Universal Studios Japan Celebrates 25th Anniversary with a Revamped Summer Night: 'Universal Summer Matsuri Night ~Neon Glow Up~' Previewed Today

Marking its 25th anniversary, Universal Studios Japan is reinventing its summer nights so that both adults and children can fully enjoy summer from day into night. The new summer entertainment event, 'Universal Summer Matsuri Night ~Neon Glow Up~', will be held for a limited time from July 1, 2026 (Wed) to August 26, 2026 (Wed).

Today, June 29, 2026 (Mon), Universal Studios Japan hosted the 'Universal Summer Matsuri Night ~Neon Glow Up~' press preview. After sunset, the opening ceremony brought together vibrant new summer entertainment, including a dazzling drenched dance show and a night street show, transforming the park into a magnificent 'night festival' atmosphere. Around 1,500 special guest attendees celebrated the 'super-exciting' start of summer.

At approximately 7:25 PM today, the park—now transformed into a dazzling 'night festival' illuminated by colorful neon lights—hosted the opening ceremony. On the Gramercy Park stage, performers from the 'Glow Up Street Performance' took the stage with a special one-day-only performance. Following the debut of diverse 'matsuri' performances including bubble art, acrobatics, and BMX, a brand-new, high-energy night show titled 'NO LIMIT! Glow Up Oh! Matsuri' premiered in a special press preview performance. Guests danced and got soaked in water and foam, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

Still buzzing with excitement, Sesame Street characters in cute neon-colored yukata, My Melody & Kuromi, Woody & Winnie Woodpecker, and other entertainers gathered at the ceremony site, joining approximately 1,500 guests in declaring the start of summer with the chant: 'Everyone, let’s party! It’s a festival, after all!'

Guest Comments from the Opening Ceremony

"It’s so exciting even at night that I can’t bring myself to leave! (Laughs) Usually, I’d say to my kids, 'It’s getting late, shall we head home?' But this year, I want to enjoy until closing time to the fullest." (Mother / Resident of Osaka)

"Yay! Dancing with everyone during the show was so much fun! Yay!" (Child / Resident of Osaka)

"The combination of 'festival × neon' feels so fresh, and the sense of unity from shouting and dancing together was amazing. In the morning, we’ll meet characters, watch the parade in the evening, and enjoy the night shows and festival fun—this summer, we want to enjoy from morning till night! It’s the best!" (Friend group / Resident of Hyogo)

"Experiencing a night summer festival vibe in the park feels so new. This time, I thought, 'You know what? Let’s just go all out!' It felt liberating. The evening is the most enjoyable time, and it’s cooler, which is great. Since it’s accessible after school, I’d love to come back again!" (Student / Resident of Osaka)

First Look: 'Universal Summer Matsuri Night ~Neon Glow Up~' Launches—Everyone, Young and Old, Let Loose and Party Under the Summer Night!

'NO LIMIT! Glow Up Oh! Matsuri'

Today, the new night show 'NO LIMIT! Glow Up Oh! Matsuri' premiered with a special press preview performance on the Gramercy Park stage.

Guests danced and cheered wildly during this flashy new night show, set to stylishly arranged festival tunes and summer songs, complete with dramatic showers of water and foam. On the vibrant, neon-lit stage, characters including Sesame Street friends in yukata, My Melody & Kuromi, Woody & Winnie Woodpecker, and performers appeared one after another. Choreographed to familiar summer songs rearranged by popular music producer/DJ tofubeats, the performers delivered sharp dance moves, rallying the crowd with the slogan 'It’s a festival, after all!!!' Guests were drenched in water and bubbles, becoming 'fully soaked' and dancing with wild enthusiasm—experiencing an 'ultra-electric' celebration enjoyed by all ages.

'Minion BOO-YA Block Party'

At Mel’s Stage in the Hollywood area, a new street show titled 'Minion BOO-YA Block Party' was also held, where Minions go wild to 1980s electro-pop music spun by DJ Stuart. Guests enjoyed the retro, poppy music up close as Minions danced on a special 'dance platform' extending from the stage. Together, they shouted the Minions’ favorite catchphrase 'BOO-YA!!' and danced the silly, fun 'BOO-YA Dance,' immersing themselves in the most exciting neon party of the summer night.

