Ready to summon your scream squad? Here's everything you need to know before you buy a ticket to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights! 

What is Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights?

Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event that runs after Universal Studios Florida closes to guests. Once the park closes Universal Team Members transforms USF into a huge Halloween event with 10 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, and 1 show. There’s tons of themed food booths that serve yummy food items like pizza fries, and lots of alcohol.

Universal's Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Hollywood was created in large part for the horror movie enthusiasts. The event is centered around haunted houses  scare zones, and themed food + drinks that change every year. 

HHN is an insanely popular after-hours event. These walkthrough houses and zones are usually based on iconic franchises, like "Halloween,"  "Stranger Things," and "Chucky." There's also original houses that Universal's creative team comes up with.

What are this Year’s Halloween Horror Nights Dates?

HHN 2023  runs select nights from September through November at Universal Orlando Resort. In 2023, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida will kick off Sept. 1 and will run until Nov. 4 — making this the longest Halloween Horror Nights ever! 

The event runs every Wednesday to Sunday and on Halloween night! 

Full List of 2023 Halloween Horror Nights dates:

• Sept. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30

• Oct. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31

• Nov. 1, 2, 3, 4

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 event nights begin at 6:30 PM and closing times are usually either 1:00AM or 2:00AM.

What HHN Ticket Should I Buy?

Single-day event tickets start at $79.99 plus tax online and $129.99 plus tax if purchased at the gate. Tickets purchased online can be printed out at home, scanned from a phone, or picked up at Will Call. Purchase your tickets online to save a considerable amount of money and time.

Multi-night”Fear Passes” are valid for multiple event days with pricing based on when the passes are active. 

• Rush of Fear Pass:

  •  $179.99 plus tax, valid for admission the first four weeks of the event (September 1 – 24). Not valid for any days in October or November. If you are visiting more than 1 night only in September this is a great pass option.

• Frequent Fear Pass:

  • $229.99 plus tax, valid for admission for every event night Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and the 1st weekend (September 1-3) of the event. 

  • Great for locals or those visiting more than a week long.

• Frequent Fear Plus Pass:

  • $269.99 plus tax, valid for admission every event night Sunday through Friday plus the 1st and last Saturday of the event (Sept 2 & Oct 28). 

  • Great for locals or those visiting more than a week long.

• Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass:

  • $379.99 plus tax, valid for admission every night of the event.

  • I’d only buy if I were a local or a HHN enthusiast!

Pro Tip: If you only have 1 night and want to experience as much HHN as you can, then consider purchasing HHN Express Pass.

Halloween Horror Nights Add-Ons

Universal Orlando’s HHN Scream Early Ticket

This ticket lets guests without day tickets in before the park closes to participate in Stay and Scream. A valid ticket for Halloween Horror Nights is still required. Tickets are $40 per person plus tax.

This is a great option if you want to knock out as many houses as you can in one night, and can’t afford HHN Express Pass.

Behind the Screams Daytime Tour

These are a guided, lights-on look at the haunted houses. Guides take guests through select houses to learn behind-the-scenes secrets, stories, and incredible effects. Tours are offered for 3 or 6 houses, pricing starts at $119.99 plus tax per guest. Tickets can be purchased online, theme park admission and event admission are not included.

This is a GREAT option for those who want to experience HHN without the nighttime festivities or scariness.

RIP Tour

This guided tour gets you access to all the houses and preferred show seating. The tour guides also give you great information about the haunted houses before and after entering. RIP Tours pricing varies by night, ranging from $319.99 to $449.99 plus tax per guest; tours are purchased online. Admission to HHN is not included.

How Many Haunted Houses & Scare Zones are There for HHN 2023?

10 haunted houses 

5 scare zones

What are the 2023 Halloween Horror Nights Haunted Houses?

• Stranger Things

  • Season 4 of Netflix’s original series “Stranger Things” comes to life in a terrifying all-new haunted house!

