Universal Fan Fest Nights: A Celebration of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming, and Anime
Universal Studios Hollywood is set to debut a new festival dedicated to sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and anime, a first-of-its-kind event that will bring together fans of Harry Potter, Star Trek, Back to the Future, and Dungeons & Dragons. The Universal Fan Fest Nights will run on select nights between April 25 and May 18 at the Hollywood theme park.
What is Universal Fan Fest Nights?
Fan Fest Nights promises to be a cross between Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con, featuring walk-through attractions, fan zones, anime films, light projection shows, drone shows, and character meet-and-greet photo ops, as well as cosplay opportunities, themed food, and exclusive merchandise. The event will be a unique experience that will allow fans to immerse themselves in their favorite fandoms.
Star Trek: Red Alert
The Star Trek: Red Alert walk-through attraction will take visitors on a mission aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise from the "Star Trek: Picard" television series. Visitors will be transported to the year 2403 where they will help prevent an interstellar threat from an otherworldly entity that wreaks havoc on the ship. The attraction will feature audio, visual, and special effects, and visitors will encounter Star Trek performers as they travel from the shuttle station to the ship, passing through the sick bay, control room, turbo lift, and Enterprise bridge before using a transporter pod to return to Earth.
Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep
The Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep walk-through attraction will bring visitors face to face with wizards, monsters, and treasure hunters during Fan Fest. Visitors will join the Harpers spy network to help foil a plot by Xanathar the Beholder and save the city of Waterdeep during a quest to find a stolen MacGuffin. The attraction will feature D&D performers as visitors travel through a chaotic marketplace, hidden tunnel, and illuminated passage before casting runes to determine their fate. The fates will send visitors stumbling into Xanathar’s Lair where they must survive a surprise plot twist before emerging victorious.
Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley
Riders aboard the Studio Tour tram will be transported to Courthouse Square on the Universal backlot for the Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley experience. The backstory finds the tram reaching a speed of 88 mph, allowing riders to time-travel back to 1955, where familiar scenes from the original "Back to the Future" film will be recreated. Visitors arriving in Courthouse Square will hear "Mr. Sandman" playing in the background, watch gas station attendants break into song, and witness Marty McFly play guitar during the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. The highlight of the experience will be the Clock Tower lightning strike that sends Marty McFly back to the future several times a night in the DeLorean Time Machine.
One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering
The One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering fan zone will drop visitors into the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates from the Japanese manga series as they continue their quest to find a legendary treasure. Visitors will be able to pose for photos with "One Piece" characters Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Nami, and Zoro from the hit anime series.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed
The "Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed" film from the Cool Japan event at Universal Studios Japan will play in the Dreamworks Theater during Fan Fest. The "Jujutsu Kaisen" supernatural horror anime TV show follows the exploits of cursed student Yuji Itadori at a curse-fighting martial arts high school.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The "Hogwarts Always" light projection show on the Hogwarts Castle that debuted at Universal Orlando last year will run during Fan Fest in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Magical creatures from the Potterverse will also pop up during Fan Fest, including a Niffler, baby dragon, and Grand Occamy. The Niffler and baby dragon puppets regularly appear at Universal Studios Japan, but the Occamy puppet will be making its debut during Fan Fest.
Super Nintendo World
A new Nintendo-themed drone show will debut in the skies above the video game-themed land during Fan Fest. A Yoshi meet-and-greet character will make its debut in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood during the event. Visitors who complete a scavenger hunt in Super Nintendo World will get a chance to meet a multi-colored version of the Yoshi character. Select attractions will also be open during Fan Fest, including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster, Jurassic World — The Ride, and the Simpsons Ride.
Ticket Information
Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights on April 25-27, May 2-4, May 9-11, and May 16-18. Tickets range from $74 for general admission to $383 for the VIP package. An Ultimate Fandom Pass good for all 12 nights of Fan Fest costs $249.
Conclusion
Universal Fan Fest Nights is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will bring together fans from all over the world to celebrate their shared love of sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and anime. With its unique blend of walk-through attractions, fan zones, anime films, light projection shows, and character meet-and-greet photo ops, this event is sure to be a memorable experience for all attendees.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Universal Fan Fest Nights?
Universal Fan Fest Nights is a new festival dedicated to sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and anime. - When will Universal Fan Fest Nights take place?
The event will run on select nights between April 25 and May 18. - What are the dates of Universal Fan Fest Nights?
The event will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights on April 25-27, May 2-4, May 9-11, and May 16-18. - What are the ticket prices for Universal Fan Fest Nights?
Tickets range from $74 for general admission to $383 for the VIP package. An Ultimate Fandom Pass good for all 12 nights of Fan Fest costs $249.
