Ahh Harry Potter World during the holidays. There’s truly nothing like it. If you’re a part of my community on Instagram, then you’re well aware of my forever obsession with Harry Potter. It’s one of the most magical, heart-felt and relatable stories as it covers many topics we all know and understand well. Experiencing Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando is a must and I’m going to share everything you need to know.
Orlando, Florida is a popular destination all year long. People travel from all over the world to experience the beautiful weather and world-famous attractions. While Walt Disney World may be the most talked about Florida attraction, the Universal Orlando Resort has established itself as the place to be during the holidays.
To experience the holidays like never before, Universal Orlando invites families, couples, groups, and individuals to Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This enchanting event takes place at both Universal Orlando parks – Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
The two theme parks are transformed into even more magical destinations for the annual event that runs during the months of November and December.
As a Harry Potter lover myself, and with so much to do and see in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during the holidays, I wanted to share some of the best events and activities that you won’t want to miss, as well as surprising facts about the world-famous attraction.
Christmas At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
If you’ve never heard of this magical event, you might be wondering “What is Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?”
Universal Orlando Resort is celebrating the sixth year of Christmas celebrations at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Since its debut in 2017, people have traveled from all around the world to experience the one-of-a-kind event. For the full experience, you’ll want to visit Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida.
Guests can expect to see holiday decorations covering nearly every inch of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley as well as live entertainment filling the streets with Christmas spirit. You can take an enchanting ride on the Hogwarts Express to get from London in Universal Studios to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.
There is also festive food and Hot Butterbeer to look forward to, as well as The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle projection-mapping show at the end of the evening.
Christmas Decorations In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Christmas decorations cover nearly every square foot of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during the holiday season. There are plenty of classic muggle decorations, but you’ll notice so much more than just a lit up Christmas tree.
You’ll enjoy spotting the various Harry Potter-themed knick knacks that are scattered throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Some decorations to look for include the snow-wizard and snow-owl hanging out next to the Butterbeer cart and the Christmas garland inspired by fireworks hanging at Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. You’ll also notice that each shop door has its own uniquely crafted Christmas wreath.
You can even purchase your own Harry Potter-themed Christmas decorations, such as Yule-Ball inspired ornaments and statues inspired by the four Hogwarts houses. Christmas is such a special holiday and in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there’s an abundance of holiday cheer.
Christmas In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Live Entertainment
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the place to be for some of the best live entertainment this time of year.
The Hogwarts Frog Choir performs daily in Hogsmeade village. During Christmas, they sing familiar holiday tunes like “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” as well as songs unique to the wizarding world like “The Most Magical Yule Ball of All” and “I Cast A Spell on Father Christmas.”
Mrs. Weasley’s favorite wizard superstar Celestina Warbeck and her backup group brings a healthy dose of holiday cheer to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as well. Celestina Warbeck and The Banshees perform in Diagon Alley all year long. But during the holiday season, the group provides Christmas-inspired entertainment. Crowd favorites include “Accio Christmas” and “My Baby Gave Me A Hippogriff for Christmas.”
Christmas In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Food And Drink
For a sippable sweet treat, go for the fan-favorite Hot Butterbeer. It’s delicous! It tastes like hot chocolate with a touch of butterscotch. You can’t get a true Butterbeer like this one outside of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Trust me, I’ve tried.
Cold and frozen butterbeer is delicious too, but there’s just something magical about drinking Hot Butterbeer in the midst of a Harry Potter Christmas celebration.
For more Butterbeer flavor, try the Butterbeer Potted Cream that’s on the dessert menu at The Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks. Also on the menu at those two locations is The Holiday Feast.
The Holiday Feast is a two-course meal that includes traditional British Christmas food. The platter-style meal can serve up to four guests. The first course is a Winter Harvest Salad with Mustard Ale Vinaigrette. The second course is oven roasted turkey breast with gravy, wild mushroom and sage stuffing, brown-butter and walnut Brussels sprouts, root vegetables, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and English sausages.
For the 2021 holiday celebration, the Holiday Feast cost $64.99, with additional portions starting at $15.99 per person. You can expect similar prices for the 2022 Holiday Feast.
