Universal Studios Beijing’s Winter Holiday runs from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. This year a new 22-metre Christmas tree stands at the end of Hollywood Boulevard, Christmas returns to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and a winter-only show, Gift of the Season, plays at Spectacular Santa’s Village.
Winter Holiday is the last event of the resort’s 5th anniversary year. Most of it is at its best after dark, when the tree and Hogwarts castle light up, so plan to stay into the evening.
Some links in this post are affiliate links: if you book through them, Your Disney earns a small commission.
Quick Take
📅 Dates: 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
🎟️ Included with regular admission: No separate event ticket is listed, so a park ticket gets you in
⭐ Must-see: The new 22-metre Christmas tree, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, Gift of the Season
💰 Costs extra: Hotel afternoon tea, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve buffets, and a New Year's Eve party at the resort hotels
🕐 Best time: A weekday in December, staying until after dark
👶 Good for: All ages, and Harry Potter fans most of all
What Not to Miss
Show times haven’t been announced yet, so check the Universal Beijing Resort app on the day. I’d plan the evening around the tree lighting on Hollywood Boulevard and the Hogwarts castle show, then fit the other shows around your rides.
Some photos here are from Christmas 2023, so this year’s tree and shows will look different.
✨The New 22-Metre Christmas Tree on Hollywood Boulevard
The all-new Spectacular Christmas Tree stands at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. Its design borrows from classic Hollywood, in rose gold, warm silver and soft blue with red, gold and champagne gold details. The street around it gets winter flower beds, wreaths and bells.
After dark, the Sparkling Christmas Tree Spectacular lights the tree up to music. Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, Shrek and Fiona also turn up in Hollywood in their winter costumes, so keep your camera ready while you walk.
Pro Tip: Be on Hollywood Boulevard after dark at least once for the Sparkling Christmas Tree Spectacular, when the tree lights up with music.
✨Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Hogsmeade gets wreaths, evergreen branches and snowy rooftops for the season. The Enchanted Christmas Tree is back too: raise your wand and cast a spell, and the tree answers with shimmering lights and floating ornaments.
The Holiday Frog Choir is back as well, singing a Christmas set list in the streets of Hogsmeade.
✨The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
At night, Hogwarts Castle lights up with a show of light and images on its walls: ghosts singing carols, the Yule Ball, owls carrying presents and a Christmas tree lighting up.
Pro Tip: If you only stay for one night show, I’d pick this one if you love Harry Potter, and the tree lighting if you’re with young children.
✨Gift of the Season at Spectacular Santa’s Village
Gift of the Season is the winter-only show this year. It plays on the Spectacular Santa’s Village Stage at Hollywood Amphitheatre, with songs, dancing and a holiday story.
Santa Claus meets guests at Spectacular Santa’s Village, where you can take a photo and tell him your wish. Elves, Mrs Claus and the Postmaster wander the village too.
✨Universal Pop: Winter Holiday
The Universal Pop performers switch to winter outfits and holiday songs for the season, and they get the crowd waving and dancing along.
Do You Need a Separate Ticket?
Universal hasn’t listed a separate event ticket, so the shows and decorations come with a regular park ticket. Ticket types and prices are in my Universal Studios Beijing planning guide.
Evenings are when most of Winter Holiday happens, so you may not need Universal Express (a paid skip-the-line pass) if you ride the big attractions in the morning. To decide, see the Express Pass guide.
Book your trip:
Which Paid Extras Are Worth It?
All of these are at the two resort hotels, NUO Resort Hotel and Universal Studios Grand Hotel, and none of them is needed to enjoy the park.
| Paid extra | Dates | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon tea (NUO) | See official site | See official site | Afternoon tea with specially made drinks |
| Christmas Eve buffet (NUO) | 24 December | See official site | Christmas Eve buffet dinner |
| New Year’s Eve buffet (Grand Hotel) | 31 December | See official site | New Year’s Eve buffet dinner |
| New Year’s Eve party (NUO) | 31 December | See official site | New Year’s Eve party at EVE LOUNGE |
If you’re staying at NUO Resort Hotel, the afternoon tea is the easy one to add after a day in the park. The Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners suit a family celebrating on that exact night. Santa’s Bake Shop at the hotel also sells winter gift sets and hampers to take home.
When Should You Go?
I’d pick a weekday in December. Then match your dates to what you want most:
- For Christmas: the decorations are up for the whole event, so any date works. Check the app for show and Santa times on your day.
- For New Year’s Eve: Universal Studios Grand Hotel has a New Year’s Eve buffet and NUO Resort Hotel a New Year’s Eve party on 31 December. Universal hasn’t announced a countdown in the park.
- To avoid crowds: skip 1 to 3 January 2027. It’s the New Year’s Day public holiday in China, so the park is likely to be busier.
Winter Food and Drinks
Spectacular Santa’s Village has hot winter food and drinks this season, and three restaurants add themed dishes:
- Hot drinks: Mulled Wine and Strawberry Toffee Hot Chocolate
- Hot food: Cheese and Meat Sauce Hot Dog, Beef Burger with Pineapple and Cheese, Turkey and Vegetable Quesadilla
- Themed dishes: Sunset Grill in Hollywood, Hammond’s in Jurassic World Isla Nublar and Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter add Winter Holiday dishes
- Outside the park: Universal CityWalk Beijing has a Winter Platter, a Roasted Turkey Leg and Christmas Apple Pie with Cookies Ice Cream
- Afternoon tea: NUO Resort Hotel’s Universal Winter Holiday Afternoon Tea is in the paid extras above
Know Before You Go
- Dress warmly: Beijing in December is often below freezing, and the best shows are after dark, so wear layers, a hat and gloves.
- Reserve your date: After you buy a ticket, reserve your visit date in the Universal Beijing Resort app, the Alipay mini program or the WeChat mini program. You need both the ticket and the reservation to get in.
- Bring your ID: The ticket must be used by the person it was bought for, and the gate checks a physical ID. Bring your passport, or your Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Home Return Permit) if you’re from Hong Kong or Macao, or your Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (Taiwan Compatriot Permit) if you’re from Taiwan.
- Payment fees: On Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card, a payment over ¥200 carries a 3% fee on the full amount, and ¥200 or less is free. New users may get a temporary fee waiver. Your card issuer’s foreign transaction fee, typically 1-3%, is extra. Buying through Klook or Trip.com avoids the 3%.
- Set up your phone first: Install a VPN before you arrive, since Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked without one, and download the Universal Beijing Resort app for show times.
FAQ
From 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
No separate event ticket is listed. A regular park ticket covers the shows and decorations inside the park.
There’s an all-new 22-metre Christmas tree on Hollywood Boulevard. Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Holiday Frog Choir also return, and Gift of the Season is the winter-only show.
Universal hasn’t announced one. The resort hotels have a New Year’s Eve dinner buffet and a New Year’s Eve party.
My Take
For most visitors, one December weekday is enough. Ride in the morning, spend the afternoon in Hogsmeade and Spectacular Santa’s Village, and save the evening for the tree and the castle.
Pick your date, buy your ticket and reserve your date in the app, then decide whether you need Universal Express. On the day, check the app’s schedule before you plan your rides.
