ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando Resort begins its annual destination-wide holiday celebration on Saturday, Nov. 14, bringing festive decorations, entertainment and seasonal food across its theme parks and resort hotels through Jan. 3, 2027.
The resort-wide event includes holiday traditions across Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Epic Universe.
Access to in-park holiday experiences is included with regular theme park admission, with special ticket pricing offered for Florida residents.
This year’s celebration marks the first time that Universal Epic Universe, the resort’s newest theme park, is participating in the holiday program.
Epic Universe is introducing seasonal decorations in Super Mario Land at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, along with winter displays at Celestial Park.
The season also brings back established event offerings, including Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across all three themed lands, Grinchmas in Seuss Landing at Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida.
At Universal Epic Universe, the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk area features themed decorations representing Snoggletog, the annual winter celebration featured in the animated film franchise.
Celestial Park has expanded its seasonal setup with additional lit Christmas trees and holiday-themed fountain shows at the Cosmos Fountain.
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Potter spans three locations across the resort: The Wizarding World of Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and The Wizarding World of Potter – Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe. Each land features themed decorations, lighting, seasonal entertainment and specialty items such as Spiced Apple Cider and Hot Butterbeer.
Visitors to Hogsmeade can also view “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle,” a night projection show that illuminates Hogwarts castle with visual effects inspired by holiday moments and characters from the Potter films.
At Universal Islands of Adventure, Seuss Landing hosts Grinchmas events centered on the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” a live musical stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The area also includes character meet-and-greet sessions with The Grinch, the Who-Ville Tree Lot, Who-Ville-inspired merchandise and themed food options such as the BAH! Jam Tart and Very Grinchmas Ice Cream Sandwich.
Universal Studios Florida hosts Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s each evening. The procession features floats and oversized balloons representing characters from Illumination’s “Despicable Me” as well as DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek” and “Madagascar.” The parade concludes with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony led by Santa Claus.
In December, a new 30.4-foot balloon featuring original character Earl the Squirrel will join the parade lineup. The balloon depicts Earl wearing a winter cap and holding a blue lightbulb. It is scheduled to debut in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade before being added to the Universal Studios Florida procession in the weeks following the holiday.
Universal Studios Florida is adding new cabin-style wooden food kiosks in its New York section. Menu offerings at the kiosks include fire-roasted holiday striploin, potato pancakes, pierogies, Christmas tree waffles, red-nose reindeer donuts and Squirrel’s hazelnut dot cake. Drink options include coquito, a merry orchid mule and peppermint espresso martini hot chocolate.
Food and beverage menus across Universal Epic Universe feature land-specific holiday options. Venues are serving items such as the Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone in the Isle of Berk, the Winter Hunter Mule at Burning Blade Tavern in Dark Universe, the Snowman Cake at Toadstool Cafe in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, the Noir Holiday Supper at Le Goblet Noir in the Ministry of Magic and the Dongzhi Nights beverage at The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant in Celestial Park.
Additional seasonal food items across the resort include Gingy’s Gingerbread Streusel Cake at DreamWorks’ Imagination Café in Universal Studios Florida, along with various Who-liday treats throughout Seuss Landing at Universal Islands of Adventure.
The Holiday Tribute Store returns to Universal Studios Florida with a theme honoring NBCUniversal’s history in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The retail location features themed environments, event-exclusive merchandise and collectibles. Additional merchandise lines focus on Squirrel, including apparel, accessories and collectibles.
Universal is selling add-on experiences for the season. The Universal Holiday Tour provides a two one/two-hour guided tour across Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure for guests with park-to-park admission, including private meet-and-greet opportunities with The Grinch, his dog Max and Claus. The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast is held at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal Islands of Adventure.
Universal Orlando Resort operates 11 hotels, each featuring property-specific decorations and holiday dining menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Select hotels host menorah lighting ceremonies, tree lightings and strolling carolers. Hotel guests receive benefits including Early Park Admission and complimentary park transportation.
Outside the theme parks, Universal CityWalk features seasonal food items, holiday shopping at the Universal Studios Store and Squirrel meet-and-greet sessions on Fridays through Sundays from Nov. 20 through Jan. 3. The Green and Red Coconut Club has been rethemed as Haus Noël, operating as an alpine-themed pub with seasonal drinks including Coquito, Spiked Hot Chocolate and a Pecan Pie Tai.
Florida residents can purchase an exclusive three-day ticket for $85 per day plus tax, which allows access to one park per day among Universal Epic Universe, Universal Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Florida. Residents can upgrade the ticket to park-to-park access starting at $95 per day plus tax.
Universal Orlando Resort will conclude its holiday event with New Year’s Eve celebrations across the property to usher in 2027. Theme parks and Universal CityWalk will host live entertainment and midnight countdowns, while resort hotels will offer separately ticketed events and specialty menus, with further details to be announced.
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