Halloween Horror Nights 35 Extras Guide: Shows, Merchandise, Stay & Scream & More 🎭
The haunted houses may get most of the attention at Halloween Horror Nights, but there is much more happening around Universal Studios Florida. HHN 35 includes two live shows, select attractions, exclusive merchandise, early-entry opportunities, behind-the-scenes tours and several upgrades that can help you get much more out of your night. And sometimes one of the best HHN experiences is simply finding somewhere to escape the fog for a little while! Here's what else you can experience during HHN 35.
🔗 Explore Our HHN 35 Guides
🎭 Shows, Merchandise, Stay & Scream & Extras - You are here!
🎭 Live Shows
🧛 Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir
Nightmare Fuel returns with a new production for HHN 35. Blood Noir takes guests on a dark musical journey through a vampire-filled city with music and death-defying stunts.
Nightmare Fuel has become a major part of the HHN experience, and the show also gives you something very valuable during a long event night: a chance to sit down!
⚡ Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins
Stranger Things takes over the Universal Studios lagoon. Return to Hawkins looks back at five seasons of the series through a special WSQK broadcast, projecting memorable moments, music and monsters onto the lagoon. If Stranger Things is one of your priorities this year, you can experience the franchise in both the haunted house and this nighttime show.
🌅 Stay & Scream
Stay & Scream can give you one of the biggest head starts of the evening. Guests who are already inside Universal Studios Florida with valid daytime admission and also have valid HHN admission for that evening can enter designated holding areas while the park transitions from daytime operations to Halloween Horror Nights. Rather than exiting the park and waiting at the front entrance for HHN to open, you're already inside. When the holding areas begin releasing guests, you may be able to enter select haunted-house queues before guests entering through the front gate reach them. If you're trying to experience a lot of houses in one night, that early advantage can be extremely valuable.
🎟️ Scream Early Ticket
Don't have regular daytime admission but still want access to the early HHN process?
Universal offers a Scream Early Ticket that allows you to enter Universal Studios Florida after 2:00 PM when paired with a valid same-day HHN ticket. You must enter Universal Studios Florida by 5:00 PM. This gives you time to enjoy some daytime attractions and position yourself for the Stay & Scream process before Halloween Horror Nights officially begins.
⚡ HHN Express Pass
Halloween Horror Nights Express provides one-time Express access to all 10 haunted houses plus participating attractions. Express is purchased separately from your HHN admission. On a crowded night, this can make an enormous difference in how much you're able to experience. If seeing all 10 houses is your biggest priority, Express may be one of the most valuable upgrades available.
Universal has historically offered a limited After 11 PM Express Pass during Halloween Horror Nights. This discounted option becomes valid at 11:00 PM and may be available for purchase inside the park, even when regular HHN Express has sold out. Availability is not guaranteed and quantities can be limited, so ask a Team Member earlier in the evening if you're interested. For guests staying until the end of HHN, it can be a great way to tackle more houses during the final few hours of the night.
🩸 R.I.P. Tour
The R.I.P. Tour is HHN's premium guided experience. Guests join an R.I.P. guide and receive priority VIP entry to haunted houses once per house based on the tour itinerary, along with additional tour benefits. Benefits include reserved seating at select event shows during the tour, light appetizers at the tour reception and Universal Express Unlimited access at participating rides and attractions during normal event operating hours with the R.I.P. credential. Separate HHN admission is required.
👑 Private R.I.P. Tour
Universal also offers a Private R.I.P. Tour for groups wanting a more exclusive experience.
A private guide leads your group through HHN with priority VIP access and other premium benefits. This is definitely one of the biggest HHN splurges, but it's also about as VIP as you can make a night at Halloween Horror Nights.
🔦 Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour
This is one of our favorite concepts for anyone who is fascinated by how HHN is created.
Behind the Screams takes place with the lights on and allows guests to explore select haunted houses without the nighttime scares. Instead of racing through while scareactors are jumping out at you, you can actually look at the sets, props and storytelling details Universal's creative teams built into the houses. Three-house and six-house tours are available on select dates. Theme park admission and HHN admission are not required to participate in the tour.
🎢 Rides During HHN
Select Universal Studios Florida attractions operate during Halloween Horror Nights.
Rides can be a great break between several haunted houses, and attraction waits can sometimes be much more manageable during the event. Check the Universal Orlando app during your visit for the attractions operating that evening and current wait times.
⚡ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley
The darker side of the Wizarding World takes over Diagon Alley during the Halloween season as Death Eaters roam the streets of Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. Lord Voldemort's followers interact with guests as they move throughout the area, bringing a darker atmosphere to this normally bustling corner of Universal Studios Florida. The Death Eaters aren't a traditional HHN scare zone, but they have become a popular part of the nighttime experience. Take some time to explore both Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley rather than simply passing through on your way to another house.
🛍️ HHN 35 Merchandise
Halloween Horror Nights merchandise has become a major part of the event. Look for HHN 35 anniversary designs as well as merchandise inspired by individual houses, characters and properties.
🎪 Jack & Oddfellow
With Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow at the center of the 35th anniversary, expect both characters to feature prominently throughout the merchandise lineup.
🏚️ House Collections
Select houses and properties receive dedicated merchandise with designs inspired by this year's stories and characters.
👕 Apparel
T-shirts, hoodies and other clothing are some of the most popular HHN souvenirs.
📌 Collectibles & Accessories
Look for pins, lanyards, hats, bags and other smaller HHN collectibles.
🥤 Souvenir Drinkware
HHN-themed souvenir cups and beverage options can also be found around the event.
💎 Premium Scream Night
HHN 35 also includes Premium Scream Night on August 27 and October 19, 2026.
This separately ticketed premium version of the event offers shorter wait times compared with regular HHN nights and select all-you-care-to-enjoy food.
It's an interesting option for guests who want a different HHN experience with fewer people competing for those house queues.
📱 Universal Orlando App
Download or update the Universal Orlando app before your visit.
During HHN, you can use it to check house wait times, attraction waits, showtimes and the interactive park map. Some restaurants also offer Mobile Food & Drink Ordering through the app.
💡 Tips
🌅 Use Stay & Scream if you can. Getting a head start can make a big difference.
⚡ Consider Express on busy nights. Especially if seeing all 10 houses is important to you.
🎭 Don't skip the shows. They add variety to the evening and give you a chance to sit down.
🔦 Look into Behind the Screams if you love the production side of HHN. Seeing the houses with the lights on gives you an entirely different perspective.
🛍️ Don't leave must-have merchandise until the very end of your trip. Popular items can sell quickly.
📱 Keep checking the app. Don't automatically head toward the next house without looking at current waits.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Halloween Horror Nights is much more than a race through 10 haunted houses.
The shows, merchandise, rides, early-entry options, tours and upgrades can completely change the way you experience the event. You don't need to do all of them. Pick the extras that matter most to you and build them around your priority houses. Sometimes taking an hour away from the house queues to see a show, explore Diagon Alley, ride an attraction or simply enjoy the atmosphere can end up being one of the best parts of the night.
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