ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando announced the opening dates for its annual Halloween Horror Nights event for this year on Thursday. The popular nighttime experience will run from Aug. 30 through Nov. 3 — the earliest it’s ever been open for the attraction.

What You Need To Know

  • Universal Orlando has announced the dates for Halloween Horror Nights, which will open the earliest it's ever been, from Aug. 30 - Nov. 3

  • Fans can purchase tickets now and also take advantage of scheduling vacation packages, event upgrades and purchasing event merchandise

  • More details about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will be revealed soon, officials said

  • For more information about the event, visit Universal Orlando's website

The Halloween Horror Nights schedule will be on these select dates:

  • Aug. 30 - 31
  • Sept. 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
  • Oct. 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-31
  • Nov. 1-3

Universal officials said that guests can expect a new collection of spooky experiences this fall, including 10 all-new movie-quality haunted houses inspired by cinematic greats and eerie original stories created by members of Universal themselves, and five scare zones filled with hundreds of menacing creatures who will reign the streets of the theme park.

Fans will also get to enjoy a live show, fuel up with food and beverages inspired by the event’s haunts, shop the latest merchandise at the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store and enjoy some of Universal Studios Florida's other attractions.

Officials said guests can secure their spot for the screams with single-night event tickets and Express Passes available for purchase now. 

Guests can also save up to $200 (based on a seven-night stay) with a special vacation package that includes one-night admission to the event and accommodations at a Universal hotel located just minutes from the haunts, park officials said. This package also includes admission to all three Universal Orlando theme parks to enjoy rides and attractions during the day before facing the chills of Halloween Horror Nights at night.

Officials also said hotel guests will receive exclusive benefits, including access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights gate for faster entry into the event, early park admission to the theme parks during the day, complimentary resort transportation and more. Savings vary based on length of stay and this package is available for purchase now through Nov. 2 for use from Aug. 30 to Nov. 3.

Fans can also take advantage of some event upgrades as well, including the guided nighttime R.I.P. Tour experience, where guests receive priority V.I.P. access to the haunted houses, and the "Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror" Tour that offers a glimpse into how the scares are brought to life via a daytime, lights-on journey through select haunted houses.

For those who can’t wait to peek at what’s coming to Universal this year, there’s also a limited, three-house "Behind The Screams: Unmasking the Horror" Tour available for purchase for select days starting Aug. 11. 

Universal Orlando has also launched a new Halloween Horror Nights merchandise collection Thursday, which features a T-shirt, hat and tumbler celebrating that Universal Orlando is “Where Horror Lives.” The collection is available now on the park's online store and at Five & Dime at Universal Studios Florida, as well as All Hallows Eve Boutique at Islands of Adventure.

More details about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will be revealed soon, officials said. For more information about the event, visit Universal Orlando's website.