Universal’s 2026 holiday season runs Nov. 14 through Jan. 3. Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk get holiday decorations for the first time, and Grinchmas and the Macy’s parade are back.
Mario’s getting a Christmas makeover.
Universal Orlando’s holiday season runs Saturday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, and the biggest change is at Epic Universe. Universal says Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk are getting holiday decorations this year for the first time.
Universal announced the lineup Aug. 6. With Halloween Horror Nights wrapping Nov. 1, there are less than two weeks between the last scare and the first tree lighting.
What’s new for the holidays at Epic Universe?
This is Epic Universe’s second holiday season. The park opened in May 2025, and last year only some of it got dressed up. Inside Universal and WDW News Today reported that the Ministry of Magic got Christmas decorations in 2025, and Isle of Berk had a few decorations and some Snoggletog food. Snoggletog is the Viking winter holiday from “How to Train Your Dragon.”
This year, per Universal’s announcement:
Super Nintendo World gets holiday decor for the first time at the Florida park
Isle of Berk gets a bigger holiday overlay
Celestial Park turns into what Universal calls a “cosmic winter wonderland,” with twinkling trees and holiday fountain shows
Universal hasn’t shown what the Nintendo decor will look like yet. Fans are already hoping for snow on the Mushroom Kingdom pipes.
What holiday events are back at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?
All the regulars are back:
Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, the live stage show at Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure
Meet-and-greets with the Grinch and Max
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, with giant balloons and a tree lighting at Universal Studios Florida
“The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle,” the nighttime projection show at Islands of Adventure
Wizarding World decorations in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and the Ministry of Magic
The Green and Red Coconut Club holiday bar at CityWalk
Everything on that list is included with regular park admission except the CityWalk bar, which is pay-as-you-go.
How much is the Universal Holiday Tour?
The Universal Holiday Tour starts at $69.99 plus tax, and passholders get $10 off.
It’s a guided tour of about two and a half hours on select dates between Nov. 14 and Jan. 2. It includes:
Meet-and-greets with the Grinch and Max
Reserved seating for Grinchmas
A visit with Santa
An optional reserved spot for the parade
You still need park tickets. The tour is an add-on.
Are there Universal Orlando holiday ticket deals?
A few are running now, according to Universal:
Buy 3 days, get 2 free on theme park tickets
Up to 30% off hotel stays of five nights or more
Up to $300 off vacation packages
Florida residents can get a 2-park unlimited ticket for $199 plus tax through Dec. 16
Deals like these change, so check the terms before you book. The Florida resident ticket in particular has date limits.
When does Halloween end at Universal Orlando?
Halloween Horror Nights 35 runs select nights through Sunday, Nov. 1. Universal then has 13 days to take down the scare zones and put up the garland.
It’s one of the quickest seasonal swaps in the business. And it means early November is a quiet window at Universal, when Halloween is over and the holiday stuff hasn’t opened yet.
What else is changing at Universal this winter?
Volcano Bay closes Oct. 26 for maintenance and won’t reopen until spring 2027. So if you’re planning a holiday trip, it’ll be theme parks and hotel pools only.
Here’s the Universal holiday calendar:
Nov. 1: Halloween Horror Nights ends
Nov. 14: Holiday season begins
Dec. 16: Florida resident ticket deal ends
Jan. 3, 2027: Holiday season ends
That’s seven weeks of holidays, with Mario joining in this time.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Inside Universal (Aug. 6, 2026), Universal’s holiday announcement, dates, Epic Universe additions, returning events, Holiday Tour and ticket offers
WDW News Today (August 2026), what Epic Universe decorated in 2025
Universal Family Vacations (September 2026), the Halloween Horror Nights end date and Volcano Bay closure
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