This month brought one of the most exciting new fandom‑focused theme park experiences of the year: Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. Aiming squarely at fans of sci‑fi, anime, fantasy, pop culture classics, and gaming worlds, this after‑hours celebration gave attendees an immersive way to experience their favorite franchises in a single, electrifying event.
What Is It?
Universal Fan Fest Nights debuted this month as an entirely new, after‑hours event at Universal Studios Hollywood, running on select nights from April 23 – May 18. It was created by the same team behind Universal’s widely‑loved Halloween Horror Nights but focused on fun, fandom, and interactive experiences rather than scares.
The event blends immersive activations, cosplay, interactive attractions, live entertainment, themed food, merchandise, and photo opportunities into one massive celebration designed for fans across genres.
One of the best parts of Fan Fest Nights was how it brought multiple beloved franchises to life with custom experiences built just for the event:
Star Trek: Red Alert
Fans could step inside a walk‑through adventure aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise‑D, navigating familiar environments and encountering an interstellar threat.. a treat for Trekkies and sci‑fi lovers alike.
Back to the Future
The classic time‑travel franchise was also represented with immersive zones and not‑to‑miss set pieces inspired by the beloved trilogy.
Dungeons & Dragons
An interactive quest experience put attendees into the world of Waterdeep, where they faced off against the beholder Xanathar in a fan‑favorite walkthrough adventure.
One Piece & Jujutsu Kaisen
Anime fans got their moment too: both One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen had curated zones and meet‑and‑greet experiences tailored to their worlds.
The Wizarding World & Super Nintendo World
Popular theme park lands like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ also offered enhanced interactive elements and character interactions throughout the event nights.
Cosplay, Community & Spirit
Universal Fan Fest Nights didn’t just feature familiar IPs, it created a space where fans could come together and celebrate their passions. Many attendees dressed up in cosplay, joined block‑party style gatherings, and shared their experiences with like‑minded fans across social platforms.
From themed food designed to match the worlds on display to collectibles and apparel that let fans bring home memories, every aspect of the event was crafted to spark enthusiasm and fuel fandom connections.
Universal Fan Fest Nights:
- Brought multiple fandoms together in one immersive celebration
- Made theme park experiences a shared narrative adventure rather than a passive visit
- Encouraged creativity and cosplay in a space designed for fan expression
- Offered exclusive merchandise and fan‑first content unavailable on regular park days
- Gave fans a reason to engage both online and in person with social media buzzing each night of the event
