You’re standing in the middle of a fog-choked New York street. A chainsaw is revving somewhere behind you, and your heart is doing a drum solo against your ribs. You look at your phone. It’s 1:30 a.m. Your legs feel like lead, but you still haven't hit the Five Nights at Freddy’s house.
The big question suddenly matters a lot more than it did at 6 p.m.: When does horror nights close? If you don't know the answer, you're basically toast. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) isn't just a "walk-around-and-get-scared" vibe. It’s a marathon. If you mistime your night, you’ll end up staring at a "Gate Closed" sign while Art the Clown waves goodbye from a distance.
Let's break down the actual clock-out times for 2025 and 2026, because honestly, the schedule is kinda chaotic.
The Standard "End of the World" Times
For Universal Orlando Resort, the party usually stops at 2:00 a.m. It doesn't matter if it’s a Wednesday or a Saturday; Orlando has leaned heavily into that 2:00 a.m. closing time recently. They want you there until the bitter end. In 2025, the event ran from August 29 through November 2. Looking ahead to 2026, the 35th anniversary is expected to kick off around August 28 and wrap up on November 1.
Hollywood is a different beast. Universal Studios Hollywood generally starts at 7:00 p.m. and shuts down at either 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. Weeknights in California—like those early September Thursdays—often wrap at 1:00 a.m. If you’re there on a Friday or Saturday night in the peak of October, you can usually bet on staying until 2:00 a.m.
✨ Don't miss: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
Why the closing time actually matters
Most people think "closing time" means you have to be out of the park. Wrong. Closing time is when the line entries stop.
If the clock says 1:59 a.m. and the event ends at 2:00 a.m., you can still jump into a house queue. As long as you are physically in that line before the clock strikes two, Universal will let you through. This is literally the best way to hit the high-demand houses like Fallout or Terrifier without burning three hours of your night.
The "Day-of" Discrepancies
The daytime park hours are the first domino to fall.
Universal Studios Florida typically kicks out the "muggles" (non-event guests) at 5:00 p.m. In Hollywood, the day-to-night transition usually happens around 6:00 p.m.
🔗 Read more: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
Wait. If the park closes at 5:00 p.m. but the event starts at 6:30 p.m., where do you go?
If you have a daytime ticket plus a Horror Nights ticket, you use "Stay and Scream" (Orlando) or "Early Access" (Hollywood). You get corralled into a holding area. While everyone else is being ushered to the exit, you’re sitting in a themed bar or a courtyard, waiting for the houses to open early—usually around 5:30 p.m. or 5:45 p.m.
A quick reality check on 2025/2026 dates:
- Orlando: Wed–Sun + select dates.
- Hollywood: Thurs–Sun + select dates.
- Peak Nights: October 31 is always a 2:00 a.m. finish.
- Early Season: Late August/Early September might see some earlier 1:00 a.m. closures in Hollywood.
Don't Forget the Scarezones
The houses aren't the only thing that closes. The "Scareactors"—the lovely folks in masks trying to ruin your life—don't stay out until the very last person leaves the park.
Usually, about 15 to 20 minutes before the official closing time, the scarezones start to thin out. You might see the "chainsaw sweep." This is where the chainsaw-wielding actors basically herd the remaining guests toward the front of the park. It’s effective. Nobody argues with a guy holding a motorized blade.
💡 You might also like: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
If you want those iconic photos with the actors in Noche de Brujas or Carnival of Carnage, do it before 1:30 a.m. Once the "sweep" starts, they aren't stopping for selfies.
Tactics for the Final Hour
Basically, the last hour of HHN is a frenzy.
Wait times that were 120 minutes at 9:00 p.m. will often plummet to 30 or 40 minutes around 1:15 a.m. This is your "power hour."
I’ve seen people give up at midnight because they’re tired. Huge mistake. If you can push through the fatigue, you can often knock out three houses in the final 60 minutes.
- Check the App: The official Universal apps for Orlando and Hollywood are actually pretty accurate with wait times.
- Eat Late: Most food booths stay open until the very end. Grab that pizza fries or "Stay Puft" treat at 1:45 a.m. to fuel the drive home.
- The Exit Strategy: If you stay until 2:00 a.m., the parking garage is going to be a nightmare. Be prepared to sit in your car for 30 minutes just trying to get out of the CityWalk structures.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
To make the most of those late-night hours, prioritize your "must-sees" early, but save the most popular IP houses for the final 30 minutes of the event. If you are visiting Universal Orlando, check the weather forecast for afternoon thunderstorms, as these can delay the start of some outdoor scarezones, though the houses themselves are indoors and stay open regardless of rain.
Verify the specific closing time on the Universal app the morning of your visit, as they occasionally extend hours by 30 minutes if crowds are particularly heavy. Ensure your phone is fully charged or bring a portable battery; you will need that app to track the plummeting wait times during the final hour to maximize your ticket value. Be sure to book your transportation or designate a driver well in advance, as rideshare prices often spike significantly between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. when the mass exodus begins.