- - Fan Fest Nights Return to Universal Studios Hollywood with “Harry Potter”, “Super Mario”, “Dungeons & Dragons” and More

Colson ThayerJanuary 16, 2026 at 2:56 AM

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Universal Studios Hollywood (2)

L: Xanathar from 'Dungeons & Dragons'; Signage for Universal Fan Fest Nights -

Universal Fan Fest Nights are returning for 12 nights in 2026

The second annual event at Universal Studios Hollywood will feature five unique experiences and activations featuring the best in sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime

This year the park will feature franchises like Harry Potter, Super Mario, One Piece, Scooby-Doo, Universal Monsters and Dungeons & Dragons

The best of sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime are back for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026!

On Thursday, Jan. 15, Universal Studios Hollywood announced the complete lineup of iconic franchises that will be featured as part of the park’s annual event. This year, guests will be welcomed into the worlds of Scooby-Doo, Universal Monsters, One Piece, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and Dungeons & Dragons.

“Universal Fan Fest Nights is an after-hours, separately ticketed event that celebrates the exhilarating world of fandom through immersive and interactive in-world experiences created by the theme park’s renowned and highly creative entertainment team in collaboration with esteemed industry experts,” park officials wrote in a press release shared with PEOPLE.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Key art for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026

These in-world experiences will offer in-person character interactions, cosplay and photo opportunities along with curated food, beverages and merchandise. All five activations and experiences are included in each ticket for all guests to enjoy.

One of those immersive adventures is making its Fan Fest Nights debut in 2026.

Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot! will place guests right in the center of a live-action mystery. The Studio Tour tram will transport guests to their destination along with Scooby-Doo and his friends Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy. Once they arrive, they’ll face an exciting challenge to solve a mystery involving the most legendary Universal Monsters including Frankenstein, Dracula, and Wolf Man. The adventure will all take place on Universal’s world-famous outdoor film sets where movies like 1931’s Frankenstein and The Wolf Man were filmed.

Elsewhere, guests can enjoy the return of One Piece, in a live show extravaganza at the WaterWorld show venue. "One Piece: Grand Pirate Show" takes inspiration from the Universal Studios Japan production and features a whirlwind performance from fan-favorite characters.

Also making its return is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter activation. This year, a new walk-through experience invites guests to explore the depths of the Forbidden Forest in search of a lost Hippogriff. With the help of a Hogwarts professor, adventurers will encounter familiar beasts and a series of obstacles before helping the creature in need.

Over in Super Nintendo World, it’s a Yoshi celebration! An all-new adventure invites guests to search for vibrant, multi-colored Yoshis found throughout the Mushroom Kingdom.

And back by popular demand, Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep returns with some enhancements. This walk-through experience encourages fans to explore the fantastical world of D&D. Guests will join the Harpers, a heroic spy network, to foil a plot by the beholder Xanathar and save the city of Waterdeep.

The experience will allow guests to come face-to-face with the legendary beholder Xanathar, which was created by the masterful puppeteers at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

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In addition to the interactive experiences, a select number of rides will also be operating during the after-hours event, including Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and more.

Rich Polk/Getty for Universal Studios Hollywood

Celebrities visit Universal Studios Hollywood for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025.

The return of Universal Fan Fest Nights follows the success of last year's inaugural event, which included other franchises like Star Trek and Back to the Future.

Tickets for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026 are available now. The event runs for 12 nights only: April 23-25, May 1-3, 7-9, 14-16, 2026.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”