By Charly SHELTON

Universal Studios Hollywood has a way of making the holidays feel wonderfully odd in the best possible way. Only in Los Angeles can you stand under a swirl of falling “snoap” while palm trees frame the skyline and the Grinch’s curlicue tree glows like a holiday beacon. Universal invited us out again this year to experience its holiday lineup and – unsurprisingly – it still hits the same cozy, slightly chaotic sweet spot it always has.

The festivities are anchored in two big seasonal offerings: Grinchmas in Universal Plaza and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the upper lot. Both return largely unchanged from previous years, save a few decorative updates here and there, but the hits remain the hits for a reason.

Grinchmas continues to be one of those quintessentially LA holiday moments. The giant, lopsided tree twinkles, “snoap” drifts from the sky and the whole plaza feels like a Who-ville block party as residents, the mayor and The Grinch himself stroll around and greet guests. It’s loud, it’s weird and it just works. Universal has a knack for embracing the absurdity of The Grinch and Who-ville to create something that is more unique than all of the other more traditional Christmas celebrations and, honestly, that’s part of the charm.

A short walk away, The Wizarding World delivers a completely different kind of holiday mood – less brightly colored whimsy, more cozy winter fantasy. This is largely done in decorations around the land, some additional lights in Hogsmeade and the fact that the snow on the rooftops doesn’t feel out of place at this time of year. The nighttime projection show, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, remains one of the best light shows presented all year. Standing there with a warm butterbeer while the castle erupts in lights, snowfall and holiday magic is another of those quintessential holiday experiences that is something to look forward to all year.  

Food, as always, is half the fun at Universal during the holidays. Hollywood & Dine has gone full Grinchmas, complete with Who-themed dishes like Who Pudding, the Who-B-Q Roast Beastwich, and even a can of Who Hash served in an actual can, which makes me respect the commitment to the bit. But my heart still belongs to the holiday dinner at Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World. 

This is a classic turkey dinner with all of the trimmings, and it’s spectacular. Thick cuts of roast turkey, hearty stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, bacon-wrapped sausage and those maple-butter-glazed carrots that have no business being as good as they are can all be found. The recipe is tweaked every year; for example, this season’s carrots aren’t quite the top-tier version from a few years back but the dish overall is still one of the best seasonal meals you’ll find in any theme park. 

Down in Super Nintendo World, the holiday decorations are fun but simple – more “festive touches” than a full holiday overlay. It’s worth a stroll for the visuals, but the real seasonal substance remains up in the upper lot.

Universal’s holiday celebrations are playful, immersive, pleasantly goofy and filled with the kind of small seasonal pleasures that keep you coming back: warm butterbeer, a bent tree lit up in lights, snoap falling among the palm trees, maple glazed carrots and bacon-wrapped sausage. This isn’t like your usual holiday celebration – it somehow feels more LA … and our holiday season wouldn’t feel complete without it. 

The Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood are on now through Jan. 4, 2026. Visit UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for more details.