Super Nintendo World is trading in its usual candy-colored backdrop for holiday flourishes this year, marking the first time Universal Epic Universe's Mario-themed land has ever gotten dressed up for the season. Universal Orlando Resort will run its destination-wide holiday festivities from November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, and for the first time, Epic Universe itself will be part of the celebration.
According to ClickOrlando, Epic Universe will feature special holiday décor in both Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk for the first time this season. It is a milestone for the 750-acre park, which opened as Universal's fourth gate on May 22, 2025, and is now taking part in the resort's holiday programming for the first time since its debut, according to Comcast Corporation. Nintendo-themed holiday touches are not new to the Universal brand worldwide — the station's report notes that similar décor first appeared at Universal Studios Japan in November 2022 before reaching Universal Studios Hollywood in late 2024, ahead of this year's Orlando debut.
Celestial Park and the Wizarding World Get Festive Makeovers
Elsewhere in Epic Universe, Celestial Park will transform into what the station describes as a cosmic winter wonderland, with the Cosmos Fountain running holiday-themed displays throughout the day. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, which opened as part of Epic Universe in May 2025, will add festive lights, décor and seasonal entertainment of its own. That addition gives Universal a tri-park Harry Potter presence for the holidays, spanning Ministry of Magic alongside Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, which opened in 2010, and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, which opened in 2014, per Wikipedia.
Hogsmeade will feature its own festive décor this season, while Diagon Alley gets Christmas décor and holiday-themed entertainment as well, per the same report. At Hogwarts Castle, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle returns as a nighttime projection and special-effects spectacle illuminating the castle with holiday moments and Harry Potter film characters.
Grinchmas Marks a Quarter-Century at Islands of Adventure
Islands of Adventure will once again host Grinchmas at Seuss Landing, anchored by the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, a live stage show based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The event first debuted at Seuss Landing in December 2000 following the release of Universal Pictures' live-action Grinch film, and celebrated its 25th anniversary season in late 2025, according to Discover Universal. Senior Creative Director Mike Aiello originally played the Grinch during that inaugural 2000 season, the same account notes.
Guests can meet the Grinch and visit the Who-ville Tree Lot during the event, while Universal Studios Florida will host Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's nightly. That nightly procession, which began in 2002 as a partnership with Macy's, was rebranded with its current name and character lineup in 2017 and now showcases balloons and themed floats inspired by Despicable Me, Shrek and Madagascar, according to Orlando Informer. The parade concludes each night with a Christmas tree lighting led by Santa Claus.
Holiday Tour Pairs Reserved Seating With Santa Meet-Ups
Guests can also book the Universal Holiday Tour, which runs on select dates from November 14, 2026 through January 2, 2027, and requires two-park, park-to-park access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. The roughly 2.5-hour experience costs $69.99 per person plus tax, with annual and seasonal passholders receiving a $10 discount per ticket. It includes reserved seating for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, optional reserved viewing for the holiday parade, and exclusive meet-and-greets with the Grinch, his dog Max, and Santa Claus.
In-park holiday experiences are otherwise included with regular theme park admission. Over on CityWalk, the Green and Red Coconut Club will offer live entertainment, seasonal cocktails and holiday décor throughout the season.
Expanded Hotel Portfolio Joins the Celebration
Universal Orlando's hotel footprint has grown significantly heading into this holiday season. The resort now operates 11 hotels, having expanded its lodging portfolio in 2025 with the openings of Universal Stella Nova Resort in January, Universal Terra Luna Resort in March, and the in-park Universal Helios Grand Hotel in May — all developed in partnership with Loews Hotels & Co. Each property will feature seasonal décor tailored to its individual theme, along with special holiday menus, festive activities, menorah lightings, Christmas tree lightings and strolling carolers.
Hotel guests receive early park admission and complimentary transportation to the theme parks. Florida residents can save up to 25% on rooms at participating hotels, while U.S. residents booking stays of five nights or more can save up to 30%. Guests who bundle hotel stays with theme park tickets can save up to $300 on their total vacation package.
Ticket Deals Arrive as Epic Universe Keeps Driving Growth
On the ticket side, Florida residents can purchase the 2-Park Unlimited Days ticket for $199 plus tax, offering unlimited access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure through December 16, 2026. Universal is also offering a get-2-days-free promotion with the purchase of a 3-day ticket. Peak single-day standard tickets for Epic Universe have separately climbed to $199 per person during high-demand dates, up from an original starting price of $139, as Hoodline previously reported.
The expanded holiday footprint arrives as Epic Universe continues to reshape Universal's finances. The company's theme park division reported a 24.2% year-over-year revenue surge to $2.33 billion in the first quarter of 2026, driven largely by the new park's ongoing impact, with adjusted EBITDA rising 33% to $551 million over the same period. That growth has coincided with shifting attendance patterns across the resort, as Epic Universe has stayed packed even as crowds at the older parks have thinned out at points this year.
Orlando's broader tourism economy provides the backdrop for this year's expanded holiday push. The region welcomed a record 76.7 million visitors in 2025, generating $98.6 billion in total economic impact for Central Florida, with tourism directly or indirectly supporting roughly 37% of all jobs in the region, according to Florida Politics. Central Florida's hotel industry logged 34.5 million room nights in 2025 at an average daily rate of $202.71 and 71.4% occupancy across more than 132,000 available rooms, per Visit Orlando figures. This holiday season marks the first time Epic Universe's full slate of lands, hotels and crowds will be tested against that backdrop as part of Universal's destination-wide celebration.
