Important dates have just been announced by Universal Orlando for 2025!

2025 is gearing up to be a big year for Universal. We’ve just stayed at the first of three brand new hotels Universal is adding near its latest theme park, and we’ve learned who we can expect to see in concert soon during their Mardi Gras festivities. However, if you’re a planner and looking to get ahead at some of the most anticipated happenings around Universal throughout the rest of the year, these are the dates you need to take note of NOW!
Universal Orlando has a lot going on right now and it doesn’t seem like they’ve got plans to slow the roll down anytime soon. We’re huge fans of any time Universal is up to celebrate with concerts, food, frights, and even getting in a meet and greet with the “mean one” himself.

Universal has just made our planning 10X easier by releasing official dates on when we can expect some of our favorite events to take place throughout the year. Since we’ve got a lot of ground to cover, we’ll break them down one by one.
Universal Rock The Universe — January 24th-25th
Rock The Universe at Universal is coming up quick and is a weekend you won’t soon forget.

This is a Christian rock concert weekend of epic proportions. The lineup of artists attending include GRAMMY award-winning singer Brandon Lake, Billboard Christian chart-topper Forrest Frank, Dove award-winning band Bethel Music, American Music Award-winning singer Matthew West, and Dove-nominated band Rend Collective. Tickets for this event are on sale now and those attending will also be able to “moving worship experiences” all weekend long. Concert attendees will also enjoy a dedicated fan zone during the live performances plus autograph sessions with participating bands and artists.
Universal Mardi Gras — February 1st- March 30th
Here’s to hoping our feet don’t fail us now! It’s almost time for one of the biggest festivals at Universal Orlando — Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. This year, Universal will celebrate 30 years of “letting the good times roll” while visitors can choose from dozens of food booths offering a taste of international cuisine.

The highlight of this event is waiting for your chance to catch the colorful beads as they’re thrown from some of the most intricately decorated parade floats in town…

… and don’t forget to stay for the live concerts featuring some of the biggest artists in music – from T-Pain to Joe Jonas and more.
Click HERE to read more about last year’s Mardi Gras experience!
Butterbeer Season — March 1st- May 31st
Muggles and Wizards alike have rejoiced at the news that Butterbeer Season will be returning to Universal Orlando this summer!

With so many current ways to get your Butterbeer (hot, cold, frozen, fudge, and more) we’re eager to see what might await us next. Last year’s limited-time Butterbeer offering came in the form of a delicious ice lolly and we wouldn’t mind seeing it make a triumphant return to the parks again.
Read more about Butterbeer Season HERE!
Universal Volcano Bay Nights — April 19th and 26th, & May 3rd, 10th, and 17th
A brand-new nighttime experience is coming to Universal’s premiere water park this summer.

On select nights in April and May, visitors of the inaugural Volcano Bay Nights can immerse themselves in the Waturi culture. We’re super intrigued to learn more about what awaits us during these exclusive nights and how to get inside for the fun! We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more details from Universal.
Halloween Horror Nights — August 29th – November 2nd (select nights)
Arguably one of Universal Orlando’s most popular, and most anticipated yearly events, Halloween Horror Nights is BACK earlier than ever this year!

Universal’s chilling seasonal event promises another year of mayhem and frights happening on select nights coming this Fall. During HHN, visitors for this separately ticketed event will face MULTIPLE haunted houses “inspired by cinematic greats and eerie original stories”…

…creepy scare zones, and live entertainment of massive scale. Of course, you won’t want to miss out on your chance to score event merchandise and exclusive food and beverage items sold during this incredible Halloween event.
Read more about our experience at last year’s HHN event HERE!
Holidays at Universal — November 21st- December 30th
If you’re the type that wishes it was Christmas (or Grinchmas?) every day, this is YOUR time to visit Universal Orlando!

The Holidays at Universal will take place daily starting in late November giving you the opportunity to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with festive experiences. During this time you’ll find the awe-inspiring Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley…

…and get your chance to meet the “mean, green one” himself – the Grinch at Grinchmas offered in Seuss Landing.

If you think the fun and festivities stop there, you’re in luck! You’ll find festive decor across the parks and dine on holiday-themed food and beverage offerings, and can even catch Santa in the nightly parade lighting up the 80-foot Christmas Tree as it makes its way through the streets of New York!

You’ll also want to keep a watchful eye out on a few familiar balloons featured during the parade from Macy’s and some of your favorite Dreamworks friends like Shrek, Madagascar, and more.
Read more about last year’s Holidays at Universal HERE!
We’ll be counting down the dates to all of these Universal Orlando events and more! For all the latest, be sure you’re following along with us at AllEars.
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Which Universal Orlando dates are you looking forward to most? Leave your ranking in the comments below!
Halloween Horror Nights