The holidays are officially here and Universal Orlando Resort is ready to celebrate! 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 22nd – December 31st, 2024.

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, so be sure to check the Universal app the day of your visit to check the schedule for the parade.

Holiday Tribute Store

Enjoy the special Holiday merchandise inside many differently themed and 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.

 Universal is offering a Grinch Meet and Greet at Honk Honkers at Islands of Adventure. Universal is not currently utilizing a virtual queue for the character experience, which means that you will have to use the regular standby line to meet the Grinch. This is why having early park admission is great so that way you can get into the park early and get in line to meet the Grinch as soon as the park opens. This line can get very long! (2+ hours!!)

Another way to meet the Grinch and Friends is at the Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast.  This year, the breakfast is at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous. This is where this breakfast usually takes place. I did experience the Grinch and Friends breakfast this year and have done it in years past as well.

This table service breakfast experience is held on select dates now through December 30th. Breakfast reservation times are throughout the morning. This does sell out very quickly, so if you did not get an advance reservation, you can try to walk up to the hostess stand on the morning of your visit and ask for any last-minute availability. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking for. I did get to experience this breakfast and loved it! You can read more about my review HERE.

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast ticket entitles each guest to one breakfast at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous located within Universal Islands of Adventure.

The breakfast consists of:

1 appetizer to share (assortment of freshly baked muffins, seasonal berries, and yogurt)

1 plated entree

1 non-alcoholic beverage

Other Dr. Seuss characters will interact with guests during breakfast and you can meet the Grinch before or after your meal.

Universal’s Holiday Tour

One of the most popular holiday tours is back again this year for 2024! Universal’s holiday tour takes place in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. I did the Holiday Tour last year and had such a great time. Read all about my experience on the tour HERE. You will get to experience:

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

Reserved seating for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular

Small plates, desserts, and more

A private meet and greet with Santa

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.

Holiday Nutcracker Hunt

Purchase the HolidayNutcracker Hunt brochure to take part in a fun scavenger hunt locating nutcrackers in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk. Once you complete the hunt, you will receive a Holiday ornament! This hunt is different than year’s past.

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 2025! Contact me and let’s chat!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly