Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Hollywood: 8 Haunted Houses

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1/16

Duration1h–5h

Mobile ticketAccepted

Eight Haunted Houses & the Terror Tram: What Happens When You Walk Into Universal's Halloween Event

You get general admission to eight haunted houses and the Terror Tram at Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights, running September 3–November 1, with entry from 2pm onward. The event is separately ticketed, runs rain or shine with no refunds, and includes access to themed attractions across the park. Parking is not included, but public transit options are nearby, and Universal CityWalk is adjacent for food and breaks between experiences.

1h–5h

Step-by-step itinerary

Experience Halloween Horror Nights

Enter Universal Studios Hollywood
Explore eight haunted houses
Ride the Terror Tram
Visit Universal CityWalk for food
Enjoy treats and entertainment

The Experience

You're standing in line at Universal Studios Hollywood on a September evening, and the person ahead of you is visibly second-guessing their ticket. That's the moment you realize this isn't a costume party — it's eight separate haunted houses, each one designed to separate you from your composure. Halloween Horror Nights runs September 3 through November 1, and the setup is straightforward: you get general admission starting at 2pm, which means you can hit the regular park first, then stay for the horror side once the sun drops. The Terror Tram is part of it too, which is its own kind of disorienting — you're riding through the backlot while actors hunt you from the darkness.

The haunted houses are the real draw here. Eight of them, each built around a different horror property or concept, and they're not the kind where you walk through a hallway and jump at a strobe light. Actors are in your space, the sets are detailed enough to feel real, and the pacing is designed to keep you off-balance. You move through at your own speed, but there's no rushing — the houses are crowded enough that you're always part of a group, which somehow makes it worse. The Terror Tram adds a different layer: you're trapped on a moving vehicle while the scares happen around you, and you can't just walk faster or turn a corner to escape.

Universal CityWalk is right next to the park, so if you need to decompress between houses or grab food, it's there — though honestly, most people either power through or call it a night. The event runs rain or shine, no refunds, so you're committed once you're in. Costumes are allowed under their policy, but mask rules apply, so check the details before you show up in full face paint. Parking isn't included, so factor that in, and public transit is an option if you're coming from elsewhere in Los Angeles. The whole thing is separately ticketed from the regular park, which means if you've got a park ticket, you still need to buy Horror Nights admission — it's not bundled.

If you're thinking about going, pick a weeknight if you can. Weekends get packed, and the lines for houses can stretch past an hour. The 2pm start time is useful because it gives you the afternoon to settle in before the real crowd hits after dark. Bring comfortable shoes — you're walking a lot, and you're doing it in the dark while trying not to scream.

What’s included

Your admission includes entry to Halloween Horror Nights starting at 2pm, access to all eight haunted houses, and the Terror Tram experience.
Universal CityWalk is adjacent to the park for food and entertainment.
The event is valid September 3–November 1 and runs rain or shine.
Parking is not included, though public transportation options are available nearby.
Costumes are permitted under the venue's costume policy, though costume masks are not allowed.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearby

Operated by Universal Studios Hollywood

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants a full Halloween scare experience without planning eight separate attractions — the ticket covers all the haunted houses and the Terror Tram in one place, so you're not hunting for individual events across Los Angeles.