If you visit Honeydukes and Sugarplum’s Sweets Shop, you can pick from a myriad of sweets inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies. You’ll find a diverse collection of candies, baked goods, and other delicious confections inside both shops. The cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties are especially popular during the holiday festivities.
Chocolate frogs are a coveted treat any time of the year, since they are one of Harry Potter’s favorite treats, as well as a favorite of J.K. Rowling, who loves the wizarding candy because of the cards that come with them.
Christmas In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – The Magic Of Christmas Projection Mapping Show
At some point during the evening, you’ll want to head over to Hogsmeade to watch The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. The show features Christmas decorations, caroling ghosts, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, Yule Ball sequences, and quidditch, as the recognizable score from the Harry Potter movies pours from the speakers.
The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle projection show runs a few times throughout the evening. For the full, magical effect and best view of the show, don’t get too close. You’ll want to have the side of the castle in full view so that you can see all of the projects and lights.
King’s Cross Station and The Hogwarts Express
One of the coolest things to do in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is riding on the Hogwarts Express. The train takes you from London in Universal Studios to Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure.
Be sure to look for several Harry Potter Easter eggs while you’re in King’s Cross Station in London. Fans of the books and movies especially love getting their picture taken with Harry’s luggage or while standing on platform 9¾. The area is especially fun to see during the holidays when festive decorations are on display.
Fun Facts About The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Christmas Is The Busiest Time Of Year
If you want to experience Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you’ll want to purchase tickets in advance.
There are several crowd calendars online that can give you an idea of what the crowd levels will be like on specific days. You might be surprised by just how packed the parks can get, even on Christmas Day. Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios are both open a full operating day on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas.
Interactive Wands
Interactive wands are available to purchase all year long at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. With the wands, you can cast spells and perform a little of your own magic at select locations in the park. You’ll find that some interactive spell locations are marked, but others aren’t. That means you’ll have to give your wand a swish wherever you think a magical surprise might be hiding.
The Leaky Cauldron Really Leaks
The Leaky Cauldron in the Harry Potter books and movies is a London pub that acts as an entryway between the magical world and the muggle world. It offers a glimpse of magic in its own way: with a sign that is perpetually leaking.
How Long Is Harry Potter World Decorated For Christmas?
2023’s Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be celebrated from Friday, November 24 to Sunday, January 1.
Single-day tickets to one park (Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure) are $104 per day for children and $109 per day for adults. The Park-to-Park or 2-park, one-day tickets are $159 for children and $164 for adults. Children 2 or younger get in free. A Park-to-Park ticket is required to ride the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade Station and King’s Cross Station.
If you can’t stand the idea of waiting in line for rides, you can purchase a Universal Express Pass. Each Express Pass must be purchased separately from a theme park admission. Express Pass prices start at $79.99. Guests can also purchase a VIP experience ticket; prices start at $239.99.
If you visit Universal Orlando during the holidays, you can also purchase an add on ticket for Universal’s Holiday Tour. The Holiday Tour includes exclusive activities in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as several Grinch-themed events.
Ticket prices start at $79.99 and must be purchased in addition to a theme park ticket. The sooner you can buy your tickets and add-ons, the better. Tickets to these holiday events and attractions have been known to sell out.
With the Universal Holiday Tour pass, you get:
- Exclusive Meet and Greet with the Grinch and his dog Max
- Reserved seating for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular
- Small plates, non-alcoholic beverages, and a hot cocoa bar at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous
- A meeting with Santa + one My Universal Photos digital download per party
- Priority access to one attraction
- An after-hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
What Time Is The Christmas Show At Hogwarts?
You can check the entertainment schedule on the Universal Studios mobile app for the latest information about The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. Usually, the holiday show starts at dusk and repeats every 20 minutes until the park closes. Each show runs for about 8 minutes.
Click here for the interactive map that lets you explore the parks. And, click here for more information about Christmas In The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
There’s nothing like spending your Christmas holiday at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is a magical place for families, groups, couples, and even solo travelers to visit any time of the year. Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter takes the magic to a whole new level with some of the most memorable and enchanting experiences you can’t find anywhere else. I love it, and you will too!
Happy Travels xx
