Universal Orlando Special Events & Holiday Guide
From the nation's premier Halloween event to a family-friendly Mardi Gras, Universal's events are packed with fun and thrills. Here's your complete guide.
Halloween Horror Nights (HHN)
The nation's premier Halloween event, not for the faint of heart.
Dates & Tickets
Select nights in September & October. Ticket options include Single-Night, Multi-Night (Frequent Fear), and Express Passes which are highly recommended.
Haunted Houses & Scare Zones
The main draw. Features incredibly detailed houses based on horror films, TV shows, and original concepts, plus outdoor scare zones.
Food, Drinks & Merch
Look for themed food and drink booths throughout the park. The Tribute Store offers exclusive event merchandise.
Touring Tips
Arrive early (before 6 PM). Express Pass is almost essential on busy nights. Prioritize your top 3-4 houses first.
Age Recommendation
Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval
A family-friendly celebration of food, music, and fun.
Parade & Beads
A spectacular nightly parade with incredible floats built by the same company that makes them for New Orleans. Catch tons of beads!
Live Concerts & Food
On select nights, major musical acts perform at the Music Plaza Stage. Dozens of food booths serve "carnaval" food from around the world.
Holidays at Universal
The entire resort transforms into a festive wonderland from mid-November to early January.
Universal Studios Florida
- Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s: See massive balloons, floats, and your favorite characters.
- Holiday Tribute Store: A themed store with seasonal merchandise.
Islands of Adventure
- Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular: A live retelling of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
- Meet the Grinch: One of the most popular character encounters, often requires a Virtual Queue.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Christmas in Diagon Alley & Hogsmeade: Both lands are beautifully decorated with festive garlands.
- Holiday Shows: Enjoy special holiday performances from Celestina Warbeck and the Frog Choir.
- Hot Butterbeer: A seasonal must-try!
Rock the Universe
Florida's biggest Christian music festival.
This separately ticketed event takes place over a weekend in January, featuring performances from top Christian rock and worship artists across multiple stages in Universal Studios Florida.
Grad Bash & Gradventure
A rite of passage for graduating students.
On select nights in April and May, the parks close to the public for these private events for high school and middle school graduates, featuring live DJs and entertainment.