Universal Just Set a Date for Its First-Ever Epic Universe After-Hours Party—Here's When Tickets Drop

Universal Orlando’s newest theme park is about to try something it has never done before: shut out the daytime crowds and sell you the run of all five worlds after dark. Tickets for “Universal Nights,” the first after-hours event ever held at Epic Universe, go on sale August 13 starting at $179.99 per person plus tax. It’s the headline of a Universal-heavy news window that also brings free passholder nights this weekend. Here are the two Universal stories from August 11-12 that change how you’d plan a fall Orlando trip.

Universal Nights Brings the First After-Hours Event to Epic Universe on October 3 and 17

If Epic Universe’s opening-year crowds scared you off, this is Universal’s answer. According to Universal Orlando’s official event page, Universal Nights runs on just two dates this fall — Saturday, October 3 and Saturday, October 17, 2026 — with exclusive access to all attractions and experiences from 9 p.m. to midnight. Ticket holders can enter the park as early as 7 p.m., effectively getting five extra hours inside the gates.

When we pulled up the official listing, the value pitch was clear: limited-capacity crowds, character meet-and-greets throughout the park, unlimited snacks (Universal names berry-flavored Celestial Popcorn and Kimchi Bao), and unlimited Coca-Cola refills in a provided cup. Tickets start at $179.99 per person (ages 3+) plus tax and go on sale August 13.

Passholders get a break on tickets: standard Annual and Seasonal Passholders save 10%, with a limit of six tickets per valid pass — dropping a standard passholder’s ticket to roughly $162 before tax. Separately, at the event itself, Premier Passholders save 15% on food and merchandise and Preferred Passholders save 10%. One notable omission — Universal’s official page does not list the nightly fireworks among the event’s offerings, so don’t book expecting a show.

Free Passholder Nights Hit Universal Studios Florida August 15 and 16

Before Universal Nights, there’s a freebie — if you already hold a pass. According to Universal Orlando’s official announcement, Passholder Nights presented by Coca-Cola returns as a free, after-hours event at Universal Studios Florida on August 15 and 16, kicking off the resort’s broader Passholder Appreciation Days, which run August 15 through September 30, 2026.

The two nights include after-hours access to select attractions and entertainment, special character meet-and-greets, a DJ dance party, and a magnet giveaway. The catch we’d flag: reservations for both nights are already fully booked, so this one rewards passholders who moved early. The wider appreciation period is the more useful window for most guests — it layers on limited-time food and merchandise, extended lounge hours, and hotel savings of up to 40% on Sunday-through-Thursday stays at select Universal hotels including Sapphire Falls, Stella Nova, Terra Luna, and Dockside Inn and Suites.

Planning a Universal fall trip?

With after-hours events and passholder perks stacking up this fall, see our evergreen Universal Orlando tips for families and Universal Orlando early entry guide to make the most of your park days.

Sources: Universal Nights at Epic Universe – Universal Orlando official and Universal Orlando Annual Passes – official.