Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood

Each year just before Christmas, Universal Studios Hollywood puts up a giant crooked Christmas tree and is overrun with the Whos of Who-ville and the ever-popular Grinch for its annual Grinchmas celebration.

Grinchmas

After the park was renovated in 2013, the crooked tree of Who-ville took pride of place in Universal Plaza. Each night of Grinchmas, there is a spectacular tree-lighting of the 60-foot tree, along with a photo opportunity with the Grinch himself and his dog, Max. Cindy-Lou Who and her friends from Who-ville gather guests of all ages around the curvy tree for a storytelling show of Dr. Seuss’s "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," with special effects and audience participation. Various Whos are available all day long for photo opportunities around the tree. 

Martha May Whovier and the Who Dolls will be center stage by the Grinchmas tree performing energetic musical sets to usher in the Christmas season in style. You'll find a group of Whos performing musical numbers and scenes from the movie on the original set on the Universal Tram Tour.

Don't miss the hip beat-box sounds of the Wholiday Singers as they wander the park. Grinchmas activities in the past have included cookie and ornament decorating and the Who-ville Post Office, where you could share three good deeds on a postcard and mail it to the Grinch.

Tickets

If you're planning ahead, be aware that Universal changes the exact dates every year, and they don't announce the specifics until a week or two before the event begins. Some years it has started Thanksgiving weekend, other years, not until the middle of December.

In 2019, Grinchmas runs beginning November 28 until December 29. Grinchmas is included in the price of park admission. Various multi-day and season pass options are available. Universal Studios Hollywood is also included on the 3-, 5-, and 7- day Go Los Angeles Card.

Other Holiday Events

The holiday cheer also spreads to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Funland, where the Merry Minions will be spreading cheer.

Over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, they're bringing out hot Butterbeer for the season at Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head pub. Los Angeles isn't known for a white Christmas, but the World of Harry Potter transforms each evening into a snowy village thanks to the special effects wizards at the park. Musical performances include The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts and the amusing antics from the Holiday Frog Choir.

Universal CityWalk

Outside of the park, visit Rock n' Roll Santa at 5 Towers Plaza on Universal CityWalk. A 40-foot tall Christmas tree and LED icicles programmed to music are a backdrop to an eclectic variety of holiday performances on the outdoor stage, as well as diverse street performers. Festivities on Universal CityWalk begin the Friday after Thanksgiving. While there will be crowds, the most dynamic time to visit is on Friday and Saturday nights when a rotating slate of DJs spin holiday-inspired music from 7 p.m to 10 p.m. until right before Christmas.