Universal Studios Japan, marking its 25th anniversary this year, will host the winter seasonal event Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!! from Friday, November 13, 2026, to Sunday, January 17, 2027.
As the park closes out the year, winter-only entertainment arrives one after another: the Universal Food Festival, scaling up to the largest menu lineup and area coverage in the park's history; Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration, a heartwarming night show set beneath falling snow; and Joy of Lights, an emotional message show returning for the first time in nine years, giving guests a chance to share feelings for loved ones that can be hard to put into words. On top of that, 25th-anniversary "winter gifts" round out the season, including the Holiday Kids Free Pass, inviting children from across the country free of charge, and the Holiday Kids Free Plan, which waives children's accommodation fees. It all adds up to a special holiday season meant to bring families closer together as the year comes to its happiest close.
Universal Food Festival Scales Up to Its Largest Lineup Yet
The Food Festival, a holiday-season staple, returns this year with its largest-ever lineup of menus and areas. Restaurants decorated with holiday touches will serve special seasonal menus, alongside food inspired by the park's characters and easy-to-eat items from carts, spread throughout the park. Families can enjoy their favorite dishes together for a satisfying, happy time.
This year also brings a special surprise greeting, with Snoopy, Elmo, and other characters appearing in the areas serving holiday food. Guests can enjoy holiday dishes while meeting the park's characters dressed in their festive holiday outfits — a special food experience that brings families closer together with smiles all around.
Event Period: November 13, 2026 (Friday) to January 17, 2027 (Sunday)
*Participating restaurants will be announced at a later date.
Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration — A Grand Winter Night Show
In this grand night show, park characters including Elmo, Snoopy, and Hello Kitty, dressed in colorful winter costumes, join cute Snow People and entertainers to deliver a wonderful gift to the audience. A gentle story unfolds alongside powerful holiday songs, while guests light up the night together and watch snow fill the sky above — a warm, happy moment to share with loved ones.
Event Period: November 25, 2026 (Wednesday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday)
Location: Gramercy Park (New York Area)
Show Length: Approximately 30 minutes
*The number of daily performances varies. Please check the official website for details.
Joy of Lights Returns After 9 Years
The beloved message show, which displays heartfelt words for loved ones — feelings that can be hard to say out loud — set to beautiful lights and melodies on screen, returns in a renewed form after nine years. It is presented as part of "Discover USJ," a program that looks back on the park's 25 years and rediscovers the power of entertainment (one of the two meanings behind the 25th-anniversary theme, "Discover U!!!"). Guests' heartfelt messages will fill Gramercy Park with emotion. At the show's climax, snow falls over Gramercy Park, transforming it into a magical holiday space — a special moment for connecting with the people who matter most.
Event Period: November 25, 2026 (Wednesday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday)
Location: Gramercy Park (New York Area)
Show Length: Approximately 10 minutes
*The number of daily performances varies. Please check the official website for details.
Message Submission Period: September 28, 2026 (Monday) to December 14, 2026 (Monday)
*Messages to be displayed are selected by lottery from advance entries.
*Please check the official website for details.
A Magical Holiday Arrives in Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is currently hosting an anniversary event this autumn and winter, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
As a special holiday-season program, Hogsmeade Village will be decorated with especially festive winter décor, and the mapping show Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic will cast grand magic over Hogwarts Castle at night. Families can immerse themselves in scenes from their favorite films amid a wintry landscape found only in the wizarding world.
To mark the film's 25th anniversary, the special walk-through experience Hogwarts Castle Walk is also running through January 17, 2027 (Sunday).
Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic Overview
Event Period: November 13, 2026 (Friday) to January 17, 2027 (Sunday)
Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Show Length: Approximately 10 minutes
*The number of daily performances varies. Please check the official website for details.
Special Character Greetings and a High-Energy Winter Singing Show
This winter, the entire park will be decorated with festive holiday décor, so guests can feel the arrival of winter wherever they go. Winter-only greetings include Minion Jingle Bello Meet & Greet, featuring the Minions in their winter outfits, and Universal Wonderland: Let's Smile Together!, where children and adults alike can dance and smile with Charlie Brown, Hello Kitty, and other characters. The singing show Power of Rock: Holiday Rockin'! also delivers winter songs through a powerful live vocal and dance performance.
