Nikki From Obsession Is Coming To Halloween Horror Nights & Fans Are Divided
Here’s everything to see at Universal Studios in 2026.
2026 is set to be another banner year. After the opening of Epic Universe in 2025, Universal Destinations & Experiences hasn’t slowed down in delivering exciting thrills, with the debut of a new roller coaster, as well as returning faves that will make a theme park vacay at the top of your to-do list.
Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan who has yet to try Butterbeer IRL or an adventure seeker looking to get a jump scare at a haunted house, there’s no shortage of things to do at Universal Studios. As a pass-holder at Universal Studios Hollywood, I love grabbing a drink to enjoy while taking the backlot tour, and seeing if I can spot a TV show or movie in production.
Throughout the remainder of the year, there will be plenty of new sips to try, with the return of Mega Movie Summer and Halloween Horror Nights, plus chances to make a viral TikTok with the Grinch. For all of those and more, here’s everything you need to know about what’s to come at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort in 2026.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fast & Furious Roller Coaster Is Coming
The biggest addition to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2026 is the all-new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster, which soft opened for technical rehearsals in July. This attraction is the West Coast’s first high-speed, outdoor coaster in the theme park, and features ride vehicles that have 360-degree rotation.
Along with the new coaster, USH has returning events, like Mega Movie Summer. To celebrate the season of cinema, one of the boats from The Odyssey was added to the backlot tour. Production shot additional scenes at Universal Studios last year, so this a great way to set-jet to the actual filming location after seeing Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway in the film.
When August slips away, fans will get to celebrate going Back to Hogwarts in the Wizarding World right before Halloween Horror Nights returns on Sept. 3. The special ticketed event will run through Nov. 1 with all-new haunted houses, scare zones, and themed menu items —like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man S'more that was tied to the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire house in 2024.
Halloween Horror Nights Is Adding 2026’s Most Divisive Character
TikTokers have been speculating what houses might be coming to HHN this year. Rumors included a Lady Gaga Mayhem experience, but that actually ended up being an Ozzy Osbourne tribute house. However, the theorists were spot on about both a Sinners walkthrough (announced in May), and now, a Stranger Things Season 5 maze. On Instagram, Universal teased that guests will get to experience the Upside Down again while you “join the gang for one last adventure as you try to defeat Vecna.”
At MidsummerScream on Aug. 9, Universal also revealed Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette) from Obsession will be a walk-around character at this year’s event. Last year, Art the Clown from the Terrifier series was spotted around the park, but this year, he’s heading up the Terror Tram (aka the backlot tour experience) for Halloween Horror Nights.
Art was a viral success in 2025 with fans catching him in stores and standing outside mazes. However, the Nikki news has HHN enthusiasts divided. Even though some are excited to see 2026’s fave new final girl, others are worried that Universal Studios missed the point of Obsession. “Nikki is a victim, not a villain,” said one user on Instagram. Instead, some fans are pitching Bear (Michael Johnston) as the character in the park.
Guests will have to wait and see if “Freaky” Nikki is a good choice, but Navarrette — who is a HHN fan herself — shared in June that she would love to see her Obsession character at the seasonal event. “That is my dream,” she said.
Once Halloween is over, the holidays will begin at Universal Studios. The seasonal festivities will include new treats, merch, and the return of the viral Grinchmas.
Universal Orlando Resort Is Celebrating The Seasons
Just like Hollywood, Orlando will also be celebrating Back to Hogwarts (Aug. 1 – Sept. 1), so there will be plenty for Harry Potter fans to enjoy. During the fall, Dark Arts will return to the Wizarding World when Halloween Horror Nights creeps back to the park. The popular scarefest will run from Aug. 28 through Nov. 1 with all-new haunted houses inspired by movies and original ideas, including Sinners and Stranger Things mazes.
Once Halloween has wrapped up, the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort will begin Nov. 14 and run through the new year. Guests can expect seasonal fun with Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
For anyone who would rather celebrate more HHN fun year-round, Universal Horror Unleashed opened in 2025 across from The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. The spooky experience with movie-themed mazes, like Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer, will continue to run and be open Wednesday through Sunday in 2026 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
If you are headed to Sin City, be sure to order the smoked paprika cheese-stuffed Boiler Bread from the Blumhouse-themed Premier House. It’s a 5 out 5 appetizer that I’m still dreaming about.
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