The terror expands beyond just the haunted house mazes at 2026 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood with scare zones around the park that pack the walkways. Each area is based on a different horrifying concept and there’s no wait to enjoy as you walk through each themed space.

Here’s a look at each scare zone you can experience during 2026 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.

What to Expect

Scare zones you can find this year include the return of fan-favorite Murder of Crowz at the park main entrance with a flock of menacing crows willing to do anything to defend their nest. Plus find fresh horrors all around including Hackerz near the park main entrance with good old chainsaw horrors confronting guests as they enter the event; FORTNITEMARES dominates New York Street where chaos unfolds until its game over; El Circo de la Muerte continues the Latin American horrors of the adjacent KILLceañera maze; Shriek of the Banshee near the entrance of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift features a demonic presence that has been unearthed; and Blood Bog along the walkway to the Terror Tram is teaming with beastly creatures. Also, while not specifically a dedicated scare zone, the Dia de Los Muertos area setup inside Universal Plaza includes surprise appearances from dearly departed souls.

Just like last year, Art the clown from TERRIFIER is back again — not just at his dedicated Terror Tram experience but also roaming the park once again. This year, he’s got a merry little sparkle in his eye as the gruesome demonspawn is celebrating the holidays.

Similarly, Nikki Freeman from OBSESSION is freely roaming the ENTIRE park. Not tied to a particular scare zone or area, she might be seen in shops, at restaurants, and just roaming walkways. For that reason, we decided to list her as an honorary scare zone experience even though you never quite know where you’ll find her. Plus, keep an eye out on the Halloween Horror Nights official Instagram stories to learn the day’s secret phrase. The first 100 people to say the phrase to Nikki each night may just bet a special giveaway item.

 

Murder of Crowz

You’ve foolishly ventured into a massive crow’s nest. Now the flock will defend its territory by descending upon you in a feathered rage and pecking your bones clean.

FORTNITEMARES

Drop into the chaos of FORTNITEMARES in this scare zone. Watch out for fearsome foes as the Storm spreads, unleashing a terrifying new world full of unsettling surprises.

Hackerz

You can spot them from a mile away — and yet you still don’t stand a chance. Try not to get hacked to bits by a band of chainsaw-swinging freaks.

Shriek of the Banshee

Follow your curiosity through the fog and stumble upon this sideshow featuring the strange, the unnatural and the deadly. And don’t miss the main event: a demonic banshee that escaped its confines.

El Circo de la Muerte

This traveling circus is host to all sorts of atrocious acts, from the mind-bending to the monstrous. Come see for yourself and you’ll leave forever changed. That is, if you leave at all.

Blood Bog

Deep in the murky swampland lies a mysterious bog. It’s dark. It’s damp. And it’s a hotbed for beastly creatures that will make your blood run cold.

Art the Clown

Art the clown is back at Halloween Horror Nights and he’s decided to make the entire park his playground for a night of devious delights.

Nikki Freeman from OBSESSION

Nikki Freeman from OBSESSION is at Halloween Horror Nights and she’s decided to make the entire park where she’s on the lookout for her latest obsession.

Death Eaters Encounter

Although not officially classified as a scare zone, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been is infiltrated by a warm of Death Eaters searching for loyalists to Lord Voldemort

See it for Yourself

Halloween Horror Nights returns this year to Universal Studios Hollywood (Thursday, September 3, 2026) and to Universal Studios Florida (Friday, August 28, 2026) and both events run select nights through Sunday, November 1, 2026.

DON’T MISS: Get details and ticket information!

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