Christmas at Universal Studios Japan (2024-2025)
Last Updated on December 16, 2024 by Kay
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What is the Christmas season like at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and is it worth visiting? A few friends have asked me about this so in this article, I’ll share my experience visiting Universal Studios Japan during their Christmas period and what you should know.
Before I begin, I’d like to share that I’m an annual pass holder so I go to Universal Studios Japan almost every month. This means unlike some other articles you will find online, this one contains the latest information.
Table of Contents
The Christmas Period at Universal Studios Japan
Christmas at Universal Studios Japan, which is called NO LIMIT! Christmas runs from November 20th, 2024 to January 5th, 2025. (Although the official USJ website states January 8th, many of the Christmas shows will be over on January 8th so for the full Christmas experience, go by the 5th.)
Christmas Decor
Although USJ has lovely Christmas decor, you won’t be able to find it everywhere throughout the park, which is a bit of a shame. For instance, I didn’t see anything in Universal Wonderland (an area for kids), despite that they’ve decorated it in the past.
Below is a picture of what I wished they had put out this year!
The best places to see decorations at USJ are around the stores near the entrance (the Canopy area). And when you go through the gates and first enter the park, you’ll see a huge, beautiful tree in the distance.
This Christmas tree is called the NO LIMIT! Party Tree and is located in Gramercy Park. This tree lights up at night and changes color alongside classic Christmas music — it’s really beautiful and a great place to take photos or just watch.
Christmas Parades and Shows
Note that there is no Christmas parade at USJ in 2024.
Frosty’s Electric Snow Party
There is a show held twice a day in the late afternoon and evening called Frosty’s Electric Snow Party that’s held on a stage in Gramercy Park right by the Party Tree. People tend to grab spots to see the show about 30 minutes to an hour before the show. You can also purchase a ticket to see the show from the very front but keep in mind you might still want to get there early since it’s standing and there are no assigned spots.
Frosty’s Electric Snow Party feels like going to a family-friendly rave, if that makes sense. Lots of neon lights, smoke from fog machines, and a small bit of fireworks. This party is DJed by Electric Frosty and characters like Hello Kitty, Elmo, one Minion, and Snoopy join as well.
If you’re wondering if kids will like this, I’m not sure whether I would recommend the show for parents with babies and toddlers in tow. However, my five-year-old and her friend loved it. My daughter was jumping up and down the entire time (which makes me think she will become a “party person” when she grows up, haha.)
⭐️Visiting Universal Studios Japan with kids? Then make sure to read my USJ guide for parents!⭐️
The schedule for this show changes daily but you can find it written on a board in Gramercy Park. If you decide to buy a ticket for the special viewing area, you’ll need to select a time so that’s another way to find out.
Hogwarts Magical Night – Winter Magic
Once it’s dark, head to the Harry Potter area to see beautiful Christmas projections on Hogwarts castle. This is held about once every ten minutes, so if you miss one, the next will be shown very soon!
For the best spot, go as far as possible towards the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. You’ll see a black gate preventing you from going further towards the castle and ride. This is where you want to wait. However, if there are too many people, it’s totally fine to see the castle from afar too, it’s just as gorgeous!
While you’re in the Harry Potter area, you might want to catch the Holiday Frog Choir as well! I haven’t personally seen this since we were planning on heading to another area but if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you might want to go. Ask a USJ staff member what time it starts and where you can see it.
Universal Wonderland Performances
Hello Kitty and Daniel wear beautiful festive clothing and give a short Christmas performance at Universal Wonderland in front of Hello Kitty Ribbon Collection. You can take photos with them afterward!
The show times are subject to change so please ask a staff member when the next show is.
Power of Pop
If you want to hear Christmas songs performed live, check out Power of Pop near Mel’s Drive restaurant in the Hollywood Area.
Christmas Character Greetings
Several popular characters at USJ are dressed for the holidays, and you can take photos with them for free!
Notable ones include Hello Kitty, characters from Sesame Street, characters from Peanuts, as well as Minions.
You can find these characters throughout the park but the best spots are near the entrance and shopping street (under the canopy), near the Minions area, and Universal Wonderland.
Make sure you wait your turn when it comes to taking the photos. The characters take note of who came first and they kindly adhere to the order.
Christmas Food
There are lots of great festive foods at USJ to try.
When you first enter the park, I suggest heading straight to the Mario Cafe and Store to try Mario’s Pudding à la Mode, which is a cute hot chocolate drink topped with pudding, fruits, and whipped cream. This drink, only available during the Christmas season at USJ, was delicious and a great way to get some energy for the day.
