Theme parks are rarely quiet on New Year’s Eve. From coast to coast, major destinations pull out all the stops with fireworks, live entertainment, and extended operating hours. Universal Studios Japan is no stranger to bold programming — and this year, it intends to push the limits even further.
Universal’s parks each boast their own unique distinctions. Universal Orlando Resort is the only destination with multiple parks and three Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands. Universal Studios Hollywood, meanwhile, remains the only theme park operating on an active movie production lot where guests are in with a shot of spotting working actors.
At Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, these distinctions take a different shape. The resort features unique rides such as The Flying Dinosaur, Space Fantasy – The Ride, and Hollywood Dream – The Ride, not to mention the last remaining version of the Jaws ride (which actually runs on waste cooking oil). Guests can also encounter entertainment experiences unavailable anywhere else, including the long-running Universal Monsters Live: Rock and Roll Show.
This week, Universal Studios Japan announced that its next New Year’s Eve celebration will stretch longer than any ordinary park day.
Universal Confirms Plans To Stay Open for 26 Hours
The event, branded NO LIMIT! Countdown 2026, will keep the gates open from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, until 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026. That means guests can enjoy the park for a marathon 26 hours — a rarity even in the theme park industry.
Tickets begin at 16,900 yen (about $113), with a limited number available. The event includes a “Countdown Moment,” during which roughly 4,000 fireworks will explode across the Osaka sky as midnight strikes. Live entertainment will also play a central role, with the One Piece Premier Show 2025 and the Universal Cool Japan 10th Anniversary Singing Show scheduled as centerpiece performances.
Characters such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Minions, and the cast of Sesame Street will also appear throughout the park. Access to the resort’s most popular attractions is part of the package, though some areas will have restrictions. Entry into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, for example, will require a timed entry ticket and will temporarily close overnight for maintenance.
Universal Studios Japan will close to the general public without event access at 5 p.m. on December 31, two hours before the marathon party begins.
The park experimented with a similar setup last year when it rang in 2025 with its own 26-hour schedule. That event featured temporary nap zones to give attendees the chance to recharge before continuing into the new year.
Whether the extended hours attract die-hard fans or casual visitors seeking an unconventional way to celebrate, Universal is betting on the allure of spending New Year’s inside a theme park. With demand likely to be high, tickets are expected to sell quickly.
The bigger question for many will be one of stamina: can they truly make it the full 26 hours?
Do you think you could last 26 hours at Universal Studios?
