Universal Studios Japan has announced Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!!, a new winter event marking the park’s 25th anniversary. The celebration runs in Osaka, Japan, from November 13, 2026, through January 17, 2027.
Alongside the park-wide Universal Food Festival, the program includes winter entertainment, family ticket offers, and premium tour options. Food service and selected shows run on different schedules, so guests should check the official website before planning their day.
Highlights include the Universal Food Festival, the snowy night show Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration, and the returning Joy of Lights message show. The Holiday Kids Free Pass costs from ¥8,400 (tax included) for one adult and one child, compared with the usual price from ¥13,900 (tax included).
About Universal Holiday Wonders
Universal Food Festival
The Universal Food Festival expands across the park with its largest-ever selection and dining area coverage. Guests can choose from holiday restaurant specials, character-inspired food, and convenient walking-around snacks from carts.
Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration
This approximately 30-minute winter night show features Elmo, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, snow people, and entertainers in colorful winter costumes. Holiday songs, lights, and falling snow create a warm seasonal atmosphere.
Joy of Lights
Returning after nine years, Joy of Lights projects heartfelt guest messages onto a screen with light and music. The approximately 10-minute show ends with falling snow across Gramercy Park.
Super Nintendo World Anniversary Sticker
Guests who find scattered Super Stars and bring them to crew members can receive a special fifth-anniversary sticker. The finale design features Mario, friends, and colorful Yoshis with a sparkling finish.
Holiday Kids Free Pass
The pass starts at ¥8,400 (tax included) for one adult and one child, while the usual price starts at ¥13,900 (tax included). It is available to eligible residents of Japan for selected admission dates.
Special Viewing-Area Ticket
The special viewing-area ticket starts at ¥1,700 (tax included). It offers a smoother view of the holiday night shows from the front of the stage, subject to seating and capacity conditions.
25th Anniversary Universal VIP Experience Group Tour
The winter group tour includes admission to the special viewing area for Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration. It starts at ¥29,000 (tax included) and also includes access to anniversary-exclusive merchandise.
Universal VIP Experience Private Tour
Limited to one group per day, this premium private tour starts at ¥949,800 (tax included). A dedicated guide can arrange special dining, private attraction rides, and character greetings according to the group’s requests.
The anniversary program combines seasonal dining with evening entertainment across the park. Restaurants will offer holiday decorations, special menus, character-inspired food, and easy-to-eat items from carts, while selected areas will feature surprise greetings during the food festival.
Highlights
- Universal Food Festival expands to the largest scale in the park’s history, with more menu items and dining areas.
- Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration runs for about 30 minutes at Gramercy Park in the New York Area.
- Joy of Lights returns after nine years with a message-focused show lasting about 10 minutes.
- Families can buy the Holiday Kids Free Pass from ¥8,400 (tax included), including admission for one child with one adult.
- A special viewing-area ticket starts at ¥1,700 (tax included), while the group VIP tour starts at ¥29,000 (tax included).
- The one-group-per-day private VIP plan starts at ¥949,800 (tax included).
Menu & Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!! |
| Menu / items | Universal Food Festival; Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration; Joy of Lights; Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic; Holiday Kids Free Pass; special viewing-area ticket; 25th Anniversary Universal VIP Experience Group Tour; Universal VIP Experience Private Tour |
| Release date | September 14, 2026 |
| Period | November 13, 2026 – January 17, 2027; food festival: November 13, 2026 – January 17, 2027; Light Up the Night and Joy of Lights: November 25, 2026 – January 11, 2027; message submissions for Joy of Lights: September 28 – December 14, 2026; special sticker distribution: November 12, 2026 – January 11, 2027 |
| Location | Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan; Gramercy Park, New York Area for the two main night shows |
| Stores | Universal Studios Japan official website; JTB retailers; official, alliance, and associate hotels for eligible ticket sales |
| Price | Holiday Kids Free Pass: from ¥8,400 (tax included), usual price from ¥13,900 (tax included); special viewing-area ticket: from ¥1,700 (tax included); 25th Anniversary Universal VIP Experience Group Tour: from ¥29,000 (tax included); Universal VIP Experience Private Tour: from ¥949,800 (tax included) |
| Official website | Universal Studios Japan official website |
Before you buy
- When can I buy the Holiday Kids Free Pass?
- Sales begin around September 14, 2026, at noon. Eligible domestic residents can use the pass for admission dates from November 13 through December 30, 2026.
- How much is the Holiday Kids Free Pass?
- The price starts at ¥8,400 (tax included) for one adult and one accompanying child, compared with the usual price from ¥13,900 (tax included).
- When do the winter VIP tours go on sale?
- Sales for the group and private VIP tours begin September 24, 2026. The private plan is limited to one group per day and starts at ¥949,800 (tax included).
