Christmas is getting an upgrade at Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park.
Universal Epic Universe is expanding its holiday celebration for 2026, bringing festive decorations and seasonal experiences to even more of its immersive worlds. And for fans of Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon, there’s plenty to look forward to.
For the first time, Universal is officially introducing holiday decorations to Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, joining returning festivities in Celestial Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
The expanded celebration is part of Universal Orlando Resort’s destination-wide holiday festivities, which run from Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.
Parade visited Universal Epic Universe during the opening weekend of its 2026 holiday celebration for a firsthand look at what’s new. Throughout the park, twinkling lights covering trees and greenery create a festive atmosphere, but the holiday transformations vary considerably from land to land.
The biggest standout is How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, where the immersive Snoggletog celebration makes it feel as though an entire Viking village is celebrating together. Even the Vikings roaming the land get into the spirit, enthusiastically shouting “Happy Snoggletog!” to guests.
Meanwhile, Super Nintendo World and the Ministry of Magic feature smaller seasonal touches, while Dark Universe largely skips the Christmas decorations in favor of Krampus-themed merchandise.
Here’s a closer look at how Epic Universe is celebrating the holidays this year.
Snoggletog Brings Holiday Cheer to ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ – Isle of Berk
The Vikings of Berk have their own way of celebrating the holidays, and Universal Epic Universe is bringing that tradition to life with Snoggletog.
Inspired by the winter holiday from DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise, Snoggletog is easily the most immersive holiday transformation at Epic Universe this year.
Terri Peters
Unlike some of the park’s other lands, where Christmas decorations are more subtle, Isle of Berk feels as though the entire village is celebrating together.
Festive greenery appears throughout the land, from wreaths decorated with apples to illuminated garlands and Christmas trees adorned with Snoggletog ornaments. One particularly striking display features snowy, lighted greenery surrounding an animatronic Snow Wraith.
Signs and banners wishing visitors a “Happy Snoggletog” reinforce the festive atmosphere, but it’s the Vikings themselves who really bring the celebration to life.
Terri Peters
As they wander through the village, the costumed characters enthusiastically shout “Happy Snoggletog!” to guests, joke around and interact with visitors. Their participation makes the holiday feel like a living part of Berk rather than simply a seasonal decorating theme.
The celebration also includes special food and drinks, including the Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone, Frozen Yaknog and Winterwick Wassail.
Holiday merchandise offers another way to get into the spirit, including light-up Loungefly Toothless holiday ears. During our visit, the festive ears made an especially fun accessory for meeting Toothless himself.
Terri Peters
While the Toothless meet-and-greet experience remains the same as during the rest of the year, the surrounding holiday atmosphere makes the encounter feel a little more festive.
With decorations spread throughout the village, holiday greetings from the Vikings and plenty of themed details to discover, Isle of Berk delivers the most complete holiday experience of Epic Universe’s immersive worlds.
Super Nintendo World Gets Its First Official Holiday Makeover
Christmas has arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom at Universal Epic Universe, where Super Nintendo World is joining the park’s official holiday celebration for the first time.
The colorful land has received a subtle seasonal makeover, with wreaths decorating Princess Peach’s castle, garlands adorning entryways and oversized red bows adding a festive touch to light poles. Greenery covered in twinkling lights and star-shaped ornaments bring a little extra holiday sparkle to the already vibrant surroundings.
Terri Peters
During our visit, Princess Peach was greeting guests in her usual royal outfit, but her gazebo had received a holiday makeover of its own, complete with illuminated greenery.
Nintendo fans can also find seasonal treats and merchandise, including a snowman Mario cake, plush versions of Mario and Luigi dressed as snowmen and a snowman-themed headband.
Terri Peters
The decorations aren’t an overwhelming transformation, but that’s part of their charm. With so much color and activity already filling Super Nintendo World, the simple additions feel festive without competing with the land’s elaborate scenery.
