Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Orlando Resort on August 28, beginning the 35th year of an event that has grown from a theme-park Halloween experiment into one of the most recognizable haunted-attraction productions in the world.
The 2026 event is scheduled to run on select nights through November 1.
Universal is preparing 10 haunted houses for this year's event, along with scare zones, live entertainment and other nighttime experiences spread throughout Universal Studios Florida.
The announced lineup mixes major horror properties with attractions created specifically for Halloween Horror Nights.
Among the licensed worlds represented this year are Stranger Things 5, Sinners, Hellraiser and Evil Dead Burn. Universal has also announced a Fortnitemares scare zone.
But Halloween Horror Nights is bigger than its recognizable names.
Each season involves extensive scenic construction, costumes, makeup, lighting, sound, performers and effects designed to transform a functioning theme park into a collection of temporary haunted environments.
That makes the August 28 opening more than another date on the Halloween calendar. It also marks the beginning of an active reporting season for the professional haunt industry.
Individual houses, designers, performers, effects, merchandise and opening-night reactions can each become stories as the event unfolds.
The 35th anniversary makes this year's season particularly significant. Halloween Horror Nights has spent decades helping move large-scale haunted entertainment further into the mainstream while continually increasing the technical expectations surrounding theme-park Halloween events.
Ghost Signal Radio will continue following the event as individual attractions and developments emerge throughout the season.
Halloween Horror Nights 35 begins August 28 at Universal Orlando Resort and continues on select nights through November 1.