Universal Orlando Resort is giving Stranger Things fans another reason to stay out after dark during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. Alongside the previously announced Stranger Things 5 haunted house, the resort has revealed Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins, a new nighttime lagoon show celebrating the series’ 10th anniversary.
Designed as a retrospective of the Netflix phenomenon, Return to Hawkins will guide guests through memorable moments from all five seasons of the series. The production combines towering water screens, dynamic lighting effects, and immersive audio featuring recognizable selections from the show’s original score, creating a tribute to the characters, locations, and stories that have defined Stranger Things over the past decade.
According to Jason Horne, assistant director of entertainment creative development at Universal Orlando Resort, the goal was to create an experience that lets longtime fans revisit the journey they’ve taken with the series while presenting it on a scale unique to the Universal lagoon.
One of the elements Horne is especially looking forward to sharing is the recreation of Hawkins through projection mapping across buildings surrounding the lagoon, giving guests a chance to see familiar locations presented in a new way. He also noted that the production has been in development for quite some time through a collaborative effort between Universal, Netflix, filmmakers, and teams across creative, technical, operational, lighting, fountain design, video production, and music.
Perhaps the biggest milestone for the production is that Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins marks the first time Universal Orlando has built an entire lagoon show around a single franchise, making it a unique addition to this year’s event.
The announcement further expands Stranger Things’ presence at Halloween Horror Nights, where guests will also be able to experience the all-new Stranger Things 5 haunted house at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Visitors will travel through recognizable locations including the Wheeler house, Hawkins National Laboratory, the MAC-Z military base, and the unsettling worlds of the Upside Down and the Abyss.
Beyond the attractions themselves, Horne also confirmed that fans can look forward to themed food and beverage offerings along with an assortment of merchandise inspired by the series’ final season. New collectibles and apparel will include recreations of Will’s bomber jacket and Holly’s necklace, as well as items such as a Demogorgon-themed scrunchie and socks, a Lug cross-body bag, and an RSVLTS button-up shirt.
As Halloween Horror Nights continues to unveil this year’s entertainment lineup, Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins adds another dimension to the celebration of one of Netflix’s most recognizable series. Between the new lagoon spectacular, the Stranger Things 5 haunted house, themed merchandise, and specialty food offerings, fans will have several ways to revisit Hawkins during this year’s event.
Event tickets for both coasts are on sale now, with additional ticket options for Universal Orlando Resort being released soon. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
