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Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood: What to Expect During the Holidays (Updated for 2025)
- Elijah
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Universal Studios Hollywood transforms every winter into a park-wide holiday celebration filled with lights, music, and exclusive seasonal entertainment. The biggest highlights, Grinchmas and The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, bring special shows, character meet-and-greets, and festive décor that make the park feel completely different from any other time of year.
We visited last holiday season and are updating this guide with 2025 pricing, hours, and seasonal offerings so you know exactly what to expect. Whether you’re visiting for a single day, hunting for holiday treats, hoping to see Hogwarts covered in snow, or deciding if a December trip is worth your wallet, this guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect Universal Christmas visit.
Holiday Dates & Park Hours
When Does Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood Start?
The Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood return for the 2025 season from November 24, 2025, through January 4, 2026.During this time, the park transforms into a festive, family-friendly celebration featuring Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, and seasonal entertainment across the park. Holiday offerings typically run every day during this period, with extended hours and special nighttime shows closer to Christmas and New Year’s.
For the most accurate event schedule and announcements, visit the official Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood page.
Universal Studios Hollywood Park Hours During the Holidays
Operating hours vary slightly by date, but during the holiday season you can typically expect:
Weekdays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Hours may extend on special event days or holidays, especially around Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s weekend. It’s best to confirm your specific travel dates on the official park calendar. Crowds tend to be lighter during the first two weeks of December and grow quickly after mid-month, especially leading into Christmas week. Arriving early, ideally before opening, can help you make the most of the day.
Tickets & Seasonal Pricing
General Admission Options
Ticket prices fluctuate by date and demand, but for the 2025 holiday season, expect starting prices around:
1-Day General Admission: From $109
2-Day General Admission: From $59 to $75 per day
Universal Hollywood Plus Pass: From $199
Buying online in advance can save up to $40 compared to gate prices, and it also guarantees entry on busy holiday weekends when same-day tickets can sell out.
Upgraded Admission & Add-Ons
For visitors looking for shorter lines or a premium experience, Universal also offers:
Universal Express: From $189, One-time priority access to each ride, attraction, and seated show.
VIP Experience: From $359, Unlimited Express access, behind-the-scenes tours, and a gourmet lunch.
Universal Express Add-On: From $90, Upgrade your existing ticket to skip lines.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Early Access Ticket: From $20, One hour of early entry before park opening, plus one exclusive Studio Tour pass.
Quick Tip for Tickets: Always check the ticket page on Universal Studios Hollywood ticket page before booking. They do occasionally run specials during the holiday season.
Getting There & Parking
Parking at Universal Studios Hollywood
Parking prices during the holidays are the same as the rest of the year:
General Parking (before 5:00 PM): $35
Preferred Parking (before 5:00 PM): $50
Front Gate Parking: $70 (all day)
If you plan to stay past 5:00 PM for the nighttime light shows, general parking rates usually drop slightly. The main parking structures connect directly to Universal CityWalk, so you’ll pass restaurants and shops on your way into the park. Arrive early during December weekends, parking garages tend to fill quickly by 10:00 AM, especially on days featuring the Grinchmas tree lighting or the Hogwarts Castle light show.
Driving Directions from Nearby Areas
Downtown Los Angeles
Distance: 10.7 miles
Drive Time: 14–20 minutes
Rideshare Estimate: $55–$75
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Distance: 25 miles
Drive Time: 35–50 minutes
Rideshare Estimate: ~$77
Hollywood
Distance: 5 miles
Drive Time: 10–15 minutes
Rideshare Estimate: ~$20
Santa Monica
Distance: 20 miles
Drive Time: 30–45 minutes
Rideshare Estimate: ~$77
Pasadena
Distance: 15 miles
Drive Time: 20–30 minutes
Rideshare Estimate: ~$77
Long Beach
Distance: 35 miles
Drive Time: 45–60 minutes
Rideshare Estimate: ~$77
Quick Tip: Be sure to give yourself extra time than is listed above, because you are certain to hit traffic at any time or any day in Los Angeles. Use Google Maps or Apple Maps wisely!
Holiday Highlights, Entertainment & Seasonal Food
Grinchmas
One of the biggest holiday draws at Universal Studios Hollywood is Grinchmas, a colorful celebration inspired by Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The area around Universal Plaza transforms into Whoville, complete with a towering 65-foot twisted Seussian Christmas tree, snow-covered décor, and characters straight out of the storybook. Guests can meet The Grinch himself for photos, interact with Cindy Lou Who, and watch live performances throughout the day. The highlight is the Grinchmas tree-lighting ceremony, which takes place every evening with music, narration, and dazzling synchronized lights.
Crowds and Lines inside Whoville:
We visited early in the day time before the tree lighting to get photos, food, and enjoy the area before it became too packed to move. However, we were surprised, the lines inside of Whoville were very long. The wait for the seasonal food was 15 to 30 minutes minimum and the line to meet The Grinch, was over an hour and a half long! We visited specifically to experience Whoville because we had already visited the park earlier in the year, but if you only have a single day admission to the park, you may have to consider rides vs the seasonal experience!