'Oh! Matsuri Food & Games'

The 'Oh! Matsuri Food & Games'—designed to energize the park’s first-ever super-exciting 'night festival'—was also unveiled to the press. At the 'Universal Market,' a row of food carts along the lagoon, classic festival foods were reinvented with Universal Studios Japan’s signature creativity into festive 'Oh! Matsuri' summer treats. Highlights included the 'Super!! Chocolate Banana Churritos,' where the classic festival chocolate banana transforms into churros, and the 'Summer Festival Goldfish Lemon Soda,' a fizzy lemon soda with vivid goldfish floating inside, capturing the joyful spirit of summer festivals. A full lineup of visually and taste-wise festive summer gourmet delights was on display.

Additionally, the carnival game 'Festival in the Park' featured plush prizes in neon colors that stand out beautifully at night festivals. The excitement of traditional festival stalls thrilled guests of all ages.

※ Menu items, product designs, sales locations, and launch dates are subject to change without notice

※ Please understand if items sell out

※ Some stores may not operate due to weather or time; please check in advance

※ Prizes are non-sale items

'Summer Glow Moment'

The grand finale of the park’s summer festival 'Universal Summer Matsuri Night ~Neon Glow Up~' features pyrotechnics (fireworks) rising over the lagoon. During today’s press preview, colorful pyrotechnics dazzled the summer night sky in sync with music.

※ Not held every day

※ Dates and start times vary; please check the event calendar on the official website

Glow Up Street Performances

The bubble, acrobatic, and BMX performances unveiled today at the Gramercy Park ceremony will be held daily during the 'Universal Summer Matsuri Night ~Neon Glow Up~' event, starting around 6:30 PM at various locations throughout the park as four new street performances.

Hello! Neon Summer Greeting

Hello Kitty & Daniel, appearing in cute, colorful yukata for this summer only, are the ultimate photo-op! Dance together and strike a pose with neon summer-themed props for a vibrant summer memory!

Location: Green Street (Hollywood Area)

Summer Night Street Action

Thrilling performances featuring Double Dutch and BMX—powerful acrobatics made even cooler with vibrant neon lighting against the night sky! Don’t miss the dazzling skills of Ernie & Bert!

Location: Street in front of Stage 22 (Hollywood Area)

Summer Beat Splash

Get excited by global festivals like West African and Brazilian celebrations, featuring rhythmic performances with colorful buckets and rubber tubes! Enjoy the fusion of water and rhythm—join in with hand claps!

Location: Near Universal Market (New York Area)

Summer Night Bubble Fantasy

A dance performance by a six-member girl dancer group featuring bubbles and colorful lights. A pop and cute world filled with countless bubbles dancing under the summer night sky!

Location: Hollywood Area

Naoko Hirohata, Director, Brand Marketing Department, Universal Studios Japan LLC

"In recent years, we’ve heard many guests say, 'We want to enjoy summer, but we’re worried about the heat.' Especially during summer vacation—a special time for children—we’ve noticed more families holding back on outdoor activities due to high temperatures. However, we believe the cooler evening to night hours offer unique summer joys. That’s why we aim not to offer a summer where 'heat prevents fun,' but one where both adults and children can safely enjoy nonstop festival excitement all day long. This year’s theme is 'It’s a festival, after all?!'

Festivals are the perfect excuse to let loose a little. Remove your personal limits, dance wildly, shout with joy, and get completely soaked. We want guests to experience this unique sense of liberation—elevated by Universal Studios Japan’s quality and scale.

This year, 'Universal Summer Matsuri Night ~Neon Glow Up~'—a complete reinvention of night entertainment—is, as the name suggests, a program that evolves the 'festival' concept through the power of park entertainment. Within a neon-lit park, guests can experience exhilarating shows and street performances that get them soaked, and game experiences that evolve the traditional festival stall concept—creating a space where guests can truly feel, 'So this is what an evolved festival feels like!'

Additionally, during daytime hours, we’ve further enhanced heat countermeasures to create a more comfortable environment. Through these two evolutions—day and night—we’ll deliver a uniquely special day that can only be experienced during this 25th-anniversary summer. We’re committed to providing a summer experience where everyone, safely and securely, can let loose and create lasting memories.

Exclusive 25th Anniversary Experiences: Events & Attractions Enjoyable All Day Long!

Starting today, the showtime for 'NO LIMIT! Parade ~Discover U!!! Version~' has been shifted to the more comfortable evening hours. The Premium Viewing Area Ticket (paid) will now allow one child (ages 4–11) to enter with each adult starting July 1, 2026 (Wed). Enjoy the parade with your child with minimal wait time.

