Christmas at Universal Orlando and SeaWorld 2026: Dates and What's New

Universal Orlando Holidays runs November 14, 2026 through about January 3, 2027, and SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from November 6, 2026 to January 4, 2027. Both events are included with regular park admission. Here's what each one has in 2026 and how to plan around the crowds.

Universal Orlando Holidays 2026

Dates: November 14, 2026 through about January 3, 2027.

• Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure. Seuss Landing turns into Who-ville, with the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular stage show running several times a day.
• Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's at Universal Studios Florida, with giant balloons and floats. It runs in the evening and ends with a tree lighting.
• Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley get holiday decorations, and Hogwarts Castle has a nighttime holiday projection show.
• Universal Holiday Tour, a guided walking tour on select dates, sold separately, from about $70.

Heads up: Universal has scheduled Volcano Bay, its water park, to close for maintenance from late October 2026 until spring 2027. Check before you plan a water park day.

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration 2026

Dates: select nights from November 6, 2026 to January 4, 2027 (check SeaWorld's calendar for your date).

• Holiday lights across the park after dark
• Holiday shows and seasonal food and drinks
• Kwanzaa festivities December 26 to January 1, and a Three Kings celebration January 3 to 6

Tips for Christmas at Universal and SeaWorld

• Go on a weekday in early or mid December. The week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest of the year at every Orlando park. For what to pack, see Orlando weather in November and December.
• Stay late. Both events look best after dark, and the parade and castle show are evening events.
• Book tickets ahead. Neither event costs extra, but busy-day park tickets cost more and can sell out for some ticket types.
• There's no real "Christmas coupon." Discounts on Universal and SeaWorld come from multi-day tickets, Florida resident deals and annual passes, not codes.

Plan a day off between parks

Theme park days are long. A slower day in between helps:

• Airboat tours at Boggy Creek, 10% off through us. December mornings are cool and great on the water.
• Baby highland cows at Mini Moo Land, 10% off
• Christmas lights around Orlando, many of them free
• ICE! at Gaylord Palms

See every Orlando deal

Holiday nights outside the parks

(Viator links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

• Snow, Ice and Lights tour, with ICE! admission and hotel pickup, on December Wednesdays
• Christmas on the Coast, with cocoa, cookies and neighborhood lights, on Fridays and Saturdays
• St. Augustine Nights of Lights, on December Sundays

Where to check Universal and SeaWorld dates before you go

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration page now gives one set of dates: select dates from November 6, 2026 to January 4, 2027, included with park admission. It adds two details worth planning around:

• Fireworks: Holiday Reflections runs every night of the event until January 1, and you watch from around the lagoon at park close.
• Ice show: Winter Wonderland on Ice runs on select dates from November 7 to January 5.

The same page says the schedule varies by day, so check SeaWorld's park hours for your date.

For Universal, the Holidays at Universal Orlando page is the place to confirm the final night, parade times and Holiday Tour prices. Universal lists its 2027 Mardi Gras on a separate page if you're visiting later in winter.