Enjoy the holiday spirit in Universal City with our ultimate guide. Whether you're a Universal City local or a global adventurer, this guide helps you embrace the city's festive charm.
One highlight of the season is the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood, where guests can immerse themselves in spectacular decorations and themed attractions. The Super Nintendo World Holiday Celebration invites guests to experience the magic of the beloved gaming world, featuring unique festive activities and themed experiences. And the Hollywood Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a lively procession of dazzling floats and live performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Universal City Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Universal City
- Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
- Hollywood Christmas Parade (Hollywood)
- Super Nintendo World Holiday Celebration
- Mariah Carey Christmas (Hollywood)
- LA Zoo Lights (Los Angeles)
- Holiday in the Park (Valencia)
- Enchanted Forest of Light (La Cañada Flintridge)
- Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Magic of Lights (Los Angeles)
- Winter Lights (Santa Ana)
See these and even more events listed below!
Universal City Holiday Light Displays
LA Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
LA Zoo Lights features immersive wildlife-inspired lantern displays, interactive experiences, and festive photo opportunities amidst a nature-focused holiday celebration.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: LA Zoo Lights
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays with life-sized holiday characters.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over two million sparkling lights, including larger-than-life displays of Holiday Barbie, Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Magic of Lights
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with over 5 million lights.
Description:
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, featuring over 5 million lights, 200 animated figures, decorated Christmas trees, and live reindeer. It attracts over 500,000 visitors each year and is voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Festival of Lights
Enchanted Forest of Light
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound installations in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Descanso Gardens transforms into a spectacular display of light and color with Enchanted Forest of Light. This one-mile walk features unique lighting installations, interactive art, and ambient music, showcasing the natural beauty of the gardens in a new and captivating way.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light
Universal City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hollywood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade with legendary celebrities and charitable mission.
Description:
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a cherished tradition that kicks off the holiday season with spectacular fanfare. Since its inception in 1928, the parade has been a cornerstone of the entertainment industry, drawing participation from legendary celebrities. The event features dazzling floats, marching bands, and performances that create unforgettable memories. It also carries a profound charitable mission, featuring Toys for Tots and other organizations that help underprivileged people during the holiday season.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Christmas Parade
Mariah Carey Christmas
What to Expect:
Iconic holiday performances by Mariah Carey.
Description:
Mariah Carey's "Christmas Time" at the Hollywood Bowl features the legendary singer performing her iconic holiday hits in a spectacular concert.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Mariah Carey Christmas
Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Millions of lights and seasonal entertainment.
Description:
Holiday in the Park transforms the park into a vibrant winter spectacle with millions of lights, seasonal eats, and entertainment.
Where: Valencia | More Info: Holiday in the Park
Bob Baker’s Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Unique puppetry adaptation of the Nutcracker ballet.
Description:
Bob Baker’s Nutcracker is a beloved adaptation of the ballet classic, featuring over 100 handcrafted puppets in a specially outfitted space at the Pasadena Playhouse. The show includes iconic characters like the Sugarplum Fairy and the Waltzing Flowers, along with the Nutcracker band, The Go-Go’s. It is a celebration of puppetry and holiday joy.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Bob Baker’s Nutcracker
Winter Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and festive activities.
Description:
Winter Lights is a holiday musical spectacle at Discovery Cube Orange County, featuring an original story, unique characters, and captivating music set against the backdrop of the Aurora Borealis. The event includes interactive light displays, snowfall, and festive activities.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Lights
Universal City Other Holiday Activities
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
What to Expect:
Immersive themed experiences with seasonal decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Universal Studios Hollywood with immersive themed experiences, seasonal decorations, and special events that bring the magic of Hollywood to life.
Where: Universal City | More Info: Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
Super Nintendo World Holiday Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in the Mushroom Kingdom with themed decorations and seasonal treats.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays in the Mushroom Kingdom with themed decorations, holiday merchandise, and seasonal treats. Enjoy a memorable photo opportunity with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad, and indulge in festive activities and entertainment.
Where: Universal City | More Info: Super Nintendo World Holiday Celebration
Astra Lumina
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound journey through a celestial pathway.
Description:
Astra Lumina is an immersive night walk experience using light, scenography, original soundscape, and projection to create an imaginative world where visitors can encounter the wonder of the stars and connect with their own human light.
Where: Palos Verdes Peninsula | More Info: Astra Lumina
Christmas Nights
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities with Santa and movie marathon.
Description:
Christmas Nights in Moorpark features a holiday celebration with Santa, breakfast, and a holiday movie marathon, creating a joyful atmosphere for families.