  • This year’s petrifying haunted house will once again transport guests to Hawkins, Indiana, where they will encounter the newest supernatural villain, Vecna, who is hell-bent on obliterating the volatile barrier between the eerie Upside Down and the real world in an attempt to reign supreme.

• The Last of Us

  • The popular PlayStation video game turned TV series is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and what better way to celebrate  than a haunted house inspired by the  game. The question is, will you dare to enter this post-pandemic world of ‘carnage and mayhem' just like Joel and Ellie? Be sure to watch out for the Clickers, Raiders, and others as you navigate through the Pittsburg Quarantine Zone

• Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count

  • Get ready for a little child's play this fall. "Chucky," based on the hit series from SYFY & USA, is coming to Halloween Horror Nights. Everyone's favorite killer doll will once again be reigning terror in his very own haunted house for the first time. Don't let the freckled cheeks and bibbed overalls fool you. Chucky wants revenge and respect, as his peers don't take him seriously. You may think you can outrun his tiny legs, but very few escape the blade of his trusty knife. 

• The Exorcist: Believer

  • Inspired by the upcoming 2023  movie, "The Exorcist: Believer," an innocuous purchase of a strange doll with three eyes at a street market in Haiti leads to the opening of a demonic portal, awakening evil spirits. Meanwhile, two girls disappear in the U.S. and are found a few days later with no memories. After exhibiting unsettling behavior, it becomes clear that an exorcism is the only thing that can save them — and until then, anyone who comes in contact is at risk of losing their souls.

• Universal Monsters: Unmasked

  • The Catacombs of Paris are now open to the public! But little do guests know that the most notorious monsters — The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Invisible Man — are lurking 60 feet below the infamous burial grounds, filled with rage that their labyrinth home is now being invaded by these trespassers.

• Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings

  • In a colonial-era village, moon-worshippers celebrate a blood moon at their fall festival and slaughter those who do not participate.

• The Darkest Deal

  • Blues musician Pinestraw Spruce sells his soul to The Collector for musical glory and quickly learns that fame isn't all that it's cut out to be.

• Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins

  • You may know Jack the Killer Clown’s origin story, but this haunted house will dive deeper into the lore of his evil ring leader and mastermind, Dr. Oddfellow, and his menacing menagerie of twisted oddities.

• Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate

  • This haunted house is based off the iconic former Dueling Dragons roller coaster at Islands of Adventure? Get ready for a horrific twist to the familiar tale and battle between Fire and Ice — two warlocks of great power who were turned into dragons after fighting over Merlyn's spell book. You must choose a path and a victor, and it better be the right one.

• YETI: Campground Kills

  • Bloodthirsty monsters have returned with a vengeance, this time terrorizing a 1950s campground deep within the mountains and ripping apart anyone who gets in their way.

What are Halloween Horror Nights 2023’s Scare Zones?

The scare zones are in various open areas of the Universal Studios Florida with their own themes, pops, music, and scare actors. This year, Dr. Oddfellow is taking over the streets.

• Doctor Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror (Production Central)

  Dr. Oddfellow marks his return to this fright fest with his menagerie of terror, a shriek peak into what’s to come for your night of haunts. 

  
  

• Dark Zodiac (Hollywood)

  What lies in the stars for you? Your horoscope says a trip into Dark Zodiac is in your future. Here, Dr. Oddfellow has harnessed the power of the Zodiac and unleashed malicious entities in a zone of doom. 

• Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror (Central Park)

  During his jungle expeditions in the 1920s, Dr. Oddfellow decided to play with the laws of nature. Now, his creations are ravenous and seeking revenge.

Vamp ‘69: Summer of Blood (New York)

• It’s time to rock out at the music festival of the century – but is it just you, or are the attendees a little bloodthirstier than usual? 

Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged (San Francisco)

• Travel through time and enter a 1940s shipyard where Dr. Oddflellow’s crated collections of oddities have arrived and broken free, making nightmares come to life.

