A Guide to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2022

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios is one of the premiere Halloween events in the world. It’s been voted the Best Halloween Event by Amusement Today for 12 years. It’s also one of Universal’s most popular events of the year. HHN enters its 31st season this year, promising scares and thrills to anyone who dares to enter. Here’s what you can expect from this year’s event! 

Overview

Halloween Horror Nights occurs throughout Universal Studios, with haunted houses, outdoor “scare zones” (with roaming “scareactors”), shows, as well as exclusive food, drinks, and merchandise. Many popular attractions like Rip, Ride, Rockit, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™ are also open during HHN (possibly with shorter lines than during the day). There are more chances than ever before to experience Halloween Horror Nights, with 43 events held on select nights from September 2nd through October 31st. In September, HHN runs from Thursday through Sunday. In October, events are held five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. The event starts at 6:30 pm and goes until 2 am. 

Haunted Houses ​

There are ten haunted houses at this year’s event. Each house is inspired by a famous horror story spanning decades of film and TV. Each house is set up like an attraction: you wait in a line to enter and spend several minutes walking “conga-line” style through the themed area. Here are some of the top houses that are featured this year: 

The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare
This house is based on the popular Canadian singer and songwriter’s first album, After Hours. The haunting soundtrack of hits like “In Your Eyes,” “Blinding Lights,” and “Too Late” play in the background as you move through The Weeknd’s imagination of a hotel, nightclub, and metro station with a sinister purpose. 

Universal Monsters: Legends Collide
Watch as famous monsters from horror classics like Dracula, The Mummy, and Wolf Man compete to obtain an amulet that will break them of their curses. They will stop at nothing to get what they desire and eliminate anyone who stands in their way. 

Bugs: Eaten Alive
Take a tour of a home of the future—circa 1950. However, the house has an infestation problem that terrorizes the family who lives there and anyone else that enters.

Fiesta de Chupacabras
The urban legend of vampire-like creatures said to be spotted in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central, and South America comes to life. Known for sucking the blood of livestock and goats, they’re looking for new prey. Will you be one of them? 

Descendants of Destruction
This dystopian house beckons you to enter a world where humans have been forced to live in subway tunnels in New York City. However, mutants lurk around every corner. 

Scare Zones

Scare zones are walkable outdoor areas featuring scareactors, props, and spooky special effects that immerse you in fright during the entire event. There are five scare zones this year. Here are some you won’t want to miss.  

Horrors of Halloween
The Pumpkin Lord welcomes you to HHN at Production Central, near the park entrance. He’s brought a host of horrific creatures with him, like ghosts, demons, and witches. 

Sweet Revenge
This scare zone looks like a harmless, trick-or-treat carnival—at first. You’ll quickly see that the candy has turned the children into bloodthirsty killers. 

Graveyard: Deadly Unrest 
Enter a grim and gothic cemetery in the Hollywood section of the park, filled with the haunts of former Hollywood residents who have been brought back to life. 

Entertainment ​

Need a break from the in-your-face scares? Two stage shows will keep you on the edge of your seat. Halloween Nightmare Fuel Wildfire is a sequel to last year’s show and features electronic music, pyrotechnic effects, and aerial performers. Ghoulish: A Halloween Tale is a ghost story that comes to life over the Universal Lagoon, using water projections and fountains to help tell the story. 

Extras

There are several ways to enhance your fright at Halloween Horror Nights: 

Tribute Store
The HHN Tribute Store is a pop-up merchandise location and is the central hub for all things HHN. You’ll find apparel and souvenirs themed after this year’s houses and scare zones all in one place. The store is also known for its unique decor, which sometimes has its own theming and surprises, making it more like an attraction than a store. 

Express Pass for HHN
Skip the lines at select attractions and haunted houses with a Universal Express Pass, exclusively for Halloween Horror Nights. As lines can reach up to an hour or more for popular haunted houses, adding an Express Pass can help you get the most out of your time.

RIP Tours
For a truly exclusive experience, book a group or private RIP Tour. Your VIP guide will escort you around the park during the event, giving you priority entry to haunted houses and attractions. 

Behind the Screams Tour 
Take a peek behind the curtain and see how HHN comes to life during this daytime walking tour. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at several houses and learn how this premiere event is put together. You don’t need HHN or theme park admission to participate in the tour! 

Scream Early Ticket 
For an additional fee to your HHN ticket, you can enter Universal Studios at 3 pm. At 5 pm (when the park closes for day guests on event nights), you’ll be directed to a holding area (usually a restaurant or bar), so the park can be set up for the evening’s festivities. Then, you’ll be allowed to enter earlier than regular event admission guests. Usually, you can visit one or two haunted houses before lines get long after standard event ticket holders are allowed to enter the park.  

Experience Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2022 ​

HHN is intense and isn’t recommended for children under 13. No costumes or costume masks are permitted during the event. Many events between now and October 31st (including Halloween night) are still available. If you’d like to add this experience to your Universal Orlando trip, contact Just Add Magic Travel® today. Haven’t booked your Universal trip yet? Vacation packages are available for the rest of 2022 and 2023! Get your free quote here.