Universal Orlando’s Christmas season starts this Saturday. In a press release on 11 November 2026, the resort said its destination-wide Holidays celebration runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with the in-park entertainment included in a normal theme park ticket.
The big change this year is at Epic Universe. For the first time, Universal’s newest park will have special holiday décor, festive merchandise and seasonal food at Super Mario Land in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and at How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. In Berk, Universal is bringing in Snoggletog, the winter celebration from the films, with décor, merchandise and photo spots. Celestial Park returns as a “cosmic winter wonderland”, with even more twinkling Christmas trees and holiday-themed displays at the Cosmos Fountain during the day.
What’s on across the resort
CONFIRMED: Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will run in all three lands — Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, and Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. Each will have festive décor, lights, merchandise and holiday entertainment. In Hogsmeade, that includes “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle”, a projection show on the castle inspired by holiday moments from the films.
At Islands of Adventure, Grinchmas is back in Seuss Landing, with the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” stage show, a chance to meet the Grinch, and the Who-Ville Tree Lot. At Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s runs at night, with large balloons and floats inspired by Despicable Me, Shrek, Madagascar and classic Christmas characters, ending with a tree lighting led by Santa Claus. An all-new Earl the Squirrel balloon, 30.4 feet (about 9.3 metres) tall, will debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then join the park parade in December.
Food, extras and what’s still TBC
Seasonal food is confirmed at all three parks, including new cabin-style kiosks in the New York area of Universal Studios Florida, the Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone in Isle of Berk, a Snowman Cake at Toadstool Cafe, and hot Butterbeer in all three Wizarding World lands. The Holiday Tribute Store returns at Universal Studios Florida, themed this year around NBCUniversal’s history with the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Separately ticketed add-ons are on sale now, including the Universal Holiday Tour — a two-and-a-half-hour guided visit for guests with two-park, park-to-park tickets for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure — and the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous.
New Year’s Eve parties are planned in the parks, at CityWalk and at the hotels, but Universal said more details will be revealed soon, so the late-night line-up is still TBC. CityWalk’s Green and Red Coconut Club will become Haus Noël for the season, and an Earl the Squirrel meet-and-greet is listed for Fridays to Sundays from 20 November to 3 January.
Universal also published ticket and hotel offers, including three days of theme park access from $99 plus tax per day, or $119 plus tax per day with a park-to-park upgrade. A hotel discount of up to 30% for stays of five nights or more is aimed at US residents. Check the official Holidays page closer to travel, as dollar offers can change.
Our Universal Orlando guide has more on the wider resort, including the new indoor coaster announced for Dark Universe.
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