The holidays are officially here and Universal Orlando Resort is ready to celebrate! My favorite time of year has always been the start of Fall and then the leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas! This year, Universal has brought back some of the fan favorites and continues its holiday celebrations! Universal’s holiday celebration is included with your theme park ticket or annual pass. Remember, some annual passes have blockout dates that apply during this timeframe.

Universal Orlando is celebrating the holiday season every day starting November 12th, 2022 until January 1st, 2023.

Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s

Universal’s Holiday Parade starts on Hollywood Blvd every night at 5:30 PM. When the park closes at 6 PM, the parade will begin at 5 PM. This parade has large balloons that float through the air throughout the park as well as character floats and dancers. You will see some of your favorite characters like Minions from Despicable Me, Shrek, and Madagascar films. This parade is about a half-hour long, so it really is worth seeing! Be sure to get a spot about an hour prior to the parade start time so that way you get a front-row seat and aren’t left scrambling to find a spot last minute. I love to sit in front of the Jason Bourne experience on Hollywood Blvd where the parade first starts to get great views down the street and with all the trees lit up. It is such a pretty sight to see! Remember, entertainment, dates, and times are subject to change without notice.

Holiday Tribute Store

Enjoy the special Holiday merchandise inside four decorated rooms with inspired food and souvenirs to purchase. If you’re looking for holiday treats, walk through all of the rooms and you’ll find a room full of delicious snacks and drinks to try! You will also find great merchandise to purchase!

Grinchmas

During the holiday season, Seuss Landing is decorated with the holiday cheer of Dr. Seuss’s Who-ville. Enjoy the music and fun of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. This is a live retelling with the Grinch and showtimes are all throughout the day.

This year, Universal changed up the way that you can meet the Grinch. Universal is offering a Grinch Meet and Greet at Honk Honkers at Islands of Adventure. Universal is currently utilizing a virtual queue for the character experience, which means that you will have to use the Universal app to reserve a time to meet the Grinch. You must be on property to book your virtual line reservation. These times open up when the park opens, and they will go FAST. If you don’t get a virtual line time, you may not be able to meet him, so be sure to try your best to get a line reservation at the time they open or be sure to check back in the app later in the day to see if more times are added.

Another way to meet the Grinch and Friends is at the Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast. This buffet breakfast experience is held on select dates now (November 12th) through December 29th, 2022. Breakfast reservation times are 9 AM, 9:30 AM, 10 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11 AM. I did get to experience this breakfast and loved it! You can read more about my review HERE.

Universal’s Holiday Tour

One of the most popular holiday tours is back this year for 2022! Universal’s holiday tour takes place in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You will get to experience:

Exclusive Meet and Greet meeting with the Grinch and his faithful dog, Max

Reserved seating for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular

Small plates including cookies, Who Hash, and Chicken & Waffles, plus non-alcoholic beverages and a hot cocoa bar at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous

A private Santa meeting including 1 My Universal Photos digital download per party

Priority access to 1  attraction (subject to Tour itinerary at Universal’s discretion).

An after-hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.

Note: Separate Park-to-Park admission and reservations are required.

Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Magic of Christmas lights up for the holidays at Hogwarts Castle, every evening from dusk until the park closes in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Be sure to enjoy a hot butterbeer while both the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees put a holiday spin on their performances.

Holiday Entertainment

Find stilt walkers, characters, singers, and dancers all throughout the park! You’ll see them dressed in their holiday best as well as hear seasonal classics! You can even meet Earl the Squirrel at Universal Studios! He is SO cute! You’ll find his exact location and times listed in the Universal app.

Mannheim Steamroller

Live performances of Mannheim Steamroller take place at Universal Studios Florida on December 3rd, 4th, 10th, and 11th at 7 PM at the Music Plaza State.

Holiday Tree Hunt

Purchase the Holiday Tree Hunt brochure to take part in a fun scavenger hunt locating Holiday trees in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk. Once you complete the hunt, you will receive a Holiday ornament!

Separate theme park admission is required to enter the theme parks. 

Seasonal Treats

Find exclusive food and drink offerings in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as well as Universal CityWalk! You’ll find seasonal donuts, Gingerbread shakes, pumpkin crepes, hot butterbeer, and so much more!

Want to plan a last-minute trip to Universal Orlando? There are still so many great deals available! It’s also never too early to start planning for 2023! Contact me and let’s chat!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly