Universal Orlando Kicks Off a Season of Festive Fun This Friday with the Start of its Destination-Wide Holidays Celebration!

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Dec 13

Written By Megan Hamilton

Universal Orlando Resort’s Holidays celebration officially kicks off this Friday, inviting you to celebrate the most wonderful time of year with an incredible collection of festive experiences for the whole family inspired by beloved characters and stories.

Universal Orlando’s Holidays Celebration will runs daily November 22 through December 31, and is included in admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure.

You can enjoy a variety of holiday-themed treats across the destination, journey through holiday pop-up books brought to life in the all-new holiday tribute store, and take your fun to the next level with festive add-on experiences.

Beginning November 22 and running daily through December 31, you can enjoy a jolly slate of experiences – including witnessing awe-inspiring Christmas magic in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meeting the mean, green one himself during Grinchmas, watching larger-than-life balloons and floats wind the streets of Universal Studios during Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, exploring the all-new holiday-themed Tribute Store, savoring delicious seasonal treats and more.

See below for more information about the festive offerings available at Universal Orlando this holiday season:

Holiday In-Park Experiences at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure

If you are visiting Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure over the next few weeks, you can celebrate the holiday season with festivities that are included with your theme park admission including:

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Holiday magic comes to life in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley as both areas are adorned with themed décor to celebrate the season. Guests can enjoy Hot Butterbeer, special holiday-themed performances and the wondrous spectacle, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” – which highlights Christmas moments inspired by the cherished characters and stories from the “Harry Potter” films

Grinchmas:

Guests can step into the whimsical Who-ville in Seuss Landing, where they’ll meet the mean-one himself – the Grinch – and enjoy a live-retelling of the Dr. Seuss holiday classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in the beloved stage show, “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.”

Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s:

Guests will watch cherished holiday traditions and pop culture-inspired stories and characters come to life as larger-than-life balloons and colorful holiday floats during Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s;

And more!

Shop the All-New Holiday Tribute Store in Universal Studios Florida

The Holidays celebration continues with this year’s all-new Holiday Tribute Store where you will journey through holiday pop-up books brought to life across four festively-adorned rooms inspired by Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and fan-favorite character, Earl the Squirrel.

You can shop this immersive retail space featuring seasonal treats and merchandise like Hogsmeade-themed home décor, pajamas and accessories, Grinchmas apparel, slippers and ornaments, and Earl the Squirrel’s very own story book, “The Tale of Earl the Squirrel.”

You can also browse select items from Universal’s assortment of Holidays merchandise and purchase online by visiting www.Shop.UniversalOrlando.com.

Delight in Holiday-Themed Treats Across the Destination

This holiday season, you can savor a menu of delicious, holiday-themed food and beverage offerings across the destination. Here are some of the many festive items you can purchase starting November 22:

Gingy Cookie

Florida Snowman

Hazel “Nutcracker” Eclair

Pistachio Holiday Wreath

Roasting Chestnuts Mont Blanc

Holly Jolly Christmas Roll

Christmas Tree Cookie

Chocolate Poinsettia Cake

Peppermint Cheesecake Bar

Grinch-themed treats like Grinch Cookies

At Universal CityWalk, you can enjoy the Ugly Sweater Shake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen – complete with vanilla ice cream with spiced streusel, mini marshmallows, holiday sprinkles and an ugly sweater sugar cookie, and enjoy a selection of seasonal food and beverage items at Bigfire and VIVO Italian Kitchen.

Holiday Add-On Experiences Available for an Additional Cost

Take your festivities to the next level with special add-on experiences, including:

The Universal Holiday Tour

On the Holiday Tour, you will embark on a guided journey through Universal’s holiday experiences, get access to exclusive meet and greets with Santa Claus, the Grinch and his faithful dog Max, dine on small bites and delectable desserts, access reserved seating at “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” enjoy a special showing of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” and more.

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast

This is your chance to start your day alongside the Grinch and other favorite characters from Seuss Landing while dining on a delicious plated breakfast in Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal Islands of Adventure.

The Holidays Continue at Universal CityWalk and Universal Orlando’s Hotels

The holiday spirit continues at Universal CityWalk with live entertainment and themed holiday cocktails at The Green & Red Coconut Club at Red Coconut Club through December 31, and festive meet and greets with Earl the Squirrel on select dates from November 29 through December 29 at CityWalk Plaza.

Plus, all 8 Universal Orlando Resort hotels will be decked out with festive décor for the season and offer special menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve in addition to special holiday celebrations, including Christmas tree lightings, Hannukah menorah lighting ceremonies and more.

You can ring in the New Year across the destination with live entertainment at Universal Studios Florida, hype squads full of music and characters at Universal Islands of Adventure, a midnight countdown at both theme parks and Universal CityWalk, and access to select venues after midnight to continue the festivities.

Universal Orlando’s Holidays celebration runs daily from November 22 through December 31 and access to the in-park festivities is included with regular admission to the theme parks.

There are a variety of special offers available now for guests to plan their visit to Universal Orlando Resort this holiday season, including the Dining Card Vacation Package that includes hotel accommodations, theme park tickets and a food and beverage dining card worth up to $1,000, including the “Florida Unlimited Days Ticket,” which provides access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure for an unlimited number of days now through December 18, 2024 for $199 plus tax.

For more information and to book a festive getaway, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/Holidays.

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Megan Hamilton

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