Celebrate the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort

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Decorations are in full swing at Universal Orlando Resort, transforming the park into a festive wonderland at nearly every corner. These are some of the holiday highlights you can’t miss:

Earl the Squirrel

A person in a squirrel costume with a red plaid hat and green sweater poses in front of a decorated Christmas tree.

Earl the Squirrel is the mascot for the holidays at Universal Orlando Resort, appearing as easter eggs all over the parks and on tons of seasonal merchandise.

As the story goes, one year a Universal Studios Florida Team Member noticed malfunctioning lights on a Christmas tree. After some investigation, the Team Member noticed a squirrel in the tree, likely nibbling on the string lights! Naming him Earl, the squirrel became a holiday icon in 2020 and has remained a staple of the Universal Orlando Resort holiday season ever since.

Storefront window with a cartoon squirrel holding a book, wearing a hat and coat. Sign reads: "Join the festive adventures of Earl the Squirrel at Universal Orlando Resort in this soon-to-be holiday classic!

This year, Earl is hidden everywhere, from flyers across many window facades in Universal Studios Florida to a dedicated merchandise collection sold throughout the resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

For many, the Harry Potter films are synonymous with the holidays. Perhaps because the characters celebrate Christmas in many of the films, or maybe the general connection between magic and the holidays, but Christmas and Harry Potter go together like Minions and bananas. At Universal Orlando Resort, the holiday decorations are in full swing at both Wizarding World lands.

A wreath decorated with small ice cream cone ornaments adds a festive touch to the wooden door with frosted glass panels, capturing the holiday spirit reminiscent of Universal Orlando Resort's whimsical charm.

Nearly every shop in Diagon Alley is decorated with garland, wreaths, and other details. The decorations are not generic, however, as each building has subtle flairs that relate to the store itself.

For example, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour has ice cream cones decorating the wreath and Madam Malkin’s Robes has garlands full of pink ribbons! Diagon Alley has tons of details year-round, but the holiday season gives you even more to walk around and look for.

The Tribute Store

The store interior, reminiscent of a Universal Orlando Resort shop during the holidays, is adorned with Christmas wreaths and garlands. Colorful merchandise fills the displays, while a few customers enjoy browsing the festive setting. — Holiday Tribute Store from 2023

The Tribute Store is a beloved tradition at Universal Studios Florida. The store is a highly themed pop-up that changes multiple times a year. Themes like “Jurassic Park,” and “Back to the Future” have been represented before, putting just as much emphasis on the theming and storytelling as the merchandise itself.

Three times a year, the store aligns with events celebrated around the park: Christmas, Halloween, and Mardi Gras. While details are sparse for this year’s store, we do know it will offer themed food, beverages, and merchandise.

A large, decorated Christmas tree stands in an urban square under a clear blue sky, surrounded by buildings and people, echoing the festive spirit of the Holidays.

This list was just the beginning of all the fun things you can do at Universal Orlando Resort for the holidays! Other highlights include Grinchmas, Universal’s Holiday Parade, and tons of seasonal food!

If you want to visit Universal Orlando Resort for the holidays, consider booking a trip with our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations! Their expert team of vacation planners will help you find the best rates and do all bookings at no cost to you!

Visit WDWNT.Travel to learn more!

Are you planning to visit Universal Orlando Resort for the holidays? What is your favorite holiday tradition? Let us know in the comments!

This post contains sponsored content from Be Our Guest Vacations. Help support WDWNT by using the links in this article to book your next Universal vacation with our sponsors, Be Our Guest Vacations. Their expertise in trip planning can make your booking process a breeze, and their services are FREE!

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