Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 Recap

Universal Fan Fest night is an all new way for fans to truly immerse themselves in their favourite fandoms, offering a chance for audiences to engage in some cosplay opportunities, visiting worlds based on properties like ‘Star Trek’, ‘Back to the Future’, ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ and more. Taking place at Universal Studios Hollywood, there’s unforgettable experiences to be had.

Running during the select nights of April 25 to May 18, seven worlds are on offer for fans to explore, all intricately designed for the maximum amount of immersion possible. Fans can visit worlds based on the following franchises: ‘Star Trek’, ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, ‘One Piece’, ‘Jujutsu Kasien’, ‘The Wizarding World of ‘Harry Potter’ and the Super Nintendo World. Merchandise from each world allows fans to bring back something to treasure their time at the event, while themed food lets fans each have in-universe meals. 

Cosplay is encouraged, with Universal presenting a gallery with the best cosplay on display for the world. There are key guidelines that fans must follow during the event with their cosplay, such as requiring fans to be fully clothed, prohibiting prosthetic makeup concealing any part of the face (except the forehead), and not allowing service animals to be part of people’s costumes. A full list can be found on Universal’s website. 

‘Star Trek’ – Where Fans Boldly Go Where No One has Gone Before

Fans attending the Universal Fan fest nights will be treated to an immense trip aboard the U.S.S Enterprise-D, taking them on the deck of the ship. They’ll find a crew member giving the Vulcan salute, and the walkthrough experience Star Trek: Red Alert. 

Star Trek: Red Alert is a guided walkthrough experience that brings fans to many familiar locations as a mysterious entity wreaks havoc. They’ll even walk across the Bridge, a screen used set piece from the Paramount+ series ‘Star Trek: Picard’. 

Fans can engage their appetite with in-universe food, setting their taste buds to fun as they enter Quark’s Cafe, eating the Tribble Truffle, Vulcan Fritters, Klingon Targ Legs, and Orion Spice Funnel Cake. At the 10 Forward Bar fans can enjoy a Ceti Eel Margarita and much more.

Go ‘Back to the Future’

There will also be the Universal Fan Tram taking fans ‘Back to the Future’ to enter Hill Valley in  a new adventure. The iconic Courthouse Square has been built like-for-like with the film, and fans will be able to meet the heroes of the film Doc Brown and Marty McFly along the way, along with other characters. 

Photo opportunities are available with Einstein and the Delorean time machine. The Enchantment Under the Sea dance along is present, and a recreation of the Clock Tower lightning strike that sends Marty back to the future.

That’s not all. Themed food and drink like 1955 burgers and shakes are available, along with different pieces of merchandise for audiences to take back to their own timeline.  

Roll the dice on your Dungeons & Dragons Adventure

Take part in an epic quest, as fans join fellow Harpers to save the mystical land of Waterdeep from Xanathar the Beholder at the Dungeons & Dragons in an immersive walkthrough experience. Just like several rogues meeting up to discuss their plans, audiences too will be able to stop at an inn, the First Roll Tavern, as they conquer their hunger and quench their thirst.

Fans can raise their tankards high as they feast on themed meals like the Hunter’s Mark, Beholder’s Brew Fondue, and the Red Dragon’s Breath cocktail, but be sure to leave some room for the Fireball dessert. Loot is available at the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ merchandise store, allowing the intrepid travellers to keep a memory of their quest.

Meet Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew from ‘One Piece’

Fans should prepare to set sail with Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Crew, engaging in a joyful night of piracy in the Fan Zone of ‘One Piece’. Photo opportunities are available with Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji.

Pirates of course need a feast to tuck into, and that’s exactly what Sanji’s Gallery offers. Fans will dine on themed food and drink like Luffy’s Meat on a Bone, Franky’s Cola Barbacoa, Chopper Cupcake, Devil Fruit Concha, and Nico Robin’s Tropical Iced Tea, to name a few. That’s not all. There’s treasure to be found at the merchandise store as they spend their gold on loot. Audiences can even get themselves sketched as a wanted pirate who is evading capture on the high seas.   

Go all Out With Jujutsu Kaisen Hunger of the Cursed

Popular manga ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ springs to life in an anime adaptation, as Yuji Itadori and friends take on a sorcery battle and learn how to fight powerful curses at Tokyo Jujutsu high School.

Themed merchandise is available for purchase and fans can snack on unique foods as they get beyond cursed. Food include Yuji’s Chocolate Brownie, Sukuna Cursed Crunch, Nobara’s Strawberry Hammer Smash, and two different flavors of a Ten Shadows Churro.

Enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Experience Magical Wonder  

Fans of ‘Harry Potter’ can unite for a magical evening in the Wizarding world, celebrating all that Hogwarts and the surrounding area has to offer, including a projection show, themed food and drink, and a show taking audiences through Hogwarts, set against the backdrop of the castle. 

At Hogsmeade, magical creatures have taken over the village, with a baby dragon and a Niffler, who loves treasure. Fans will need to reserve a place at the Three Broomsticks as they hope to get Cornish pasties with Hogwarts inspired chutney and churros,  like cherry for Gryffindor, green apple for Slytherin, pineapple for Hufflepuff, and blue raspberry for Ravenclaw. Audiences will be able to complete their night with the Golden Snitch and a trip to the store to get the new Collector’s Edition Interactive Wand, exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood and more.

Meet Yoshi at Super Nintendo World

Universal Fan Fest Nights will mark the debut of Yoshi, as a meet-and-greet. Fans will be able to search for Yoshi eggs in a scavenger hunt throughout the Mushroom Kingdom. Fans can also meet Mario and his friends, ride a Mario Kart and take on Bowser’s Challenge.

At Toadstool Cafe, audiences will be able to get some of  Yoshi’s Fettuccine Alfredo, and Yoshi’s Apple Melon Smoothie to complete their meal. Audiences will have a chance to get their own Yoshi wearable merchandise before they leave.

Fans have plenty to do at the Universal Fan Fest, with iconic fandoms shining. It’s a great chance to go.