Want to Cosplay at Universal Studios Hollywood's Fan Fest Event? Here's the Rules
We've got the dos and don'ts for guests attending Universal Studios Hollywood's Fan Fest in cosplay.
Universal Studios Hollywood is putting together the final touches for their first-ever Universal Fan Fest Nights event which will welcome the most passionate fandom guests to the theme park on these select nights: April 25-27; May 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18, 2025.
The specially ticketed evening event is similar to Halloween Horror Nights but will feature non-horror favorites as the themes for all-new interactive and immersive in-world experiences inspired by Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen anime, as well as new events taking place inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.
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One of the special allowances for Fan Fest Nights is that ticketed guests are encouraged to cosplay in clothing that represents their favorite characters in the areas represented throughout the theme park. And if you forget, there will be plenty of cosplay themed clothing to pick up at the park to augment what you're already wearing for your visit.
NBC Insider has a rundown of the specific and enforceable rules for your Fan Fest Night visit and areas where you can get special merch from your favorite represented fandom.
Cosplay rules to abide by when you visit Fan Fest Nights
For your safety and the safety of others attending the event, Universal Studios Hollywood has set up a list of house rules every attendee who intends to cosplay should read before entering the theme park. A good rule of thumb: keep it simple.
Below are the rules From Universal Studios:
- Guests may not create a false impression that they work for Universal or any emergency personnel.
- Guests may not wear any covering that fully or partially obscures a person’s face, including costume masks and facial coverings, except for religious or medical reasons.
- Face painting, both full and partial, is permitted, provided that to facilitate identification at any Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal CityWalk Hollywood owned venue, alcoholic beverages will not be served to guests if face painting covers more than one-half of the face, applied vertically.
- Prosthetic makeup that conceals any part of the face, other than the forehead, is not permitted.
- No weapons of any kind or items that could be used as a weapon are permitted.
- Costume accessories, weapons and props may be permitted if they are made of soft, lightweight material, do not have any sharp edges, are nonfunctional and otherwise adhere to the Cosplay Costume Guidelines.
- No special or atmospheric effects, including but not limited to balloons, smoke, fog, sound effects.
- No oversized costumes, veils, long trains or stilts.
- Costumes may not interfere with security screenings and cannot measure more than 25” in width and/or 80” in height.
- Service animals may not wear or be part of a costume.
- Guests must be fully clothed, including shirts and shoes.
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For safety reasons, some costumes may not be permitted on certain rides, shows or attractions. Costumes and capes must fit within the interior of a ride vehicle. Costume accessories which are not permitted on rides, shows and attractions can be secured in lockers.
Where to find cosplay to purchase in the park during Fan Fest Nights?
If your closet is a bit fandom barren, that's a-ok because each themed area will have cosplay merchandise to purchase. There's everything from outfits to fun accessories to complete your home creations.
Here's what to look for at each fandom area:
Star Trek: New Starfleet-themed jackets, t-shirts, badges and Tribble shoulder pals.
Back to the Future Destination Hill Valley: Marty McFly’s signature puffer vest and metallic rainbow hat.
D&D: Secrets of Waterdeep: a Paladin-inspired lace-up hoodie and bag of holding.
One Piece: Monkey D. Luffy-inspired hoodie and signature straw hat, and a Chopper-inspired hat.
Jujutsu Kaisen Hunger of the Cursed: Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro and Satoru Gojo t-shirts and plush hats.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter: An all-new collector’s edition Interactive Wand, available exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood and new magical beasts plush.
Super Nintendo World Let's Go Yoshi: Merchandise themed to Yoshi, including apparel, accessories and bags.
All of this, plus non cosplay collectibles, will be ready to discover at every fandom themed area.
Tickets for Universal Fan Fest Nights are now on sale. Click here to purchase tickets