What are the Halloween Horror Nights 2023’s Entertainment Offerings?

Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream

The Fuel Girls have returned to continue the Nightmare Fuel tale, a show that has taken over the Fear Factor Live stage for the last 2 years. This is a Pyro filled, dancing, and heavy rock+ metal show. This year, a new dreamer confronts a creature that has been haunting her nightmares.

Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store

The fan-favorite Halloween Horror Night Tribute Store is returning this year with brand-new themed rooms, unique treats to try, and special merchandise for the event.

This year’s Tribute Store is themed to a “mysterious NYC Comic Book Shop” where guests can “experience the ‘Tribute to Terror’ by stepping into the pages of this original, terrifying, horror comic book.”

Inside you’ll find Halloween Horror Nights 2023 merchandise and yummy treats.

Rides Open During Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Universal Studios Florida

Wait time are usually really short during HHN, so it can be an awesome way to experience them if you don't care as much about the haunted houses. 

•  Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

• Revenge of the Mummy

• Transformers: The Ride – 3D 

  • closes early

• Fast & Furious – Supercharged 

  • closes early

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts 

  • closes early

• Men in Black Alien Attack

The regular Universal Express Pass doesn’t work during Halloween Horror Nights, so if you want to skip the ride lines during HHN, you'll need an HHN Express Pass.

Note: The most of the open close up to 2 hours before the HHN event officially ends each night

Dining Options for Halloween Horror Nights 2023

These are in addition to the HHN Food and Beverage Booths

• TODAY Cafe

• Fast Food Boulevard

• Finnegan's Bar & Grill

• The Fountain of Fair Fortune

• Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour

• The Hopping Pot

• Häagen-Dazs

• Louie's Italian Restaurant

• Minon Cafe

• Starbucks

• Richter's Burger Co.

Note—  The Mel’s Die-In Will Not Be Open During Halloween Horror Nights 32

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Merchandise

Every year, HHN merchandise features all of the haunted houses and scare zones. You can usually find T-shirts, sweatshirts, pins, candles, sippers, and other HHN souvenirs. 

Here’s some of the many 2023 HHN Souvenir Items:

• Lil’ Boo Pillow – $30.00

• Lil’ Boo Mug – $18.00

• Lil’ Boo Fleece – $60.00

• Halloween Lil’ Boo Tee – $33.00

• Lil’ Boo Tank Top – $33.00

• Lil’ Boo Hair Bow – $20.00

• Dr. Oddfellow Cinch Bag – $28.00

• Dr. Oddfellow Tee – $30.00

• HHN Ornament – $25.00

• HHN Monsters Tee – $30.00

• See You in The Fog Mug

• See You in The Fog Tumbler

• See You in the Fog Tee— $30.00

• Creepy Curiosities Sign – $45.00

• Creepy Curiosities Decal Set – $12.00

• Creepy Curiosities Socks – $20.00

• HHN Tis the Season Tee – $30.00

• HHN Never Go Alone Tee – $30.00

• Studio Screamers Long Sleeved Tee – $40.00

• HHN Jogger – $45.00

• HHN Tray – $24.00

• Never Go Alone Shotglass – $10.00

• Universal Monsters Glass – $17.00

The Universal Studios Store in Universal Studios Florida, Five & Dime, the Universal Studios Store in CityWalk, the All Hallows' Eve Boutique in Islands of Adventure, and the Islands of Adventure Trading Company and  all have HHN merchandise.

What’s New for Halloween Horror Nights 2023?

Death Eaters Will Appear at Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the First Time

Happening on select dates beginning Sept. 1st. Beginning Sept. 1st, the same day that Halloween Horror Nights kicks off, the Death Eaters will roam Diagon Alley. The Death Eaters will roam Diagon Alley  through Nov. 4th. 

Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar 

This new HHN Bar will serve newly themed cocktails as you enjoy the spooky ambiance and fog.

