How Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates Halloween

Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles has one of the scariest Halloween events in southern California, and that’s saying a lot considering how many there are. This year, the world-famous movie studio is hosting Halloween Horror Nights from Sept. 5 to Nov. 3. Because Universal Studios is a master of producing horror movies, the quality of the sets and costumes at their Halloween event is top-notch. They even hold auditions to select their “scareactors” to ensure guests are truly scared. Let’s take a look at what victims–er, guests are in store for this year.    

Halloween Horror Nights

As twilight descends in September and October, the atmosphere at Universal Studios Hollywood begins to change — literally. A dense fog lit up by flickering orange lights starts to roll down the streets, and the sound of revving chainsaws and screams comes over the loudspeakers. Just before 7 pm, the “Opening Scaremony” starts when deranged monsters and mummies are unleashed into the crowds, and everyone starts to scramble. Because of the high scare factor, Universal Studios doesn’t recommend Halloween Horror Nights for anyone under 13 and strongly cautions against bringing young children, but you’ll have to be the judge of how much horror your kids can take. And the park doesn’t allow guests to wear costumes or costume masks. You have to leave the horror up to them.        

Universal Studios Hollywood plans to have several scare zones, eight haunted houses, and a live show during this separately ticketed event. The scare zones and haunted houses change every year, so if you’ve visited in years past, you’ll have a different experience in 2024. As of this writing, Universal has announced eight haunted houses and the terror tram. Let’s take a look at what’s been announced:

• The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy. This all-new creation is inspired by the enormously popular After Hours album by the pop group The Weeknd. In this macabre haunted house, slashers go on the rampage, carving smiles into unsuspecting faces and performing extreme plastic surgery on the unwary. This could truly give you nightmares!
• Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse. This house of horrors resurrects a popular Halloween maze from Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s a double feature of terror based on the body-swapping movie Freaky and the horror film The Black Phone about a kidnapped boy who’s able to communicate with the victims of serial killers. This is not your garden-variety haunted house! 
• A Quiet Place. if you want to survive the terrifying, post-apocalyptic world, you better keep quiet, like the Abbott family.
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Try not to freeze in fear as the bone-chilling new specter, Garraka throws spears of ice and freezes people in front of you.
• Insidious: The Further. Try not to get trapped in The Further as demons try to ensnare you.
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Legacy of Leatherface. In honor of the 1974 movie’s 50th anniversary, a new gruesome original story is told.
• Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines. The epic battle of Saskia Van Helsing and the Bride of Frankenstein against Dracula’s daughter and her monstrous mavens.
• Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America.  Battle against the infernal rider El Charro, the devil dog El Cadejo, or the boogeyman El Cucuy.
• Dead Exposure: Death Valley. People are turned into radioactive zombies, in this experiment gone wrong.

Times & Tickets

Universal Studios Hollywood hosts Halloween Horror Nights between Sept. 5 and Nov. 3, Wednesdays through Sundays. The event officially begins at 7 pm and lasts through 1 am or 2 am, depending on the night. Those who purchase an Express Pass gain early entry at 6 pm. Check the park calendar for the latest details.

Separate tickets are required for Halloween Horror Nights. Ticket prices are the same for all ages, and the prices quoted above are online prices; purchasing at the gate can cost up to another $50! Visit the Universal Studios Florida website for all the pass options and to buy tickets. Happy Halloween!

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Romolo Tavani/Shutterstock.com.