Resolve to visit Universal Orlando in 2026 and see these amazing events, from the scary to the scrumptious, revelry to reverence, Universal Orlando has it all. This article covers all the events at Universal Orlando for 2026, now lets go!

Rock the Universe

Rock the Universe, Florida’s largest Christian rock festival, returns to Universal Studios Florida from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on January 23 and 24, 2026. Join fellow worshipers (and theme park fans) for exclusive musical acts and select open theme park attractions. RTU’s musical acts are spread across two stages – Music Plaza Stage between Minion Mayhem and Race Through New York and Hollywood Stage across from Mel’s Drive-In.

January 23 Musical Guests

• Forrest Frank
• Switchfoot
• KB
• Blessing Offor
• Hulvey
• bodie
• Eli Gable
• Hopeful.
• Carlie Leslie

January 24 Musical Guests

• LECRAE
• Phil Wickham
• Colton Dixton
• Passion
• Terrian
• Sam Rivera
• Caleb & John
• Bay Turner
• Megan Danielle

Tickets start at $99.99 per person plus tax per night, but the event is already sold out. Read our guide to prepare for your visit.

Mardi Gras 2026

Universal’s Mardi Gras is Universal Orlando’s premier international food festival featuring 17 countries and a street party. Celebrate the worldwide carnival with international food booths, musical performances, a new Tribute Store, new mythical creature floats for the parade, and more! Dining packages that offer reservations to toss beads from the Mardi Gras parade floats are now open at $94.99 per person plus tax. Universal Orlando Mardi Gras runs daily from February 7 through April 4, 2026.

Concert Lineup

February 7 – Kaskade

February 14 – Portugal. The Man

February 15 – Ivy Queen

February 21 – Joey Fatone & AJ McLean

February 28 – RuPaul (DJ Set, yes that RuPaul)

March 7 – Shaggy

March 13 – Tyler Hubbard

March 14 – Bebe Rexha

March 15 – Zedd

March 21 – Barenaked Ladies

March 28 – The All-American Rejects

Butterbeer Season

It’s not so much an event as an opportunity to celebrate the amazing flavors of Butterbeer. Look for all of the regular ways to enjoy Butterbeer (All The Butterbeer Options), plus Universal usually announces a few limited-run specialties just for the season. Butterbeer Season begins on March 1 and continues through May 31.

Grad Bash & Gradventure

Teenagers! You were one and probably know a few. Universal celebrates graduations from high school and middle school with Grad Bash and Gradventure, respectively, in April 2026. These after-hour events are for graduates and their chaperones only, but they do impact theme park hours and touring strategies. Grad Bash and Gradventure run on April 17, 18, 24, and 30, 2026.

Portofino Bay Harbor Nights

Embrace all things Italy in the seasonal Harbor Nights at Portofino Bay hotel! These events are held in the iconic replica harbor of Portofino Bay, Italy, and include free food, non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment, and more. If you have never visited Portofino Bay, then you are missing out! Harbor Nights are on February 13, April 17, October 16, and November 27, 2026, and tickets can be purchased online.

Volcano Bay Nights

Volcano Bay Nights returns in 2026 with more nighttime swims, inclusive food, and maybe a few characters. This separate ticketed event limits guests in the park, allowing short lines on the Krakatau Water Coaster and plenty of beach seating. For more information and our review check out our Saturday Six article on the event.

Halloween Horror Nights 34 (2025)

Horror’s home is Universal, and Orlando is where you want to be for Halloween Horror Nights this fall. Held on select nights, HHN is a separate ticketed evening event featuring ten haunted houses, five scare zones, two shows, and select USF attractions. This year’s dates for Halloween Horror Nights will be August 28 – November 1, 2026. Universal raises prices roughly 4-7% on each admission type – we expect this year’s admission price to start at $89.99 and Express Pass to start around $149.99. Look for a separate article when ticket details and purchase dates are announced.

Volcano Bay Extended Refurbishment

As Volcano Bay approaches its 10th anniversary, the park is closing down for a huge facelift from October 26, 2026, till at least March 24, 2027. The park will undergo extensive refurbishment to the slides, guest areas, and infrastructure. We’re expecting to see slide piece replacements, cleaning, and replacements of lots of wearable items like canvas sail roofs, and reworking of some of the more temperamental parts of the park.

Holidays at Universal Orlando

I’m still taking down my decorations as I write this, so of course, the best thing to write about now is next Christmas. Universal has announced the return of Holidays at Universal Orlando for the 2026 holiday season. Expect the holiday parade, Grinchmas show, Tribute Store, and more from 2025 to return. Holidays at Universal Orlando will begin on November 14, 2026, and run daily through January 3, 2027.

You excited to visit Universal Orlando in 2026? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!