So here we are again. It is that time of year when Los Angeles decides to pretend it has seasons. You know exactly what I mean. It is seventy degrees out, the sun is blazing, but I am wearing a flannel shirt because I am committed to the aesthetic. I just spent the entire day at Universal Studios Hollywood for their 2025 Holidays event, and I have some thoughts.
Honestly? It was a lot. In the best way possible.
If you have been following my channel for a while, you know I have a weird relationship with theme park holidays. Sometimes it feels like they just slap a wreath on a lamppost and call it a day. But Universal usually goes hard, and this year feels different. Maybe it is the energy of the crowds or maybe it is just the sugar crash from the Butterbeer, but I really felt the spirit today.
First Things First: The Game Plan
Okay, let’s get the logistics out of the way because I know you guys always ask me about strategy. The event runs until January 4, 2026. You have time. But do not wait until the last minute because the crowds are going to get wild.
I started my day in Super Nintendo World. I know, I know. It is not the most “Christmas-y” part of the park, but hear me out. If you have a Power-Up Band, there are these digital stamps you need to get. There is a specific “Holiday Party” stamp you can only snag in December. Being the completionist that I am, I had to grab it immediately.
Plus, seeing the Mushroom Kingdom decked out is actually pretty funny. They put these little snowmen near the entrance. One has Mario’s hat and the other has Luigi’s. It is such a small detail, but it works. It feels like a video game level that just got a winter DLC update. I spent way too long taking photos of the tree with the Super Star on top. It is the kind of thing that makes you smile even if you are just there to ride Mario Kart.
Getting Roasted by the Grinch
After I got my digital accolades, I headed up to Universal Plaza for Grinchmas. This is the heartbeat of the whole event. If you skip this, you are doing it wrong.
The centerpiece is this sixty-five-foot tree that twists and turns. It looks like something straight out of the Dr. Seuss book. It is weird and bendy and totally perfect. At night, they do this lighting ceremony where snow falls on the crowd. Yes, I know it is soap. No, I do not care. It is magical.
But the real reason we go to Grinchmas is for the interactions. The Grinch was on fire today. I stood in line just to watch him roast people. He told the guy in front of me that his sweater looked like it was knitted by a blind bat. It was savage. I love it. Meeting him and his dog Max is a core memory kind of thing. Max just sits there looking adorable while the Grinch causes chaos. It is a perfect dynamic.
I also caught the story time with Cindy-Lou Who. It is sweet. Maybe a little too sweet for me usually, but after the Grinch made fun of my shoes, I needed a little wholesomeness to balance things out.
The Food: I Make Bad Decisions So You Don’t Have To
Let’s talk about food. This is where things got dangerous.
I went to Hollywood & Dine because they revamped the menu with all these Grinch-themed items. I looked at the menu and saw something called “Max’s Hot Dog.” It is twenty-two inches long.
Naturally, I bought it.
It is topped with chili, cheese, and these crispy potato strings. Carrying this thing to my table was a workout. People were staring. I felt a mix of pride and shame. But you know what? It was actually good. The bun held together, which is a miracle of structural engineering.
If you are not feeling up to a two-foot meat challenge, get the Who-Hash. It is tater tots with brisket and grilled onions. It is basically comfort food in a bowl. I also tried the “Dumpit to Crumpit Onion Rings,” mostly because I just wanted to say that name out loud. They are loaded with chicken and queso. It is a lot of sodium, but calories do not count in December. That is a scientific fact I just made up.
Magic in the Air
As the sun started to set, I made my way over to The Wizarding World. This is where the vibe shifts. Grinchmas is loud and colorful and chaotic. Hogsmeade is… cozy. It feels nostalgic.
They put “snow” on the roofs here year-round, but during the holidays, it actually feels appropriate. The decorations are subtle. Garlands, wreaths, twinkling lights. It is not screaming “Christmas!” in your face. It just whispers it.
I grabbed a hot Butterbeer. There is a fierce debate online about whether frozen or cold is better, but the hot version is the only correct answer in winter. It warms you up from the inside. I stood there, sipping my drink, watching the Frog Choir do their holiday set. Those giant frogs have better bass range than I ever will.
The highlight, though, is the projection show on Hogwarts castle. It is called “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.” Creative name, right? But the show itself is stunning. They use projection mapping to wrap the castle in these holiday scenes. There are ghosts singing, snow falling, and iconic music from the movies.
It is one of those moments where everyone puts their phones down for a second. Okay, well, most people keep recording. But a few people put them down. It is beautiful. It makes you remember why you liked these stories in the first place.
The Verdict
I ended the night at CityWalk. They have a massive forty-foot tree there, and the music was pumping. It was a nice way to decompress after the sensory overload of the park.
So, is it worth going this year?
Here is the thing. It can be busy. It can be expensive. You will probably wait in line for a hot dog the size of a toddler. But there is a genuine sense of fun here that is hard to replicate. The creators really leaned into the distinct personalities of the different lands. Super Nintendo World is playful. Who-ville is chaotic fun. Hogsmeade is sentimental.
You get a little bit of everything.
And honestly, seeing that snow fall in the middle of Hollywood while the Grinch yells at a teenager? That is just good entertainment.
Oh, and one last thing. I saw some merch teasing the new Fast & Furious coaster coming in 2026. “Hollywood Drift.” I am already terrified and excited. But that is a problem for future me. Present me is going to go eat a salad because I think I am still digesting that onion ring tower.
Catch you in the next one!
