Universal Orlando at Christmas 2024: Dates, Harry Potter, Tips, Decorations, and More!

The holidays at Universal Orlando offer plenty to see and do in terms of entertainment, activities, and seasonal decor. Experience a Universal Orlando Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, meet the Grinch during the celebration in Whoville, and enjoy the Universal Holiday Parade.

Need a refresher on everything Universal Orlando has to offer? Make sure to check out our full guide with tips on how to get discount Universal Orlando tickets, what rides are offered, and a complete touring strategy. Plan on purchasing Universal Express? Read our guide to Universal Orlando Express Pass to see why we feel this purchase is a must for the holidays!

I visit Universal Orlando every year during the holiday season and our guide offers the best tips based on my personal experience of enjoying the seasonal activities. Keep reading for the best tips on how to get seats for the Grinchmas Show, viewing strategies for the Universal Holiday Parade, and must-see experiences in Harry Potter! Plus everything you were dying to know about WHO is Earl the Squirrel and why is he the mascot for the Universal Holiday season!

Discount Universal Orlando Tickets

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today,offers the best Universal Orlando discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

If you are just visiting Universal Orlando, you can click here to see all discounts. If you are also visiting Walt Disney World during Christmas, you should consider booking a combination package as this will give you the greatest savings.

Our travel partner offers incredible VIP service, help with dining recommendations, and transportation offerings between both resorts. 

Buy two days, get two FREE at Universal Orlando. Book here>>>

This is the best way to save and guarantee the best experience during your visit to Universal Orlando during Christmas! Read our full guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World here.

Universal Orlando Holiday Celebration Dates

Universal Orlando focuses their Christmas time festivities on two main themes: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas. Along with these two main themes, you can also see holiday decor throughout the park from the festive decorations to characters wearing Santa hats! Seasonal food is also in abundance which you can find located at pop-up locations along with additions to regular menus in the theme parks. You may also notice photo ops and a meet and greet with Universal Orlando's holiday mascot, Earl the Squirrel!

Last year's holiday celebration took place from November 17 through December 31.

The Story of Earl the Squirrel 

Earl the Squirrel is the Universal Orlando holiday mascot. You can find merchandise with his picture along with the option for a meet and greet! But did you know Earl the Squirrel is actually based on the story of a real squirrel?

Most characters in Universal Orlando come from films or other franchises but Earl the Squirrel is his own character just for the holidays! The story of his origins may change a bit, like a game of telephone, depending on who you ask.

The official story, as told by Universal Orlando, is that Team Members found a mischievous squirrel in the branches of the large Christmas Tree in the park. This squirrel was known for stealing Christmas lights and bringing them back to his nest. Fans have expanded a bit on this official story with tidbits claiming that he was nicknamed Earl by Team Members and that he actually bit through so many Christmas lights that the entire large tree went out!

If you look closely at the Universal Orlando holiday tree, located in Universal Studios Florida, you will see an animatronic squirrel that will pop out of the tree holding Christmas lights in his little paws!

It's such a fun story and one that Universal Orlando has embraced to make Earl the Squirrel the official holiday mascot.

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter takes place for Universal Orlando Christmas is decked out to its full holiday best and definitely should make the top of your list!

You will find celebratory holiday traditions in both Universal Studios Florida in the village of Hogsmeade and in Islands of Adventure in Diagon Alley.

This area will become very busy during the holidays so if you plan on purchasing a Harry Potter wand, I recommend doing this first thing in the morning so you can enjoy practicing the spells before the crowds arrive.

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle in Hogsmeade

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle includes lights, music, and projections on the castle of Hogwarts which makes for a stunning display at Hogsmeade in Universal's Islands of Adventure!

Check the entertainment schedule on the Universal Orlando app for daily times or ask the nearest park employee. The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle show will typically begin in the evening and run every 30 minutes until park close.

But on nights that the park closes early, there may only be one show. Make sure you find out the time in advance so you don't miss it for your Universal Orlando Christmas!

Holiday Frog Choir in Hogsmeade

Listen to some holiday songs from the choir of Hogwarts students and their croaking frogs at Hogsmeade in Universal's lslands of Adventure!

Check the entertainment schedule on the Universal Orlando app for daily times or ask the nearest park employee.

Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees in Diagon Alley

King's Cross Station in Universal Studios Florida features performances from Molly Weasley's favorite singer- Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. The show features favorites you may recognize right from the pages of Harry Potter including  ‘A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love', ‘You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart', and ‘You Charmed The Heart Right Out Of Me'.

Check the entertainment schedule on the Universal Orlando app for daily times or ask the nearest park employee.

Universal Orlando Christmas Seasonal Food

In the Harry Potter books, Harry and his friends enjoy a grand holiday feast at Hogwarts with all the fixings,

“Harry had never in all his life had such a Christmas dinner. A hundred fat, roast turkeys; mountains of roast and boiled potatoes; platters of chipolatas; tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich gravy and cranberry sauce — and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the table…“

In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, you can find British-inspired meals that fit right in with the holiday feats that Harry Potter enjoys in the books.

