What Are the Hours for Halloween Horror Nights 2023?

As the leaves change and a tinge of chill hits the air, it's time to move our thoughts to the spooky side of fall. Yes, it's Halloween Horror Nights season at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando. Both theme parks are already deep into their scary sides offering horror fans some truly terrifying experiences involving the buzziest properties around like Chucky, The Last of Us, The Exorcist, and Stranger Things.

How can you get in on fun? NBC Insider has all the info you need to know to plan a pilgrimage before Halloween. 

When Does Halloween Horror Nights Operate?

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights from September 7 through October 31 at Universal Studios Hollywood and September 1 through November 4 at Universal Orlando Resort. At Universal Studios Hollywood, the Halloween Horror Nights event starts at 7:00 p.m. and closing times vary. While at Universal Studios Orlando, the Halloween Horror Nights event starts at 6:30 p.m. and closes at 2:00 a.m. every event night.

How to Get Tickets To Halloween Horror Nights

For those who plan to visit any of the four participating Halloween Horror Nights events around the globe, be aware that each park offers a variety of Halloween Horror Night ticket options. 

If you only purchase a General Admission ticket for any of the Universal Studios theme parks, you must exit at closing time on Halloween Horror Nights dates. If you purchase a separate HHN evening ticket or a Day/Night ticket, you can remain in the park from opening to close. 

Select rides in the general park will still be operational for HHN visitors with their ticket. 

For Universal Studios Hollywood visitors, ticket options are single-day General Admission, Universal Express, After 2 p.m. Day/Night, the premium R.I.P. Tour, the new Early Access Ticket — which provides access to select haunted houses prior to the scheduled event opening (starting at 5:30 p.m., subject to change) — and the popular Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass. 

For Universal Studios Orlando visitors, ticket options are single-day General Admission, Universal Express, the premium R.I.P. Tour, the Early Access Ticket, a Taste of Terror ticket, four separate Multiple Day admission passes, and various bundled Hotel & Ticket packages are available. 

Annual Pass Members are both theme parks also have access to discount ticket options. 

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Experience

For either Universal Studios theme park, buy your tickets online, and then get to CityWalk early so you can park and get through security and turnstiles without eating up valuable scare time. For those who don't plan well or get serious FOMO, consider getting a Universal Express pass, which allows the purchaser express access to every participating haunted house and attraction on the night you attend.

Be sure to download the Universal Studios app for the theme park you visit. And make sure your phone is charged up so you can access it all night. Between the App and the Studio Directory boards, you can get up-to-the-minute wait times for all of the haunted houses and attractions so you can make decisions on the fly as your night flies by.

Check our coverage about Halloween Horror Nights 2023 ticket options at Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando.