D&D Universal Fan Fest Nights Returns for 2026

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The Universal Studios Hollywood is once again rolling the dice on Dungeons & Dragons as part of their annual Fan Fest Nights 2026. Last year, marked the first time the event was put on, with the Los Angeles-based theme park putting on a series of after-hours programming that included D&D-themed interactive exhibits, puzzles, merchandise and even a life-sized puppet of the beholder crimelord Xanathar created specifically for the event by the Jim Henson Workshop.

This year promises more of the same, with D&D events running from April 23rd to May 16, 2026, with tickets available now from the Universal Studios website. Below, you can feast your eye stalks on all the details.

What are Universal Fan Fest Nights?

Fan Fest Nights are a series of annual events that will take place in the Spring of 2025 at the Universal Studios Hollywood amusement park in Los Angeles that feature live events for a variety of pop culture franchises, with past entries for IPs including Back to the Future and Star Trek. This year, in addition to Dungeons & Dragons: The Secrets of Waterdeep, the 2026 slate includes:

• Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters: An interactive walk-through adventure that’s designed to give guests the sensation of stepping into a live-action mystery with the Scooby-Doo gang and the Universal Monsters. Participants will travel to the destination via the Studio Tour tram where they have a chance to walk along a movie studio backlot with actors playing Scooby-Doo, Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy. Along they way they’ll solve a mystery involving the Universal Monsters including Frankenstein, Dracula, Bride of Frankenstein and Wolf Man.

• ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Show. This live show takes place at the WaterWorld show venue and features a performance with actors and special effects that recreates the popular manga series (which was recently turned into a live action Netflix show).

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This new, unique, walk-through experience takes participants into the depths of the Forbidden Forest in search of a lost Hippogriff. With guidance from an actor playing a Hogwarts Professor, they’ll encounter magical creatures and series of obstacles, with participants able to cast spells and interact with the environment.

• SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Colorful Yoshi Celebration. This is a meet and greet where guests can interact and get photo ops with a variety of multi-colorful Yoshis in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Notably, Fan Fest Nights are being developed by the creators of the popular Hollywood Horror Nights events which also take place at Universal Studios in the fall and include custom events focused around popular horror and sci-fi franchises like Insidious, A Quiet Place and Ghostbusters. That particular series of events includes haunted houses, exclusive merchandise and other in-person events leading up to Halloween.

What is “Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep” about?

In a press release from Universal Studios, they describe the event as follows:

Inspired by the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game™, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D), this epic experience will welcome guests and fans to partake in a one-of-a-kind adventure and explore the fantastic world of D&D. Guests will join the Harpers—a heroic spy network—to foil a plot by the legendary beholder Xanathar and save the city of Waterdeep. In creating this unique experience, Universal Studios Hollywood is collaborating with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the legendary beholder Xanathar that will come to life within DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep. For over 40 years, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has been a world-renowned innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation.

Notably, new D&D merchandise is also being sold, including clothing and accessories, such as a Bag of Holding. It also includes a D&D-themed menu that includes the following custom drinks and foods that are being served at “The First Roll Tavern;”

• Hunter’s Mark: Marinated beef, arugula and cheese served on a ciabatta roll
• Beholder’s Brew Fondue: Rosemary and onion tavern loaf served with creamy beer fondue
• Traveler’s Rations: Dried fruit, hardtack, cheese and dried meats
• Fireball: Spicey chocolate brownie with a strawberry, chili and lime filling and topped with pop rocks
• Gelatinous Cube: Blue raspberry gummy filled with candy bones and sugar weapons
• The Eldritch Blast: A neon green cocktail made withvodka, apple and kiwi syrup, lemon juice, lemon / lime soda, edible green glitter, edible electric dust, kiwi popping boba and a mint sprig
• Red Dragon’s Breath: A cherry red cocktail made with tequila, dragon fruit syrup, lime juice, jalapeno, and hibiscus ginger beer served over dry ice
• Goodberry: Abrick red cocktail made with white rum, blackberry syrup, lavender syrup, lemon juice, and soda water and garnished with candy
• Charm Person: A golden yellow cocktail made with spiced rum, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, honey and mango syrup and garnished with habanero, chili and lime and a tamarind infused straw
• Beholder’s Blueberry Shandy: Draft beer, lemonade and blueberry syrup and garnished with blueberries
• Beholder’s Brew: Draft beer

How much is the D&D Univeral Fan Fest Nights experience?

Tickets range in price from $74 USD for a single nights entrance to $250 USD for the “Ultimate Fandom Pass,” which you can find below:

• General Admission: From $74 USD
• Universal Express: From $144 USD (Offers admission plus one-time express access)
• Universal Express Unlimited: From $174 USD (Admission plus unlimited express access)
• After 2 PM Day/Night: From $114 USD (General Park admission after 2 PM plus same-day evening access and early event access to select experiences starting at 5:30 PM)
• After 2 PM Day/Night Universal Express: From $223 USD (Includes both Day and Night admission. One-time express access during the day and night. Also includes early event access starting at 5:30 PM.)
• VIP Tour: From $350 USD (VIP walking tour, private trolley transportation, unlimited express access, gourmet dinner (no alcohol) and valet parking).
• 2-Night General Admission: $65 USD per night (general Admission for two separate nights)
• Ultimate Fandom Pass: $249 USD (general Admission to all event nights, with maximum fan access)

Final Thoughts

It’s great to see Dungeons & Dragons returning to Universal Fan Fest and it speaks to just how popular and mainstream the game has become over the past few years. It’s also good to know that the giant Xanathar puppet is getting even more time to shine.

This year the event runs from April 23rd to May 16, 2026. If you’re planning to be in the Los Angeles area then you can grab your tickets via the Universal website.

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