Your FULL GUIDE to Universal Orlando’s 2024 Holiday Offerings

The holiday season has come to Universal Orlando Resort, and we’re here to tell you all about it!

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando has dominated theme park discussion this year, and it doesn’t seem like it has any intention of slowing down! From news about when its brand-new Epic Universe is set to open to updates about a new lagoon show, Universal is keeping people busy. In fact, you will find even more to do for the holidays, bringing tons of fun to the Orlando theme park resort!

Tons of fun and excitement are coming to Universal this holiday season, which runs from November 22nd through December 31st, 2024. We’re here going over every single offering and are giving you the rundown on what to expect!

We’re stoked that most of these offerings are already included with your park ticket and require no extra cost. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in and check out everything coming to Universal Orlando this holiday season!

Universal Studios

One of the major draws at Universal Studios this holiday season is the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s!

This parade includes larger-than-life floats and balloons themed after some of our favorite characters from franchises like Despicable Me and Shrek.

You’ll also be able to spot Santa Claus lighting up an 80-foot-tall Christmas tree in New York at the park this year! Make sure you’re on the lookout for a mischievous little squirrel hiding in the tree, which will occasionally pop out to say hi!

Universal Studios will also offer several live entertainment options tailored to the season. Some acts include The Blues Brothers, Beat Builders, and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees in Diagon Alley.

You’ll also find plenty of holiday-exclusive food, drinks, and seasonal merch. Make sure you stop by the new Holiday Tribute Store!

You’ll especially want to check out the adorable Earl The Squirrel Children’s Pop-Up Book, which tells the story of the REAL Earl the Squirrel and how he chewed through the cord of the Christmas Tree lights many years ago.

What’s a holiday season without special meet-and-greets? Give some season’s greetings to Earl the Squirrel when you visit the park!

Earl’z March of the Nutcrackers is also an offering available for an additional charge that you won’t want to miss out on — find the nutcrackers all over the park to unlock the secret message, and you’ll win a prize!

The prize is a cute Universal Studios ornament, perfect for any holiday tree.

But that’s not all there is to explore!

Islands of Adventure

Hopping over to Universal Islands of Adventure, Hogsmeade is getting a glow-up for the holidays with some special decor, including garland and lights. With the winter weather rolling in, we definitely recommend grabbing a hot butterbeer and checking out the Frog Choir as it performs classic holiday tunes throughout the day.

Staying in Hogsmeade, you won’t want to miss “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle!” when the sun sets. This holiday event is a projection and pyrotechnics show on the Hogwarts Castle that plays every night and takes a very nostalgic and heartwarming tone by featuring holiday moments and themes from the Harry Potter franchise. Of note, showtimes are subject to change without notice.

Fans of Dr. Suess are in for a real treat over in Suess Landing. Grinchmas completely takes over the land, providing tons of holiday cheer and several characters you won’t want to miss.

Be sure to check out the live retelling of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” stage show!

Best of all, you might even get to meet the Grinch and take a photo.

Although, be warned, this is one sassy, potbellied, fuzzy green fiend who usually demands a long wait time, so keep an eye out for a potential virtual queue in the Universal Orlando app.

Universal CityWalk

CityWalk is getting in on the fun as well, with some seasonal entertainment and menu offerings at select venues and restaurants. Some offerings include:

The Green & Red Coconut Club at Red Coconut Club will feature live entertainment and themed holiday cocktails.
CityWalk Plaza will host a meet and greet with Earl the Squirrel on select dates between November 29th through December 28th, 2024.
Assorted seasonal food and beverages at Bigfire and VIVO Italian Kitchen will be available, as well as a seasonal milkshake at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen.

Universal Hotels

The Universal Hotels will also offer seasonal fun. Each hotel will have its own decorations, and hotel restaurants will offer special menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Keep an eye out for holiday celebrations such as Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremonies, and strolling carolers. For more information, check in with your hotel’s front desk for updates!

Holiday Add-Ons

Looking to really go all out this holiday season at Universal? The resort is offering some special add-ons! Universal’s Holiday VIP Tour is a great way to experience the theme parks during the holiday season and includes the following:

An exclusive meet and greet with the Grinch and Max
Small plates, delectable desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages in Universal Studios
Reserved seating at the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” in Islands of Adventure
An exclusive meet and greet photo opportunity with Santa Claus in Universal Studios
An after-hours showing of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle”
Priority access to Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast (subject to change and based on availability)

This tour is available on select dates starting November 25th through December 29th, 2024, and can be booked online, through the Universal Orlando app, or through a travel agent. Pricing starts at $79.99 per person, and separate theme park admission with a minimum 1-day park to park ticket is required.

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast is also back this year at Islands of Adventure and includes a breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham, Cindy-Lou Who’s Belgian Waffles, and much more. The plated breakfast is held at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Seuss Landing on select dates from November 22nd through December 30th, 2024, and costs $58.99 per adult and $32.99 per child ages 3–9.

Tickets can be purchased at www.UniversalOrlando.com/Holidays, and premiere and preferred Annual Passholders are eligible to receive a 20% discount.

©Universal

And there you have it! We’ve been waiting for the holiday season at Universal all year and are so excited that it’s finally here! For all the latest Universal Orlando updates, stay tuned right here at AllEars!