As the days grow colder and the sun dips earlier behind the hills, theme parks across Southern California begin transforming into festive wonderlands. Universal Studios Hollywood is no exception, rolling out its annual holiday celebration featuring Grinchmas, Christmas in Hogsmeade, and plenty of seasonal surprises throughout the park. This year’s festivities bring a blend of nostalgia, warm holiday spirit, and beloved characters that make the season feel truly magical.
Things to Do at the Universal Studios Hollywood Holiday Celebration
Universal’s holiday lineup includes a variety of attractions and seasonal offerings. From the whimsical Who-libration of Grinchmas to the cozy charm of Christmas in Hogsmeade, there’s no shortage of festive entertainment as you explore the park.
Grinchmas
The heart of the holiday celebration lives in Universal’s Town Square, where Whoville springs to life with character interactions, live performances, crafts, and a towering Christmas tree straight out of Dr. Seuss’ imagination. Though the festivities are contained to one area of the park, there’s plenty to see and do with loads of Grinch-themed cheer at every turn.
You’ll run into familiar faces like the Mayor of Whoville and Martha May, who wander the square for spontaneous interactions and photo ops. Of course, the biggest draw is the meet-and-greet with the one, the only, the the the… THE GRINCH! Just be warned: the line stays long for most of the day since this is a must-do for many families. Pro tip: Passholders can take advantage of a passholder-exclusive Grinch meet-and-greet above Jurassic Park, which tends to be a much shorter wait—just make sure to hop in line before 3 p.m. once the crowds begin to swell.
The area also features holiday crafting where you can design your own ornaments, either to hang onsite or bring home as a free souvenir. Even better, Universal offers a wholesome charity activity: filling out a Good Deeds List and sending it off like a postcard. For each letter submitted, Universal donates to School on Wheels, making this one small, heartwarming moment that captures what the season is all about.
Grinchmas also offers live entertainment throughout the day. A charming reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Cindy Lou Who is easily one of the highlights. The performer brings delightful energy and expressive voices to each character, making the short 15-minute show a perfect break between activities. If you prefer music, The Fah-Who 4 A’s deliver lively renditions of holiday classics with Seussian flair.
As night falls, the entire land comes together for the spectacular Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It’s a feel-good, movie-accurate performance with actors who fully embody their Whoville roles—especially the Grinch himself. It’s the perfect way to end your Grinchmas experience with a burst of holiday spirit.
Christmas in Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade always feels magical during the holidays, but the Christmas season elevates the Wizarding World to a new level of nostalgic charm. While there aren’t many additional activities exclusive to the season, the offerings that are available are absolutely worth your time.
The Frog Choir performance is surprisingly fun—far more upbeat and modern than you might expect. With beatboxing, witty banter, and frog “vocals,” it’s an entertaining must-see for any fan of the Wizarding World.
The main event, however, is the Hogwarts Castle nighttime light show. It’s visually stunning and perfectly sets the tone for the holidays. Arrive at least 20 minutes early for a decent viewing spot; crowds begin lining up anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour beforehand.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD & The Rest of the Park
The rest of Universal Studios Hollywood features scattered holiday decorations and an expanded selection of seasonal merchandise. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD itself doesn’t host major holiday-specific activities, but it’s still a great place to explore between shows and snacks if you’re already in the park.
Seasonal Snacks and Drinks
Most of the holiday treats can be found at Hollywood & Dine, and it’s definitely worth making a stop here. Some highlights include:
Reindeer in Training – A surprisingly delicious apple sauce and ginger ale mocktail topped with whipped cream.
Dumpit to Krumpit Onion Rings – Simple, but tasty.
Who-Hash – A fan favorite served in a collectible tin.
Who Cold Brew – Genuinely one of the better cold brews you’ll find in a theme park, elevated by a sweet vanilla soft top.
On the downside, the brisket sandwich tends to sit out a little too long between orders, so it may be worth skipping unless you catch it fresh.
Feedback
While the offerings this year are strong, the show schedules felt a bit cramped. With performances stacked closely together, it can be difficult to enjoy everything without rushing—especially if you’re visiting for only half a day. Full-day guests will have a much easier time pacing their experiences, but anyone planning a shorter visit should expect some hustle between showtimes and potentially less ideal seating.
Final Verdict
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Grinchmas celebration remains one of the most charming holiday offerings in Southern California. The blend of lively character interactions, heartwarming shows, and festive decorations brings the world of Whoville to life with genuine holiday magic. Combine that with the nostalgic charm of Christmas in Hogsmeade and a lineup of irresistible seasonal snacks, and you have an event that’s absolutely worth experiencing—whether you’re a longtime Grinch fan or simply looking to spark some holiday cheer.
Crowded schedules aside, Universal has once again delivered a memorable holiday celebration full of warmth, whimsy, and personality. If you’re planning a seasonal visit to the park, Grinchmas should be at the top of your list. Especially as a passholder you should finish up your year before heading into 2026.
If you’re planning a festive season full of lights, events, and family-friendly experiences, don’t miss our full breakdown of other holiday activities happening across SoCal.
