The Quick Read
Key Takeaways
- When: Holidays at Universal Orlando runs Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027.
- New: Cabin-style holiday food booths line the New York streets at Universal Studios Florida.
- Who: Earl the Squirrel gets a 30.4-foot parade balloon and weekend meet and greets at CityWalk.
- Price: Holiday shows and decor are included with park admission. Food and add-ons cost extra.
- Parking: Main garage self-parking is free for everyone after 6 p.m., except Dec. 31.
- Status: Booth prices, full menus, and allergy details are not out yet.
OPEN Brief: Holidays at Universal Orlando starts a full week earlier than last year, and Universal Studios Florida just gave its holiday snacks their own little cabin village. Mid-November is the sweet spot, with lighter crowds before the Christmas rush.
In This Story (6 sections)
What New Holiday Food Is at Universal Studios Florida?
Universal Studios Florida’s new holiday booths serve striploin, pierogies, Christmas tree waffles, and reindeer donuts.
Universal Studios Florida is lining its New York streets with cozy wooden kiosks this year. Three booths are already getting the most buzz from fans:
- Puerto Rican Holidays: The Puerto Rican Holidays booth serves a Nochebuena Dinner, the traditional Christmas Eve feast. It was the most talked-about booth on Universal’s announcement, so expect a line.
- Holiday Feast: The Holiday Feast booth plates fire-roasted holiday striploin with roasted potatoes and a creamy sauce. It eats like a real dinner, not a snack.
- Holiday Sweets and Sips: The Holiday Sweets and Sips booth has the Red-Nose Reindeer Donut and the Christmas Tree Waffle on a stick. Both are built for photos.
- Kiosk drinks: The Universal Studios Florida kiosks pour a coquito, a Merry Orchid Mule, and a Peppermint Espresso Martini Hot Chocolate.
Universal hasn’t posted booth prices yet, so the value call has to wait for the menu boards. Until then, the striploin is the pick if you want a real meal, and the waffle if you want the photo.
What Holiday Treats Are at Universal CityWalk?
Universal CityWalk has a Santa’s Sleigh Shake at Toothsome, a Holiday Sandwich at Breadbox, and drinks at Haus Noël.
Universal CityWalk needs no park ticket. The Santa’s Sleigh Shake at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium comes topped with a candy sleigh. Breadbox serves its Holiday Sandwich with fries and a dipping sauce, and it’s already a social media favorite.
The Green and Red Coconut Club also turns into Haus Noël, an alpine pub with a Christmas market feel. Order the Coquito, Spiked Hot Chocolate, or Pecan Pie Tai. Find more snack picks in our Universal CityWalk coverage.
Where Can You Meet Earl the Squirrel at Universal Orlando?
Earl the Squirrel meets guests at Universal CityWalk on Fridays through Sundays from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3.
Earl is having a big year. His giant balloon debuts in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, then joins Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s in December. Superfans can shop the Holiday Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida, which honors the 100th Macy’s parade with new Earl apparel, accessories, and collectibles.
Bringing kids? Pair a weekend meet and greet with a CityWalk treat for a fun night with no park ticket at all.
Holidays at Universal Orlando, Park by Park
Universal Orlando Resort brings holiday shows, decor, and seasonal treats to all three theme parks and CityWalk.
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s runs nightly at Universal Studios Florida and ends with a tree lighting led by Santa Claus. Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans three lands this year, and Epic Universe gets its first holiday decor ever. Here’s the highlight and the treat to hunt down in each one:
| Location | Holiday Highlights | Treats to Try |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios Florida | Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Diagon Alley decor, Holiday Tribute Store | New York holiday booths, Gingy’s Gingerbread Streusel Cake |
| Islands of Adventure | Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, Who-Ville Tree Lot, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle | BAH! Jam Tart, Very Grinchmas Ice Cream Sandwich |
| Epic Universe | First holiday decor in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and Isle of Berk, Ministry of Magic decor, Celestial Park trees and holiday Cosmos Fountain shows | Snowman Cake, Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone, Noir Holiday Supper |
| Universal CityWalk | Haus Noël, Earl meet and greets on weekends, New Year’s Eve countdown | Santa’s Sleigh Shake, Holiday Sandwich, Pecan Pie Tai |
Hot Butterbeer and Spiced Apple Cider are sold in all three Wizarding World lands. Planning your first holiday visit to the newest park? Start with our Epic Universe guide.
Check Parade Times
Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s has been reported at 5:30 p.m. nightly, but Universal Orlando Resort hasn’t listed a time on its holiday page. Confirm in the Universal Orlando app on the day you visit.
Is Universal Orlando Parking Free After 6 p.m.?
Universal Orlando self-parking is free for every guest after 6 p.m. at the main garages, not just Florida residents.
The free evening parking covers the main garages at 6000 Universal Blvd., the ones you use for CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, and Islands of Adventure. Before 6 p.m., regular self-parking costs $35. Universal says the deal doesn’t apply on New Year’s Eve, on Halloween Horror Nights event nights, or at the Epic Universe garage.
Here’s the part that surprises locals: you don’t need a Florida ID. Universal opened free evening parking to every guest back in 2017, though it says restrictions can change without notice.
One catch: guests are reporting some early December nights closing at 7 p.m., so check park hours before you buy a date-based ticket. On those nights the parks empty out right as parking turns free, and CityWalk becomes the easy backup.
What Do Universal Orlando Holiday Add-Ons Cost?
Universal Orlando’s Grinch breakfast costs $64.99 for adults and $38.99 for kids, and the Holiday Tour is reported from $69.99.
- Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast: The Grinch breakfast is at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous in Islands of Adventure. Prices add tax and a 20% gratuity, and you need same-day Islands of Adventure admission.
- Universal Holiday Tour: The Universal Holiday Tour is a guided daytime tour of about 2.5 hours for up to 12 guests. It includes meet and greets with the Grinch, Max, and Santa, plus reserved Grinchmas seating. Park-to-park admission is extra.
- Park tickets: Universal Orlando’s three-day ticket deal starts at $99 plus tax per day.
The breakfast is the splurge for Grinch fans. The tour makes the most sense on a busy day, since that reserved Grinchmas seat saves you a long wait. For more Grinchmas planning, see our Islands of Adventure guide.
Confirm These Prices
Universal Orlando’s Holiday Tour price is reported, not listed by Universal. Florida residents have also reportedly been offered a 3-park, 3-day ticket for $255 through Dec. 23, 2026. Confirm both on Universal’s site before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Universal Orlando have gluten-free or vegetarian holiday food in 2026?
Universal Orlando hasn’t released allergy, gluten-free, or vegetarian details for its 2026 holiday booths. Universal recommends asking a Team Member at each food location, and a sit-down restaurant gives you more time to talk through ingredients than a busy booth.
Do you need an ID for Universal Orlando holiday cocktails?
Universal Orlando holiday cocktails are for guests 21 and older with a valid photo ID. That covers the spiked drinks at Haus Noël and at the Universal Studios Florida holiday kiosks.
Can you ride a Universal Orlando resort bus from CityWalk to the hotels?
Universal Orlando lists its buses and water taxis as a hotel guest perk, so walking is the safer bet for day visitors. Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort all have walking paths to CityWalk, and select Universal hotels host tree lightings, menorah lightings, and strolling carolers this season.
Details confirmed with Universal Orlando Resort on November 11, 2026. Booth prices, full menus, and allergy details had not been released.
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