Universal Orlando has revealed all the details for the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort. Plan a Universal Orlando holiday vacation this season. Grinchmas, the Macy’s parade, and Universal Epic Universe decor are all included with park admission.
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
If you’ve been looking for a reason to plan a holiday trip to Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort just handed you a sleigh full of them. The Holidays at Universal Orlando run from Saturday, November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027, with celebrations across Universal Studios Florida (USF), Universal Islands of Adventure (IOA), Universal Epic Universe, Universal CityWalk and all 11 on-site hotels. The holiday season makes a great time to experience a Universal Orlando holiday vacation.
Here’s the part that makes this such a great value for families: the in-park holiday experiences are included with regular theme park admission. The parade, the shows, the décor, the Grinch, the projection show on Hogwarts castle, the first ever holiday décor in Super Mario Land. No special event ticket, no separate holiday party to buy. If you have a park ticket, you have the holidays. We pulled together the best reasons to book Universal Orlando this holiday season, what’s included, what costs extra and how to plan the merriest trip possible.
1. Almost Every Holiday Experience Is Included With Your Ticket
Many holiday celebrations at Orlando theme parks require a separately ticketed party on select nights. Universal Orlando Resort takes a different approach. Nearly everything on the holiday lineup runs during regular park hours and is open to every guest with admission. That means you can see Grinchmas in the afternoon, catch the Macy’s parade at night, and enjoy Christmas in the Wizarding World any day of your trip, without paying for an extra event.
Here’s a quick look at what’s included and what costs extra:
| Holiday Experience | Park or Area | Included? |
| Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (all three lands) | USF, IOA, Epic Universe | Included with admission |
| The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle projection show | Islands of Adventure | Included with admission |
| Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, Grinch meet and greet, Who-Ville Tree Lot | Islands of Adventure | Included with admission |
| Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and Santa’s tree lighting | Universal Studios Florida | Included with admission |
| Super Mario Land and Isle of Berk (Snoggletog) holiday décor | Epic Universe | Included with admission |
| Celestial Park trees and Cosmos Fountain holiday shows | Epic Universe | Included with admission |
| Holiday Tribute Store | Universal Studios Florida | Included (free to browse) |
| Haus Noël and Earl the Squirrel CityWalk meet and greet | Universal CityWalk | Free entry; drinks extra |
| Holiday food and drinks | All parks and CityWalk | Extra (pay per item) |
| Universal Holiday Tour | USF and IOA | Extra (add-on) |
| Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast | Islands of Adventure | Extra (add-on) |
| Hotel New Year’s Eve events | Select Universal hotels | Extra (separately ticketed) |
2. Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Times Three
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Epic Universe
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
This season, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans all three wizarding lands: Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and the Ministry of Magic at Universal Epic Universe. Each one gets festive décor, sparkling lights, holiday merchandise and seasonal entertainment.
At night in Hogsmeade, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” lights up the castle with a projection show inspired by holiday moments and characters from the Harry Potter films. Warm up afterward with Hot Butterbeer or Spiced Apple Cider, both available in all three wizarding locations. Potter fans can make it even more magical with our Wizarding World of Harry Potter vacation package.
3. Grinchmas in Seuss Landing
Grinchmas returns to Seuss Landing at Universal Islands of Adventure with the live stage show “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” based on the Dr. Seuss classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Families can also meet The Grinch, stroll the Who-Ville Tree Lot and shop for Who-Ville inspired gifts. All of it is included with admission.
4. Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and Earl the Squirrel
Every night at Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s fills the streets with giant balloons and floats inspired by Despicable Me, Shrek, Madagascar and classic holiday favorites. The parade ends with a Christmas tree lighting led by Santa Claus himself.
This year, Universal’s homegrown holiday mascot, Earl the Squirrel, joins the fleet with a brand new 30.4 foot balloon. Earl debuts in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City before joining the Orlando parade in December. Read more about Earl the Squirrel’s Macy’s balloon and why it’s the perfect reason to book a holiday trip. Planning tip: if seeing Earl’s balloon in the park is a must, book your trip for December.
5. Universal Epic Universe Celebrates Like Never Before
Universal Epic Universe is going all in this year. For the first time, Super Mario Land in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD gets special holiday décor, festive merchandise and seasonal food. In How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, guests can celebrate Snoggletog, the Viking winter holiday from the films, with décor, seasonal merchandise and photo ops. Celestial Park returns as a cosmic winter wonderland with even more twinkling trees and holiday fountain displays at the Cosmos Fountain throughout the day.
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
Thinking ahead? There’s even more coming to Epic Universe, including a new indoor coaster in Dark Universe.
