UPDATED SUMMER 2024. We spend a lot of time here at Get Away Today exploring Southern California vacation destinations. Beyond Disneyland, just 35 miles north of Anaheim, Universal Studios Hollywood is packed full of unique movie magic! If you haven’t visited Universal Studios Hollywood in a while, make sure you include this stop on your family’s vacation this summer.

This Universal Studios Hollywood summer guide breaks down everything you can enjoy at Universal Studios this summer including discount tickets, the newest attractions, events and more. If you're planning a Universal Studios Studios Hollywood summer vacation, get ready for the best day of family fun!

Universal Studios Studios Hollywood brings your favorite TV shows and movies to life through rides, shows and more. If you are at the very beginning stages of planning a Universal Studios Hollywood vacation, you’re in the right place. We have the best discount ticket options available for Universal Studios Hollywood right here.

There are two main ticket types available for Universal Studios Hollywood:

1. 1-Day (or longer) Tickets - General Admission
2. 1-Day Tickets with Universal Express

Plus an add on optional VIP Experience. Each ticket type has its own perks and offers different levels of flexibility. You can get your discount Universal Studios Hollywood tickets right here and watch the savings add up.

In 2024 Universal celebrates 60 years of the Studio Tour. From April 26 through August 11, 2024 you can step off the classic tram and onto the studio backlot for a limited time.

You’ll be able to visit an iconic film set, join immersive photo-ops, enjoy new themed food and merchandise, and much more! We can’t wait to experience all the classics in a whole new way.

You can continue the celebration with retro-themed food and drink options throughout the park. Grab a 1964 Retro Combo Meal, stop in for a collectible popcorn bucket, or get a 60th Donut on the go!

This summer Universal Studios Hollywood is in full blockbuster mode! The movies, the thrills and all the immersive experiences of Hollywood await.

The most popular Universal Studios Hollywood summer attractions include:

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Super Silly Fun Land, an elaborate play zone next to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda
• Jurassic World – The Ride, look out for Indominus Rex!
• SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
• The Studio Tour with King Kong and a new addition of the original Jupiter’s Claim set from Jordan Peele’s latest horror epic, NOPE
• The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash kid friendly ride
• Revenge of the Mummy ride

And so much more, including Universal CityWalk for dining, shopping and entertainment.

If you're looking to live like a celebrity, you’ll want access to all the best Universal Studios Hollywood summer shows. The good news is every discount Universal ticket includes access to shows and entertainment—it’s Hollywood living at a great price.

Our favorite Universal Studios Hollywood summer shows and experiences include:

• Cast a spell after being chosen by a wand at Ollivanders. Now with 15 opportunities for wand magic throughout Hogsmeade™.
• Embrace your true colors with Dreamworks’ Trolls—join Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond at their colorful, happy home.
• Dark Arts at Hogwarts™ Castle lights up the sky May 27 – 29 and June 17 – August 13 every evening at dusk. As darkness falls at Hogwarts™ castle, Dementors™, Death Eaters™ and other unspeakable creatures cloak the stone walls with sinister images from the darker side of magic.
• 4th of July Fireworks typically run on July 4th and the days surrounding. Fireworks begin at 9:00 pm and are best visible from TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D and at Universal Plaza.

Be sure to download and check the Universal Studios Hollywood app under the for a complete listing of summer showtimes.

Harry Potter fans will love spending their summer break immersed in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Hogsmeade Village.

Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts™ Castle
While we already mentioned a bit about the nighttime lights, Dark Arts at Hogwarts™ Castle above, it’s truly an unforgettable experience you don’t want to miss. Find a moment of hope hidden in the darkness when you see Dark Arts at Hogwarts™ Castle light up the sky with music and live special projection effects.

Dark Arts at Hogwarts™ Castle only happens on select spring and summer nights:

• Dusk to Park close
• March 25 – April 16, 2023
• May 27 – 29, 2023
• June 17 – August 13, 2023

On the nights listed above you can experience the fire-engulfed army of Inferi, the soul-draining breath of Dementors™ and the haunting image of Lord Voldemort™ as you stare in awe at the castle’s takeover. This powerful spectacle is accompanied by a musical score created by the one and only John Williams.

More Harry Potter Experiences

Including the rides and attractions, here is everything you don’t want to miss this summer at Universal Studios Hollywood inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ immersive thrill ride
• Flight of the Hippogriff™ family friendly ride
• Triwizard Tournament a colourful procession of students from the legendary wizarding schools of Hogwarts™, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang
• Sip on a pint of Butterbeer™
• Visit the Owl Post™ and see where magical mail takes flight. Discover two dozen resting owls hooting and even send postcards with an authentic Hogsmeade™ postmark
• Shop for magical toys like Extendable Ears and Screaming Yo-yos at Zonkos™

Check out the only place in the U.S. where you can experience SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™! This new land opened in the lower lot of Universal Studios Hollywood spring 2023 and there’s so much to explore.

This summer Universal will take you right into the action of your favorite video games. In addition to the rides and attractions, here is everything you don’t want to miss this summer at the all new SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.

• Mario Kart™: Bowser's Challenge and immersive thrill ride
• Take on key challenges and collect digital coins with a Power-Up Band™
• Shop for the perfect souvenir at 1-UP Factory™ store
• Meet Mario and friends throughout the land
• Step inside Toadstool Cafe™ for tasty, themed dishes.

We hope this article helped you plan for the best summer vacation at Universal Studios Hollywood. Remember, since tickets are date specific, we recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as you know you’ll be going.

Whether you're looking for tickets, hotels or a complete Southern California vacation package, our team would love to help. You can purchase all of our Universal Studios Hollywood tickets at a discount online, or call our travel experts at 855-GET-AWAY to add more SoCal theme parks to your summer vacation.