What to expect from this year’s Universal Horror Nights food and drinks
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Halloween Horror Nights 2025 brings a culinary lineup that is every bit as fear-inducing as the haunted houses themselves. This year’s food and drink offering continues Universal’s push toward themed immersion, blending pop culture, horror franchises and seasonal nostalgia into a menu designed for both casual attendees and culinary observers. The 2025 edition has expanded its edible horror-scape, making food a focal point of the experience rather than an afterthought.
Themed pop-up booths and signature bites
Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood have scaled up their collaboration with popular horror properties by introducing food stalls that reflect the visual language and themes of their IPs. Each haunted house or scare zone this year is mirrored by at least one dedicated booth offering matching menu items. The Fallout-themed booth reimagines post-apocalyptic dining with irradiated effects and survivalist presentation. The Five Nights at Freddy’s stall leans into childhood nostalgia with an unnerving twist, offering items styled after children’s party food but presented in disturbing ways.
Another standout is the Insidious-inspired stall, which uses lighting, plating and even server costuming to create an uncanny atmosphere. These pop-ups aren’t just visual replicas of their haunted house counterparts. Each is constructed to extend the lore, often including QR codes linking to mini-games, lore drops or horror audio bites that deepen fan engagement. For food industry professionals, this trend underscores a broader evolution in themed entertainment dining — a shift from novelty treats toward narrative-led gastronomy.
Stand-out treats and where to find them
Among the many sweet offerings, Universal has given particular attention to baked goods this year. The Jason Voorhees chocolate cake pop, complete with blood-spatter icing and edible machete, has drawn attention across social media platforms. WWE’s Wyatt Sicks faction has been given its own range of macarons, while the Lil’ Boo sugar cookie makes a return after becoming a surprise cult favorite in 2024.
Candy apples are also a major feature, with candy corn glaze, spiderweb detailing and glow-in-the-dark finishes make them as much a visual spectacle as a snack. Some of these items double as limited-edition merchandise; QR codes on the packaging take visitors to a pre-order site for horror-themed recipe books and branded utensils. For the food trade, this represents a savvy vertical integration between food service and retail.
Atmosphere and audience appeal
The 2025 menu extends the scare zones through visually driven, interactive food and drink. Items like glow-in-the-dark cocktails and theatrically packaged funnel cakes are crafted to engage both casual visitors and food industry professionals. Universal continues to blur the line between dining and storytelling, reinforcing its shift toward immersive, experience-led design.
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