Orlando, FL — Holidays at Universal Orlando is the resort’s Christmas season, running Nov. 14 to Jan. 3 in all three theme parks. Grinchmas, the Wizarding World’s Christmas and Universal’s nightly Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s return, and new this year are Epic Universe’s first Snoggletog, Super Nintendo World holiday decor and an Earl the Squirrel balloon in the parade. The lists below go park by park and keep what your ticket covers apart from what costs extra.
Note: I may earn a commission if you buy through some links in this article.
What’s new for 2026 vs. the park’s 2025 pages
- NewSnoggletog in How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, which Universal calls ‘our inaugural Snoggletog’: holiday decor, seasonal food and drinks, and new merchandise themed to the Viking holiday.
- NewSUPER NINTENDO WORLD gets holiday decor for the first time, with characters and themed food.
- NewA 30.4-foot Earl the Squirrel balloon joins Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s starting in early December, after it debuts in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Nov. 26.
- NewEarl’s Hazelnut Dot Cake, a chocolate cake with hazelnut spread, toasted hazelnuts and red and green dot sprinkles. It is not on either of Universal’s 2025 holiday treat lists.
- ChangedDates: Nov. 21, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026 last year. Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027 this year, a week earlier start.
- ChangedUniversal Holiday Tour: last year about five hours, from $79.99, with small plates, desserts and priority access to one attraction. This year about 2.5 hours, from $69.99, with meet and greets with the Grinch, Max and Santa, reserved Grinchmas show seating and an optional reserved parade spot.
- Not backThe tour’s food (2025: cookie decorating, light bites, small plates and desserts) and its priority access to one attraction are not listed for 2026.
- ChangedGrinch meet and greet: at Honk Honkers last year. At Here & There, Dr. Seuss Friends Everywhere this year, across from Moose Juice, Goose Juice.
- ChangedHoliday Tribute Store: Universal changes its theme every year. This year it honors 100 years of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with new Earl the Squirrel merchandise. Universal’s 2025 guide did not name last year’s theme.
- ChangedPassholder-only treats: soft shell crab at Lombard’s Seafood Grille and pimento sliders at Confisco Grille last year. A Peppermint Chocolate Chip Candy Gelato Waffle Cone at Guido’s Gelato and Tiramisu Hot Chocolate at Croissant Moon Bakery this year.
- ReturningGrinchmas in Seuss Landing: the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, strolling Whos and the Who-ville Tree Lot (new in 2025).
- ReturningChristmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and Epic’s Ministry of Magic, with The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees.
- ReturningUniversal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, nightly at 5:30 p.m., ending with Santa lighting the Christmas tree.
- ReturningCelestial Park’s winter lights on its tree-lined walkways. This year Universal also lists a holiday Cosmos Fountain show.
## Dates and Showtimes {#nights}
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
Open. Tap a date for its showtimes
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
## What Your Ticket Covers, and What Costs Extra {#covers}
Your ticket covers
- Shows, the parade, decor and character appearances such as the Grinch, Earl and the Whos are included with regular theme park admission, or an Annual or Seasonal Pass (blockout dates apply). Meeting Santa and Max is listed only in the paid Universal Holiday Tour.
- Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s (nightly), Christmas in Diagon Alley with Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, Earl the Squirrel meet and greets and the New York area decor.
- The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, the Grinch meet and greet, strolling Whos, the Who-ville Tree Lot, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle and the Frog Choir.
- Christmas decor in the Ministry of Magic’s wizarding Paris, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD holiday decor and characters, Snoggletog decor on the Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park’s lights and holiday Cosmos Fountain show.
- A parade viewing area in front of Mel’s Drive-In, UOAP Lounge hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the holidays, and discounts on the tour, the breakfast and select merchandise.
Costs extra
- The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast, $64.99 adult (10 and up), $38.99 child (3 to 9), plus tax, 20% gratuity included. Passholders save 10%.. Select days Nov. 14 to Jan. 3. No breakfast Nov. 16, 17 and 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 31, or Jan. 1.
- Universal Holiday Tour, From $69.99 per person plus tax, all ages. The store’s date grid ran from $70 to $120 depending on the date. Passholders get $10 off, for up to six spots.. Universal’s store lists every day from Nov. 14 to Jan. 2. On Nov. 8, Nov. 14, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 were sold out.
## Things to Do, Park by Park {#todo}
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
Macy’s balloons and floats with the Minions and characters from Shrek and Madagascar, over 100 performers and Santa, ending with a Christmas tree lighting and a ‘Florida snowfall’. Universal’s calendar lists 5:30 p.m. nightly Nov. 14 to 30. Nightly at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 14 to Jan. 3.
Park-wide, along the streets of Universal Studios Florida
Earl the Squirrel parade balloon
A 30.4-foot-tall balloon of Earl the Squirrel, the park’s squirrel character, holding a blue Christmas light, joins the parade starting in early December.
In Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
Earl the Squirrel meet and greet
Earl in his holiday outfit meets guests daily in Universal Studios Florida and on weekends at CityWalk. He is based on a real squirrel found in the park’s Christmas tree nearly two decades ago.
Universal Studios Florida, daily (also weekends at Universal CityWalk)
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
Holiday lights and decor in Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley
Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees sing holiday songs such as ‘My Baby Gave Me a Hippogriff for Christmas’. Times are not posted.
Diagon Alley
New York area holiday decor
The New York streets get a Christmas tree, views of 30 Rockefeller Center and Macy’s window facades, with seasonal food booths and festive drinks.
