Universal Studios Hollywood Announces 2026 Holiday Celebration Details

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced its holiday lineup, running from November 21 through January 3, 2027, with festivities included in regular theme park admission.

Holiday Season At Universal Studios Hollywood

• The seasonal celebration spans November 21, 2026, to January 3, 2027, and is included with standard park admission.
• New additions feature “Illumination’s Merry Minions” in Minion Land and holiday decorations inside Super Nintendo World.
• Returning favorites include “Grinchmas” at Universal Plaza and “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

Grinchmas And Universal Plaza Transformations

Universal Plaza will undergo its annual transformation into Who-ville for the upcoming Grinchmas event. The centerpiece of the holiday installation is a 65-foot Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of ornaments and 200,000 LED lights. The 5 Towers stage will host live music, DJs, and street performers on select evenings.

Visitors can meet the Grinch, his dog Max, and various residents of Who-ville throughout the plaza. Daily tree-lighting ceremonies will incorporate snowfall effects, alongside readings of How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Cindy-Lou Who.

Merry Minions And Super Nintendo World Additions

Minion Land introduces “Illumination’s Merry Minions” for the 2026 winter season. The animated characters will appear in holiday attire for scheduled meet-and-greet sessions. The zone features seasonal decorations, themed food options at Minion Cafe, and exclusive holiday merchandise.

Nearby, Super Nintendo World receives its own seasonal update. Decorations include Mario and Luigi snowmen positioned near a Christmas tree topped with a Super Star at the entrance to the Mushroom Kingdom.

The Wizarding World And Nighttime Castle Projections

In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the village of Hogsmeade will be outfitted with holiday lights, garlands, and wreaths. The Frog Choir will perform seasonal music multiple times daily, while Hot Butterbeer returns to the menu.

After dark, Hogsmeade hosts “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle,” a nighttime projection show featuring holiday-themed visuals paired with musical arrangements from the film series.

Holiday Attraction	Key Features	Location
Grinchmas	65-foot tree, 200,000 LEDs, Who-ville characters, Cindy-Lou Who readings	Universal Plaza
Illumination’s Merry Minions	Holiday-attire character meetings, Minion Cafe themed food, merchandise	Minion Land
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter	Hogsmeade decor, Frog Choir, Hot Butterbeer, castle projection show	Hogsmeade
Super Nintendo World Holiday	Mario and Luigi snowmen, Super Star tree topper	Mushroom Kingdom Entrance

Schedule And Admission Details

The entire slate of holiday activities operates from November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027. All mentioned experiences remain included with regular theme park admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. City News Service contributed reporting to the initial coverage of the park’s winter schedule.