Universal Studios Japan previewed its 2026 holiday food, character greetings and returning Joy of Lights show on November 12, ahead of Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!! beginning November 13. The park’s 25th-anniversary winter celebration runs through January 17, 2027.
Holiday food and daytime entertainment start with the season, but the two Gramercy Park night shows have a later opening date: November 25. Families planning around those performances will need to visit during their shorter run.
Holiday food and greetings
The Universal Food Festival’s holiday edition was previewed across the park ahead of its November 13 launch. This is the festival’s largest edition yet, with seasonal food available throughout the park’s areas.
At Studio Stars Restaurant and Universal Market, preview guests met holiday-costumed characters including Snoopy and Elmo while enjoying food in winter-decorated spaces. The celebration combines seasonal dining with photo opportunities and character interactions.
Miki Fujimoto and Tomoharu Shoji joined children and families at Universal Market for the November 12 opening ceremony. Elmo and Cookie Monster appeared with the couple, and invited families helped declare the start of the holiday season.
Joy of Lights
Joy of Lights returns after nine years. Its November 12 preview used a special presentation created for the press event, with messages to loved ones displayed on the Gramercy Park screen alongside music, lights and falling snow.
The regular show runs November 25, 2026, through January 11, 2027. It will not perform on December 31.
Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration also runs November 25 through January 11 at Gramercy Park in the New York area. The approximately 30-minute show features Elmo, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Snow People and entertainers in a holiday story with songs and snow. Performance counts vary by day.
Winter entertainment
The preview also introduced winter outfits for characters in Universal Wonderland: Let’s Smile Together!, including Charlie Brown and Hello Kitty. Power of Rock: Holiday Rockin’ features live singing and dancing to winter songs.
Hogsmeade has winter decorations, while Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic brings scenes from the Harry Potter films to Hogwarts Castle at night.
Families can also join Elmo’s winter treasure-hunt rally from November 13 through December 30, 2026. Participants follow missions around the park and receive a special sticker after completing them all. The rally is open to families without the Holiday Kids-Free Pass, too.
Family tickets
The Holiday Kids-Free Pass admission window begins November 13 and ends December 30, 2026. Prices start at 8,400 yen, including tax, for one adult and one accompanying eligible child. The offer is for Japan residents, with proof of residency and the child’s age required at purchase.
For an evening-show visit, check the daily schedule as well as the event dates: the overall holiday season continues through January 17, but the two Gramercy Park shows finish January 11.
Source: Universal Studios Japan
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