2026 is a huge year for Universal Studios Hollywood, with loads of events, festivals, and a brand new rollercoaster! So straop into that Dodge Charger, let’s preview the year ahead at Universal Studios Hollywood!

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 (Universal Orlando)), plus Universal usually announces a few limited-run specialties just for the season. Butterbeer Season begins on March 1 and continues through May 31, 2026.

Universal Fan Fest Nights

Universal Fan Fest Nights celebrates all thngs fandom in a separate ticketed nighttime event. See your favorite characters and worlds come to life throughout the park! Sail the seas with Luffy and his crew at the One Piece: Grand Pirate Show, meet new magical creatures in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet colorful Yoshis in Super Nintendo World, explore dungeons and battle creatures in Dungeons & Dragon immersive show, a hilariously spooky ecounter with Sooby-Doo & the Mystery Team and the Universal Monsters, and much more (there are rumors of a John Hammond and Ned Landry walk around this year)! Fan Fest Nights operates select nights April 23 through May 16, 2026. Tickets are on sale now.

Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift Opening

Dom and the crew are turning USH upside down, literally, with the opening of Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift later this summer! This incredible new thrill coaster will have guests spinning and flipping over the iconic Universal Studios Hollywood SkyWay and hillside. The unique car themed ride vehicles will have the ability to “drift” during the ride, providing a unique sensation throughout the ride. Universal hasn’t said when the ride will open, but insiders are expecting a late spring or early summer opening.

Mega Movie Summer & 4th of July

Universal is the originator of the Summer Blockbuster with JAWS, so why not celebrate the summer and all things movies at Universal Studios Hollywood! The Mega Movie Summer includes exclusive food and drink options, special character meet & greets, and icnoic merchandise. And if you visit during July 4th you will have a special fireworks presentation and events to look forward to! Mega Movie Summer runs June 1 through August 31, 2026.

Return to Hogwarts

Push the tram through the wall at Platform 9 3/4, it’s time to return to Hogwarts for another year of learning, friendship building, inscrutable sports, and at least one traumatizing event for the school population. Look for special events and food inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in late August through early September, 2026.

Halloween Horror Nights 2026

Horror’s home is Universal, and Halloween Horror Nights is where you want to be this fall. Held on select nights, HHN is a separate ticketed evening event featuring  haunted houses, scare zones, shows, and select USH attractions. This year’s dates for Halloween Horror Nights will be September 3 – November 1, 2026, tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Holidays at Universal

Walk into your favorite winter wonderlands during Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood. Hogsmeade is decorated for the season with the nighttime projection show The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle performing on select nights. Step into the warp pipe and into the Mushroom Kingdom with loads of hoiday decorations. Don’t forget the mean one, Mr. Grinch, who performs in the Grinchmas holiday show and meets with guests. Sample seasonal dishes and treats throughout the decorated park with the special entertainment. Holidays at Universal runs daily mid-November through December, 2026.

You visit Universal Studios Hollywood this year? Excited for Hollywood Drift? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!