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Universal Studios Hollywood Prepares for 2026 Halloween Horror Nights: Construction Progress Near Mels Drive-In, Jurassic World, and More
Universal Studios Hollywood is turning its backlot into a spine‑chilling playground as crews lay the groundwork for the 2026 Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). A recent on‑site visit revealed several haunted‑house structures in progress and a sizable stockpile of props and décor that will be used during the event.
The first house under construction sits near Mel’s Drive‑In. Its basic framework—sides, roof, and balcony—has been erected, and two windows flanking the balcony are now being installed. The location once housed the Monstruos houses, a Latin‑American‑myth‑based attraction, so the new structure will replace that legacy.
Further back on the lot, close to the Jurassic World – A Journey Through the Eras walkthrough that hosts Universal Fan Fest Nights, a large collection of props, décor, and storage containers is on display. The same area also contains the foundation of another haunted house, still in the window‑installation phase. Photographs show the props and unfinished house positioned near Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, where a line of staged equipment has been set up. While the source notes that not all of the equipment is confirmed to belong to HHN, it is presumed to be part of the upcoming festivities.
Additional items on the property include large wooden storage boxes, a black Gothic‑style archway in progress, and several Old‑West‑style wooden wagons, steamer trunks, crates, and barrels—pieces typical of period‑specific sets used in many haunted houses.
Behind Transformers: The Ride‑3D, crew members were seen working outside covered tent areas, suggesting that a third HHN house is also being staged in that location.
The 2026 HHN schedule will run on select nights from September 3 to November, according to the park’s calendar. The event will feature a new Stranger Things haunted house at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resorts, announced in late May. A Sinners haunted house was also announced for both parks on May 21, as confirmed by the park’s official channels and reported by several entertainment‑news outlets.
The construction progress observed at the park is typical of the preparation that precedes the annual HHN. The park’s official schedule lists the event as a Halloween‑themed attraction that includes themed haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows, and the 2026 event will follow the same format.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s social‑media channels encourage fans to share their excitement for the upcoming season. The official Universal Parks News Today accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have posted updates and photos of the construction work.
The article also notes that the park’s Universal Fan Fest Nights, which run after normal park hours, is a separate event that features attractions such as Jurassic World – The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, and Transformers: The Ride‑3D. The presence of the HHN construction near these attractions indicates that the park is reusing existing infrastructure to accommodate the new haunted houses.
In summary, Universal Studios Hollywood is actively building the 2026 Halloween Horror Nights attractions. Construction is taking place near Mel’s Drive‑In, Jurassic World – A Journey Through the Eras, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, and Transformers: The Ride‑3D. The new lineup will include a Stranger Things house and a Sinners house, both announced in May. The event will run from early September to early November, and fans are invited to follow the park’s social‑media updates for further details.
The park’s official statements confirm that the construction work is part of the planned HHN build‑out, and no additional information about the final designs or themes has been released beyond the announced house titles.
The first house under construction sits near Mel’s Drive‑In. Its basic framework—sides, roof, and balcony—has been erected, and two windows flanking the balcony are now being installed. The location once housed the Monstruos houses, a Latin‑American‑myth‑based attraction, so the new structure will replace that legacy.
Further back on the lot, close to the Jurassic World – A Journey Through the Eras walkthrough that hosts Universal Fan Fest Nights, a large collection of props, décor, and storage containers is on display. The same area also contains the foundation of another haunted house, still in the window‑installation phase. Photographs show the props and unfinished house positioned near Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, where a line of staged equipment has been set up. While the source notes that not all of the equipment is confirmed to belong to HHN, it is presumed to be part of the upcoming festivities.
Additional items on the property include large wooden storage boxes, a black Gothic‑style archway in progress, and several Old‑West‑style wooden wagons, steamer trunks, crates, and barrels—pieces typical of period‑specific sets used in many haunted houses.
Behind Transformers: The Ride‑3D, crew members were seen working outside covered tent areas, suggesting that a third HHN house is also being staged in that location.
The 2026 HHN schedule will run on select nights from September 3 to November, according to the park’s calendar. The event will feature a new Stranger Things haunted house at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resorts, announced in late May. A Sinners haunted house was also announced for both parks on May 21, as confirmed by the park’s official channels and reported by several entertainment‑news outlets.
The construction progress observed at the park is typical of the preparation that precedes the annual HHN. The park’s official schedule lists the event as a Halloween‑themed attraction that includes themed haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows, and the 2026 event will follow the same format.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s social‑media channels encourage fans to share their excitement for the upcoming season. The official Universal Parks News Today accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have posted updates and photos of the construction work.
The article also notes that the park’s Universal Fan Fest Nights, which run after normal park hours, is a separate event that features attractions such as Jurassic World – The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, and Transformers: The Ride‑3D. The presence of the HHN construction near these attractions indicates that the park is reusing existing infrastructure to accommodate the new haunted houses.
In summary, Universal Studios Hollywood is actively building the 2026 Halloween Horror Nights attractions. Construction is taking place near Mel’s Drive‑In, Jurassic World – A Journey Through the Eras, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, and Transformers: The Ride‑3D. The new lineup will include a Stranger Things house and a Sinners house, both announced in May. The event will run from early September to early November, and fans are invited to follow the park’s social‑media updates for further details.
The park’s official statements confirm that the construction work is part of the planned HHN build‑out, and no additional information about the final designs or themes has been released beyond the announced house titles.
