Universal Orlando's 2026 Holidays Start November 14, and Epic Universe Finally Joins the Party
Super Nintendo World and the Isle of Berk get holiday decor for the first time, Grinchmas and the Macy's parade return, and the season runs a week longer than last year. Here's the full guide.
Universal Orlando's holiday season runs from November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027. That's 51 days, starting a full week earlier than last year, and everything in the theme parks is included with regular admission.
The big change this year is at Epic Universe. The newest park is getting holiday decor in two of its lands for the first time, which means all three Orlando theme parks will be dressed up for the season together.
From scares to snowflakes
Halloween Horror Nights 35 runs on select nights through Sunday, November 1, at Universal Studios Florida, with all 10 haunted houses still going, including Stranger Things 5, Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn, Sinners and Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness. That leaves about two weeks between the last scare and the first holiday lights.
Volcano Bay won't be part of the holidays. Its last day of the year is October 25, and it closes on October 26 for seasonal maintenance. It's scheduled to reopen on or before April 1, 2027. The three theme parks, CityWalk and the hotels stay open as usual.
Epic Universe's first real holiday season
Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk both get festive decor for the first time. Celestial Park returns as a winter wonderland, filled with twinkling trees, and the Cosmos Fountain gets holiday themed fountain displays.
Epic Universe also hosts the Ministry of Magic side of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with seasonal decor and entertainment alongside the resort's other two Wizarding World areas.
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The celebration spreads across Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe, so if you have a park to park ticket you can see all three versions in one trip.
Each of those areas comes from a different era of the resort. Hogsmeade opened at Islands of Adventure in 2010, Diagon Alley followed at Universal Studios Florida in 2014, and Epic Universe, home to the Ministry of Magic, opened in May 2025. This is the first holiday season where the newest one gets in on the celebration in a meaningful way.
In Hogsmeade, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle returns at night. It's a projection show that covers the castle with scenes from holiday moments in the Harry Potter films, and it's one of the best reasons to stay at Islands of Adventure after dark.
Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure
Grinchmas takes over Seuss Landing again. The centerpiece is the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, a live stage show based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Last season it ran around eight times a day, with each performance lasting about 25 minutes, and it's included with park admission.
You can also meet the Grinch, visit the Who-Ville Tree Lot and catch more themed entertainment around the land. The Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast is expected to return, but Universal hasn't confirmed it yet. Last season it cost $58.99 for adults and kids 10 and up and $32.99 for kids ages 3 to 9, plus tax, and 2026 prices haven't been posted.
If you are visiting with kids, plan your Seuss Landing time around a Who-liday Spectacular showtime, then do the meet and greet and the tree lot right after. The land is compact, so it is easy to fit everything into a single stop.
Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's
Over at Universal Studios Florida, the parade runs every night with larger than life balloons, floats inspired by Despicable Me, Shrek and Madagascar, and classic holiday characters. It ends with Santa Claus leading a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
In recent years the parade has wound through the New York and Production Central areas of the park and lasted about half an hour. Past lineups have included Minions riding a Christmas tree float, the Gru family with a big Minion balloon in a holiday sweater, King Julien pulling a giant pineapple balloon, a Gingerbread Man balloon, Donkey with a dragon donkey balloon, Santa Shrek and Fiona, a nutcracker balloon and a gold Macy's star closing it all out.
One of the best places to watch is in front of Revenge of the Mummy, between the exit and the Palace Arcade, which puts you close to the Christmas tree for the lighting. Plan to grab your spot 15 to 30 minutes early. Last season the parade stepped off nightly at 5:30, though times can change.
This year also happens to be the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, so expect plenty of Macy's celebration across the season.
Universal Holiday Tour
If you want the highlights without the waiting, the Universal Holiday Tour is a guided experience of about two and a half hours. It includes meet and greets with the Grinch, Max and Santa Claus, reserved seating for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular and an optional reserved viewing area for the parade.
The tour runs on select dates from November 14 through January 2 and starts at $69.99 plus tax, with $10 off for Annual and Seasonal Passholders. Park admission isn't included, and you'll need a two park, park to park ticket to do it.
CityWalk and the hotels
At CityWalk, the Green and Red Coconut Club returns with festive decor, seasonal cocktails and live entertainment. Across the resort's eleven on site hotels, expect themed decorations, specialty dining, Christmas tree lightings, menorah lighting ceremonies and strolling carolers. Hotel guests still get Early Park Admission and free resort transportation.
Deals for the season
U.S. residents can save up to 30% on stays of five nights or more at participating hotels, and up to $300 on vacation packages that include theme park tickets. The Get 2 Days Free with a 3-Day Ticket offer is good on most dates through December 16, with blockouts around fall break and Thanksgiving.
Florida residents can pick up a 2-Park Unlimited Days Ticket for $199 plus tax, good at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure through December 16, along with extra hotel discounts.
Good to know before you go
Jurassic Park River Adventure is closed for refurbishment and scheduled to reopen on November 20, a week into the season. Skull Island: Reign of Kong is running with a modified ending while the damaged Kong figure waits on repairs, and Animal Actors On Location! plays its final shows on November 2.
If you're staying at one of the hotels that includes Express Pass, remember it works at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure but not at Epic Universe. Holiday weeks get busy, so check our crowd calendar before you pick your dates.
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