Blood Noir Is the Sixth Edition of Universal Orlando’s Stunt Show and the First Show Announced for the 35th Anniversary Event
July 8, 2026
Universal Orlando Resort is taking its Nightmare Fuel show franchise in a new direction for Halloween Horror Nights 35, announcing Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir, a vampire-themed edition that breaks from the circus storyline of the past two years. The show will perform nightly during the event, which runs select nights Aug. 28 – Nov. 1, 2026, at Universal Studios Florida.
Universal announced the show July 8 on the official Halloween Horror Nights social channels. “Embark on a dark musical journey and resist temptation as death-defying stunts lure you deeper into a vampire-ridden metropolis,” the announcement reads. The event website describes Blood Noir as “a sinister spectacle of pyro, aerialists and illusions.”
Sixth Edition, First Full Reset
Blood Noir is the sixth annual edition of Nightmare Fuel, which debuted at the event’s 30th anniversary in 2021 in the theater formerly home to Fear Factor Live. The high-energy production combines fire performance, aerialists, dance, and stage illusions set to rock, metal, and electronica.
The franchise has cycled through themes each year: the original Halloween Nightmare Fuel (2021), Wildfire (2022), Revenge Dream (2023), Nocturnal Circus (2024), and Circus of Decay (2025). The 2024 and 2025 editions formed a connected circus story arc, making Blood Noir’s vampire noir setting the show’s first full thematic reset since it launched.
The franchise carries awards pedigree. Wildfire won an IAAPA Brass Ring Award, with the honors citation calling Nightmare Fuel the highest-rated show in Halloween Horror Nights history.
The Performer Question
Universal has not announced who will perform in Blood Noir. The Fuel Girls, the London-based fire performance troupe booked through Black Fire Agency, have anchored the show since its debut. The agency’s website states the troupe has been “at the heart” of the production for three consecutive years. The Fuel Girls’ published 2026 tour dates do not currently include Orlando during the event window, and it seems a casting change may be in play, though nothing has been confirmed. Magus Utopia, the Netherlands-based illusion company that has supplied the show’s stage illusions, has also not been confirmed for this year.
First Show Announcement for HHN 35
Blood Noir is the first show revealed for the 35th anniversary event, arriving amid a rollout that has so far centered on haunted houses. Universal has announced eight houses to date, including Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, Sinners, Stranger Things 5, and Hellraiser, under the event’s “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares” theme hosted by co-icons Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow. No lagoon show has been announced yet.
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 Event Dates and Ticketing
Halloween Horror Nights 35 runs select nights Aug. 28 – Nov. 1, 2026, at Universal Studios Florida, the earliest start date in the event’s history. Premium Scream Night will be held on two dates this year, Aug. 27 and Oct. 19. Single-night tickets start at $87.99 plus tax and are on sale now.
For more information, visit UniversalOrlando.com/HHN.
