2026 is set to be another banner year. After the opening of Epic Universe in 2025, Universal Destinations & Experiences hasn’t slowed down in delivering equally exciting thrills, with the debut of a new roller coaster, as well as returning faves that will make a theme park vacay at the top of your to-do list.
Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan who has yet to try Butterbeer IRL or an adventure seeker looking to get a jump scare at a haunted house, there’s no shortage of things to do at Universal Studios. As a passholder at Universal Studios Hollywood, I love grabbing a drink to enjoy while taking the backlot tour, and seeing if I can spot a TV show or movie in production.
Throughout the remainder of the year, there will be plenty of new sips to try, with the return of Mega Movie Summer and Halloween Horror Nights, plus opps to make a viral TikTok with the Grinch. For all of those and more, here’s everything you need to know about what’s to come at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort in 2026.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fast & Furious Roller Coaster Is Coming
While no dates have been revealed yet, the biggest addition to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2026 will be the all-new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster. This will be the West Coast’s first-ever high-speed, outdoor coaster in the theme park, and will feature ride vehicles that have 360-degree rotation.
Along with the new attraction, USH has returning events, like Mega Movie Summer now through Aug. 9 with film-themed menu items like a Minions Orange Banana Float. Last year, Hogsmeade had Hogwarts House-themed churros. (All points should go to the berry Ravenclaw churro, IMO.)
A new addition to the backlot tour this year is the boat from The Odyssey. They shot additional scenes at Universal Studios last year, so this a great way to set-jet to the actual filming location after seeing Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway in the movie.
When August slips away, fans will get to celebrate going Back to Hogwarts in the Wizarding World right before Halloween Horror Nights returns on Sept. 3. The special ticketed event will run through Nov. 1 with all-new haunted houses, scare zones, and themed menu items —like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man S'more that was tied to the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire house in 2024.
TikTokers are already speculating at what houses might be coming to HHN this year. Rumors include Lady Gaga Mayhem experience. Fans were spot on about both a Sinners house (announced in May), and now, a Stranger Things Season 5 walkthrough. On Instagram, Universal teased that guests will get to experience the Upside Down again while you “join the gang for one last adventure as you try to defeat Vecna.”
After Halloween is over, the holidays will begin at Universal Studios. The seasonal festivities will include new treats, merch, and the return of the viral Grinchmas.
Universal Orlando Resort Is Celebrating The Seasons
Just like Hollywood, Orlando will also be celebrating Back to Hogwarts (Aug. 1 – Sept. 1), so there will be plenty for Harry Potter fans to enjoy. During the fall, Dark Arts will return to the Wizarding World when Halloween Horror Nights creeps back to the park. The popular scarefest will run from Aug. 28 through Nov. 1 with all-new haunted houses inspired by movies and original ideas, including Sinners and Stranger Things mazes.
Once Halloween has wrapped up, the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort will begin Nov. 14 and run through the new year. Guests can expect seasonal fun with Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
For anyone who would rather celebrate more HHN fun year-round, Universal Horror Unleashed opened in 2025 across from The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. The spooky experience with movie-themed mazes, like Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer, will continue to run and be open Wednesday through Sunday in 2026 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
If you are headed to Sin City, be sure to order the smoked paprika cheese-stuffed Boiler Bread from the Blumhouse-themed Premier House. It’s a 5 out 5 appetizer that I’m still dreaming about.
This article was originally published on 12.31.25
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