Epic Universe Gets Its First Holiday Décor as Universal Orlando Holidays Return

The holidays are coming to Epic Universe for the first time in a big way. Universal Orlando Holidays return this Saturday, November 14, and run through January 3, 2027, and this year Super Mario Land and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk get holiday décor for the very first time.

The celebration covers all three theme parks, Universal CityWalk, and the resort hotels. Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s are all back, and holiday experiences in the parks are included with regular theme park admission.

Here’s everything happening at each park, plus the new holiday food, merchandise, add-ons, and deals.

Quick Summary

• Universal Orlando Holidays run November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027
• Epic Universe gets holiday décor in Super Mario Land and Isle of Berk for the first time
• Celestial Park’s holiday look returns with more Christmas trees, and the Cosmos Fountain runs holiday shows
• Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter returns to all three Harry Potter lands
• Grinchmas returns to Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s returns to Universal Studios Florida
• A new Earl the Squirrel balloon joins the parade in December
• Holiday experiences in the parks are included with regular admission

Epic Universe Holiday Decor: What’s New

This is Epic Universe’s first year with holiday décor in Super Mario Land and Isle of Berk. Here’s what each land offers:

• Super Mario Land in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Holiday décor, holiday merchandise, and seasonal food
• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: Snoggletog, the winter celebration from the films, comes to the land with décor, seasonal merchandise, and photo spots
• Celestial Park: The holiday look returns with more Christmas trees than last year, and the Cosmos Fountain runs holiday-themed shows throughout the day

Epic Universe Holiday Food

Select restaurants in all five Epic Universe lands have holiday menu items:

• Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone in Isle of Berk
• Winter Hunter Mule at Burning Blade Tavern in Dark Universe
• Snowman Cake (Mario) at Toadstool Cafe in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
• Noir Holiday Supper at Le Gobelet Noir in the Ministry of Magic
• Dongzhi Nights at The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant in Celestial Park

Other Celestial Park locations will also serve holiday cocktails and mocktails.

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

All three Harry Potter lands get holiday décor, lights, merchandise, and entertainment:

• Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure
• Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida
• Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe

In Hogsmeade, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” returns. The projection show covers Hogwarts castle with scenes inspired by holiday moments and characters from the Harry Potter films.

Spiced Apple Cider and Hot Butterbeer are available in all three lands.

Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure

Seuss Landing turns into Grinchmas. Here’s what to do:

• See the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” a live stage show based on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
• Meet the Grinch
• Walk through the Who-Ville Tree Lot
• Shop for Who-Ville-themed gifts

Seuss Landing also has Who-liday treats, including the BAH! Jam Tart and the Very Grinchmas Ice Cream Sandwich.

Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s

The nightly parade at Universal Studios Florida features giant balloons and themed floats from Despicable Me, Shrek, and Madagascar, along with classic holiday characters. It ends with a Christmas tree lighting led by Santa Claus.

There’s a new balloon this year. Earl the Squirrel is 30.4 feet tall, wearing his winter cap and holding his blue lightbulb. He debuts first in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then joins Universal’s parade in December.

Universal Studios Florida Holiday Food

New cabin-style wooden kiosks open in the New York area:

• Savory: Fire-roasted holiday striploin, potato pancakes, and pierogies
• Sweet: Christmas tree waffles, red-nose reindeer donuts, and Earl the Squirrel’s hazelnut dot cake
• Drinks: Coquito, merry orchid mule, and peppermint espresso martini hot chocolate

Gingy’s Gingerbread Streusel Cake is also available at DreamWorks’ Imagination Café.

Holiday Merchandise and the Tribute Store

The Holiday Tribute Store returns to Universal Studios Florida. This year’s theme honors NBCUniversal’s history with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which holds its 100th parade this year. The store features parade moments from the past century, themed rooms, park-exclusive merchandise, and limited-release collectibles.

New Earl the Squirrel apparel, accessories, and collectibles are also available to celebrate his balloon debut.

Holiday Add-On Experiences

These are on sale now and cost extra:

• Universal Holiday Tour: A two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the holiday offerings at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. You’ll need a two-park, park-to-park ticket. The tour includes exclusive meet-and-greets with the Grinch, his dog Max, and Santa Claus.
• Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast: Breakfast with the Grinch and the Whos at Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous in Islands of Adventure.

Universal CityWalk

Red Coconut Club becomes Haus Noël, an alpine pub set up like a Christmas market. It celebrates old European holiday traditions, both the cheerful and the dark ones. Seasonal drinks include Coquito, Spiked Hot Chocolate, and a Pecan Pie Tai.

Elsewhere in CityWalk, you’ll find:

• Holiday food and drinks at venues across CityWalk
• Holiday shopping at the Universal Studios Store
• An Earl the Squirrel meet-and-greet, Friday through Sunday, November 20 to January 3

Universal Orlando Hotels and New Year’s Eve

All 11 Universal Orlando hotels get holiday décor that fits each hotel’s theme. Select hotels offer special dining for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve, and some host menorah lightings, Christmas tree lightings, and strolling carolers. Hotel guests also get Early Park Admission and free transportation to the theme parks.

You can ring in 2027 with live entertainment and midnight countdowns in the theme parks and CityWalk. Select hotels will have separately ticketed events and special menus, and Universal says more details are coming soon.

Universal Orlando Holiday Ticket and Hotel Deals

• Hotel deal: U.S. residents can save up to 30% on stays of five nights or more at participating Universal Orlando hotels, and up to $300 more when bundling with theme park tickets.
• Ticket deal: Three days of theme park access starts at $99 plus tax, per day. Park-to-park upgrades start at $119 plus tax, per day.

The Bottom Line

This year’s Epic Universe holiday decor brings Snoggletog to Isle of Berk and holiday cheer to Super Mario Land for the first time, while Celestial Park adds more trees and holiday fountain shows. Across the resort, Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, now with an Earl the Squirrel balloon, are all back.

Universal Orlando Holidays run November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027, and it’s all included with regular park admission. For a look at the plans when they were first announced, see how the Universal Orlando 2026 holiday celebration adds Epic Universe.

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