Universal Orlando's Fright Nights Returns with 'Stranger Things,' Ozzy Osbourne
The Halloween event has expanded from a single haunted house in 1991 to a sprawling two-month attraction featuring 10 houses and themed scare zones.
Universal Studios Orlando's annual Halloween event, Fright Nights, is back for the season, featuring attractions inspired by popular culture and horror icons. The event, which began as a three-night special in 1991 with a single haunted house called the Dungeon of Terror, has grown into a significant two-month attraction.
This year's Fright Nights includes 10 haunted houses, several scare zones, and live entertainment. Among the featured houses is one based on the Netflix series "Stranger Things," where visitors can navigate the world of Hawkins and attempt to evade the demogorgon. Another attraction is inspired by "Hellraiser," with direct input from author Clive Barker.
A highlight for many attendees is the "Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness" house, which incorporates a soundtrack by the musician and features an animatronic bat. The park also offers a themed experience nodding to Osbourne's "Crazy Train."
Beyond the haunted houses, Fright Nights includes themed scare zones, such as "Chainsaw Hordes" and "Fortnitemares," as well as a zone featuring clowns from outer space. Two new shows have been added: "Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins," a projection mapping show on the park's lagoon, and "Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir," a performance featuring dance, acrobatics, and sword eating with a vampire theme.
The event also offers themed food and drinks, including "Upside Down Chicken & Waffles" and beverages like "Oddfellows Elixir." Special tickets, starting at $90, are available for the event, which runs on select nights through November 1.
For those looking to minimize wait times, Universal Orlando offers an "RIP Tour," a guided experience that allows small groups to bypass regular queues for an additional fee. Alternatively, the Universal Express pass can be purchased for expedited access to attractions. Tickets start at $90, with the event running most nights through Nov. 1. The RIP tour is priced at $510, and Universal Express passes start at $250.