Celestial Park Transforms Into a Cosmic Winter Wonderland
Epic Universe’s central hub is also getting into the holiday spirit, with numerous Christmas trees adding a festive glow to Celestial Park.
The trees are illuminated in shades of celestial blue and gold, creating a holiday atmosphere that complements the park’s already elaborate lighting.
One of the prettiest displays is located near the park’s entrance, where a large cluster of illuminated Christmas trees makes for an especially impressive photo opportunity.
Terri Peters
While the decorations are beautiful, Celestial Park is already so brightly illuminated after dark that the holiday additions don’t dramatically change its nighttime atmosphere.
Visitors can also enjoy seasonal treats, including a holiday churro and chocolate peppermint soft serve.
The park’s nighttime spectacular, Universal Celestial Goodnight, continues during the holiday season, featuring fountains, fireworks, lighting effects and projections inspired by Epic Universe’s immersive worlds.
However, during our visit, the show did not include any Christmas-specific music, imagery or other holiday elements. It’s the same spectacular guests can experience outside the holiday season.
For visitors looking to capture a festive photo, the illuminated Christmas trees near the park’s entrance are among the best places to stop.
Christmas Returns to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
The holiday celebration also extends to Epic Universe’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, where the streets of wizarding Paris have received a subtle Christmas makeover.
Festive garlands and wreaths decorate storefronts and building facades, while illuminated greenery, red bows and Christmas trees inside the shops add seasonal touches to the Parisian setting.
Terri Peters
One of the most interesting stops is the land’s candy store, where visitors can browse a collection of K. Rammelle kitchen merchandise and holiday ornaments.
Terri Peters
The holiday food offerings are another highlight, particularly the Noir Holiday Supper at Le Gobelet Noir.
The hearty seasonal meal includes turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, red cabbage and baked pears. During our visit, the dinner was substantial enough to count as our first Thanksgiving meal of the season.
Overall, the decorations are similar in scale to those found in Universal’s other Wizarding World locations, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.
However, Hogsmeade offers an additional holiday experience with The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, a seasonal projection show that transforms the iconic castle with festive imagery. There, visitors can also enjoy hot Butterbeer while taking in the holiday atmosphere.
At the Ministry of Magic, the prettiest decorations are the illuminated garlands and wreaths accented with red bows, which complement the land’s elaborate Parisian architecture.
What About Dark Universe?
While four of Epic Universe’s immersive worlds feature Christmas decorations, Dark Universe takes a different approach. During our visit, the monster-themed land did not have noticeable Christmas decorations, although visitors could find Krampus-inspired merchandise.
For those unfamiliar with Krampus, the horned, often frightening creature comes from Alpine European folklore and is essentially the darker counterpart to St. Nicholas. While St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children, Krampus is said to punish those who have been naughty. The centuries-old tradition has inspired everything from holiday festivals to horror movies, making the character a fitting addition to Dark Universe’s monster-filled setting.
Terri Peters
But, for guests hoping to experience traditional holiday decorations, the other four lands offer more festive scenery.
What to Know Before Visiting Epic Universe for the Holidays
Universal Orlando Resort’s 2026 holiday celebration runs from Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, with the seasonal decorations and festivities at Epic Universe included with regular theme park admission.
Guests can also experience additional holiday traditions throughout Universal Orlando Resort, including Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios Florida and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across three parks.
For visitors hoping to experience the expanded celebration at Epic Universe, Isle of Berk is the clear standout.
While Super Nintendo World, Celestial Park and the Ministry of Magic offer plenty of pretty decorations and seasonal treats, Snoggletog goes a step further by making the holiday feel like an authentic celebration taking place throughout the Viking village.
Between the twinkling lights, festive food and merchandise, and immersive holiday experiences, there’s plenty to discover throughout Epic Universe this Christmas. But for visitors looking for something especially memorable, the Vikings of Berk and their enthusiastic Snoggletog celebration add an extra dose of holiday magic.
More information about Universal Orlando Resort’s holiday celebration is available at Universal Orlando.
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