Here’s a look around at what’s happening at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, from December 26, 2022, to January 1, 2023.

Universal Orlando

The Holidays at Universal Orlando are running daily through January 1, 2023. Guests can experience Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, and Grinchmas. For more information on this year’s event, read here.

Guests visiting Universal Studios Florida on New Year’s Eve can ring in the New Year in the Music Plaza area, featuring a high-energy band, live DJ, and special appearances by characters. The park will also be open until 1 am.

CityWalk will also have a New Year’s Eve celebration from 6 pm to 2 am, however, details have not yet been shared.

Guests can also ring in the New Year at several of Universal’s Resorts:

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

• • • New Year’s Eve Party on the Piazza
      • Guests can ring in the new year with a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration on the hotel’s picturesque outdoor Harbor Piazza – featuring gourmet foods, desserts, beer*, wine*, a live DJ and dancing (*Alcoholic beverages served to adults – ages 21+ – only). Tickets are available for purchase here.
    • Prix Fixe Menu in Mama Della’s Ristorante
      • For a festive dinner experience, guests can treat themselves to a special New Year’s Eve prix fixe menu or à la carte menu items in Mama Della’s Ristorante. To make a reservation, visit Resy; call 407-503-DINE (3463); visit or call the concierge at 407-503-1200.

Hard Rock Hotel

• • • New Year’s Eve Buffet in The Kitchen
      • Guests can kick off the night with a New Year’s Eve buffet in The Kitchen before heading to the lobby for an evening of specially prepared desserts, music, balloon artists, roaming magicians, a countdown live from Times Square and more. The Lobby Party is included with the purchase of the New Year’s Eve buffet. Reservations for the New Year’s Eve buffet can be made here.
    • ROCK-in 2023! New Year’s Eve
      • Hard Rock’s ROCK-in 2023! New Year’s Eve lobby party features specially prepared desserts, music, balloon artists, roaming magicians and a countdown to midnight live from Times Square. Tickets for the New Year’s Eve Lobby Party only (buffet not included) are available for purchase here.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

• • • New Year’s Eve Dining and Celebrations
      • Guests can make reservations here for the New Year’s Eve buffet in Islands Dining Room, featuring a musician, hula dancers, and a balloon artist. And for just $20 more, guests can access the dessert celebration in the Tahitian Room. View the full New Year’s Eve buffet menu here.
      • An additional New Year’s Eve Celebration in Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar will be available for guests to celebrate with a DJ, kids crafts, and a balloon drop at midnight.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

• • • New Year’s Eve Celebration in Strong Water Tavern and Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse
      • Adults 21 and up can raise a glass to welcome in the new year with a midnight champagne toast, live entertainment, music, dancing, and more during the New Year’s Eve Celebration in Strong Water Tavern. Tickets are available for purchase here.
      • Guests can start the night with an artisan antipasto bar, coffee spice-crusted prime rib of beef, coconut rice with black-eyed peas, and more as part of the New Year’s Eve buffet in Amatista Cookhouse. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for just $21 more. Guests can make reservations here and view the full menu here.

Universal’s Aventura Hotel

• • • Aventura’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
      • Guests 21 and up can enjoy the celebration beginning at 8:00 p.m. with a standing room ticket – starting at $150 plus tax and ticketing fees – which includes food, beer, wine, and featured specialty cocktails until 10:00 p.m. A cash bar will be available from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.
      • Or, guests can choose the VIP Package – starting at $1,260 plus tax and ticketing fees – which includes all the benefits of a standing room ticket for up to six people per party, plus couch seating and two bottles of champagne.
      • The celebration is complete with a DJ, party favors, and a midnight prosecco toast. Tickets are available for purchase here.

In addition, guests can also enjoy special breakfasts/brunches on New Year’s Day at Universal Resorts:

Hard Rock Hotel

• • • New Year’s Day Acoustic Brunch
      • From made-to-order pancakes and waffles to smoked salmon and cheese tortellini antipasto salad, guests can choose from a vast selection of delectable breakfast menu items while enjoying live music. View the full menu here.
      • To make a reservation, visit Resy; call 407-503-DINE (3463); visit or call the concierge at 407-503-2200.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

• • • New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet in Islands Dining Room
      • Guests can start the new year with a New Year’s Day breakfast buffet in Islands Dining Room. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Bloody Mary cocktails for just $21 more.
      • To make a reservation, visit Resy; call 407-503-DINE (3463); visit or call the concierge at 407-503-3200.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

• • • New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse
      • Guests can make a reservation here for the New Year’s Day breakfast buffet at Amatista Cookhouse. Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for just $21 more.

Refurbishments

Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida is still in Technical Rehearsal and may operate on a limited, unscheduled basis. There is no word as to when the ride will “officially” reopen.

The Universal Studios AP Lounge will close on December 31, 2022, as they plan to relocate the popular AP hangout over to the Toon Lagoon area in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios Hollywood

The Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood are running daily through January 1, 2023; with the return of fan favorites “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and “Grinchmas”. For more information on this year’s event, read here.

Universal Studios Hollywood is ringing in 2023 with EVE, Hollywood’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration featuring music entertainment, a brilliant fireworks display, and access to select rides and attractions, on Saturday, December 31 with extended hours until 2:00 a.m.

Included in the price of theme park admission, EVE begins at 9:00 p.m. as an energetic party kicks off with multiple entertainment hubs featuring DJs spinning an eclectic array of music for guests to dance into the new year with their choice of pop, rock, hip-hop, EDM and Latin music. Iconic photo ops are located around the theme park as well. A lively New Year’s countdown rounds out the event before a dazzling fireworks display punctuates the nighttime sky. A winter snowfall and confetti bursts also add to the festive evening within designated areas.

Refurbishments

• None at this time