6. Festive Food and Drinks Around Every Corner
Holiday food is one of the few things that costs extra, but it’s well worth budgeting for. Highlights include:
- Universal Studios Florida: new cabin style holiday kiosks in the New York area with fire-roasted holiday striploin, potato pancakes, pierogies, Christmas tree waffles, red-nose reindeer donuts and Earl the Squirrel’s hazelnut dot cake, plus a coquito, merry orchid mule and peppermint espresso martini hot chocolate for the grown ups
- Universal Epic Universe: holiday items across all five worlds, including the Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone, Snowman Cake (Mario) at Toadstool Cafe and the Noir Holiday Supper at Le Gobelet Noir
- Islands of Adventure: Who-liday treats like the BAH! Jam Tart and Very Grinchmas Ice Cream Sandwich in Seuss Landing
7. Universal CityWalk Orlando Is Free to Enjoy
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
Universal CityWalk doesn’t require park admission, so it’s a great way to keep the holiday fun going on arrival day or a rest evening. The Green and Red Coconut Club transforms into Haus Noël, an alpine pub and Christmas market celebrating old world holiday traditions, with seasonal drinks like a Coquito, Spiked Hot Chocolate and a Pecan Pie Tai. Families can also meet Earl the Squirrel at CityWalk Friday through Sunday from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3 and shop for gifts at the Universal Studios Store.
8. Universal Hotels Make the Season Even Brighter
All 11 Universal Orlando hotels get holiday décor themed to each property, with special Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve dining at select hotels. Some hotels also host menorah lighting ceremonies, Christmas tree lightings and strolling carolers. Plus, on-site guests get Early Park Admission and complimentary transportation to the theme parks, which is a big help during one of the busiest times of year. Compare your options in our Universal Orlando hotel guide.
9. Holiday Deals Make It Easier to Go
- S. residents can save up to 30% on stays of five nights or more at participating Universal Orlando hotels, plus up to $300 more when bundling the stay with theme park tickets.
- Three-day theme park tickets start at $99 per day plus tax, with park-to-park upgrades starting at $119 per day plus tax.
Our planners can help you find the best combination of hotel and tickets for your dates. Browse our Universal Orlando vacation packages to get started.
What Costs Extra This Holiday Season For a Universal Orlando Holiday Vacation
To keep your budget merry and bright, here’s what isn’t included with standard admission:
- Universal Holiday Tour: a two-and-a-half hour guided tour of the holiday offerings at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure with exclusive meet and greets with The Grinch, Max and Santa Claus (requires two-park, park-to-park admission)
- Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast: breakfast with The Grinch and The Whos at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
- Holiday food, drinks and merchandise
- Separately ticketed New Year’s Eve events at Universal hotels
- Express Pass: not holiday specific, but worth considering during peak weeks. See whether the Epic Universe Express Pass is worth it for your family.
Based on our experience, groups can have a wonderful time during the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort without paying for these upcharges. Your travel advisor at Universal Family Vacations can help you decide what options are right for you.
Tips for Planning a Universal Orlando Holiday Vacation
- Go early in the season or midweek. Mid November and early December weekdays tend to be easier than the weeks around Christmas and New Year’s.
- Book December for Earl’s balloon. He joins the Orlando parade after his Thanksgiving debut.
- Choose park-to-park if you can. It makes it easy to hop between Grinchmas and the nightly parade, and it’s required for the Universal Holiday Tour.
- Stay on site. Early Park Admission and complimentary transportation pay off when crowds are heavy.
- Splitting time with Disney? Here’s how to get from Disney to Universal.
Already dreaming about your next trip? Catch up on all the latest in our Universal Orlando news for November 2026, or start planning for Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2027, which runs February 6 through March 27.
Universal Orlando Holiday Vacation: Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Holidays at Universal Orlando 2026?
The celebration runs November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
Do I need a special ticket for the Holidays at Universal Orlando?
No. The in-park holiday experiences are included with regular theme park admission. Only add-ons like the Universal Holiday Tour, the Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast and hotel New Year’s Eve events cost extra.
Which parks celebrate the holidays?
All three: Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Epic Universe, plus Universal CityWalk and the on-site hotels.
When can I see the Earl the Squirrel balloon at Universal?
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
Earl’s balloon joins Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s in December, after its debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Book Your Universal Orlando Holiday Vacation Today
The holidays at Universal Orlando only come around once a year, and the best hotel rooms and dates go quickly. Let our Universal vacation planners handle the details, from picking the right hotel to finding the best ticket deals, so you can focus on Butterbeer, the Grinch and making memories. Our planning services are free, and every quote comes with no obligation.
Ready to make it merry? Get your free Universal Orlando vacation quote or meet your agent today. For full event details, visit the official Holidays at Universal Orlando page
1-Day Park-to-Park with Roundtrip Transfers provides guests a 1-Day Park-to-Park experience with transportation to Universal Orlando® from Disney® Area Hotels.