If you want to sit down, head to Studio Stars Restaurant to try a Christmas plate consisting of chicken with demi-glace sauce, meat and potato tart, salad, and bread or rice.
Louie’s NY Pizza (don’t let the price throw you off, the pizza here is absolutely delicious) has a Christmas Roast Chicken pizza that I would have loved to try but my kid didn’t want it, unfortunately.
At the takeout area of Louie’s NY Pizza (near the Minions area, you’ll see they sell Baskin Robbins ice cream as well), there’s a Hot Elderflower Lemonade drink for sale as well. This is topped with mascarpone cream. I tried this and found it a little too sweet but also sour. It wasn’t terrible but I wouldn’t get it again.
Finnegan’s Bar has a Christmas Irish Set with grilled lamb on the bone with mint sauce, chicken fritters, crab gratin, Irish pudding, a tomato quiche, as well as leek and potato soup.
Park Side Grill has Christmas meals featuring Angus steak if you want something hearty and fancy.
For lovely-looking Christmas desserts, check out Beverly Hills Boulangerie.
There are also lots of different kinds of food for on-the-go.
Enjoy two kinds of festive churros, a strawberry one with a candy cane on the top (Christmas Cake) and a vanilla and chocolate one with white and blue icing and sprinkles (Electric Snow Party). Christmas Cake is sold at a food cart in Universal Market (now called Christmas Market for the season) and Electric Snow Party at a food cart near WaterWorld.
My favorite Christmas food at USJ this year has to be the chicken waffle cone at Universal (Christmas) Market. This contains mashed potatoes, tortilla chips, fried chicken, tartar sauce, and chili. It was so good and after eating it, I wanted another!
Universal (Christmas) Market also has a cart selling hotdogs topped with cheese fondue and butter.
The Universal (Christmas) Market, which has lots of food trucks selling the aforementioned Christmas food to-go as well as fun Christmas decor, is located here:
If you like Minions, you might want to grab a Minion Santa Crab Cream Bun at Minion Happy Kitchen (just outside of the Minions area of the park). Nearby at the Happiness Cafe, you can get a Christmas Minion Waffle Plate.
If you make it inside Super Nintendo World, you might want to try Yoshi’s Hot Apple Tea.
Christmas Merchandise at Universal Studios Japan
I was surprised to see a lack of Christmas souvenirs at Universal Studios Japan when I visited. I was surprised to also find out that the Christmas Hello Kitty headband, which is unbelievably cute, is completely sold out! So if you want Christmas merch, the sooner you go, the better.
There are still some cute, limited edition Christmas-themed items that you can get, such as Hello Kitty stuffies (the smaller keychain version has already sold out) and a cape for kids.
There are also lots of winter wear for adults such as Minions, Super Nintendo World, and Snoopy, which include hats, ear muffs, gloves, and scarves.
I thought these Peanuts winter-themed souvenirs were absolutely lovely.
The stores near the USJ entrance USED to carry the following Mario Christmas merchandise a few years back. I didn’t see any this year, though.
FAQ About Universal Studios Japan
Here are some commonly asked questions about Universal Studios Japan.
Where can I buy tickets for Universal Studios Japan?
I highly recommend purchasing tickets for Universal Studios Japan before you arrive so you don’t have to wait in line. Note that there are two sections for lines at Universal Studios Japan — the first is for purchasing tickets and the second is for your belongings to be checked before you go through the gates.
You can purchase tickets in advance from the official Universal Studios Japan website, from Klook, or from Trip.com.
Do I need an Express Pass?
If you visit USJ during a busy period (which I will explain below), I suggest purchasing an Express Pass to go on popular rides and get into Super Nintendo World.
Is Universal Studios Japan busy during the Christmas season?
Compared to Tokyo Disney, it’s usually not busy if you go from the end of November to mid-December. However, Donkey Kong Country is opening on December 11th in Super Nintendo World, so I imagine it will be busier than usual.
Pair that with winter holidays in Japan, which run from around December 20th to January 5th for school kids and December 28th to January 5th for those in the workforce and expect major crowds.
There is also an all-night New Year’s Countdown Event that runs from December 31st at 7 PM to January 1st at 9 PM. There will be fireworks and performances. You need to purchase a PARTY PASS to attend this event. Otherwise, you will need to leave the park by 5 PM on December 31st.
Where is the closest station to Universal Studios Japan?
The closest station is Universal City Station.