What to Expect at Universal Studios in 2025

We’re more than halfway through the first month of 2025, which means the countdown has gotten shorter.

We’re not into double digits yet, but in a month, we will be. Then, we’ll be less than 100 days from the day we’ve long awaited.

Yes, Universal Epic Universe is almost ready to debut. Somehow, that’s not the only great thing awaiting Universal Studios fans.

Here’s what to expect at Universal in 2025.

Rock the Universe

The first moment of note occurs later this month.

That’s when fans of Christian Rock music will flock to Universal Orlando Resort (UOR) to watch their favorite bands play.

Universal holds this event on January 24^th and 25^th, and this year’s concerts feature a tremendous lineup.

Brandon Lake, Forrest Frank, Bethel Music, Matthew West, and Rend Collective are the headline acts for 2025.

As usual, attendance will be high, and shows often “sell out.”

So, you should arrive as early as possible and plan to stand in line.

Mardi Gras

A week after Rock the Universe ends, its philosophical polar opposite begins.

UOR will throw a huge Mardi Gras party starting on February 1^st and lasting through March 30^th.

You should be aware that the Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval parade returns this year.

The parade is free with standard park admission, as are the concerts.

You can guarantee yourself the rare pleasure of riding on a parade float by booking a dining package.

Speak with a Let’s Adventure Travel agent about the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience. It’s available on the same dates as the parade.

In case you aren’t sure, Fat Tuesday falls on March 4^th this year.

So, that’s the big day, but the event is fun throughout its two months.

Epic Universe

Did you know that Universal Studios is opening a new park in May?

Well, I’d hope you heard something about that since I’ve probably written a full book’s worth of words about it here.

So, I won’t belabor the point by detailing each individual land today. I’ll save that for a companion piece in a few days.

Still, I don’t want to minimize what Universal Studios will soon do.

We haven’t had a new theme park of this caliber in Central Florida since…Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

That’s nearly 25 years ago. It’s been a minute. And that knowledge magnifies the importance of Epic Universe.

Universal Studios had planned this park before the pandemic.

Then, construction crews dutifully worked on the build at a time when social distancing requirements were in place.

The challenging workplace provided a hidden benefit, as Universal officials experienced something rare in this profession.

They had a chance to take their time and reevaluate some of the plans in place for Epic Universe.

So, the delays work to the advantage of fans in that we’re getting a better theme park.

The Epic Universe of 2022-2023 likely would have felt rushed and a bit incomplete.

There was even talk of Super Nintendo World opening before the rest of the park.

Comcast, Universal’s owner, was in budget-cutting mode at the time. Thankfully, this idea never gained acceptance, though.

Now, the Epic Universe of 2025 is fully formed. It even features the Donkey Kong attraction that recently opened at Universal Studios Japan.

Fans there had to wait nearly four years (!) for the roller coaster expansion. It’s a launch day attraction at Epic Universe!

Friends, this theme park is gonna be amazing, and we’re only about 120 days away from its arrival!

That countdown reaches double digits next month! We’ve almost made it!!!

Area 16

The next two discussions involve the signature event on the Universal Studios calendar: Halloween Horror Nights (HHN).

As you may recall, AREA15 is currently constructing an expansion.

Reports waffle between describing this extension as AREA15 or AREA16.

However, we do know one of the key draws of the new space. It’s a permanent installation of Halloween Horror Nights.

Named Universal Horror Unleashed, this space will host Houses based on popular HHN brands.

Universal revealed some details last fall, and the place sounds like an instant bucket list destination item.

Universal promises the following Houses: Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow: The Reaping, and Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer.

Construction is well underway for this facility, and the expectation is that it’ll open in time for Halloween 2025.

Having said that, the original goal was for the project to be ready by Halloween 2024. So, this is the shakiest entry on the list.

We’re all looking forward to it, but it’s not a mortal lock to debut in 2025. That is the plan, though.

Halloween Horror Nights

Presuming that you prefer a bit more certainty or just want the original, you can always head to the parks this fall.

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights event will return at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal Studios Japan.

In fact, there’s already a Speculation Map for 2025.

While much of it is a bunch of “Something Will Go Here,” I am hearing rumors that make sense.

The surprise hit of a slow box office year was Terrifier 3, a film that cost about eight bucks to producer.

Since the film is accurately named, it makes perfect sense as an HHN House, although it is a bit coarse.

The big question about this year’s event is whether it’ll start in September.

Universal may be ready to dip its toe into an August debut with Epic Universe open.

On the one hand, last year’s August event sold out. On the other, it may distract away a bit from Dark Universe.

I suspect the new park will prove an overall draw after many casual tourists sat out 2024 while awaiting its debut.

We’ll find out when tickets go on sale later this year.

Grinch-mas

Finally, we have the other holiday season at Universal Studios, the one people like me prefer to Halloween.

Yes, I realize that’s blasphemy around here, but I’m a Christmas fanatic.

In recent years, Universal has become one as well, with Seuss Landing drawing the crowds.

There were reports of guests waiting in line for the Grinch greeting for four hours (!) this past month.

I’m skeptical that a Jim Carrey greeting would have a four-hour wait. That’s how passionate Universal fans are about the Grinch.

As usual, the holiday will begin the instant HHN ends, at least unofficially.

Officially, the event will begin during mid- to late-November.

Stay tuned to UniversalParksBlog for exact dates on Grinch-mas and all these other events.

Generally, we learn the information several months ahead of time, giving you plenty of time to book your Universal vacation.

As you can see, this is going to be a historic year at Universal Orlando. You do NOT want to miss it!

 

 

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Feature Photo: Universal