2024 Guide to the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
The Holidays at Universal Studs Hollywood runs Friday, November 29, 2024 to Monday, January 6, 2025. You can experience the magic of the season with Super Nintendo World which features an all-new holiday celebration, while enjoying traditions as Grinchmas and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.Here’s everything you need to know about the best time of the year at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Overview of the Holidays at Universal Studios
Super Nintendo World Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
For the first time ever, Super Nintendo World joins this year’s festivities with holiday décor, inviting guests to celebrate alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad within the Mushroom Kingdom. Toadstool Cafe, located within Super Nintendo World, also has 2 all-new holiday treats.Super Nintendo World Holiday merchandise is also available for purchase for the first time. You can shop for new, exclusive holiday-themed merchandise, including a holiday sweater featuring a snowman adorned in a Mario cap and scarf, a Mario snowman plush and a Mario snowman headband, drink ware, ornaments, apparel, and more. Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood
There’s so much to enjoy during the Who-lidays. You can meet the Grinch, Max and other iconic Who-Ville citizens. During the day, you don’t want to miss the WHO-BEE-DOO-WOPS and Storytime with Cindy Lou!Look for signs with all of the Who-liday event times posted at Grinchmas entrances so you can plan accordingly.Grinchmas is located in the Upper Lot in Universal Plaza. (When you enter the park, walk straight ahead and you’ll see it on your left ). Meet the Grinch
You can meet the Grinch in 3 locations: in the Universal Plaza, outside the Studio Tour, and at the Lower Lot Annual Pass Member meet and greet.The most popular option of the 3 is the Universal Plaza where the majority of the Grinchmas festivities take place. This is his main area for Grinchmas character interactions and this line is also the longest to meet him! Usually the line is over an hour but sometimes closer to 2 hours.Universal Hollywood Annual Pass Members can meet the Grinch with a shorter wait time in the Lower Lot. On select days pass members can meet the Grinch from 12PM to 6:30PM.The Grinch meets guests at exit of the Studio Tour. This most often happens on weekends and this is the shortest wait time to meet the Grinch. There is no set schedule for this meet and greet so you may have to try a few times to see if he is meeting guests at this hidden spot.Meet Max
The Grinch's faithful Dog Max is available in the Universal Plaza for meet and greets. For the most part, his wait times are way shorter since it’s a quick photo opportunity compared to interactions with the Grinch.Meet the Citizens of Who-Ville
You can also meet and get fun photos with various Who-Ville citizens in the Universal Plaza through out the day, and in the evenings closer to the Tree Lighting show.Who-ville Post Office
Visit the Who-ville post office to mail a Grinchmas postcard sharing 3 good deeds. if you send the Grinch a postcard listing some of your good deeds, donations will be made to help support tutoring for homeless youth.Trim Up The Tree Lot Crafts
Make sure you spend some time at the Grinchmas craft area. Here, you and your family can take a break and make cute paper ornaments to decorate the Grinchmas tree, or to take home as a unique free souvenir. Who-ville Entertainment Offerings During the Holidays at Universal Hollywood
Who-Bee Doo-Wops
Catch the all-new Who-Bee Doo-Wops Musical Performance. Whoville’s newest musical sensation will have you rocking out to hip-swinging, bell-ringing holiday classics. It takes place during the day (on peak days and weekends).Wholiday Tree Lighting
Starting when it gets dark enough on select nights (5:30 p.m. on the night we visited but maybe 6 p.m. during the week), the Whos (along with the Grinch) gather on stage for the Christmas tree lighting for the Whoville Christmas tree. Each lighting is followed by a show snowfall. The tree lighting runs roughly every 30 minutes until park close. This first tree lighting show is the busiest, and strollers are not allowed inside the Plaza area during this time.Knock out meeting the Grinch as early as you can in the morning, as his line gets longer and longer during the day. After meeting the Grinch, then knock out the Studio Tour and your must-do rides in the Lower Lot early in the day. Then, head back to the upper lot to see the Frog Choir in Hogsmeade, and the tree lighting show. Note— The Grinch leaves his Upper Lot meet and greet to do the tree lighting show every 30 minutes in the evenings.Grinchmas Food and Drinks at Universal Studios Hollywood
This year, Grinchmas is offering an array of new items available at the “Who-bilicious Treats” venue located within Universal Plaza. Highlights include Who Pudding, Whoville Present Cookie, Cocoa Cookie, Grinch Donut, 2 Sizes Too Small Cupcake, Who-bilicious Cinnamon Roll, Heart Grew 3 Sizes Sugar Cookie and the Max Hotdog.You can find these, and other Grinchmas treats in and around the Universal Plaza area located in the Upper Lot. The line for these items can get long, so go earlier in the day if you can. You can try festive Grinchmas beverages such as the Grinch Heart Lemonade, spiked hot cocoa and hot buttered rum. In addition to the Grinch-themed holiday foods, new for this year, you can enjoy new holiday-themed treats at Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World! There’s also other holiday food items found all around Universal Studios Hollywood. Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Hollywood
Festive holiday décor — Throughout the streets of Hogsmeade, you'll find gorgeous wreaths, twinkling lights, garland and the biggest mistletoe. (Take your time and look at how shop is decorated with its own holiday-themed garland)Holiday Frog Choir — Ring in the holiday season with holiday songs sung by a choir of Hogwarts students and their croaking frogs.The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle — This nighttime show with projections, music and dazzling lights is back again.Holiday food — Seasonal foods include the English Holiday Meal with turkey, gravy, sourdough stuffing, carrots, brussels sprouts, bacon-wrapped sausage and cranberry sauce at the Three Broomsticks.Order a hot ButterbeerHoliday shopping — Grab a Wizarding World of Harry Potter ornament, stocking, Weasley sweater, and more.The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle showtimes usually show up on the Universal Studios Hollywood app after 9:30 a.m. each day. Tap "Alerts" then the viewing information under "Park Updates" to see the show times.
