The wait is almost over. Ahead of the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things,” the official Volume 1 trailer has just made its debut, unveiled exclusively at the Netflix x CicLAvia One Last Bike Ride event. But the story doesn’t end there: Netflix UK is calling fans to join One Last Adventure, a nationwide series of experiences and giveaways designed to celebrate the show’s final chapter.
The gang is back together, the town is under military quarantine, Vecna’s on the loose — long story short: the stakes have been turned completely Upside Down for this final season.
“I think what’s unique about this season is that it starts a little bit in chaos because our heroes ultimately lost at the end of Season 4,” series co-creator Ross Duffer teases. “We usually set up their normal life and how they’re going about school, and then we introduce the supernatural element. But in this case, this season is sprinting from the start.” Co-creator Matt Duffer adds that the gang is “not experiencing normal life. Nothing in Hawkins is normal anymore.” On lockdown, “their movement is restricted, and there are Big Brother cameras everywhere. So not only are they active — their everyday, normal lives are anything but.”
“The action is next level, the visual effects are next level, but I’m also happy to say that the emotional center remains the same,” executive producer Shawn Levy, who also directed two episodes of Season 5, says. “And part of the magic of this show is that even as we evolve, even as the storytelling becomes more epic, it’s always anchored in these characters that we love.”
Set in fall 1987, Hawkins is still reeling from the Rifts, and the gang’s mission is simple in theory: find and kill Vecna. But with the villain MIA, Eleven in hiding, and the anniversary of Will’s disappearance looming, danger is everywhere.
Millie Bobby Brown teases a warrior-like Eleven, laser-focused on protecting her friends. Gaten Matarazzo says Dustin is grappling with the gang’s heavy reality, Caleb McLaughlin warns Lucas feels the pressure of unresolved stakes, Noah Schnapp confirms Will is back, Sadie Sink reveals Max is far from herself, and Finn Wolfhard hints Mike is stepping up as the gang’s strategist.
The star-studded ensemble includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Cara Buono, Amybeth McNulty, Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, Alex Breaux, and Linda Hamilton.
Now a UK invasion will offer fans multiple ways to get involved – from a nationwide ‘in world’ WSQK The Squawk radio station, to a surprise fan experience, immersive pop ups, Upside Down Christmas Trees, exclusive merchandise and Stranger Things themed foods available across multiple retail stores and restaurants – Stranger Things 5 has well and truly landed.
Netflix UK’s VP of Marketing UK, Rajiv Nathwani said: “The Duffer Brothers first brought Stranger Things to Netflix a decade ago, and since then it has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. The core heroes of Hawkins have taken us all on the ride of our lives and we’re thrilled to bring Stranger Things direct to fans and consumers in the U.K. to celebrate one epic final adventure.”
Here’s a breakdown of exactly when and where you can experience “Stranger Things” first-hand:
WSQK THE SQUAWK, A STRANGER THINGS RADIO STATION:
A slice of Hawkins static is taking over UK airwaves, as Stranger Things partners with Global to launch WSQK “The Squawk,” a fully realised in-universe radio station broadcasting around the clock from now until January 1st. Whether tuning in via traditional radio, Global Player, or by asking your smart speaker to “play The Squawk,” listeners will find themselves immersed in a lovingly crafted transmission straight from the heart of the show’s uncanny small town.
Programming spans everything from local Hawkins bulletins on Squawk of the Town and the tongue-in-cheek life advice segment Talk To Tammy, to entertainment tidbits courtesy of The Scoop, presented by Scoops Ahoy. Fans can try their luck at identifying reversed tracks during Rewind at 9, or send in messages for Dial-a-Dedication, where selected shoutouts will be read live on air. All of it plays out against a continuous backdrop of era-perfect ’80s hits, completing the illusion of tuning into a parallel frequency.
To mark the launch, Global is also hosting a one-day competition on Heart Breakfast, offering listeners a chance to win a pair of tickets to Stranger Things: The First Shadow at London’s Phoenix Theatre, along with a two-night stay in the capital and spending money (up to £1,000 total).
STRANGER THINGS 5: WSQK THE SQUAWK VAN ON TOUR:
WSQK The Squawk is stepping out of Hawkins and onto UK streets this winter. To mark the launch of the station, a fully kitted-out WSQK van—wrapped in Stranger Things iconography and tuned into a steady stream of ‘80s airwaves—will be making stops in Manchester, Liverpool, and Brighton from November 28th through December.
Fans dropping by can expect live broadcasts from the van, complete with classic tracks and in-universe station banter, as well as a chance to pick up exclusive Stranger Things 5 merchandise. Visitors will also be able to snap photos and soak in the show’s retro atmosphere as the series heads into its final chapter.
If you’re nearby, gather your party and swing past—before the van disappears back into the night.
UPSIDE DOWN CHRISTMAS TREES:
This Christmas, the familiar festive glow at two of the UK’s busiest stations takes an unexpected turn. London Waterloo and Manchester Piccadilly have unveiled a pair of Stranger Things–inspired Christmas trees—each one quietly warped by the presence of the Upside Down.
Running from today through January 4th, the installations fold a touch of Hawkins unease into the holiday rush, offering travellers a momentary slip into the series’ shadowy otherworld. Whether you’re passing through or seeking them out, these trees bring a subtle but unmistakable echo of the Upside Down to the season.
