If your perfect holiday season includes oversized parade balloons, Who-ville charm, wizarding snow, and a brand-new park dressed for the season, you’re going to love Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort. For 2025, the celebration runs Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026, with festive experiences across the destination — including select worlds at Universal Epic Universe.
This guide covers what to expect, the can’t-miss highlights, and how to plan a smoother, more magical trip.
A big win of this season is that many of the core holiday experiences are included with regular theme park admission — and the holiday spirit extends beyond the parks into CityWalk and Universal hotels too.
This isn’t a “small seasonal parade.” It’s the full holiday spectacle: giant character balloons, vibrant floats, and appearances from favorites like the Minions, Shrek, and Madagascar. The parade experience culminates with a special moment to light the park’s 80-foot Christmas tree led by Santa Claus.
If you love classic holiday energy with a theme park twist, this is your must-do.
Grinchmas returns with the beloved Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular and festive Who-ville vibes throughout Seuss Landing. You can also meet the Grinch and encounter Whos around the land — now with even more themed holiday touches.
This is one of those experiences that hits equally hard for kids, adults, and anyone who loves a little holiday mischief.
Holiday magic shows up across all three wizarding locations this season:
Expect festive décor, seasonal entertainment, and the returning nighttime castle spectacle in Hogsmeade. Plus, hot Butterbeer and holiday merchandise add extra cozy points.
This year, holiday décor extends into select worlds at Universal Epic Universe, with seasonal touches in:
And if you’re a holiday-snack person, you’ll find seasonal treats available across the resort — including Epic Universe.
Universal’s cheeky, beloved holiday mascot Earl the Squirrel returns with appearances and extra fun at CityWalk, including Earl’s Twelve Days of Christmas. You may even be able to meet Earl on select dates.
He’s one of those “only at Universal” touches that makes the season feel playful and uniquely charming.
If you want a curated, lower-stress holiday highlight day, this is the premium shortcut worth knowing about. The tour includes:
It runs on select dates Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 3, 2026, with pricing starting at $79.99 (plus tax), and requires separate 1-Day 2-Park Park-to-Park admission.
A fun option for families and big Grinch fans who want a more relaxed, planned interaction. This add-on runs select dates during the season with adult and child pricing listed by Universal.
To keep the day magical instead of exhausting:
Morning
Midday
Afternoon
Evening
Universal’s holiday season is a perfect blend of classic Christmas joy and big-theme-park energy — and with Epic Universe now in the mix, 2025 is a standout year to experience it all in one trip.
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