Universal Orlando Resort reveals 2026 Events, Experiences, and Limited-Time Offerings

From Halloween Horror Nights, Holidays, Universal Mardi Gras and everything in between, there's always something happening across Universal Orlando Resort.

The excitement never stops at Universal Orlando Resort, where guests can enjoy unforgettable fun all year long with an incredible lineup of experiences and events for every season, and to help guests plan their next trip to the resort, Universal Orlando has launched the "2026 Universal Orlando Events and Experiences Guide"

Guests can now start planning their 2026 vacations to enjoy special events and experiences that go beyond the award-winning thrills found across the theme parks – including fan-favorite seasonal events, hotel happenings, and exciting special activities and limited-time celebrations across Universal Orlando Resort.

Keep up to date with the latest theme park news and updates from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Read on for all the unforgettable experiences that await throughout 2026 at Universal Orlando Resort.

Guests can enjoy the following seasonal events and experiences across Universal Orlando Resort:

Rock the Universe

Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, returns to Universal Studios Florida January 23 – 24 – giving guests the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable weekend of faith, fun and powerful music from some of today’s most popular Christian artists.

Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval

Feet don't fail you now! Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval returns February 7- April 4 with a vibrant celebration featuring dazzling floats with tons of colorful beads, live performances on select nights from some of the biggest names in music, and a diverse array of international cuisine along with mouthwatering dishes inspired by New Orleans’ iconic flavors.

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights,

The world’s premier Halloween event, returns for its 35th anniversary – unleashing an all-new slate of terror on select nights from August 28 – November 1.  Guests will encounter terrifying haunted houses inspired by horror’s biggest names and haunting original stories, scare zones packed with relentless frights, outrageous entertainment, themed food and beverage, and more. Additional details will be shared in the months ahead.

Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort

The Grinch is back in 2026! Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort will run from November 14 through January 3 and welcome the return of holiday traditions inspired by pop culture’s beloved stories and characters – includingChristmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s – plus festive décor throughout the destination – including all 11 Universal Orlando hotels, themed food and beverage, exclusive merchandise, and more. Guests can also ring in the new year with live entertainment and festive celebrations at the theme parks and Universal CityWalk on December 31. More details to come.

More Fun Events...

Enough fun? No way! 2026 sees the return of Volcano Bay Nights, which gives guests the unique opportunity to enjoy the award-winning water park after dark. More information and dates will be shared at a later time.

Plus, special limited-time offerings will be available in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter throughout the year as the first Harry Potter film celebrates its 25th anniversary, including Butterbeer Season from March 1 – May 31 — featuring limited-edition treats, new themed merchandise and more celebrating the beloved wizarding beverage; Back to Hogwarts from August 1 – September 1— celebrating the timeframe students traditionally return to Hogwarts in the “Harry Potter” stories; and Dark Arts returns to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this fall, with the breathtaking projection spectacle “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” in Hogsmeade, and roaming Death Eaters in the streets of Diagon Alley. More details will be shared at a later time.

PASSHOLDER APPRECIATION DAYS

Passholders can enjoy exclusive UOAP perks throughout the parks, hotels, and Universal CityWalk during Passholder Appreciation Days presented by Coca-Cola, running from August 15 through September 30. Guests can visit UniversalOrlando.com for all Passholder perks and updates throughout the year.

2026 Celebrations at Universal CityWalk

Guests can extend their thrills outside the parks with themed events in Universal CityWalkthroughout the year – including the Mardi Gras After Party and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at Pat O’Brien’s in the spring, special viewings to watch NBC and Peacock’s Super Bowl (February 8) and the Kentucky Derby (May 2) at NBC Sports Grill & Brew, the wildly-popular annual transformations of the Red Coconut Club into the Cursed Coconut Club for Mardi Gras, the Dead Coconut Club for Halloween Horror Nights and the Green & Red Coconut Club for the Holidays – and more.

Plus, Universal CityWalk will host special activities and viewing parties for Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Telemundo’s Spanish Language coverage of the FIFA World Cup, a CityWalk Summer Movie Series ,a Summer Music Series, and so much more.

Happenings at Universal Orlando Hotels

Universal Orlando hotel guests can enjoy even more seasonal events and offerings at select hotels during their stay, including:

An Acoustic Brunch every Sunday at The Kitchen in the Hard Rock Hotel, where guests can savor a full brunch buffet and chef-inspired creations while enjoying live music. Reserve now.

A Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, where guests can enjoy a festive, family-friendly luau and dinner show on Saturday evenings (subject to change). To purchase tickets, click here.

Harbor Nights at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, where guests can escape to the Mediterranean and enjoy unlimited gourmet food and wines from the hotel’s restaurants, live music and a traditional opera performance. Harbor Nights will take place on February 13, April 17, October 16 and November 27. To purchase tickets, click here.

U.S. Hunger Meal Packing in November, where guests can volunteer to help package 555,000 healthy meals for people in need across Central Florida. For more information, click here.

Velvet Sessions and Velvet Unplugged at Hard Rock Hotel, showcasing live music from legendary artists throughout the year. To purchase tickets, click here.

Special dining will also be available for guests on Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve at participating hotels, including Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Additional details about Universal Orlando’s 2026 events and experiences will be released throughout the year.

For more information and to begin planning a 2026 Universal Orlando Resort vacation, visit www.universalorlando.com.

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Before attending any of the events listed on Gotta Go Orlando, you should contact the organizer or venue to confirm that the event is taking place as information, changes, and cancellations can occur.

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