Additionally, 'Waterworld ~Discover U!!! Version~' premiered today, featuring doubled water spraying for guests and an upgraded jet ski action sequence.

Furthermore, ahead of the July 1 (Wed) launch, 'Cool Splash Time ~25th Anniversary Version~' was previewed for the press. Invited guests danced to the 25th-anniversary theme song 'Destiny Journeys' and got completely soaked—from head to toe—in water showering down from the stage, enjoying a summer-specific experience.

'Cool Splash Time ~25th Anniversary Version~'

Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) – August 26, 2026 (Wed)

Sessions: 3 times daily

Location: Gramercy Park

※ Period subject to change

Aiming for 'Zero Heatstroke': Enhanced Heat Countermeasures

In the Hollywood area, a new 'Cool Green Street' has been introduced, featuring mist sprayers along the roadside and dense fog around foot level to further lower body temperature. Additionally, a new outdoor rest area shaded by zelkova trees has been added in the Hollywood area. With artificial turf space at the back, guests can relax comfortably on picnic sheets. Combined with indoor facilities, we’re offering an even more comfortable environment than ever before.

'Cool Green Street'

Period: July 1, 2026 (Fri) – August 26, 2026 (Wed)

Hours: Park opening – 4:00 PM

Location: Hollywood Area

We’re also further strengthening heatstroke prevention measures for crew members and entertainers who support park entertainment. The 'Oasis Unit,' which distributes drinks, cooling towels, and salt tablets to park crew, has been expanded. In addition to 'Oasis Spots' (replenishment stations), we’ve set up 'Cool Down Stations'—tents where staff can cool down—ensuring crew and entertainers also aim for 'zero heatstroke.'

Hiro Nobu Kurokawa, Senior Vice President & CMO, Universal Studios Japan LLC

"At Universal Studios Japan, we believe in providing a park experience where guests can visit with peace of mind and enjoy safely. Our heat countermeasures are guided by three principles: First, incorporating 'entertainment elements' into summer heat countermeasures. Second, ensuring guests have solid opportunities to 'cool down.' Third, providing thorough heat protection for our crew members. We’re implementing heat countermeasures based on these three principles.

In particular, for the second principle—'cooling experiences'—we’ve evolved last year’s 'Green Street' by adding mist that blows up from the ground, delivering even greater cooling effects. We’ve also added new shaded rest areas, so guests can enjoy the park while taking breaks in the shade.

Regarding 'crew heat protection,' research shows that those who eat breakfast are less prone to heatstroke. To encourage this habit among crew, we’re providing breakfast at the Crew Café during the first half of summer. Additionally, our 'Oasis Unit,' now in its 7th year, has extended its operating period this year and increased the number of positions to match crew size, strengthening our countermeasures. Moving forward, as part of awareness activities, we’ll collaborate with the Japan Meteorological Association to host a lab for local elementary school students to learn about heatstroke prevention.

By strengthening these heat countermeasures, we aim to create a park where guests can visit with confidence and stay safe. We hope everyone enjoys Universal Studios Japan to the fullest this summer.

About Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan is part of the Comcast NBCUniversal group. It has established itself as a major landmark in entertainment and leisure, attracting guests not only from across Japan but also internationally. Offering world-class attractions and shows based on popular Hollywood films and globally beloved Japanese anime and entertainment brands, as well as seasonal events where guests can fully immerse themselves, Universal Studios Japan delivers one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experiences of 'super excitement' and 'super thrills'—a special place where every guest breaks free from their shell and leaves feeling 'super energized.'

Since opening in 2001, the park has continuously innovated, introducing immensely popular areas like 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,' the groundbreaking flying coaster 'The Flying Dinosaur' that soars through the Jurassic Park zone, the wildly popular 'Minion Park' featuring the outrageous 'Minion Mayhem' ride, and 'Super Nintendo World,' where guests unleash their inner child through full-body interactive play experiences themed to Nintendo games. In 2026, the park’s 25th anniversary, the theme 'Discover U!!!' will deliver a special year where 25 years of ultra-stimulating entertainment awaken guests’ unknown selves.

HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements (C) & TM Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights (C) J.K.

Rowling.

MINIONS TM & (C) 2026 Universal Studios.

(C) Nintendo

TM and (C) 2026 Sesame Workshop

(C) 2026 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

(C) 2026 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.EJ6062509

(C) Walter Lantz Productions LLC

TM & (C) Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment

TM & (C) 2026 Universal Studios.

(C)2026 HIHATT LLC