You can find Butterbear around both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade along with the seasonal offering of warm butterbear which is a nice treat for the cold Florida winter afternoons.

Harry Potter Land Christmas Decorations

Both theme parks at Universal Orlando include holiday decorations in both of the Harry Potter areas meaning you will see decor in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

Look closely at the garland decorating the storefronts and they often incorporate touches themed to the store.

You will find garland, twinkling lights, and my personal favorite, the snowman dressed as a witch to pose with in Hogsmeade. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is magical during the holidays!

Harry Potter Shopping at Universal Orlando Christmas

Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley offer a variety of amazing shops straight out of the pages of the Harry Potter series. You can expect these stores to put out all the stops when it comes to serving your holiday shopping needs.

Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida

Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's is a must-see for your Universal Orlando Christmas. We absolutely love this parade and make time to see it every year! Between the parade floats and the confetti released on the parade route, this is a great holiday experience at Universal Orlando.

The parade features favorites such as the Minions, Santa Clause, plus characters from Madagascar and Shrek.

Kids will go crazy over seeing all their favorite characters from these films.

Santa Claus also makes an appearance during the parade which ends with the lighting of the park’s dazzling 80-foot Christmas Tree.

Check the entertainment schedule on the Universal Orlando app for daily times but the parade often takes place nightly at 5:30PM during the Universal Orlando holiday celebration.

The parade route begins near Universal's Horror Make-Up Show and will follow a clockwise path. It will pass through Hollywood, Minion Land before it turns at the Christmas Tree, Starbucks, and head past Transformers before it turns again at Mel's Diner.

We like to watch the parade down the road from the Christmas Tree as you can see from my photo above which was across the street from Regal Cafe. This is a perfect view as you are close to numerous confetti cannons (which will shoot from the rooftops) while also having a nice view of the Christmas Tree. We were able to walk right up and get a spot within 15 minutes before the parade began. Since the route for Universal's Holiday parade is so long, it's not too tricky to get a spot. This is the area I would recommend as it made for some stunning pictures.

The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Universal's Islands of Adventure holds a celebration of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas in Seuss Landing with popular characters from the movie ready to share their Wholiday with your family for your Universal Orlando Christmas. This is one of my favorite parts of the holidays at Universal Orlando! The Grinch is one of my favorite holiday characters and the character you can meet in this area, along with the show, will focus on Jim Carrey's interpretation of the Grinch which is a family favorite.

Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular

Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular at Islands of Adventure is the main show for entertainment during Grinchmas. The show stars the Grinch in the telling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The show also features the spirited cast of Who-ville citizens and music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller.

Make sure to get there early so you can get good seats- seats are first come, first serve. And no, you can't use your Universal Orlando Express Pass here to get seats! We lined up about 30 minutes before the show we saw and the auditorium is so large that there really is plenty of seating. But since we lined up in advance we were seated in the center with some of the best few and not far from the front. If you care about where you sit then line up early, if not, you could show up 20 minutes before showtime and find a seat.

The show is typically offered during these times but can change so make sure to check the Universal Orlando app!

Showtimes: 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM

The show takes place in Seuss Landing and it is a bit of a walk to the backstage area where the show takes place so be prepared! There are restrooms down in this area which is a nice bonus but if you know your kids will need snacks or water while you wait, bring them with you.

Meet the Grinch in Seuss Landing

You can meet the Grinch in Seuss Landing but this year, largely thanks to viral TikToks of guests meeting this fun character, the line was the longest we have ever seen it! When we walked past at 9AM, one hour after the park had already been open to Universal Orlando hotel guests, the line was already at 300 minutes and remained that way throughout the day.

We did notice by afternoon that the line appeared to shorten in terms of queue switchbacks that extended outside of Seuss Landing but the sign remained at 300 minutes so it's hard to say the accuracy of that wait time as the day goes on.

I absolutely do NOT recommend waiting in this long of a line to meet the Grinch. While he is a fantastic character to meet, the last time I met him was at Universal Studios Hollywood for less than a 15-minute wait a few years ago, it is not worth using your whole park day for. Instead, I recommend booking The Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast which includes a meet and greet with the Grinch before you leave!

The Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast 2024

The easiest way to meet the Grinch at Universal Orlando for Christmas is by booking the Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast! 

As you eat, the Grinch will come around stealing bacon (sassy Grinch) and posing for photos as you dine a full buffet including green eggs and ham! Guests also receive access to one digital download photo as a keepsake from their encounter with the Grinch during this special opportunity.

You can see the pricing and dates from last year for reference below:

Price

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast takes place in Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. This breakfast requires advance reservations and tends to sell out quickly. Make your reservation on Universal Orlando's website.

Reservations typically go live a month before the first date and they WILL sell out so be checking often!

Universal's Holiday Tour 2024

Universal's Holiday Tour includes special meet and greet opportunities, after hours park access plus holiday treats. The full list of what the tour includes here:

• 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, Chicken & Waffles, Popcorn Shrimp, plus non-alcoholic beverages and a hot cocoa bar at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
• A private Santa meeting including one (1) My Universal Photos digital download per party.
• An after-hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.