NATIONWIDE FAN SCREENINGS COMPETITION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH O2:
Netflix and Priority from O2 have handed more than 1,000 fans the chance to step back into Hawkins early, offering pairs of tickets to an exclusive pre-release screening of the Stranger Things 5 premiere episode. The first chapter of the final season will screen simultaneously at 11 Cineworld cinemas across the UK, giving audiences a rare preview long before it hits the platform.
Alongside the nationwide cinema rollout, Virgin Media O2 and Netflix are bringing the series to the high street with a new immersive pop-up activation. Opening now and running into January, the experience will take over select O2 stores in Edinburgh, Manchester, London, and additional locations across the country — inviting fans to step inside, explore, and soak up a taste of Hawkins before the final season arrives.
STRANGER THINGS: CATALYST – SANDBOX VR EXPERIENCE:
Sandbox VR, the global frontrunner in location-based virtual reality, continues its mission to bring people together through high-end immersive storytelling — and its latest collaboration plunges fans even deeper into Hawkins. Stranger Things: Catalyst, an all-new VR experience created with Netflix and featuring Matthew Modine reprising his role as Dr. “Papa” Brenner, is now open for bookings HERE.
This chapter invites players to step inside the world of Stranger Things like never before, navigating a tense, narrative-driven journey that uncovers some of Hawkins’ darkest secrets. Crafted as an expansion of the series’ mythology rather than a retelling, Catalyst offers fans a fresh, adrenaline-fuelled encounter with the Upside Down — one built for groups, designed for immersion, and engineered to pull you straight into the heart of the story.
GEAR UP WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE MERCH AND PRODUCTS:
This winter, Stranger Things comes to life in a whole new way. Fans can explore exclusive merchandise and curated food experiences through a series of remarkable collaborations. Discover apparel and footwear collections from leading brands including Aldo, ASOS, Benetton, Clarks, Nike, New Era, Palladium, Primark, Pull & Bear, Size?, and Zara.
Collectors of all ages can secure must-have items from partners such as Clementoni, Displate, Funko, Jazwares, LEGO, Lucie Kaas, Panini, and Ravensburger. And for those ready to indulge, limited-edition Stranger Things treats from Babybel, Chupa Chups, and KFC offer a taste of the Upside Down.
STRANGER THINGS, THE FAN EXPERIENCE:
This December, a secret Stranger Things fan experience arrives in London—accessible only to those who uncover its hidden location. Step into the world of Hawkins, Indiana, and join fellow fans for one final immersive adventure. Expect unexpected encounters, familiar memories, and the rare chance to live inside the story you’ve followed so closely. The signal is out there… will you find it?
Stay tuned to NetflixUK socials for clues, NERDS.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW:
Olivier Award-winning Stranger Things: The First Shadow continues its acclaimed run at The Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End.
From a multi-award-winning creative team renowned for pushing the boundaries of theatrical storytelling and stagecraft, The First Shadow offers a gripping journey back to the origins of the Stranger Things story—one that may hold clues to what lies ahead.
It’s Hawkins, 1959: a seemingly ordinary town with quietly simmering tensions. Young Jim Hopper wrestles with a stubborn car, Bob Newby struggles for recognition from his sister, and Joyce Maldonado is determined to finish school and leave town behind. But when new student Henry Creel arrives, the promise of a fresh start proves elusive, and the shadows of the past extend farther than anyone could imagine.
Written by Kate Trefry, with direction by Stephen Daldry and co-direction by Justin Martin, Stranger Things: The First Shadow blends suspense, nostalgia, and human drama in a way only live theatre can.
For tickets, performance times, and full details on the cast and creative team, visit strangerthingsonstage.com.
“Stranger Things” kicks off its final season on Netflix on November 27, 2025, with Volume 1 (4 episodes), followed by Volume 2 (3 episodes) on December 26, 2025, and the explosive final episode on January 1, 2026. Three volumes, one epic showdown — get ready for the finale of a lifetime…
Spotify is also inviting fans to step into the world of “Stranger Things” ahead of Season 5 with a musical journey through the show’s most iconic ‘80s moments. Launching on November 24, the Stranger Things Musical Time Machine revisits five standout tracks that have defined the series, spanning the first four seasons.
The experience unfolds like a curated time capsule, echoing the nostalgia of Spotify Wrapped. Fans can relive Will Byers’ (Noah Schnapp) haunting anthem, The Clash’s “Should I Stay Or Should I Go,” the tender moment of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Mike (Finn Wolfhard) dancing at the Snow Ball to The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) singing along with Suzie (Gabriela Pizzolo) to Limahl’s “Never Ending Story.” Season 4’s breakout tracks are also featured, from Kate Bush’s ethereal “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” to the crushing riffs of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.”
Adding another layer to the experience, the newly reimagined Stranger Things Official Playlist will update with music from the Season 5 soundtrack on November 26. Fans visiting the playlist will be greeted by a personalized cover featuring a character—Eleven, Mike, Max, Will, Lucas, or Dustin—tailored to their musical tastes, making the experience feel uniquely their own.
The Musical Time Machine can be accessed via a banner on Spotify’s mobile homepage starting from 7 a.m. ET on November 24, or by searching “Stranger Things” in the app—perfectly timed to set the mood for the series’ highly anticipated fifth season.
