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Super Nintendo World Is Finally Getting Holiday Decorations in Orlando After Sitting Out Christmas Last Year
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Super Nintendo World Is Finally Getting Holiday Decorations in Orlando After Sitting Out Christmas Last Year

Michael Travels
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Super Nintendo World spent last Christmas at Epic Universe without a scrap of tinsel. Universal has now confirmed that is changing.

Universal Orlando laid out its 2026 holiday lineup on Thursday, and the headline item is holiday decor debuting in Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk. Universal calls it a first for Epic Universe. The Hollywood version of Super Nintendo World has been decorating for a few years now. The Florida version had nothing in 2025 and will debut its seasonal decor this year.

Mario and Luigi pose with a family in Super Nintendo World, with wrapped gift boxes stacked on a warp pipe, snowflake decals on the green pipes, and a decorated Christmas tree at right. This is the Hollywood version, not Orlando: presents stacked on top of a warp pipe, snowflake decals, a decorated tree and a young guest holding a Mario snowman plush. Universal's announcement did not describe what the Florida version will look like. Image: Universal Studios Hollywood.

Isle of Berk is on the list too. Universal groups the Viking land with Super Nintendo World as a holiday decor debut for Epic Universe, without saying what the decorations will be. Worth noting, WDW News Today reports Berk already had a few Snoggletog trees last season, along with a limited-time Snoggletog Harvest Mac and Cheese Cone.

What is confirmed so far

The dates: Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort runs Saturday, November 14, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027. Those dates are not new. Universal published them back on January 8 in its annual reveal of the year's event calendar.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter gets festive lights and decor at all three of its locations: Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, and Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. Hogsmeade also hosts the nighttime projection spectacle "The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle." Ministry of Magic was decorated for the first time last season.

Grinchmas and Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's both return, Grinchmas in Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure and the nightly parade at Universal Studios Florida. Universal says Santa Claus caps the route by lighting a Christmas tree.

Celestial Park is back too. Universal says the cosmic winter wonderland returns to Epic Universe's hub, with twinkling trees and holiday fountain displays running through the day at the Cosmos Fountain.

Performers in bright Who-ville costumes dance around a decorated Christmas tree on the Grinchmas stage set. The Whos of Who-ville during Grinchmas, confirmed to return for the 2026 season. Image: Universal Orlando Resort.

The Universal Holiday Tour, and what it costs

The guided tour runs two and a half hours on select dates, November 14 through January 2. To book it, guests need a ticket covering both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure with park-to-park access. It bundles separate meet and greets with the Grinch, the Grinch's dog Max and Santa Claus, a reserved seating area for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, and an optional reserved viewing area for the Holiday Parade.

Tickets start at $69.99 per person plus tax. Annual and Seasonal Passholders get $10 off per ticket.

A family watches Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's at dusk, with a giant Minion balloon floating down the street behind them. Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's, one of the confirmed returning traditions. Image: Universal Orlando Resort.

What is still just a tease

WDW News Today reports that Universal has also teased character meet and greets, merchandise, seasonal treats and the Holiday Tribute Store, none of them detailed. Thursday's release does confirm the Green and Red Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk, plus seasonal decor, special menus and holiday activities across all 11 Universal Orlando hotels. Back in January, Universal said the parks and CityWalk would host live entertainment on December 31.

This is not Epic Universe's first holiday season. The park opened in May 2025 and decorated for Christmas that year. What is new in 2026 is that Super Nintendo World finally joins in.

Sources

Image credits: Hogwarts Castle, Grinchmas and Holiday Parade images courtesy Universal Orlando Resort. Super Nintendo World holiday decor image courtesy Universal Studios Hollywood.

Mentioned in this story

Check out our guides for more on each place in this story:

Epic Universe Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort

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