Universal Studios Japan / Seasonal Events

Universal Studios Japan Announces Holiday Wonders Event for Winter 2026

Universal Holiday Wonders runs November 13 through January 17 with night shows, food, winter entertainment and a returning message show.

By CrowdLevels News Desk | Published September 15, 2026 at 8:15 a.m. JST
A family surrounded by Universal Studios Japan characters and holiday performers under falling snow
Image Credit: Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan will fill its 25th-anniversary winter with a new seasonal event running from November 13, 2026, through January 17, 2027.

Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!! brings together a larger food festival, two shows at Gramercy Park, winter entertainment across the park and a returning Hogwarts Castle projection show. Several programs follow shorter schedules within that two-month event window.

Key dates

  • November 13-January 17: Universal Holiday Wonders, the food festival and Hogwarts winter projection show
  • November 25-January 11: Light Up the Night and Joy of Lights at Gramercy Park
  • September 28-December 14: Message submissions for Joy of Lights
  • November 12-January 11: Super Nintendo World anniversary sticker activity

Two nighttime shows at Gramercy Park

Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration is a roughly 30-minute production with holiday songs, falling snow, performers and characters including Elmo, Snoopy and Hello Kitty. It will run from November 25 through January 11 at Gramercy Park in the New York area. The number of performances will vary by day.

Joy of Lights returns after nine years in a refreshed 10-minute version. Messages submitted by guests will appear on a screen during the show, followed by falling snow at the finale. It uses the same November 25-January 11 run and Gramercy Park location.

Messages can be submitted from September 28 through December 14. The projected messages will be selected by lottery.

Universal Studios Japan holiday performers and characters on the Gramercy Park stage under lights and falling snow
Light Up the Night brings characters, live performers and falling snow to Gramercy Park. Image: Universal Studios Japan
A parent and child beside a projected guest message during Joy of Lights
Joy of Lights returns after nine years with guest messages projected during the show. Image: Universal Studios Japan

Hogwarts Castle and parkwide winter entertainment

Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic will project scenes across Hogwarts Castle from November 13 through January 17. The approximately 10-minute show joins winter decorations in Hogsmeade. The walk-through Hogwarts Castle experience also remains available through January 17 as part of the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Elsewhere, the winter lineup includes the Minion Jingle Bello Meet & Greet, Universal Wonderland: Let's Smile Together! and the live singing show Power of Rock: Holiday Rockin'!. Individual schedules for those programs have not yet been published.

Hogwarts Castle illuminated with colorful winter projection mapping at Universal Studios Japan
Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic runs throughout the main event window. Image: Universal Studios Japan
Snoopy and Peanuts characters wearing winter outfits at Universal Studios Japan
Winter character greetings are part of the parkwide holiday lineup. Image: Universal Studios Japan

Food festival expands across the park

The Universal Food Festival will return with its largest selection of menus and participating areas to date. Restaurants will add seasonal dishes, carts will sell walk-around snacks, and food areas will receive holiday decorations. Snoopy and Elmo are also scheduled to make surprise appearances in participating dining areas. Restaurant names and menus will be announced later.

Super Nintendo World has a separate anniversary activity from November 12 through January 11. Guests who find scattered “stars” and bring them to a crew member can receive a new reflective fifth-anniversary sticker featuring Mario and colorful Yoshis.

Families visiting through December 30 can also use the Holiday Kids Free Pass, which covers one eligible child with an accompanying adult. Full program details are available in Universal Studios Japan's official announcement.

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