The New York area
Holiday Tribute Store
Universal re-themes this store every year. In 2026 it honors 100 years of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and sells new Earl the Squirrel merchandise. Merchandise costs extra.
Universal Studios Florida
The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular
A live stage retelling of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, with music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller. Show times on every date, Nov. 14 to Jan. 3: 10:15 and 11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:15, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Check the app on the day.
Seuss Landing
Grinch meet and greet
A photo with the Grinch, at a new spot this year.
Here & There, Dr. Seuss Friends Everywhere, across from Moose Juice, Goose Juice in Seuss Landing
Whos of Who-ville
Who characters stroll and mingle with guests.
Throughout Seuss Landing
Who-ville Tree Lot
A walk-through lot of playful, bright and quirky trees. It was new in 2025.
Seuss Landing
The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
A projection and special-effects show on the castle, built from holiday moments in the Harry Potter films. It runs every evening from dusk to park close.
Hogwarts castle, Hogsmeade
The Frog Choir
The Frog Choir sings carols such as ‘Christmas at Hogwarts’. Times are not posted.
Hogsmeade
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade
Holiday lights and decor across the snow-capped village.
Hogsmeade
The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast
A plated breakfast with the Grinch and the Whos. $64.99 adult, $38.99 child, up from $58.99 and $32.99 last year.
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous, Seuss Landing
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic
Wizarding Paris decorated for the holidays. It first got Christmas decor in 2025.
Place Cachée, wizarding Paris
Holidays at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Holiday decor, characters and themed food, the land’s first holiday decor.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Snoggletog
Universal’s first Snoggletog, the Viking holiday from How to Train Your Dragon: decor, seasonal food and drinks, and new merchandise.
How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
Celestial Park winter wonderland
Tree-lined walkways with winter lights, which return from 2025. This year Universal also lists a holiday Cosmos Fountain show.
Celestial Park
Universal Holiday Tour
A 2.5-hour guided daytime tour with the Grinch, Max and Santa, reserved Grinchmas seating and an optional parade spot. From $69.99 plus tax, park-to-park admission extra.
Both parks
## Holiday Food and Drinks {#food}
Universal has not posted its 2026 holiday food list. Last year it came after opening, in posts on Dec. 4 and Dec. 10, 2025. Universal names only seasonal food booths in the New York area of Universal Studios Florida, themed food at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and seasonal food and drinks for Snoggletog, with no items named yet.
## Tickets {#tickets}
The Universal Holiday Tour needs a park-to-park ticket for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Fever sells Universal Orlando Park-to-Park promo tickets for U.S. and Canada residents.
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day, 1-Park ticket, Universal Studios Florida | From $124.99 plus tax, varies by date | Prices vary by day |
| 1-Day, 1-Park ticket, Universal Islands of Adventure | From $124.99 plus tax, varies by date | Prices vary by day |
| 1-Day, 1-Park ticket, Universal Epic Universe | From $134.99 plus tax in Universal’s ticket store, varies by date | Prices vary by day |
| Special 3-Day Ticket (one day at each of the three parks) | From $99 a day, from $297 total, plus tax, varies by date | Blockout dates and restrictions apply |
| 3-Day ticket with park-to-park on two days plus one Epic Universe day | From $119 a day, $357 total, plus tax, varies by date | Blockout dates and restrictions apply |
| Florida residents: Special 3-Day, 3-Park ticket | $85 a day, $255 total, plus tax | Now through Dec. 23, 2026, excluding blockout dates, days need not be consecutive. Not sold at the front gate. |
| Florida residents: park-to-park on two days plus one Epic Universe day | $95 a day, $285 total, plus tax | Use by Dec. 23, 2026. Blockout dates apply. Not sold at the front gate. |
| Florida residents: 2-Park Unlimited Days Ticket (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) | $199 adult, $194 child, plus tax | Now through Dec. 16, 2026. Not sold at the front gate. |
| Annual and Seasonal Pass | Pass prices not captured | Holidays included. Blockout dates and restrictions apply. |
## Photos {#photos}
## Universal Orlando Christmas FAQ {#faq}
When does Christmas start at Universal Orlando?
Holidays at Universal Orlando runs Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. Last year it ran Nov. 21 to Jan. 4.
When does Grinchmas start at Universal Orlando?
Grinchmas in Seuss Landing at Universal Islands of Adventure runs with the rest of the holidays, Nov. 14 to Jan. 3. The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular plays several times a day on every date.
What time is the Universal holiday parade?
5:30 p.m. every night, Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, at Universal Studios Florida, per Universal’s showtimes calendar. Check the app on the day.
Is Christmas at Universal Orlando included with a park ticket?
Yes for the shows, the parade, the decor and character appearances such as the Grinch, Earl and the Whos, with regular theme park admission or an Annual or Seasonal Pass (blockout dates apply). The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast and the Universal Holiday Tour cost extra, and meeting Santa and Max is listed only in the tour.
How much is the Grinch breakfast at Universal Orlando?
The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast is $64.99 for ages 10 and up and $38.99 for ages 3 to 9, plus tax, with a 20% gratuity included. It is at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous on select days, and you also need Islands of Adventure admission for the same date.
What is Universal Orlando doing for New Year’s Eve?
Universal says there will be New Year’s Eve celebrations at all three theme parks and Universal CityWalk on Dec. 31, but its park pages say ‘Check back soon for details!’ (read Nov. 8)
Holidays at Universal Orlando run Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. For hours and tickets, visit universalorlando.com. The fall season is in my Halloween Horror Nights Orlando guide.
## More Holiday Events
