Universal Studios Hollywood is expanding its lineup for Halloween Horror Nights 2026, adding new haunted houses, a stunt show and street experiences to the annual event, the park announced.
The event begins Thursday, Sept. 3, and runs select nights through Sunday, Nov. 1.
Among the new additions is “Terror Tram Starring Art the Clown,” which replaces previous hosts of the backlot tram experience with the killer clown character. In the attraction, Art the Clown hijacks the tram after mistaking the timing for a holiday celebration of his own. Metal band Ice Nine Kills composed new music for the experience, reworking classic Christmas songs with a darker edge. Guests may also encounter the character elsewhere in the theme park.
The event also brings back “Killer Klowns From Outer Space,” a haunted house based on the 1988 cult film that sends guests back to the 1980s to escape murderous alien clowns.
Two original houses round out the new offerings. “Dead, Deader, Deadest” takes guests through an abandoned funeral home with a disturbing history. “KILLceañera: Music by SLASH” follows a quinceañera that turns deadly as a 15-year-old girl named Lola seeks revenge on those who wronged her. Guitarist Slash composed an original score for the house, including a song titled “15 Candles.”
A new stunt show, “The Purge: Dangerous Waters,” returns to the WaterWorld venue with a fire-based performance themed around survival.
The park will also feature Nikki, the central character from the Focus Features film “Obsession,” directed by Curry Barker, appearing throughout the streets of the theme park.
New scare zones this year include “Hackerz,” featuring chainsaw-wielding performers; “Fortnitemares,” based on the in-game Fortnite event; and “El Circo de la Muerte,” a 1930s Mexican circus-themed zone tied to the “KILLceañera” house. A zone called “Blood Bog” will feature moss monster creatures.
Additional roaming encounters include “Murder of Crowz,” featuring a family of crow characters, and “Shriek of the Banshee,” centered on a carnival barker and a talking skeleton prop.
These additions join previously announced haunted houses based on “Sinners” from Warner Bros. Pictures, Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” “Hellraiser,” New Line Cinema’s “Evil Dead Burn” and a house themed around musician Ozzy Osbourne.
For the first time, the park will offer “Unmasking the Horror Tour Add-On,” a daytime, behind-the-scenes walking tour that provides guests a look at the production process behind the “Sinners” and “KILLceañera” houses, including designated photo areas.
Several daytime theme park attractions will remain open during the event, including Super Nintendo World, “Transformers: The Ride-3D,” “Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride” and “The Simpsons Ride.” Death Eater characters from the “Harry Potter” franchise will also appear in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter beginning in the early evening.
Ticket options for the event include General Admission, Universal Express, R.I.P. Tour, Day/Night and After 2 p.m. Day/Night tickets. An Early Access ticket allows entry to select haunted houses starting at 5:30 p.m., subject to change. Frequent Fear and Ultimate Fear season passes are also available.
Tickets and additional details are available at UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/Halloween.