The Castle show runs typically every half an hour until the park closing. During the week, it’s normal for there to only one or two show times before the park closes.Holiday Character Interactions at Universal Hollywood
Don’t miss out on saying hello and grabbing a photo with some of your favorite characters around Universal Hollywood. They’ll also be in their holiday best!Universal Studios Hollywood Christmas Decor
The holiday decorations aren't just exclusive to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, and Super Nintendo World. Throughout the park you will notice seasonal holiday decor along with a variety of Christmas photo opportunities.The New York area where the Secret Life of Pets attraction is located has some fun holiday decor and a photo opportunities for you to take pictures with.CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood Joins in on the Holiday Offerings
In addition to food inside Universal Hollywood, select CityWalk restaurants offer special holiday food and drinks. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen introduces a new seasonal milkshake, the Wintermint Spice Shake, available both at the Foundry milkshake bar and in the dining room. Voodoo Doughnut is featuring all-new, seasonal doughnuts such as the Candy Cane, Grandma’s Hot Cocoa, Peppermint Chocolate Bar and Snowball to celebrate the holiday season.NBC Sports Grill & Brew cheers to the holidays with a tasty Peppermint Mocha Martini, while VIVO Italian Kitchen presents a new dish, Aranci, which is comprised of crispy-fried risotto, sun-dried tomatoes, pancetta, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, Grana Padano cheese, marinara, balsamic glaze and oregano.Antojitos Cocina Mexicana serves up a variety of festive-themed drinks, including Champurrado, Chestnut Horchata, Mistletoe Mule and Apple Cider Margarita.The all-new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe features a selection of delicious menu items, including a 50th Cookie Sandwich, a 50th Anniversary Cake and a Sparkling 50th Drink, offered now through the end of the year to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 50th Anniversary.At the Sanrio Smile Shop, located next door, offers a variety of Hello Kitty merchandise and exclusive holiday-themed items from ornament to apparel and a must-have holiday glass tumbler.When are the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024?
You can experience the Holidays and Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood daily from Nov. 29, 2024 through Jan. 6, 2025.Tips for Experiencing the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
Here are some easy tips from someone whose home park is Universal Orlando Result. With a little pre-planning, you can easily maximize your time during the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood.Visit during weekends in the first half of December for the lightest crowds but full entertainment offeringsKeep in mind the park hours for Universal Studios Hollywood are much shorter on weekdays in early December. The closing times can vary from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the holiday season.Stay at a hotel close to Universal Studios Hollywood.Consider buying a Universal Express Ticket so you can fit everything in if it's a short visit on peak holiday days.Know the park hours before your visit.Plan to stay until the park closePack and dress in layers. plan to bring your Hogwarts robe and scarf or a sweater— even if it's warm during the day, it drastically cools off at night once the sun goes down. TRUST ME.Plan to utilize the Single Rider lines and Child Swap to save time. (Universal app shows which attractions these are available for).
Arrive early especially on days where you want to meet the upper lot Grinch. For meeting the Grinch, plan to rope drop.Each day when you arrive, check the Grinchmas signs for the tree lighting, musical offerings, and story times with Cindy Lou.Check the "Alerts section" on the official Universal Hollywood app starting at 9:30 a.m. the day of your visit for the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle showtimes.Don't miss out on trying the limited time English Holiday Meal inside the Three Broomsticks.Save time by using the Mobile Food & Drink Ordering (via the Universal app) to order some holiday foods in advance at locations such as, Three Broomsticks, Jurassic Cafe, and Mel's Diner.If there are multiple Hogwarts Castle shows, see a later one for lighter crowds, or hop in place an hour before the first show to hopefully catch a bonus early show.Stop by the Universal Studio Store after 4:00pm, on your way out of the park at closing. You'll catch some of the indoor snoap that falls over the Wizarding World section of the storeEnjoy the CityWalk musical entertainment and Christmas tree, with 200,000 choreographed LEDs that move to the music! Voodoo Doughnut offers holiday creations.