Halloween Horror Nights Food

Best Tips for Attending Halloween Horror Nights 2023

Buy Your HHN Tickets in Advance

Halloween Horror Nights requires a separate ticket from regular theme park admission. Make sure to purchase in advance 

Know the Best Days to Go to Halloween Horror Nights

Attend Halloween Horror Nights on off peak nights. Aim to visit Universal Orlando for HHN Sunday through Thursday’s. You’ll be able to take advantage of the lower crowd levels, and snag cheaper HHN tickets. If all all possible try to avoid weekends and the days closes to Halloween weekend.

Set a Halloween Horror Nights Budget Before You Arrive

All of the yummy HHN food, drinks and merchant can add up real fast. Especially if you are already splurging on Stay and Scream and/or HHN Express Passes. 

Pro Tip: If you’re going with a group of friends, consider splitting the HHN food + drinks so you can try more, and spend less money.

Consider an HHN Express Pass

HHN Express Passes are worth it, BUT it really depends on when you're going, and if your goal is to do all 10 houses in 1 night. I’d definitely recommend it if you can only do one night, or are wanting to go on Fridays and Saturdays in October, especially closer to Halloween. 

Pro Tip: You can buy an HHN Express Pass that's half the original price but it only works after 11 p.m. Just keep in mind that it’s subject to availability.

Arrive Early

This is SUPER important. Arriving early is hands down the best way to  make the most of your night. The event typically begins at 6:30 p.m., but Universal often lets guests in up to half an hour early. 

Utilizing Universal Orlando's  Stay & Scream Early Entry will also set you up to knock out a few houses before it gets really busy later at night.

Pro Tip: Universal Resort hotel guests also have a dedicated line from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the left side of the entrance.

Have a Game Plan

 Plan in advance what your priorities are. - Review the HHN park map and make a list of what haunted houses you want to do and in which order. Map out your night based on where and when you'll be starting. This is absolutely key to HHN, especially if you want to do as many houses as possible.

Pro tip: Start with the haunted houses at the  back of the park and make your way towards the front as the night goes on. 

Don’t Forget Your ID+ Wallet

Remember to pack your ID, HHN tickets, and wallet, Believe it or not this  happens to a lot of guests visiting for HHN.

Stay Hydrated

Halloween Horror Night requires a great deal of standing in lines, walking and of course sweating. When you add consuming multiple  HHN alcoholic drinks, it can lead to horrible night later on.  Bring a collapsible water bottle to survive all the waling and to stay to cool. You can get free water from the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines.

Pack + Dress Light

It’s still hot in Orlando during September and October, even at night! Wear cool, comfortable clothes, and broken in supportive shoes. Skip a big backpack and opt of a fanny pack or small backpack/drawstring bag. Your back will thank you when you get back to the hotel.

Eat Beforehand

Eat a meal with some sustenance and fuel up before you leave the hotel in the early afternoon/evening. You don’t want to be hangry, and often times the HHN food booth lines get really really long. This is also a great way to save money on food in the parks.

Pro Tip: HHN Food lines are typically way shorts after 11pm. 

Halloween Horror Nights FAQ’s

What time is Halloween Horror Nights?

Halloween Horror Nights hours start at 6:30 p.m. with closing times varying each night. Usually HHN ends at either 1:00am or 2:00am depending on the night.

Do I need to buy Express Pass for Halloween Horror Nights?

You 100% DO NOT NEED an Express Pass to have a great time at HHN. With that being said, if you can’t stand waiting in long lines, or want to do every single haunted house in one night, then an HHN Express Pass is definitely going to maximize your time.

Is a Separate Ticket Needed for Halloween Horror Nights 2023?

Yes! Halloween Horror Nights is a separately-ticketed event. You have to pay for admission apart from a daytime ticket if you want to attend HHN that night.

Can the scare actors touch you at Halloween Horror Nights?

No. The scare actors at Halloween Horror Nights can't touch guests!