Universal Beijing Resort’s autumn Halloween event, branded Scares at Universal (惊彩”环球, Jīng Cǎi Huánqiú), runs from September 4 through November 1, 2026, marking the resort’s 5th anniversary season. Universal Beijing revealed the full lineup on August 7, 2026: five haunted mazes, four scare zones, and an all-new Scaremony. Two new Chinese IP mazes, The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles and Identity V, join international IPs including the films A Quiet Place and M3GAN.
Scares at Universal 2026 dates and event basics
| Detail | Confirmed for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Event name | Scares at Universal (惊彩”环球) |
| Dates | September 4 through November 1, 2026 |
| Location | Universal Studios Beijing, at Universal Beijing Resort |
| Season program | Part of Universal Beijing Resort’s 5th anniversary celebration |
| Lineup | Five haunted mazes, four scare zones, and the new Scaremony: Underworld Uprising |
| Maze hours | 17:00 to 22:00 (queue cut) on nighttime-experience days |
| Maze access | Walk-up queue. No online reservation or additional ticket required. |
| Age policy | Not recommended for guests under 13. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. |
Nighttime experiences, including the themed performances and haunted mazes, run Thursday through the following Monday each week during the season. Universal Beijing has confirmed the experiences will not operate on September 17, October 1, and October 8, and will additionally run on September 16, September 30, October 6, and October 28. The resort also notes that Universal on Parade is suspended from August 31 through November 6, 2026.
The five haunted mazes
Three of the five mazes are brand new for 2026, joined by two returning by popular demand.
| Maze | Type | Concept |
|---|---|---|
| The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles (盗墓笔记) | New — Chinese IP | Universal Beijing’s first-time collaboration with Nanpai Sanshu’s landmark tomb-raiding novel franchise. Guests follow Wu Xie, Zhang Qiling, and Wang Pangzi through the story’s best-known moments. |
| Identity V: Escape from White Sand Street (第五人格) | New — Chinese game IP | Universal Beijing’s first game-IP maze, based on NetEase’s asymmetric survival horror game. The battle between hunters and survivors plays out in the mist of White Sand Street. |
| A Quiet Place | New — international IP | Inspired by the Hollywood thriller, a challenge built around silence and stillness, set inside scenes recreated from the film’s post-apocalyptic world. |
| Universal Monsters Crypt (环球怪物：地下秘穴) | Returning | Returns by popular demand. Gathers the classic Universal Monsters in an effects-heavy production. |
| The House of Hua Pi (画皮幽宅) | Returning | Returns by popular demand. Chinese-folklore maze inspired by “Hua Pi” (Painted Skin) from Liao Zhai Zhi Yi. |
The 2026 mix pairs two new homegrown Chinese IPs with international properties: A Quiet Place as a maze and M3GAN as a scare zone. Two 2024 to 2025 mazes, Jack’s Circus and House NO. 81, are not part of the confirmed 2026 lineup.
The four scare zones and the new Scaremony
| Scare zone | Concept |
|---|---|
| Mel’s Die In | A time warp outside a freshly redecorated Mel’s Diner. |
| M3GAN | The M3GAN film IP takes over the streets, performing the character’s now-iconic dance. |
| Kill Cute Party | Universal Beijing originals Emo Tu and Foxy Lady gather near the Majestic Theater with special guest HamiKuma for a “refusing to be cute” dance party. |
| Underworld | Launched each night by the new Scaremony, Underworld Uprising. |
The all-new Scaremony: Underworld Uprising is the season’s marquee after-dark ceremony. A portal cracks open amid the ruins, a mysterious arrival ceremony begins, and the moment leads into the full presentation of the Underworld scare zone. Universal Studios Japan Halloween mascot HamiKuma also appears at Universal Beijing this season as part of a worldwide run across every Universal Studios park.
Death Eaters Takeover returns
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Beijing again hosts a Death Eaters Takeover, inviting guests to experience the darker side of magic in Hogsmeade.
Is Scares at Universal the same as Halloween Horror Nights?
