Universal Studios Hollywood has set dates for new after-hours fandom events featuring Harry Potter, Star Trek, Back to the Future and Dungeons & Dragons that promise to be a cross between Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con.
Fan Fest Nights will run on select weekend nights from April 25 through May 18 at the Hollywood theme park. The new separate admission, after-hours events will be dedicated to sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime.
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Tickets aren’t on sale yet for Universal Fan Fest Nights — but they are expected to be available in early 2025.
Universal promises to “nurture and celebrate” Trekkies, Potterheads, McFlyers, Dungeon Masters and other fandom communities obsessed with the movies, TV shows, books and games associated with the intellectual properties at the late night events.
Fan Fest visitors will experience immersive activations and live entertainment from the creators of Halloween Horror Nights along with cosplay, themed food and exclusive merchandise.
The bridge set piece from the U.S.S. Enterprise in “Star Trek: Picard” will be part of Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Courtesy of Universal)
Universal has teased limited details about the new Fan Fest events.
An original set piece of the U.S.S. Enterprise bridge from the “Star Trek: Picard” television series will be a highlight of Fan Fest. Universal Studios Hollywood was once home to the Star Trek Adventure live-action show.
The Back to the Future franchise was shot on the Universal backlot — suggesting a studio tram trip to Courthouse Square could be part of Fan Fest. The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood once housed Back to the Future: The Ride. The DeLorean picture car from the trilogy has been featured at the park.
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Magical creatures will pop up in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with the sweet but destructive Niffler the only confirmed critter so far for Fan Fest.
A Niffler puppet sitting on a push cart at the Owl Post has made regular appearances in Wizarding World at Universal Studios Japan. Hogsmeade residents also walk around with baby dragons and Pygmy Puffs puppets at the Japanese park.
Wizards, monsters and treasure hunters will come to life in the Dungeons & Dragons experience at Fan Fest. The D&D activation will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the role playing game, 2023 “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” film and Baldur’s Gate 3 video game.
One Piece anime will be part of Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Courtesy of Universal)
Anime props from One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen will be part of Universal’s Fan Fest.
Netflix released a live-action adaptation of the original “One Piece” Japanese manga series. “One Piece” follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates on their quest to find a legendary treasure.
Hulu streams the “Jujutsu Kaisen” supernatural horror anime TV show. “Jujutsu Kaisen” follows the exploits of cursed student Yuji Itadori at a curse-fighting martial arts high school.
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All six of the Fan Fest experiences will be available each night throughout the theme park.
Select theme park attractions will also be open during Fan Fest – including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster, Jurassic World – The Ride and the Simpsons Ride.
Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights on April 25-27, May 2-4, May 9-11 and May 16-18.
Disneyland has hosted a similar series of annual after-hours, separate-admission special events dubbed Disneyland After Dark with rotating themes like Star Wars, Disney Channel and 1980s Throwback.
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