Universal Nights Revealed
Epic Universe Introduces 'Universal Nights' After-Hours Events with Premium Perks Starting October 3
Key Points
Annual passholders will receive a 10% discount on Universal Nights tickets.
Ticket package includes free Coca-Cola beverages from Freestyle machines and unlimited snacks such as berry-flavored popcorn and crispy kimchi bao.
Celestial Goodnight features 7 million LEDs, more than 350 dancing fountains, and 600 synchronized light fixtures, drawing inspiration from land themes like Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, Isle of Berk, and Ministry of Magic, and ends with a fireworks display.
Tickets go on sale August 13, with prices starting at $179 per person plus tax; Epic Universe regular ticket prices for October are currently around $175–$200, situating the event in the premium tier of after-hours experiences.
Universal Orlando is bringing its first-ever after-hours event to Epic Universe, its newest theme park. Called Universal Nights, the event is set for October 3 and October 17, with tickets starting at $179.99 plus tax per person, according to Orlando Sentinel.
Guests can enter the park at 7 p.m., with the exclusive event running from 9 p.m. to midnight. The launch puts Universal in direct competition with Disney's popular After Hours events, which have long dominated the premium after-hours theme park market, Disney Dining reported.
What Your $179.99 Ticket Actually Gets You
Universal Nights promises shorter lines and smaller crowds. The ticket includes free Coca-Cola beverages from Freestyle machines and unlimited snacks. Orlando Sentinel confirmed the snack lineup features berry-flavored popcorn and crispy kimchi bao.
Guests also get access to rides, character meet-and-greets, and live entertainment during the three-hour window. Annual passholders can knock 10% off the ticket price. Tickets go on sale August 13, according to Theme Park Tribune.
Celestial Goodnight Show Lights Up the Night Sky
The centerpiece of Universal Nights is a brand-new nighttime show called Celestial Goodnight. It takes place in Celestial Park, the hub of Epic Universe. The show features 7 million LEDs, more than 350 dancing fountains, and 600 synchronized light fixtures, Fox 35 Orlando reported.
The show draws inspiration from the park's themed lands, including Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, Isle of Berk, and Ministry of Magic. It wraps up with a fireworks display. The show starts before 9 p.m., so guests arriving at 7 p.m. can catch it before the exclusive event begins.
How Universal Nights Stacks Up Against Disney After Hours
Disney After Hours has been the standard for premium theme park nights for years. Now Universal is making a direct play for that audience. At $179.99 plus tax, Universal Nights sits right in the same price range as Disney's after-hours events, Inside the Magic noted.
For context, regular Epic Universe tickets for October are already priced around $175 to $200. That makes Universal Nights a premium add-on aimed at guests who want a quieter, more curated experience. The limited-capacity format is key — fewer guests means shorter waits, according to Disney Dining.
Universal Expands After-Hours Strategy Across Its Parks
Universal Nights is not an isolated move. Universal Orlando already runs premium after-hours events at its other properties. Adding Epic Universe to that lineup shows a broader push to grow evening revenue across the resort, Theme Park Tribune reported.
Epic Universe only opened in 2025, making these October events among the park's first major seasonal add-ons. With just two dates announced so far, Universal appears to be testing demand before expanding the program further.
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