Universal Orlando Holidays 2026 runs Nov. 14 to Jan. 3 with Epic Universe holiday decor, Earl the Squirrel’s new parade balloon, festive food, and more.

Grab your ugly sweater and your stretchy pants, because the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort officially kick off this Saturday, November 14, and run through January 3, 2027. This year’s celebration spans all three theme parks, Universal CityWalk and the resort’s 11 hotels, and it comes with a few genuinely new wrinkles: holiday décor debuting at Super Mario Land and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk in Universal Epic Universe, a brand new Earl the Squirrel parade balloon, and a fresh crop of holiday food kiosks at Universal Studios Florida.

Best of all, the in-park holidays experiences are included with regular theme park admission. Here’s everything guests need to know before heading to the most wonderful (and most crowded) time of year at Universal Orlando.

Universal Epic Universe Gets Its Most Festive Season Yet

Universal’s newest park is going bigger for its second holiday season. For the first time, Super Mario Land in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will feature special holiday décor, festive merchandise and seasonal food. Over in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, guests can celebrate Snoggletog, the Viking winter holiday from the films, with festive décor, seasonal merchandise and plenty of photo ops.

Celestial Park also returns as a cosmic winter wonderland, this time with even more twinkling Christmas trees and holiday-themed fountain displays at the Cosmos Fountain throughout the day. Yes, the Ministry of Magic is getting in on the fun too (more on that below).

Universal Orlando Holidays 2026: Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This year, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter stretches across all three wizarding lands: Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. Each location will feature festive décor, sparkling lights, holiday merchandise and seasonal entertainment.

In Hogsmeade, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” returns, lighting up Hogwarts castle with a projection show inspired by holiday moments and characters from the Harry Potter films. Pro tip: grab a Hot Butterbeer, which is available in all three wizarding world locations this season, and stake out your spot early.

Grinchmas Returns to Seuss Landing

The mean, green one is back at Universal Islands of Adventure. Grinchmas brings the live stage show “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” based on the Dr. Seuss classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” along with meet-and-greets with The Grinch himself, the Who-Ville Tree Lot, and Who-Ville-inspired holiday shopping. His heart may be two sizes too small, but his gift shop selection is not.

Universal Orlando Holidays 2026: Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s (and Earl’s Big Debut)

Universal Studios Florida’s nightly Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s returns with giant balloons and themed floats inspired by Illumination’s Despicable Me, DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek and Madagascar and classic holiday favorites. It all wraps up with a Christmas tree lighting led by Santa Claus.

The headline addition this year is Earl the Squirrel, who is getting Universal Orlando’s first ever dedicated balloon in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 30.4 foot tall, 14.5 foot wide balloon shows Earl in his signature winter cap, clutching his favorite blue Christmas light. According to Macy’s parade creative director Brendan Kennedy, it was built from heat-steamed pieces and hand painted after rounds of sketches, 3D modeling and flight testing.

Earl debuts in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 26, with the parade airing at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo. He’ll share the Manhattan skies with NBCUniversal balloons like Shrek, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Underdog, the Minions, and Felix the Cat. Universal isn’t sending him alone, either. A full parade unit is heading to Manhattan with backup dancers, balloon handlers and, yes, a dancing acorn. We have questions about the acorn, and we would like them answered live on NBC. After Thanksgiving, the balloon heads south to join Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s in early December.

Who Is Earl the Squirrel?

Earl’s origin story is delightfully on brand for a theme park. Nearly two decades ago, a real squirrel nested in the Universal Studios Florida Christmas tree and kept stealing the blue lights. He was humanely relocated, but team members started tucking a squirrel figure into the tree for guests to find. Fans kept looking for him, and by 2021 Earl had become a walkaround meet and greet character with his own merchandise.

Visual designer Rob Cametti turned the squirrel into a cartoon, giving him a plaid, flap-eared hat inspired by Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation and a style that draws on rubber hose cartoons like Betty Boop. Universal creative Lora Sauls said Earl “has risen to the status of Universal Studios Florida’s Christmas icon.”

Honestly, the honor is well earned. Earl isn’t a licensed character from a movie. He’s a homegrown tradition born from a real moment in the park, which is exactly the kind of quirky, fan-driven story that makes theme park traditions stick. For more on the balloon, check out our full post on Earl the Squirrel’s Macy’s parade balloon.

Where to Meet Earl

Earl meets guests daily at Universal Studios Florida starting Nov. 14, and the Universal Orlando Holidays 2026 announcement lists an Earl the Squirrel meet-and-greet at Universal CityWalk Friday through Sunday from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3. Don’t skip his treat while you’re there: Earl’s Hazelnut Dot Cake at Universal Studios Florida is chocolate cake with hazelnut spread, toasted hazelnuts, and red and green dot sprinkles.

Planning note: If seeing Earl’s balloon in the parade is a priority, plan your visit for December. Guests visiting in mid-November will see the parade without him, but it’s still a great time for meet-and-greets and cake.

Holiday Food and Drinks at Universal Orlando

New Holiday Food Kiosks at Universal Studios Florida

The New York area of Universal Studios Florida is getting cozy cabin style wooden kiosks with sweet and savory holiday fare, including:

• Fire-roasted holiday striploin
• Potato pancakes and pierogies
• Christmas tree waffles
• Red-nose reindeer donuts
• Earl the Squirrel’s Hazelnut Dot Cake

For drinks, there’s a coquito, a merry orchid mule and a peppermint espresso martini hot chocolate. That last one sounds like it could either be the best thing you drink all season or the reason you’re still awake at 3 a.m. Possibly both.

