Universal's Halloween Horror Nights Celebrates 35th Anniversary

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Universal Studios Orlando Resort is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its popular Halloween Horror Nights event in 2026. The event will feature two iconic characters, Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow, whose long-running rivalry will be the focus of the festivities. Guests will be able to journey into the unsettling origins of the two adversaries and witness them join forces for the first time.

Why it matters

Halloween Horror Nights is one of Universal Studios' biggest annual events, drawing in horror fans from around the world. The return of beloved characters like Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow is sure to generate significant excitement and interest among longtime attendees, as well as potentially attract new visitors curious to experience the event's iconic scares.

The details

Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow first met in 1939 when Oddfellow's traveling circus employed Jack. After Jack confided in Oddfellow that he had murdered 13 children and was being pursued by police, Oddfellow killed the clown. Decades later, Jack the Clown returned as an undead monster clown and set out to avenge himself by hunting down Dr. Oddfellow. The 2026 event, titled "Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control," will allow guests to explore the origins of this rivalry and see the two icons join forces.

• Universal Studios Orlando Resort is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026.
• The 2026 Halloween Horror Nights event will run on select nights from August 28 to November 1.

What’s next

Fans can expect more details about the specific haunted houses and scare zones that will be part of the 35th anniversary Halloween Horror Nights event as the 2026 season approaches.