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HamiKuma Gets First Official Meet and Greet at Universal Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights 2026

The scary cute character debuts inside Five & Dime at Universal Studios Florida starting with this year's event, with new merchandise launching August 24.

By Jeanpierre Florent · FirstDrop News TeamAug 5, 20263 min read

Universal Orlando announced that HamiKuma will make his first official meet and greet appearance at Halloween Horror Nights 2026. The half bear, half zombie character will greet guests inside the Five & Dime store at Universal Studios Florida during event nights, marking the first time the fan favorite mascot has offered a formal character experience in Orlando.

The meet and greet joins an expanded merchandise collection launching August 24. New HamiKuma items include a plaid top, plush backpack, and plaid fanny pack with plush embellishments.

Universal has not announced specific appearance times for the character yet. Guests at Universal Studios Hollywood can also meet HamiKuma at select times during event nights.

HamiKuma's Global Expansion

HamiKuma was originally created for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan in 2021. The character blends horror with an intentionally adorable design inspired by Japan's kowa kawa, or scary cute, aesthetic.

After making his U.S. debut through merchandise and entertainment experiences last year, HamiKuma has expanded internationally. This Halloween season, the character appears at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Horror Unleashed, Universal Studios Singapore, Universal Beijing Resort, and Universal Studios Japan.

The Orlando meet and greet represents the character's first official appearance at Halloween Horror Nights in Florida. HamiKuma has become one of the event's most recognizable original characters across Universal's global parks.

Halloween Horror Nights 2026 Merchandise

Universal is launching horror themed merchandise at both its Florida and Hollywood resorts this year. The Orlando lineup celebrates Halloween Horror Nights' 35th anniversary, while Universal Studios Hollywood brings merchandise inspired by its bloody Hollywood sign and haunted houses.

Both resorts offer standout pieces like blood splattered polos and acid wash Spirit Jerseys. The merchandise goes beyond general Halloween Horror Nights branding with collections tied to specific haunted houses.

Sinners themed merchandise includes an earth toned jacket, graphic tees, and cosplay ready pieces inspired by the movie characters Smoke and Stack. The Stranger Things collection features merchandise based on the final season of the Netflix series.

Universal is also offering merchandise inspired by the Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness haunted house. The collection includes scream worthy apparel and accessories tied to the musical legend's Horror Nights experience.

The merchandise will be available at Universal Orlando Resort's Tribute Store, Universal Studios Hollywood's Production Central and Studios Store, and online at shopUniversal.com. The HamiKuma collection and other Halloween Horror Nights merchandise launches August 24.

Halloween Horror Nights 2026

Halloween Horror Nights 2026 celebrates 35 years of the event at Universal Orlando Resort. The Florida event will feature 10 haunted houses, four scare zones, live entertainment, themed food, and exclusive merchandise.

The haunted house lineup includes Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, Sinners, Stranger Things based on the fifth and final season, Hellraiser drawing from the original film trilogy, and Evil Dead Burn. H.R. Bloodengutz is also returning for another scare athon.

Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights 2026 runs 42 select nights from September 3 through November 1. The Hollywood event features seven haunted houses including Stranger Things, Sinners, Evil Dead, Hellraiser, Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness, Dead Deader Deadest, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

Written by Jeanpierre Florent, part of the FirstDrop News Team

Jeanpierre is the Southern California based creator behind JPLAND21, a theme park community of more than one million subscribers across YouTube and Instagram. Our reporting is grounded in regular firsthand park visits. More about us

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