Holiday Menus Across Epic Universe

Select venues across all five worlds of Epic Universe will offer holiday inspired items, including:

• Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone (How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk)
• Winter Hunter Mule at Burning Blade Tavern (Dark Universe)
• Snowman Cake (Mario) at Toadstool Cafe (SUPER NINTENDO WORLD)
• Noir Holiday Supper at Le Gobelet Noir (Ministry of Magic)
• Dongzhi Nights at The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant (Celestial Park), part of a lineup of holiday mocktails and cocktails at various Celestial Park venues

More Festive Fare Around the Resort

• Who-liday treats, BAH! Jam Tart and Very Grinchmas Ice Cream Sandwich (Seuss Landing)
• Gingy’s Gingerbread Streusel Cake at DreamWorks’ Imagination Café (Universal Studios Florida)
• Spiced Apple Cider and Hot Butterbeer (all three Wizarding World locations)

Holiday Tribute Store and Earl the Squirrel Merchandise

The Holiday Tribute Store returns to Universal Studios Florida, and this year’s theme honors NBCUniversal’s legacy with the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Expect themed rooms celebrating a century of parade moments, park exclusive merchandise, limited release collectibles and seasonal surprises.

Earl fans can also shop all new merchandise starring the mischievous squirrel, including apparel, accessories and collectibles celebrating his Macy’s balloon debut. That’s a big jump from 2020, when the headline Earl item was a $15 Tree Farm logo mug at the same store.

Holiday Add-On Experiences

Two separately priced add-ons are on sale now:

• Universal Holiday Tour: a two-and-a-half hour guided tour of the holiday offerings at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, with exclusive meet and greets with The Grinch, his dog Max, and Santa Claus. Guests need two-park, park-to-park admission.
• Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast: a “delightfully chaotic” breakfast with The Grinch and The Whos at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous in Islands of Adventure.

Holidays at Universal Orlando Hotels

All 11 Universal Orlando hotels will feature holiday décor themed to each property, plus special Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve dining at select hotels. Some hotels will also host menorah lighting ceremonies, Christmas tree lightings, and strolling carolers. As always, hotel guests get Early Park Admission and complimentary transportation to the parks.

Haus Noël and Holiday Fun at Universal CityWalk

No park ticket? No problem. The Green and Red Coconut Club transforms into Haus Noël, an alpine pub and Christmas market that celebrates old world holiday traditions, “both the merry and the macabre.” (We assume that means Krampus is invited.) Seasonal cocktails include a Coquito, Spiked Hot Chocolate and a Pecan Pie Tai.

Elsewhere in CityWalk, look for holiday food and drinks, holiday shopping at the Universal Studios Store, and an Earl the Squirrel meet and greet Friday through Sunday from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3.

New Year’s Eve at Universal Orlando

Guests can ring in 2027 with live entertainment and midnight countdowns in the theme parks and CityWalk, plus separately ticketed events and specialty menus at the resort’s hotels. Universal says more details are coming soon.

Holiday Ticket and Hotel Deals

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

For full details, visit the official Holidays at Universal Orlando page.

Holidays at Universal Orlando 2026 at a Glance

Experience	Where	Cost
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter	Hogsmeade (IOA), Diagon Alley (USF), Ministry of Magic (Epic Universe)	Included with admission
The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle	Hogsmeade, Islands of Adventure	Included with admission
Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular	Seuss Landing, Islands of Adventure	Included with admission
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s	Universal Studios Florida (nightly)	Included with admission
Holiday décor at Super Mario Land and Isle of Berk (Snoggletog)	Epic Universe	Included with admission
Holiday food kiosks (New York area)	Universal Studios Florida	Pay per item
Haus Noël	CityWalk (Green and Red Coconut Club)	No park ticket needed; pay per item
Earl the Squirrel meet and greet	USF daily; CityWalk Fri to Sun, Nov. 20 to Jan. 3	Free
Universal Holiday Tour	USF and IOA (2.5 hours)	Separate add-on; park-to-park ticket required
Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast	Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous, IOA	Separate add-on

What’s Next at Universal Orlando After the Holidays

The festivities wrap on January 3, but Universal’s 2027 calendar is already filling up. Rock the Universe 2027 takes over Universal Studios Florida on January 22 and 23 with Elevation Worship and Josiah Queen headlining. Then Mardi Gras 2027 runs February 6 through March 27, a slightly shorter run than 2026.

Also, horror fans should keep an eye out for the Universal Horror Make-Up Show featuring Blumhouse, which Universal says will open this winter. No official opening date has been announced yet, so it’s possible the reimagined show could debut during the holiday season, but we wouldn’t plan a trip around it just yet.

Universal Orlando Holidays 2026 Has Plenty to Offer

Universal’s holiday lineup has been one of the best values in Orlando for years, since almost everything worth seeing is included with park admission, and 2026 builds on that nicely. The Epic Universe additions finally give the newest park a real holiday identity beyond Celestial Park’s trees, and Snoggletog decor in Berk is the kind of deep cut fans will love. Earl’s balloon is a fun, homegrown story that Universal clearly (and rightly) wants to celebrate, just remember he won’t be in the parade until December. Our honest advice: this is one of the busiest stretches of the year, so if you can, visit on weekdays in mid November or early December, budget for the food kiosks (they add up fast), and save the paid add-ons for superfans who really want time with The Grinch.

For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.

Expertise. Ease. Value.

Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. 

Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.