press release lists Super Nintendo World among the attractions open during the event, with hours of 7 to 10pm per Undercover Tourist, and WDWNT reports Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge closes at 10pm.

Before you ride, empty your pockets. Per Universal's September 16, 2026 opening press release, riders must place all belongings in complimentary lockers in the queue and pass through metal detection before entering the ride platform. The height requirement is 51 inches.

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Does HHN Express include Hollywood Drift?

No — not for Express tickets bought now. Universal's own HHN Express ticket terms state that Drift access during the event is not included, and WDWNT and Undercover Tourist both list Express, Express Unlimited, the Express add-on, and Express Select as excluding Drift.

One exception: Express originally included limited Drift access when tickets went on sale in May, and Universal changed that on August 4, 2026. Per a Universal customer-service response reported by Inside the Magic, guests who bought Express before August 4 keep the benefits they were sold, including limited Drift access. If that's you, save your original confirmation to your phone.

The R.I.P. Tour still includes same-day limited Drift access, per WDWNT. For everyone else, Drift during HHN means the add-on.

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What's at HHN Hollywood this year?

Eight haunted houses, the Terror Tram, four scare zones, and a live stunt show, per WDWNT. The houses:

• Upper Lot: Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn, Killceañera: Music by SLASH, Sinners
• Lower Lot: Dead, Deader, Deadest; Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness; Killer Klowns From Outer Space; Stranger Things 5

The Terror Tram takes over the backlot with Art the Clown from Terrifier, and The Purge: Dangerous Waters runs in the WaterWorld theater, per WDWNT. Rides reported open during the event include Revenge of the Mummy, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Transformers: The Ride-3D, and The Simpsons Ride.

WDWNT reports an HHN Dining Pass at $64.75 per person with two entrées and four sides, snacks, desserts, or drinks. If you'd rather eat a real meal before the gates, my CityWalk Dining Guide has the options. Doing HHN as a date? The Universal Studios Hollywood After Dark guide covers the rest of the night.

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Is HHN OK for kids or teens?

Universal says the event may be too intense for young children and does not recommend it for children under 13. That's Universal's own guidance in its ticket terms, not mine.

For teens 13 and up, it depends on the teen. This year's houses draw on R-rated horror franchises, including Hellraiser, Evil Dead, and Terrifier's Art the Clown on the Terror Tram. Costume masks are not allowed, per Universal's ticket terms. Drift's 51-inch height requirement applies during HHN like any other time. Super Nintendo World is open during the event, per Universal's HHN opening press release, from 7 to 10pm per Undercover Tourist, which gives younger teens a non-horror break.

For kids under 13, the daytime park is the better fit — start with my Complete Universal Studios Hollywood Guide.

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Sarah's Take

For most people, general admission plus Early Event Access is the smart buy, and Express is only worth its price on an October Friday or Saturday when you have exactly one night. I haven't ridden Drift yet, so I'm not going to tell you what it feels like — but if you want it during HHN, the add-on is the move, and you ride it at 7pm sharp, not at 9:45. Eat at CityWalk before you go in; you don't want to spend house time standing in a food line. And if you have the flexibility, a September weeknight beats any October weekend.

— Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins, Universal & Coaster Specialist

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Tickets

Need regular park admission for a daytime visit before or after your HHN night? View Discounted Tickets →

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. Theme Park Network may earn a commission when you book through these links at no additional cost to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood?

On 42 select nights from September 3 through November 1, 2026, starting at 7pm, per Universal. Early Event Access to select houses starts at 5:30pm, per WDWNT.

Which HHN Hollywood nights sell out?

Universal has not published a sold-out list for Hollywood this year. Undercover Tourist says the event can sell out most nights, and Frequent Fear Pass return visits are blocked on October 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24, per WDWNT.

How much is the Hollywood Drift add-on during HHN?

$19.95–$24.95 depending on the night, per Theme Park Insider. It gives one-time access from 7 to 10pm and requires a separate HHN ticket for the same night.

Does HHN Express include Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift?

No, for Express tickets bought on or after August 4, 2026, per Universal's ticket terms, WDWNT, and Undercover Tourist. Guests who bought Express before August 4 keep limited Drift access, per a Universal response reported by Inside the Magic. The R.I.P. Tour includes limited Drift access, per WDWNT.

When should I ride Hollywood Drift during HHN?

As early in the 7 to 10pm window as you can. The window closes at 10pm and the add-on is one-time access, so riding late leaves no room if the coaster goes down.

Is Halloween Horror Nights OK for kids?

Universal says the event may be too intense for young children and does not recommend it for children under 13.

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Related Guides

• Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass Guide
• Universal Studios Hollywood Crowd Calendar
• Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
• Universal Studios Hollywood After Dark: A Date Night Guide
• Universal CityWalk Dining Guide

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Guide by Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins | Universal & Coaster Specialist | Theme Park Network

Last Updated: September 2026. HHN prices vary by night and Universal has changed ticket terms mid-season — verify current pricing and inclusions on the official Universal Studios Hollywood website before you buy.