It’s never too early to look ahead at what Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood have planned for their holiday festivivites. Both coats will have their own unique events to celebrate the season, along with returning favorite in-park experiences like Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, and the winter decorations throughout Super Nintendo World. 

Below, unwrap all the holiday fun you can have included with a theme park ticket, plus some special add-on experiences. 

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When do Universal Studios theme parks begin celebrating the 2026 holidays?

For the first time, all three Universal Orlando Resort theme parks will invite visitors to celebrate the holidays in unique ways. From November 14 through January 3, 2027, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe will have decorations and special holiday events, including a separate ticketed Universal Holiday Tour. 

Universal Studios Hollywood gets their official holiday spirit on from November 21 through January 3, 2027. 

What to expect during Universal Orlando Resort’s holiday celebration

All three Orlando parks will celebrate Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with Hogsmeade in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter hosting the nighttime projection spectacular, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.”

Seuss Landing at Universal Islands of Adventure will be the epicenter of this year’s live “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” show, where you can take pictures with the Grinch himself. 

Universal Studios Florida will again host the exclusive Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. The parade (held on select evenings) is a micro version of the beloved New York Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, just staged down in Orlando. It features iconic balloons and elaborately-themed floats inspired by beloved characters, like Illumination’s Despicable Me and DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar.

How to celebrate the holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood

The Upper Lot at Universal Studios Hollywood will again be the home to a splendid “Grinchmas” Who-bilation, with nightly 65-foot tree lightings and photo opportunities with the Grinch. 

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter means a decked-out Hogsmeade village, warm Butterbeer, and “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle” nighttime show. 

For the younger kids, “Illumination’s Merry Minions” is the first holiday theming for Illumination’s Minion Land, including a special meet-and-greet with the Minions in their festive holiday attire. 

And in the Lower Lot, the Mushroom Kingdom gets wintry again with Mario and Luigi snowmen next to a holiday tree crowned with a shining Super Star. 

Are there New Year’s celebrations at the theme parks?

Yes, Universal Studios Hollywood brings back EVE, the park’s New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31 where you can party the night away ’til 2 am. There are DJs, dance party areas, special foods for purchase, and a midnight countdown celebration with fireworks.

At Universal Studios Resort in Orlando, guests can ring in the new year at Universal Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and/or Universal CityWalk which will all have DJs, live entertainment and a midnight countdown.