Universal Orlando celebrates the holidays in a truly big and magical way year after year. They put on one of the most epic and unforgettable holiday celebrations of the season! Universal kicks off their holiday seasons usually from Mid-November through January 1st annually and there is never an additional charge or special event ticket required! There is more than just decorations and music going on at Universal Orlando for the holiday season!
Let’s start with all of the holiday magic at the Universal Studios' side of the park. During the day in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter you can find Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees performing songs that are specifically created for the holiday season in Diagon Alley. Also included with your general park admission ticket is the MARVELOUS Mannheim Steamroller. This renowned band plays a wide variety of classic carols and original hits guaranteed to liven the holiday season. Typically they only perform 5-6 shows per season so you definitely want to check the calendar so you do not miss out.
Another holiday favorite is Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. This parade starts over by the Horror Make up show, heads down Hollywood Boulevard before looping up to the Christmas Tree by the Tribute Store. This parade not only features larger-than-life balloons but also the amazing characters from smash movie hits such as Despicable Me, Madagascar, and Shrek. There is even a guest appearance from Santa Claus himself! You also do not want to miss the Snowmen, the Dancing Reindeer, or the toy soldiers as they make their way through the parade route!
Heading over to Islands of Adventure and their holiday events, one of my favorite things to do first is head up to Hogsmeade and enjoy the decor before it gets too crowded. You also do not want to miss the Frog Choir as they wull perform special holiday themed songs during Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When the sun starts to set you will want to find a spot to watch The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. This light projection show with fireworks on Hogwarts castle is always fun to watch and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. There is an amazing fireworks display closing out the show.
Calling all my Grinch fans, if you love the Dr. Seuss classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas then you are going to want to consider booking a trip to Universal for the holidays. Not only did Breakfast with the Grinch come back in 2022 but it basically sold out within the first few weeks! That's right, all of the beloved Dr. Seuss characters including the Grinch himself will join you for breakfast at Circus McGurkus for silly fun and yummy food! There is an additional cost for this breakfast however it is definitely worth all of the mischief and fun you will experience with the Grinch and all of this friends!
If you did not get enough of the Grinch during breakfast you can catch him at the Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular show which is a live re-telling of the class holiday tale with a variety of showtimes each day! If you are still wanting more time with the Grinch, you can sign up for a virtual queue to meet the Grinch in his lair if you dare. This sassy Grinch has his own Meet and Greet at Honks Honkers. Finally if you would love to hang with the Who’s then all you have to do is wander around Seuss Landing. The Who’s can be found strolling wandering Seuss Landing. You never know what silliness they are up to!
There is one experience I do highly recommend to all who are visiting Universal for the holidays and that is the Universal Holiday Tour. This is an additional cost however I feel it is truly worth it as you are guaranteed to meet The Grinch, get special seating for one of the Grinchmas Wholiday Shows, a private meeting with Santa Claus, an after hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle and a variety of snacks from Circus McGurkus Cafe Stupendous! Spend your day enjoying the rides and then pre purchase a holiday tour to enjoy everything that Universal has to offer for the holidays! The tour guides are absolutely amazing and it is truly an amazing experience for the holidays.
From unforgettable entertainment to magical experiences, how could you NOT want to book a vacation at Universal Orlando for the Holidays! If you are considering a trip to Universal, I would love to help you! Contact me today and let's get the planning started!