Super Nintendo World's 5th Anniversary Finale Brings a Sparkling New Sticker
While Mario and his friends were making a cake, the Super Stars meant to decorate it scattered across the area. Guests who find the scattered "stars" around the area and bring them to a crew member receive a special sticker to commemorate the 5th anniversary. For this finale, the sticker also gets a new design, featuring colorful Yoshis alongside Mario and friends in a sparkling special edition. Guests can search for the scattered stars together with friends and family, striking poses with their hands and bodies to represent the stars — a fun way for everyone to come together. Pick up this special sticker celebrating Super Nintendo World's 5th-anniversary finale and enjoy Super Nintendo World with friends and family to the fullest.
Distribution Period: November 12, 2026 (Thursday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday)
More details about Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!! will be announced as they become available.
A Special Winter Gift for Families Nationwide
Holiday Kids Free Pass — The Park's First-Ever Nationwide Free Invitation for Children
Laugh together, be moved together.
The wonderfully happy time spent here
brings families closer together.
That's why this winter brings the Holiday Kids Free Pass.
One child is free for every one accompanying adult.
Children's annual pass prices are also discounted.
A whole year's worth of family time for winter families —
a gift from the park's 25th anniversary.
Holiday Kids Free Pass Information
Overview: For guests living in Japan, purchasing a Holiday Kids Free Pass makes admission free for one child (ages 4 to 11, elementary school age or younger) accompanying one adult.
On Sale: From around 12:00 PM on Monday, September 14, 2026
Valid Admission Period: November 13, 2026 (Friday) to December 30, 2026 (Wednesday)
Price: From ¥8,400 (tax included)
*Price is for a set of one adult and one accompanying child.
*Regular price is from ¥13,900 (tax included).
Sold At: Universal Studios Japan official website, JTB stores, and official, alliance, and associate hotels (hotel guests only)
*Guests who are 12 years old but still in elementary school qualify for the child price.
*Purchase is limited to guests living in Japan who can upload a valid official document confirming the child's age (passport, My Number card, copy of residence certificate, student ID, etc.) at the time of purchase.
*It may take some time to verify the document before the purchase confirmation email is sent.
*Any changed admission date must be on or before December 30, 2026 (Wednesday).
*Date changes are only possible for unused adult and child ticket pairs purchased together.
*This ticket's admission date cannot be changed from the Club Universal member page. The admission date can be changed at Guest Services.
*Children turning 4 years old between October and December can also use the 4-Year-Old Birthday Invitation Pass.
A Range of Limited Tickets to Make the Most of This Winter
Light Up the Night / Joy of Lights Special Viewing Area Admission Ticket
This ticket lets guests enjoy the spectacular, light-filled holiday night shows smoothly, without waiting, from right in front of the stage. Watch for the special moment when entertainers come down to the stage's edge, too. Enjoy the night shows from a premium area.
*The special viewing area includes both standing and seated sections. Depending on capacity, your preferred section may not be available.
*Bringing or using tall seating, such as chairs, is not allowed.
Light Up the Night / Joy of Lights Special Viewing Area Ticket Information
On Sale: September 24, 2026 (Thursday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday)
Valid Period: November 25, 2026 (Wednesday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday)
Price: From ¥1,700 (tax included)
Sold At: Universal Studios Japan official website, Lawson Ticket (website)
Universal VIP Experience Adds a Winter Holiday Version
A winter-only tour, including a Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration special viewing area ticket, joins the lineup of 25th-anniversary special VIP tours. The tour lets guests fully enjoy the charm of Universal Studios Japan during its 25th-anniversary year and comes with exclusive 25th-anniversary merchandise available only to VIP tour guests.
[25th Anniversary Special] Universal VIP Experience Group Tour — Super Nintendo World "Winter Version"
On Sale: From September 24, 2026 (Thursday)
Valid Period: November 25, 2026 (Wednesday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday)
Price: From ¥29,000 (tax included)
Sold At: Universal Studios Japan official website
*Please check the official website for details.
Universal VIP Experience Private Tour Returns — Ultimate Luxury Plan, Limited to One Group Per Day
This winter also brings back the VIP Experience, a luxury outing limited to one group per day. A dedicated guide customizes a private tour to match each guest's requests, offering special dining at popular restaurants, private rides on popular attractions, special greetings, and other carefully arranged services. With attentive hospitality from a guide who knows the park inside and out, the tour offers a memorable park experience found nowhere else.
[Limited to One Group Per Day] Universal VIP Experience Private Tour — Ultimate Luxury Plan Information
On Sale: From September 24, 2026 (Thursday)
Valid Period: November 25, 2026 (Tuesday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday)
*Some dates are excluded.
Price: From ¥949,800 (tax included)
Sold At: Universal Studios Japan official website
*Please check the official website for details.
