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Two nighttime spectacles starring Harry Potter and Super Mario will paint the night skies above Universal Studios Hollywood this spring as part of a new seasonal event dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, gaming and anime.
Universal Studios Hollywood will add a light projection show in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and a drone show over Super Nintendo World during the inaugural Universal Fan Fest Nights event.
The two new limited-time spectacles will play on 12 nights between April 25 and May 18.
Fan Fest Nights, which draw on “Star Trek,” “Back to the Future” and Dungeons & Dragons, promise to be a cross between Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con, with walk-thru attractions, fan zones, anime films and character meet-and-greets.
The “Hogwarts Always” light projection show will play on Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The show, which debuted at Universal Orlando last year, will take viewers on a whimsical journey through a term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The visuals will include a ride aboard the Hogwarts Express train, scenes from the Sorting Ceremony and other moments inspired by the “Harry Potter” films.
A new Nintendo-themed drone show will also debut in the skies above the Super Nintendo World video game themed land during Fan Fest.
Texas-based Sky Elements created a Nintendo show with 600 drones over the Santa Monica Pier in 2023 to promote the “Super Mario Bros. Movie.”
The show included a 300-foot-tall, fire-breathing Bowser as well as a leaping Mario, spinning Mystery Block, and Rainbow Road stretching over the Pacific Ocean.
Universal Studios Florida added a Princess Peach drone sequence to the “CineSational” nighttime spectacle in November during the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” portion of the show, according to Universal Parks News Today.
Universal has not yet announced if the two new nighttime spectacles will stick around after Fan Fest Nights, return each spring during the seasonal fandom event or serve as a one-time-only offering.