Universal Orlando holiday season 2025 | What’s new & what’s back
Universal Orlando Resort will celebrate the holiday season with favorites like Grinchmas and new traditions at Epic Universe for the park’s inaugural holiday season.
Epic Universe photo by Matt Roseboom
The holiday festivities take place Nov. 21, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026 across all three Universal Orlando theme parks and all 11 onsite hotels. Discover all the details below.
What’s new for the holidays at Universal Orlando
Décor at Epic Universe
Universal Epic Universe, the newest theme park at Universal Orlando, opened in May 2025, so this holiday season will be the park’s first.
Among the five worlds of Epic Universe, guests can see holiday décor in Celestial Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Universal says Celestial Park will have “seasonal lighting and decorations” while Ministry of Magic will have “festive holiday décor.” Universal did not mention holiday decorations or special happenings within Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, or How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
Guests can also expect Epic Universe’s first-ever New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31, 2025.
Whoville Tree Lot
As part of Grinchmas at Universal Islands of Adventure, the park will introduce the Whoville Tree Lot featuring Christmas trees themed to Dr. Seuss characters. The Whoville Tree Lot is in addition to the returning entertainment at Grinchmas (see below).
Photo courtesy of Universal
‘Mistletoe Pines Ski Lodge’ at the Green & Red Coconut Club
This year, the Green & Red Coconut Club will debut a new theme, “Mistletoe Pines Ski Lodge.”
Red Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk transforms into The Green & Red Coconut Club for the holidays each year with festive drinks and lots of seasonal theming.
Photo by Attractions Magazine
Holidays at three new Universal hotels
Since last year’s holiday season, Universal Orlando has opened three new hotels: Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, and Universal Terra Luna Resort. They’ll all be decorated for the holidays.
Here’s what their lobbies look like in their un-decorated state:
Photos courtesy of Universal
What’s back for the holidays at Universal Orlando
Universal Studios Florida
“Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s” will return to Universal Studios Florida with nightly performances from Nov. 21 – Jan. 4. The parade features floats and characters based on favorite Universal films and giant balloons curated by Macy’s.
Photo courtesy of Universal
Additionally, Celestina Warbeck will perform Christmas tunes within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Her songs are more attuned to the wizarding holiday traditions rather than the radio hits us Muggles sing.
Photo courtesy of Universal
Universal Studios Florida will also host a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Universal Islands of Adventure
The signature Grinchmas celebration returns to Universal Islands of Adventure within the park’s Seuss Landing area. Guests can watch “The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” live stage show and nearby meet the Grinch himself at the Honk Honkers store. If you plan on meeting the Grinch, make sure to set aside a good bit of your itinerary to meet him; his line can be hours long.
Photo courtesy of Universal
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade hosts nightly performances of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts” projection show, and the Frog Choir vocalists sing holiday tunes during the day.
Photo courtesy of Universal
Islands of Adventure will also host a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Universal CityWalk
Guests can meet Earl the Squirrel, Universal Orlando’s Christmas mascot, in CityWalk Plaza.
Décor at hotels
In addition to the three new hotels mentioned earlier, the other eight Universal Orlando overnight properties will also be decorated for the holidays: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, and Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites.
Upcharge experiences
Several extra-cost experiences are available at Universal Orlando for the 2025 holiday season.
The Universal Holiday Tour, starting at $80, provides a guided itinerary of all the holiday happenings at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, including reserved seating for the parade and the Grinch show, plus a dedicated meet & greet with the Grinch and Max the dog.
The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast is at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal Islands of Adventure. It costs $59 for guests ages 10+, and $33 for guests ages 3-9. You’ll meet the Grinch and some of the Whos from Whoville.
Additional planning resources
Planning a holiday trip to Universal Orlando and visiting Epic Universe for the first time? Don’t miss our Epic Universe print magazine issue with 64 pages of travel tips, behind-the-scenes interviews, and insider planning help.
If you’re also visiting Disney World during your holiday trip to Orlando, check out our 2025 Disney World holiday season guide.
Photo courtesy of Disney
Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for daily coverage of theme park news, trip reports, and exclusive interviews from Disney, Universal, and independent attractions around the world.
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