Universal Studios Japan will kick off its summer-only event, “Universal Summer Matsuri Night: Neon Grow Up,” on July 1.
This summer, USJ will be transformed into a “night festival” atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Japanese festival, with numerous special character greetings and stage shows taking place throughout the park in the cooler evening hours.
At the opening ceremony held the previous day, the nighttime main show “NO LIMIT! Grow Up Oh! Matsuri” was premiered in a special one-night-only version. At “Gramercy Park,” a special plaza in the New York area, performers showcased double Dutch using two neon-lit ropes and breathtaking BMX acrobatics, all set to a summer song remixed by music producer tofubeats.
Elmo, My Melody, Kuromi, and others, dressed in yukata, also rushed onto the stage and got the crowd going with their signature dance moves. At the climax, a torrent of water, soap bubbles, and foam rained down, and when the event was declared open with the cry of “It’s a festival!” the gathered guests went wild, completely soaked from head to toe.
In keeping with the “night festival” theme, the event will feature grab-and-go treats such as the carbonated drink “Summer Festival Goldfish Lemon Soda with Neon Cup” (1,750 yen), served in a glowing cup, and the “Super!! Chocolate Banana Churros” (900 yen), a twist on a classic festival food. In addition, to cap off each day, the “Summer Glow Moment” show will be held, lighting up the lagoon’s night sky with colorful fireworks.
The highlight of the day will be the “NO LIMIT Parade ~Discover U!!! Version~,” a parade featuring USJ characters and Pokémon celebrating the park’s 25th anniversary, held once a day (approx. 40 minutes). There’s also a bountiful selection of park-exclusive merchandise, with heat-beating items—such as glow sticks, hats with ears, cooling neck rings featuring popular characters, and muffler towels with cooling packs—being released one after another.
The park has also stepped up measures to combat the extreme heat, including increasing the number of staff members—known as the “Oasis Team”—who distribute salt tablets; introducing “Cool Green Street,” a tree-lined path where mist sprays up from the ground; and and “Cool Down Stations”—indoor rest areas equipped with vending machines set 2°C lower than usual—to encourage visitors to prevent heatstroke.
Another highlight is the new attraction “Freiren: A Story Walk—Journey of Memories,” which just opened at the end of May ahead of the peak of summer. Furthermore, starting July 30, the iconic summer stage show “One Piece Premier Show 2026”—which has drawn over 1.5 million attendees—will finally kick off.
© Source travel watch