Quick Tip: The Grinchmas Tree-lighting was definitely one of the highlight experiences, but you have to arrive early! The staff shuts down the area around 15 minutes before the even starts and if you are not inside, they will not allow you in!
The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle
Over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, Hogsmeade Village gets a complete winter makeover. Snow tops the rooftops, the shop windows glow with garlands and candles, and the castle itself becomes the centerpiece of the event. Each evening, the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle projection show lights up the entire mountainside with scenes from the films, accompanied by the iconic John Williams score. The show runs multiple times after sunset, usually every 20–30 minutes, so you will have a few chances to catch the show. We thought the show was cool and did a great job at immersing you in the experience. You could save this part of the park for later in the day, catch a few rides, the projection show, and grab a bite to eat. It was a great way to closeout the night!
Our major concern with the Hogwarts Castle Projection Show:
While the show itself was worth the experience, we were concerned with the safety and exit coordination from the staff. Much like the Whoville Tree Lighting, the Hogwarts Area is closed down around 10-15 minutes before the show starts. The area overlooking the Hogwarts castle is not very big, and the crowd of people fighting to get a good view is huge. This leads to problems as you can imagine, like people pushing and wedging in trying to get better views. There is only one way in and out of the Hogsmeade Village, and led to large traffic jams of people. This cramped area, and large group of people made it hard to stay together as a group, even just the two of us, and made the experience less enjoyable.
Other Seasonal Entertainment
In addition to Grinchmas and Hogwarts, the park features smaller touches that make it feel festive everywhere you go:
Holiday street performers and a cappella groups pop up near Universal Plaza.
Costumed characters like the Minions and Shrek often appear in winter outfits for photos.
The Studio Tour sometimes adds holiday decorations or themed audio segments.
Plan to stay until dusk, the park becomes even more immersive once the lights come on. The character experiences were really unique and we thought it was cool to see the park change from normal operations to seasonal.
Festive Dining & Treats
Universal has fun themed foods throughout the park for the holidays, and we were lucky to be able to try a two of the popular treats including a Grinch face donut, and Who-pudding. Both were very fun, a made for great photos, but they had an awful artificial taste we could not get past! Honestly, we would not recommend either of the treats we tried!
Holiday Shopping & Souvenirs
Exclusive Christmas Merchandise
If you’re looking for souvenirs, Universal Studios Hollywood releases limited-edition holiday merchandise each year that’s only available during the Christmas season. You’ll find themed apparel, ornaments, mugs, and plush characters throughout the park, but especially in:
Whoville-themed Grinchmas stands (featuring exclusive How the Grinch Stole Christmas™ collectibles)
Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods in Hogsmeade (with holiday Hogwarts scarves, ornaments, and tree toppers)
Universal Studio Store near the front gate (stocked with park-wide holiday designs and gifts)
New items are introduced every season, and many sell out before the final week of December, so if you see something you like, it’s best to buy it early in your visit.
Shopping at Universal CityWalk
Even if you’re not visiting the park, Universal CityWalk is decked out with holiday lights, music, and window displays throughout December. CityWalk shops like Universal Studio Store, Hot Topic, Voodoo Doughnut, and Things From Another World carry both general park merchandise and seasonal gifts. If you’re staying at the Sheraton Universal Hotel or Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, CityWalk is within easy walking distance, making it a great spot to browse or pick up last-minute souvenirs after dinner.
Final Thoughts: Is Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood Worth Your Wallet?
Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood during Christmas brings a completely different atmosphere than any other time of year. The lights, music, and park-wide décor make it one of the most immersive holiday events in Los Angeles, with Grinchmas and Hogwarts Castle easily standing out as the highlights.
That said, there are a few trade-offs to consider. During our visit, we noticed that trying to experience both rides and seasonal events in a single day can feel rushed, especially if you want to see the evening shows or stop for photos. Holiday food offerings also leaned a bit repetitive, with fewer unique flavors or international options than you might expect from a park of this size. And while the Hogwarts Castle show is stunning, crowds can pack in tightly near the viewing area, so patience and awareness are key to staying comfortable and safe.
On the positive side, the shows and Whoville area felt genuinely well-designed and festive. If you have a 2-day ticket, you can always return later in the year to experience other seasonal events, making it a smart way to stretch the value of your trip.
Our Verdict
If your main goal is to soak up the holiday atmosphere, Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood is worth your wallet, especially for families, Harry Potter fans, or anyone who loves themed events. You’re paying a premium for the seasonal overlay and entertainment, but the experience feels special enough to justify it once you’re inside. For visitors who care more about rides or shorter lines, visiting earlier in December or returning on a weekday might offer a better balance of value and enjoyment.