Not quite. Unlike Universal’s other international parks in Osaka and Singapore, Universal Beijing has not adopted the “Halloween Horror Nights” branding. The event is officially called Scares @ Universal (English) and “惊彩”环球 (Chinese). The Chinese name is deliberate wordplay: “惊彩” (jīng cǎi) is a near-homonym for “精彩” (jīngcǎi, meaning “wonderful” or “spectacular”), while the character “惊” evokes fright and shock. The name alludes to being frightened without explicitly referring to “Halloween” (万圣节), which is not an official Chinese holiday and is treated cautiously by consumer brands operating in the market.
Food, beverage, and merchandise
The “Ugly-Cute Pie” that became a social-media hit last year returns for 2026. Limited-edition merchandise arrives across the new IPs. A Kill Cute Party line features Emo Tu, Foxy Lady, and HamiKuma. Grave Robbers’ Chronicles gets a themed fridge magnet and a character badge set, and Identity V items include character plush pendants, blind-box button badges, and headbands.
Ticketing
Scares at Universal is included with standard Universal Studios Beijing admission. There is no separate hard ticket for the core event, and the mazes have no additional entry fee (walk-up queue only, with no online reservation required). Guests who purchase designated-date Universal Studios Beijing tickets starting August 20, 2026 can access an early-bird special. Universal Beijing has said more ticketing products, including Universal Studios Beijing Evening Tickets, will be introduced in phases.
About Universal Beijing Resort
Universal Beijing Resort is a Comcast NBCUniversal park in the Tongzhou district of Beijing that opened September 20, 2021 and marks its 5th anniversary in 2026. It is the world’s largest Universal theme park, spanning seven themed lands: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Transformers Metrobase, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, Hollywood, WaterWorld, Minion Land, and Jurassic World Isla Nublar, plus the Universal CityWalk Beijing dining and shopping district and two on-property hotels.
Frequently asked questions
When does Scares at Universal 2026 run?
Scares at Universal at Universal Beijing Resort runs September 4 through November 1, 2026. Nighttime experiences operate Thursday through the following Monday each week, with a few date exceptions (closed September 17, October 1, and October 8, and open on the added dates of September 16, September 30, October 6, and October 28).
Do I need a separate ticket for Scares at Universal?
No. Scares at Universal is included with standard Universal Studios Beijing admission. Haunted mazes are free with park admission and require no reservation or additional ticket. An early-bird special is available on designated-date tickets starting August 20, 2026, and Universal Beijing has said evening tickets will be introduced in phases.
What is the full 2026 lineup?
Five haunted mazes (The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles, Identity V: Escape from White Sand Street, A Quiet Place, Universal Monsters Crypt, and The House of Hua Pi), four scare zones (Mel’s Die In, M3GAN, Kill Cute Party, and Underworld), and the new Scaremony: Underworld Uprising. The Death Eaters Takeover also returns in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Is Scares at Universal the same as Halloween Horror Nights?
No. Universal Beijing does not use the Halloween Horror Nights branding. The event is officially called Scares at Universal (惊彩”环球). The Chinese name is a deliberate wordplay that avoids the word “Halloween,” which is not an official Chinese holiday.
Are the mazes scary?
The mazes and nighttime experiences include intense scenes and effects. Universal Beijing does not recommend them for guests under 13, and guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Where is Universal Beijing Resort?
Universal Beijing Resort is in the Tongzhou district of Beijing, China, roughly 40 kilometers east of central Beijing. It opened September 20, 2021 and marks its 5th anniversary in 2026.
HAN prior Halloween Horror Nights coverage
- Halloween Horror Nights 2026: Dates, Tickets, and Lineups for Every Park — HAN’s master HHN hub across every Universal park
- Halloween Horror Nights Japan 2026 at USJ Guide
- Halloween Horror Nights 14 Singapore: Four Haunted Houses and Two Scare Zones for 2026
- Halloween Horror Nights 35 Orlando: Every House and Scare Zone
For tickets and the full 2026 program, visit Universal Beijing Resort’s official news page.
Last updated: September 1, 2026. This guide reflects Universal Beijing Resort’s August 7, 2026 official reveal of the full Scares at Universal 2026 lineup.
