Epic Universe has made another change to its nighttime entertainment lineup.
Universal Orlando Resort has historically struggled to build the same kind of nighttime entertainment reputation as Walt Disney World, where fireworks and projection shows remain a major part of the guest experience.
Epic Universe has helped close that gap since opening in May 2025. Celestial Park becomes heavily illuminated after dark, with fountains, lighting effects, and the glowing Chronos entrance giving the park a noticeably different atmosphere at night.
Universal expanded that offering in July 2026 with Universal Celestial Goodnight, a new nighttime show combining music, fountains, projections, lighting, and fireworks.
Now, just two months later, the fireworks have been removed.
Universal Celestial Goodnight Drops Its Fireworks
Universal Celestial Goodnight debuted in July as Epic Universe’s first regular nighttime fireworks show.
The production uses Celestial Park’s existing fountains and lighting alongside music inspired by the park’s four portal worlds: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, and Dark Universe.
Fireworks were also included throughout the show, with larger pyrotechnics launching behind Universal Helios Grand Hotel during its finale.
That portion of the show is currently unavailable.
Universal confirmed the change on September 14 after a guest questioned the missing fireworks on X, formerly Twitter.
Hi Steve, the fireworks portion of Universal Celestial Goodnight is temporarily unavailable as we work to resolve a technical issue. We apologize for any inconvenience, and will be sure to share your feedback. #AskUniversal
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) September 15, 2026
“The fireworks portion of Universal Celestial Goodnight is temporarily unavailable as we work to resolve a technical issue,” the park said in response. “We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Universal has not announced the change through a wider notice on its website or app.
The guest who contacted the resort criticized the lack of communication, arguing that the missing fireworks could affect visitors planning their evening around the show.
“This should ABSOLUTELY be noted on your APP and website,” they wrote. “I would have re-scheduled my visit to when the full show was available.”
It is unclear exactly when Universal removed the full fireworks package.
However, guests had already started reporting changes before Universal confirmed the technical issue.
Fireworks Had Already Been Missing for Weeks
On September 2, theme park photographer Bioreconstruct reported that the full fireworks package had been missing from Universal Celestial Goodnight “for weeks.”
That evening’s performance still featured some pyrotechnics, but the larger fireworks normally launched from behind the Helios Grand Hotel were absent.
“The show did not have the big fireworks launching behind the Helios Hotel. The fireworks were only on the sides,” one guest reported.
Inside the Magic saw the full version of Universal Celestial Goodnight on August 12, including the larger fireworks behind the hotel.
The exact cause of the current issue has not been disclosed beyond Universal describing it as technical.
Central Florida has experienced several storms in recent weeks, prompting some guests to speculate that weather conditions may have affected the fireworks launch area. Universal has not confirmed any connection.
This is also not the first interruption to the show’s pyrotechnics.
Universal previously removed fireworks from Universal Celestial Goodnight during periods of extreme heat in Central Florida before later restoring them.
The current situation appears different, with Universal specifically citing a technical problem rather than weather.
Universal has not given a timeline for when the fireworks will return.