Where: Moorpark | More Info: Christmas Nights
Santa's Village
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities with sparkling Christmas lights.
Description:
Santa's Village offers a variety of festive activities including ice fishing, blizzard ball, and cookie decorating. The village is filled with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights, providing numerous photo opportunities. Food and snacks are available, along with hot chocolate and coffee.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Santa's Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Studio City (3 miles)
- North Hollywood (3 miles)
- Hollywood (3 miles)
- West Hollywood (3 miles)
- Burbank (4 miles)
- Beverly Hills (5 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (6 miles)
- Glendale (6 miles)
- Silver Lake (6 miles)
- Koreatown (6 miles)
- Van Nuys (6 miles)
- Valley Glen (7 miles)
- Echo Park (7 miles)
- Culver City (9 miles)
- Encino (9 miles)
- Tujunga (9 miles)
- Los Angeles (9 miles)
- North Hills (10 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (10 miles)
- San Fernando (11 miles)
- Boyle Heights (11 miles)
- Santa Monica (11 miles)
- South Pasadena (12 miles)
- Venice (12 miles)
- Pasadena (12 miles)
- Northridge (12 miles)
- Inglewood (12 miles)
- East Los Angeles (13 miles)
- Huntington Park (13 miles)
- Altadena (13 miles)
- Alhambra (13 miles)
- Florence-Graham (13 miles)
- Lennox (14 miles)
- Westmont (14 miles)
- Monterey Park (14 miles)
- Maywood (14 miles)
- San Gabriel (14 miles)
- Woodland Hills (15 miles)
- Canoga Park (15 miles)
- Bell (15 miles)
- South Gate (15 miles)
- Hawthorne (15 miles)
- Cudahy (16 miles)
- Willowbrook (16 miles)
- Calabasas (16 miles)
- Chatsworth (16 miles)
- Lynwood (17 miles)
- Rosemead (17 miles)
- Bell Gardens (17 miles)
- Montebello (17 miles)
- Temple City (17 miles)
- West Hills (17 miles)
- Lawndale (17 miles)
- Gardena (17 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (18 miles)
- Arcadia (18 miles)
- Pico Rivera (18 miles)
- Compton (18 miles)
- South El Monte (19 miles)
- Downey (19 miles)
- El Monte (19 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (20 miles)
- Redondo Beach (20 miles)
- Monrovia (20 miles)
- Paramount (20 miles)
- Santa Clarita (21 miles)
- Canyon Country (21 miles)
- Torrance (21 miles)
- Whittier (21 miles)
- Duarte (22 miles)
- Carson (22 miles)
- Agoura (22 miles)
- West Carson (22 miles)
- South Whittier (22 miles)
- Bellflower (22 miles)
- Norwalk (23 miles)
- Baldwin Park (23 miles)
- West Puente Valley (23 miles)
- Lakewood (23 miles)
- Lomita (24 miles)
- Agoura Hills (24 miles)
- West Covina (24 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (24 miles)
- Valinda (24 miles)
- La Puente (25 miles)
- La Mirada (25 miles)
- Cerritos (25 miles)
- Azusa (26 miles)
- Valencia (26 miles)
- Simi Valley (26 miles)
- Covina (27 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (27 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (27 miles)
- La Habra (27 miles)
- Long Beach (27 miles)
- Buena Park (28 miles)
- Thousand Oaks (28 miles)
- Glendora (28 miles)
- Rowland Heights (28 miles)
- San Pedro (28 miles)
- Cypress (29 miles)
- Walnut (29 miles)
- Brea (30 miles)
- Fullerton (31 miles)
- Seal Beach (31 miles)
- Stanton (31 miles)
- San Dimas (31 miles)
- Moorpark (32 miles)
- Diamond Bar (32 miles)
- Anaheim (33 miles)
- Westminster (33 miles)
- Placentia (33 miles)
- Palmdale (33 miles)
- La Verne (34 miles)
- Garden Grove (35 miles)
- Pomona (35 miles)
- Yorba Linda (35 miles)
- Chino Hills (35 miles)
- Claremont (36 miles)
- Fountain Valley (38 miles)
- Orange (38 miles)
- Montclair (38 miles)
- Huntington Beach (39 miles)
- Santa Ana (39 miles)
- Chino (39 miles)
- Camarillo (39 miles)
- Upland (40 miles)
- Ontario (41 miles)
- Lancaster (41 miles)
- Tustin (41 miles)
- North Tustin (41 miles)
- Costa Mesa (42 miles)
- Santa Paula (43 miles)
- Newport Beach (43 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (44 miles)
- Irvine (44 miles)