The Universal Studios Orlando Christmas Guide for 2024
By James | Last updated November 6, 2024
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The Universal Studios Orlando’s Christmas events will be celebrated in full swing at CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They all celebrate Christmas with a number of special events until January 1, 2025.
A standard admission ticket includes all events plus a couple of separately purchased add-ons, including a character breakfast buffet and a holiday tour.
Head over to our tickets site to save money on advance tickets to the Universal Studios Parks. We have some of the best discounts available today. Beat the gate prices and reduce your holiday costs.
All three venues are decorated for Christmas, especially Hogsmeade™ and Diagon Alley™, as part of “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™,” which includes special treats, garlands, decorations, lights, and live entertainment.
Of course, Christmas would not be complete without warm Butterbeer™.
Universal Studios Orlando Christmas Holiday Tree Hunt
There’s the Holiday Tree Scavenger Hunt, where you buy a stamp card and have to hunt for the 16 highly themed Christmas trees.
There are seven trees in each of the two parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, plus two in City Walk so you will need a park-to-park ticket to complete the hunt.
Collect a stamp at each location. Once you have completed the scavenger hunt, you will receive a nice limited-time tree ornament as a gift.
Universal Studios Christmas Treat Trail
In previous years, and hopefully this year, the Christmas Treat Trail operated across both parks and CityWalk.
Get the special map showing the location of five special holiday treats, including a churro, doughnut, and cinnamon coke drink.
You receive a special complimentary sweet treat once you have purchased all the qualifying items.
Universal Studios Orlando Christmas Theme
Like many theme parks, a giant Christmas tree is covered in baubles.
Universal Studios Orlando Christmas Holiday Tribute Store
Much like they do for Halloween, Universal opens a Holiday Tribute Store in the New York area, between “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Revenge of the Mummy.”
Spread over four themed rooms, you will find a range of holiday gifts and merchandise commemorating Dr Seuss’ Grinchmas and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Last year’s themes included Santa’s Workshop, where you can see Earl the Squirrel, the Grinch’s Lair, and the Yule Ball.
In the last room, you can buy drinks, sweet treats like cookies and brownies, and edible Christmas lights in three flavors: butterscotch, cinnamon, and peppermint. You can also “Meet and Greet with Santa” at the Holiday Tribute Store.
Universal Studios Christmas Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
One of the highlights at Universal Studios Florida is the “Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.” This parade features some of the signature giant inflatable characters and floats from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It takes place between November 22nd and December 31st.
The parade sets off around dusk with marching bands from around the country. It features toy soldiers, stilt walkers, clowns, snowmen, elves, and, of course, Santa Claus. The parade finishes outside the facade of Macy’s Herald Square, where the tree-lighting ceremony takes place.
One of the big differences from earlier years is that the cleverly illuminated floats are now self-propelled. Rather than being pulled by pick-up trucks and with a new soundtrack, this is.
Universal started to introduce some of its own characters into the parade. This includes some of the Minions, plus Gru and family from Despicable Me, the Grinch, and characters from Madagascar and Shrek.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Christmas Themes
Diagon Alley is specially decorated for Christmas with thousands of Christmas lights and garlands.
Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Christmas Events
The Christmas entertainment continues at Islands of Adventure with the Grinch, the Frog Choir and the amazing “Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle”.
Grinchmas at Universal
Visit Seuss Landing, which has been transformed into the festive town of Whoville.
The story of the Grinch is brought to life in the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular”. You can meet the Grinch himself along with Max, Cindy Lou and the Whos in “The Grinch & The Whos”.
In the evening, there is a Seussian tree lighting ceremony and a musical show about “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
“The Grinch™ & Friends Character Breakfast” is held in the Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous. You can enjoy a buffet breakfast that includes green eggs and ham. Tickets are on sale now and they are often in high demand so get them before they sell out.
Don’t forget to get a digital download photo from one of the character interactions.
The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
A light and music show at Hogwarts Castle first debuted in 2017 and in “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” the castle facade is transformed by a 7 minute projection show using 24 hidden projectors.
The show runs multiple times each evening at 20 minute intervals.
Holiday Frog Choir
The Frog Choir performs memorable Christmas songs and traditional songs in Hogsmeade.
Universal Studios CityWalk Christmas
Some pop-up stores sell Christmas ornaments and food in addition to decorations. It’s not quite been announced yet, but last year, the pop-up store “Mistletoe Pines Village” was located next to Voodoo Donuts.
Here, you can grab photos with holiday-themed billboards, get a hot cocoa, and buy a range of holiday-themed food treats.
Mistletoe Pines Village previously opened from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day, but we are waiting to hear an update on this store.
Universal’s Holiday Tour
One of the new events is a Holiday guided tour. This gives you priority and exclusive access to several venues over a period of around 4 1/2 hours.
The tour is offered on select dates between November and January 1 and gives you:
- meet-and-greet with The Grinch and his dog Max
- reserved seating for the Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular
- snacks including cookies, Who Hash, Chicken & Waffles, Popcorn Shrimp, plus non-alcoholic beverages and a hot cocoa bar at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous™
- meet-and-greet with Santa including one My Universal Photos digital download per party
- priority access to one attraction
- an exclusive showing of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle”
You also require a park-to-park theme park ticket. Passholders can get a discount.
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