Pricing starts at $79.99 (plus tax) and separate theme park admission with a 2-Park 1-Day Park-to-Park ticket is required.

Tours will include multiple parties in the same tour group; up to 12 guests per tour. Tour pricing and availability vary depending upon the date and product selection. Theme park admission is not included in the listed price. Reservations and separate theme park admission are required. A forty-eight (48) hour cancellation notice is required for a full refund. Each guest must have a valid park-to-park admission ticket to participate in Universal’s Holiday Tour AND must be valid for the same calendar day as Universal’s Holiday Tour ticket. Certain Bilingual guides may be available, but must be requested at time of booking.

Holiday Tribute Store 2024

The Holiday Tribute Store features four themed rooms of Who-ville, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Earl the Squirrel and New York vintage holiday decor.

You can find items like the Grinchmas popcorn bucket, Grinchmas Loungefly backpack, Hogwarts House-themed holiday ornaments, Earl the Squirrel spirit jersey plus a variety of treats in each themed room.

Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Studios Florida

Mannheim Steamroller, the best-selling holiday artist of all time, visits Universal Studios Florida for live performances which you can enjoy on select nights in the park.

December 2, 3, 9 and 10.

Check the entertainment schedule on the Universal Orlando app for daily times or ask the nearest park employee.

Universal Orlando Christmas Treats 2024

While the 2024 holiday treats have not yet been announced, you can see some offerings from previous years below for an idea of what to expect: 

Universal Orlando's holiday treat list includes classic treats plus savory fan favorites paying homage to popular stories featured in the parks.

• Earl’s Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Acorn Bomb (available at TODAY Café and Battery Park – located alongside the lagoon near Mel’s Drive-In): A holiday fan-favorite is back, now themed to the beloved, original Universal character – Earl the Squirrel. The delicious beverage consists of a chocolate acorn shell filled with salted caramel and mini marshmallows, served with Italian hot chocolate.
• Roast Beast Sandwich (available at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous): Guests looking for comfort food flavors can savor the Roast Beast Sandwich – a mini meatloaf sandwich featuring French onion soup-dipped roast beef with a cheddar cheese sauce – and even a “secret” sauce – served on a pretzel bun.

• Grinch-Themed Treats (available in Seuss Landing): Some of the traditional sweet flavors the season brings can be found in an array of unique Grinch-themed sweets, including a Grinch Hot Chocolate Bomb, a Grinch Ice Cream Sandwich, and Grinch cookies, among others.
• Santa’s Cookies and Milk “Shake” (available at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen): An iconic holiday treat comes to life as a delectable milkshake with Santa’s Cookies and Milk “Shake,” complete with cookie butter & vanilla ice cream, mini chocolate chip cookies, and topped with a delicious chocolate Christmas tree and sprinkles.
• And for the seasonal cocktail aficionados, a selection of specialty beverages is available in Universal Studios Florida including:
  • The Nutty Nog, the classic Holiday treat with a creamy, frozen eggnog base
  • The Deluxe Nog, a luxurious Holiday drink served with Bacardi 8
  • The Fire Nog, a delicious liquid cinnamon-cream treat using fireball cinnamon whiskey

Christmas Time at Universal Orlando Tips

Between Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Universal Holiday Parade, and Grinchmas, there will be plenty of holiday entertainment to keep you busy.

Throughout the parks you will notice seasonal holiday decor, characters such as the beloved Minions in Christmas hats and festive outfits, and a variety of Christmas treats and souvenirs.

Since this time of year tends to be crowded, we have some additional tips and tricks to keep in mind for this holiday season as you enjoy your Universal Orlando Christmas:

1. Arrive early- at least 30 minutes before the park opens. Not as many people do this at Universal Orlando as they do at Walt Disney World, you will be one of the first ones in if you come early!
2. If you have the extra funds and want to cut ahead the crowds, consider purchasing an Express Pass so you can get to the front of the lines quicker.
3. Plan ahead– know the park hours, entertainment schedule, and want you want to do first.
4. If meeting the Grinch is at the top of your list, plan on booking the character breakfast and do NOT wait in the 300-minute line!
5. When there is more than one Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle show, see the later timed one for lower crowd levels.
6. Stay until the park closes– especially if you only have one day to spend.
7. Consider staying at a Universal hotel to get early entry.
8. Get spots early for the Universal Holiday Parade and the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.
9. Dress in layers– it can get chilly once the sun goes down!
10. And don't miss out on trying some warm holiday Butterbeer!

Plan Your Universal Orlando Vacation Today!

Ready to plan your vacation to Orlando? Be sure to subscribe to our vacation deals newsletter for all the latest information on deals and saving tips to help you save money and experience more! Sign up here.

You can discover more about planning your trip from these links:

• Walt Disney World Cheap Food Guide
• Best Universal Studios Florida Ride Reviews
• Discount Walt Disney World Tickets
• Walt Disney World Character Guide
• Guide to Epcot Food and Wine Festival
• Guide to Walt Disney World Transportation