The holiday festivities are returning in full force this year at Universal Studios Hollywood, as two annual fan-favorites are set to return for the 2023 season! Both “Grinchmas” & “Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be making their triumphant returns to Universal’s California-based park next month, running from November 24th, 2023 through January 1st, 2024. Plus, Christmas decorations & other special holiday surprises can be found around every corner at both the park & Universal CityWalk, as the entire resort is adorned with festive lights & ornaments!
The best part of all?
All holiday festivities are INCLUDED in the price of normal theme park admission! Read along for details on all the seasonal celebrations coming to Universal Studios Hollywood!
“Grinchmas”
By far the most iconic Hollywood holiday offering is the spirited “Grinchmas” Who-bilation, anchored by the famous & festive 65-foot “Grinchmas” tree! The topsy-turvy tree is adorned with hundreds of ornaments & is joined by thousands of LED lights lighting up both the tree & Universal Plaza as a whole. And make sure you don’t miss the nightly tree-lightning ceremony & snowball flurry each evening in Universal Plaza, bringing good tidings & season’s greetings to all!
Brand new to the “Grinchmas” celebration for 2023 is an all-new daytime performance featuring the Who-Bee Doo-Wops group, Who-ville’s latest musical sensation! The group will be rocking out to hip-swinging, bell-ringing holiday classics for the Who’s and guests to enjoy right in the heart of Universal plaza. Be sure to stop by & join in on a swinging-good time in Who-ville! You may even find a few Who‘s strolling around ready to say hi or snap a pic!
Another can’t-miss “Grinchmas” activity is the specialty photo opportunities with the mean-green man himself, Mr. Grinch – and his faithful dog Max – greeting guests with a smile (& a sneer!) every day inside the park. Guests will also have a chance to spend time with Cindy-Lou Who as she leads daily story time for young guests looking to learn “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Plus, don’t forget to pay a visit the Who-ville post office to mail a merry postcard sharing three good deeds.
Other “Grinchmas” festivities include a themed craft area providing guests the opportunity for jolly holiday decorating by creating paper ornaments to adorn the Grinchmas tree or to take home as a holiday souvenir. Plus, a selection of themed Who-tacular sweet treats, including the Grinch Donut and hot cocoa, will be available for purchase inside Universal Plaza. It will be a jolly-good time around every corner at Universal’s “Grinchmas,” & the Who’s can’t wait for your visit!
Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
After you’re done celebrating the holiday jubilee in Who-ville, head into Hogsmeade Village as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is transformed with a merry décor of shimmering lights, decorative garlands and festive wreaths. Every location – inside & out – is decorated with incredible thematic integrity!
On the entertainment front, guests can take delight in special holiday a cappella performances from the Frog Choir during multiple showtimes throughout the day. Then, at dusk, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” will dazzle with stunning imagery as the impressive light projection show illuminates Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The iconic Hogwarts castle will be completely brought to life in front of guests’ eyes, and Hogsmeade as a whole will be infused with sounds of an arrangement of music from the Harry Potter film series.

In terms of savory treats, muggle guests can stroll through the village shops while sipping delicious hot Butterbeer or savor festive fare at Three Broomsticks. Three Broomsticks, along with the Wizarding World as a whole, will be decked out in unique & thematic holiday decorations.
Guests can commemorate their Christmas visit to Hogsmeade Village with a variety of exclusive keepsake items available for purchase, including personalized ornaments, sweaters, scarves and stockings. Each shop at Hogsmeade has their own unique twist on the Christmas season!
Other Holiday Offerings
It’s not just the Who’s, the Wizard’s, & the Witch’s getting involved in the holiday spirit at Universal Studios Hollywood, though! Find classic Universal characters – like Hello Kitty – roaming the park in their festive best, meeting guests & taking photos on the upper lot. Watch out for Homer & the crew, too, as the Simpson’s may partake in some holiday shenanigans throughout Springfield, USA!
Outside of the theme park, Universal CityWalk will be dressed for the holiday season with spirited décor and a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree featuring more than 200,000 LED lights. Iconic dining location’s such as The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, VooDoo Doughnut, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, and more will offer specialty drinks & menu items perfectly fit for the Christmas season!. Guests must be 21 years or older+ and have a valid photo ID to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.
Whether you’re looking for a festive date night at Universal CityWalk or an entire day filled with holiday theme park joy, Universal Studios Hollywood has you set for the season. Christmas at Universal is a can’t-miss event, so make sure you stay tuned to Theme Park Professor for more holiday updates & head down to Universal to see the holiday favorites for yourself!
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