Celebrate the 2024 Holidays at Universal Orlando with Wicked and More

’Tis the season to deck the halls, from Whoville to the Land of Oz, and the 2024 Holidays at Universal Orlando celebration features both returning favorites and new experiences that will have you seeing green. Here are some of the seasonal gifts you’ll want to unwrap at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure between November 22nd and December 31st. And make sure to enter our GIVEAWAY to win exclusive Wicked merchandise! Read on and good luck!

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle isn’t the newest projection show created for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Hogsmeade (that would be Hogwarts Always, which debuted last summer), but in some ways it’s still the best. Like all the castle shows, it uses powerful video projectors (some cleverly disguised as owl roosts) that are hidden around Hogsmeade, to paint moving images onto Hogwarts and the mountain on which it sits.

However, the Christmas show features additional fan-favorite characters like the Weasley twins, who transform the castle’s turret into a big Boggart Banger. That makes it well worth seeing, even if you’ve already experienced the other versions.

Here’s a complete video of the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle show, recorded in 4K:

TIP: When Hogsmeade is crowded with guests waiting for the show, you can still access the Forbidden Journey and Hippogriff rides via designated walkways.

Nearby, inside IOA’s Seuss Landing, the green Mean One is back for another Grinchmas, featuring the stage show based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Although Manheim Steamroller may not be returning for live concerts this year, you can still hear Chip Davis’s orchestrations during this Broadway-style musical, which mashes up the original storybook and animated special with elements from the 2000 live-action film.

Watch the Grinchmas show, which is performed multiple times each day inside the former Blue Man Group theater, with this 4K video:

In addition to performing in the show, the Grinch meets and greets guests during the day inside a Seuss Landing store; he takes time to interact before each photograph, usually to hilarious effect, which results in a very slow-moving line. The Grinchmas meet-and-greet attracts a standby queue that often exceeds 3 hours. No virtual queue or Express access is offered, so if meeting the Grinch is a priority, get in line as soon as the park opens. Of course, you don’t need to line up to interact with the friendly citizens of Whoville, who may be found roaming Seuss Landing throughout the day.

You can secure priority face time with the Mean One and his dog, Max, by purchasing a Holiday Tour ($79.99+tax), which also includes a meeting with Santa, reserved viewing of the Grinchmas and Hogwarts shows, and a buffet of treats. Another option is the Grinch character breakfast held in Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous on select mornings during November and December. It costs $58.99 (plus tax & gratuity) for adults and $32.99+ for kids ages 9 and under. Reservations for both experiences are available online.

Over at Universal Studios Florida, the traditional towering Christmas tree is back in its usual spot in the New York section. It can be found just across the street from the bookshop-themed Holiday Tribute Store, which is selling a custom Earl the Squirrel storybook. The tree makes a perfect backdrop for watching the annual Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, which includes balloons direct from New York’s famous Thanksgiving Day parade.

Enjoy this 4K video of a full performance of the Holiday Parade as seen from the Hollywood step-off location near Mel’s Drive-In. This is an ideal spot if you either want to exit quickly afterwards or stay put and watch it twice:

Last but not least, the newest attraction to open at Universal Orlando is Wicked: The Experience, which debuted inside USF’s former Hello Kitty store just in time for the holiday season.

This walk-through experience features replica props and costumes, photo-friendly backdrops, and elaborate merchandise displays, all bound to thrill fans of the highly anticipated movie-musical that debuts November 22nd.

Tip: The only original screen-worn costume in the exhibit is Elphaba’s nightgown, displayed next to the dorm-room set.

If you are especially lucky, you may even encounter Elphaba and Glinda in the flesh! Just don’t count on it, though; they’ll only be around through the film’s opening, and their appearance times haven’t been announced.

Take a look inside Wicked: The Experience at USF with our 4K POV video:

Just outside the Wicked walk-through, a snack stand has been converted into Emerald City Eats, offering pink-and-green treats such as a strawberry/matcha pastry roll and avocado toast. We recommend saving the tequila-based blue cocktail until after breakfast!

What are you most excited to experience during the 2024 Holidays at Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments below, and you can win exclusive Wicked merchandise in our holiday giveaway!

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For all there is to see and do at Universal Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Threads, X, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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