Universal City, California, May 9, 2025 – The successful, inaugural debut of Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is about to come to an end when the all-new seasonal event wraps on Sunday, May 18. The time is now to step into this immersive in-world experience before it’s too late.
I went opening weekend and had a blast. Check out what I had to say here…
https://nukethefridge.com/universal-studios-hollywood-fan-fest-nights-was-worth-the-time-trip4/
A resounding hit with fans, here’s what other guests have to say about Universal Fan Fest Nights:
- “Fan Fest Nights 2025 is amazing! Universal single-handedly created the greatest theme park after hours event. Do not miss out on this incredible event.”
- “Universal Fan Fest nights is so worth it! Loving every minute of this and soooo happy to see different fandoms coming together. The creativity is amazing and it’s super immersive. 100%. 10 out of 10 recommend coming!!!! Yes, Yes, Yes.”
- “I think it’s super sick to be able to walk where Back to the Future was filmed. Being able to roam freely, interact with the characters here…it’s been an amazing time, honestly.”
- “Universal Fan Fest Nights is a dream come true.”
- “It’s perfection, absolute perfection.”
Universal Fan Fest Nights is exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood, and the final two weekends to visit are May 9-11 and May 15-18, 2025. Tickets are available for purchase here.
The imaginative in-world experiences take place for guests to enjoy on all event nights. An energetic block party invites fans across every genre to share their passions and enthusiasm in dynamic fandom celebrations and an array of interactive activations take place throughout the theme park, including live entertainment, cosplay and photo opportunities!
Fans also can savor an enticing menu of themed foods curated by Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Chef Julia Thrash, plus new merchandise, including collectibles, apparel, drinkware and accessories, are available for guests and fans to display their fandom during the event and beyond.
Here’s a snapshot of Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025:
- Star Trek: Red Alert—Inspired by the Star Trek universe that has entertained millions of fans, this daring walk-through experience boldly takes guests on an immersive adventure aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D on a mission to prevent an interstellar threat. Guests find themselves transported to the year 2403, just as an otherworldly entity wreaks havoc on the ship. As the chaos ensues, guests will venture further into the Enterprise, navigating familiar Star Trek environments, from the ship’s engineering room to transporter pads, to the soul of the Starship Enterprise, the bridge—an original set piece featured in the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard—in a desperate quest to stop the perceived danger and restore peace aboard the ship. Laden with special effects, audio-visual effects, multi-sensory activations and themed performers, this all-original experience creates an unforgettable, awe-inspiring moment that elevates Star Trek fandom to new levels.
- Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley—This nostalgic experience is based on the 1985 Back to the Future blockbuster movie and invites guests to time travel back to 1955 Hill Valley alongside some of the film’s iconic characters. Time travel begins the moment guests climb aboard the Studio Tour “Fan Tram” and venture towards Courthouse Square, the original filming location for this classic film located on the Universal Studios world famous backlot.
Brimming with authenticity, Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley pays homage to this groundbreaking film by inserting guests into many familiar scenes with iconic props. From Hill Valley with the original Lyon Estate monuments to the Time Machine on display, guests will have the sensation of going back in time as they partake in the energetic recreation of the Enchantment Under the Sea dance and Hill Valley Festival plus experience a stunning recreation of the Clock Tower lightning strike, sending Marty back to the future multiple times each event night.
- DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep—Inspired by the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game™, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D), this epic experience welcomes guests and fans to partake in a one-of-a-kind adventure and explore the fantastic world of D&D. Guests join the Harpers—a heroic spy network—to foil a plot by the legendary beholder Xanathar and save the city of Waterdeep.
In creating this unique experience, Universal Studios Hollywood is collaborating with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the legendary beholder Xanathar that comes to life within DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep. For over 40 years, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has been a world-renowned innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation.
- ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Gathering—This unique experience is inspired by the long-running global hit anime series, One Piece, from creator Eiichiro Oda, that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew, including Zoro, Nami, Usopp and Sanji, on their quest to find “ONE PIECE,” the legendary treasure of the former King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. The Grand Pirate Gathering transports guests into the series’ fictional world of pirates through an immersive and interactive experience, complete with iconic visuals and scenic environments that place fans at the heart of the action. Guests also have time to enjoy uplifting meet and greet opportunities with different characters and participate in themed interactive photo ops.
- Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed—This anime experience, inspired by a widely popular Japanese manga and its anime adaptation, follows high school student Yuji Itadori after he accidently becomes the host of a powerful curse and joins Tokyo Jujutsu High School, an organization that fights the curses. This epic adventure is transformed into an exciting film-based experience, which first debuted at Universal Studios Japan.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Guests and fans have a chance to further engage in the theme park’s immersive land with all-new magical creature interactions, including the opportunity to meet the Niffler, a Baby Dragon and a majestic Occamy. The centerpiece of the experience is the West Coast debut of the visually spectacular Hogwarts™ Always light projection show takes guests on a whimsical journey through a school year at Hogwarts. Weaving together unforgettable music and incredible moments of wizardry, Hogwarts Always will shine bright as it comes to life set against the majestic backdrop of Hogwarts™ castle.
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Let’s Go, Yoshi—This exciting addition to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD marks the debut of beloved fan favorite Yoshi as a brand new meet and greet character within the land during Universal Fan Fest Nights. As part of Yoshi’s welcome to the land, guests have a chance to interact with Yoshi as they engage in a scavenger hunt to locate all five colorful Yoshi eggs. After completing this original quest, guests will reap the benefit of a very special reward with the unique opportunity to meet a different colored Yoshi.
- Wicked—Guests and fans of Universal Pictures’ blockbuster Wicked have a chance to rejoicify with popular characters, Elphaba and Glinda, when they step out in style to greet guests at the theme park’s existing vibrant Wicked themed photo op, located adjacent to the theme park’s main entrance.
Adding to the adventure, guests can also experience select theme park attractions open during the event, including “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge,” “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™,” “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” “Jurassic World—The Ride,” “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride” and “The Simpsons Ride™”.
Purchase Tickets Now and Transcend to In-World Experiences Inspired by Star Trek, Back to the Future, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, ONE PIECE and Jujutsu Kaisen, Along with Exciting Theme Park Favorites, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD