Orlando, FL — Universal Orlando Resort has revealed the first scare zone for Halloween Horror Nights 35, and it carries the same name as the event itself: Infernal Carnival of Nightmares. Universal announced the scare zone July 13 on the official Halloween Horror Nights social channels.
“Jack and Dr. Oddfellow invite you to step right up and see what horrors hide in every shadow at a sinister spectacle decades in the making,” the announcement reads.
The announcement graphic repeats a visual device Universal has used throughout this year’s marketing. The first letter of each word in Infernal Carnival of Nightmares is highlighted in red, spelling out “ICON,” a nod to the anniversary event’s co-icons, Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow.
The scare zone extends the event theme Universal revealed at MegaCon Orlando in March, when the company announced the two characters would headline the 35th anniversary together for the first time, along with the original haunted house Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control. Universal has described the event as transforming Universal Studios Florida into a “decrepit, fear-fueled carnival.”
The “decades in the making” line points to the characters’ shared history at the event. Jack the Clown debuted as HHN’s first original icon in 2000. Dr. Oddfellow is the carnival ringmaster in Jack’s backstory. This year marks the first time the longtime rivals appear as allies rather than adversaries.
Universal has not announced the scare zone’s location within the park or additional details about its characters or design.
Where the rollout stands
Infernal Carnival of Nightmares is the first scare zone revealed for this year’s event. Universal has announced eight of a planned ten haunted houses to date, including Chaos & Control, Sinners, Stranger Things, and Hellraiser, along with the nightly show Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir.
The carnival setting also aligns with a broader theme convergence this year, as national retailers including Bath & Body Works and Michaels built their 2026 Halloween collections around haunted carnival concepts.
Event dates and ticketing
Halloween Horror Nights 35 runs select nights August 28 through November 1, 2026, at Universal Studios Florida. Premium Scream Night takes place on two dates this year, August 27 and October 19. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit UniversalOrlando.com/HHN.
