Happy 2024 everyone! As we get settled back into work while still finding glittery from Christmas let us look into this upcoming year at the Universal Orlando Resort. In this article we cover all the upcoming events, new attractions, and more coming to the resort over the next year plus a little preview of 2025.

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 26 and 27, 2024. Join fellow worshipers (and theme park fans) to 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 26, 2024 Acts

• We The Kingdom – Music Plaza Stage
• LECRAE – Music Plaza Stage
• Blessing Offor – Music Plaza Stage
• Cody Carnes – Hollywood Stage
• ELEVATION RHYTHM – Hollywood Stage
• Riley Clemmons – Hollywood Stage

January 27, 2024 Acts

• Casting Crowns – Music Plaza Stage
• Phil Wickham – Music Plaza Stage
• Brandon Lake – Music Plaza Stage
• CAIN – Hollywood Stage
• Andrew Ripp – Hollywood Stage
• Hulvey – Hollywood Stage

Rock the Universe tickets start at $79.99 per person plus tax for a one-day admission, including the concerts and attractions at Universal Studios Florida. Tickets are now on sale online.

ROCK THE UNIVERSE: Here’s a Few Things to Know Before You Go

Mardi Gras

Universal’s Mardi Gras is Universal Orlando’s premier international food festival, featuring 17 different countries, and a street party. Celebrate the worldwide carnival with international food booths, musical performances, a new Tribute Store, new mythical creatures floats for the parade, and more! Dining packages that offer reservations to toss beads from the Mardi Gras parade floats are now open at $85 per person plus tax.

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras runs daily from February 3 – April 7, 2024. More details such as the parade theme and musical acts will be announced soon, watch the Touring Plans blog for more information.

Dreamworks Land

After his Production Central eviction in 2022, Shrek has a new home in DreamWorks Land opening in the summer of 202. Find Shrek and Donkey at his house, explore the adjacent swamps, or party with the Trolls on their family rollercoaster. Rumors suggest the land will incorporate interactive play features where kids can train with Po from Kung Fu Panda. More information will be released in the months leading up to the land’s opening in the summer of 2024.

New Universal Studios Florida Entertainment

Universal Studios Florida is set to debut a new parade and nighttime show for the summer of 2024.

The new parade, rumored to be called the Universal Mega Movie Parade, will feature classic Universal movies along with films previously featured in Universal Studios Florida. A new nighttime show will debut in the area home to the Universal Cinematic Celebration in the lagoon across from Transformers and will feature fountains, lights, and lasers.

Summer Offerings

Universal casually celebrates the summer season with limited engagement events, food, and a new Tribute Store. This year is the 25th anniversary of Islands of Adventure, so we are expecting merchandise and possibly a Tribute Store to celebrate this summer. A new Epic Universe preview center is rumored to open this summer in CityWalk, displacing the Universal Legacy Store, where guests can get a high-tech look into the upcoming theme park.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024

Horror’s home is Universal and Orlando is where you want to be this fall for Halloween Horror Nights. Held on select nights, HHN is a separate ticketed evening event featuring ten haunted houses, five scare zones, two shows, and select USF attractions. Universal has not announced operating dates for Halloween Horror Nights 2024, but we think the dates will be August 30 – November 3, 2024. Universal raises prices roughly 4-7% on each admission type – we expect this year’s admission price to start at $76.99 and Express Pass to start around $109.99.

Holidays at Universal Orlando 2024

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 not yet announced Holidays at Univeral Orlando for the 2023 holiday season, but we feel comfortable predicting it will return. Expect the holiday parade, Grinchmas show, Manheim Steamroller performances, and more. Universal has not announced operation dates but we are expecting November 16, 2024, through January 1, 2025.

Something Epic is Coming in 2025

The most anticipated new park since Shanghai Disneyland will open soon – Universal’s Epic Universe. The next generation of theme parks encompasses five themed lands with dozens of attractions and hotels. Located south of the existing northern Universal Orlando complex, Epic Universe is a major new expansion to the Orlando area.

Adjacent to Epic Universe are three new hotels. Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort start opening in January 2025 with prices starting at $189 per night and as low as $134 per night for a 7-night stay. Universal’s Helios Grrand Hotel is rumored to be located at the back of Epic Universe. Themed to the sun god, Helios is expected to have full-service dining, concierge-level service, and deluxe rooms. Many of the rooms will either overlook the Oculus fountain in the park or have a view of the fireworks.

Epic Universe is estimated to be around 110 acres in size, roughly the size of the Magic Kingdom. The center of the park is a celestial hub where portals to the four universes of Epic Universe are found. The four major IP lands of Epic are How to Train Your Dragon, Universal’s classic monsters, Harry Potter, and Nintendo. At the opening, Epic Universe will feature eleven rides, three shows, three play areas, and over one dozen restaurants.

Epic Universe opens in the summer of 2025.

What are you looking forward to in 2024? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!