Universal Orlando Holiday Highlights 2022: Grinchmas, Tribute Store, Parade and More

The holiday season is in full swing at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure are overflowing with yuletide cheer. From Grinchmas greetings and Christmas at Hogwarts to larger-than-life Macy's parade balloons and a Holiday Tribute Store overflowing with festive merch and inventive treats, here's a firsthand look at the best holiday happenings at Universal Orlando, now through January 1, 2023.

Continuing the tradition for the third year running, the Holiday Tribute Store is more than just a shopportunity - it's a festive-themed space brimming with holiday cheer. Fittingly located behind the Macy's façade in Universal Studios Florida, the Tribute Store began as themed merchandise and prop haven for Halloween Horror Nights, but has grown into an immersive seasonal shopping space year-round.

This year, the store is themed to a classic New York department store, dressed to the nines for the holidays. Each room of the four rooms represents a different "floor" of the store: the first is a New York holiday marketplace, complete with storefronts with decorated windows, a roasted chestnut cart and traditional holiday merchandise.

In the second room, find everything you need to rep your Hogwarts House for the holidays, including clothes, hats, scarves and gloves, ornaments, stockings and more. Our favorite find was this charming Butterbeer cart ornament, just like the ones in Hogsmeade.

The star of the season, Dr. Seuss' Grinch takes center stage in this Who-Ville-themed room filled with the Grinchiest décor, plush toys, and a photo op.

For years, a mischievous little squirrel named Earl has hidden in the big Christmas tree at Universal Studios Florida, messing with the lights and popping up in different spots in the tree. Finally in 2020, Earl the Squirrel got his own room in the Holiday Tribute Store, plus a whole line of adorable merch, which continues to grow year to year. This year Earl's room is called "North of the Border" and is delightful as ever, packed with new Earl the Squirrel merchandise and plenty of buffalo plaid.

New this year, Earl the Squirrel is now available in plush form to take home too, solidifying Earl alongside the Grinch as Universal's holiday mascots.

Spirit jerseys, pillows, mugs and more - there's a quirky piece of Earl the Squirrel merch for every Earl fan on your list.

There are specialty holiday treats throughout the parks, but Earl's Treetz of Sweetz in the Holiday Tribute Store sets the bar. From gingerbread cookie sandwiches and Grinch candy apples to elaborate cakes like this toy-filled stocking, these are the treats to beat.

Hot Cocoa Bombs continue to have a moment that might be here to stay and these are almost too pretty to melt. Choose from Peppermint, Cookies & Cream or Salted Caramel.

Santa's Chimney Novelty Cakes, Christmas Tree cupcakes, Earl Hot Cocoa Jar Cakes - the choices go on, and on...and on.

The Grinch is the star of the season at Seuss Landing, the Dr. Seuss-themed area at Universal's Islands of Adventure. The whole land is decked out with holiday décor and festive music making it feel just like Christmas in Who-Ville.

He may be cuddly as a cactus but this bad banana is in high demand. To meet the Grinch this year you'll need to join the Virtual Queue via the Universal Orlando app, and you'll need to be quick because spots go almost instantly first thing in the morning. Not up for the stress? Consider booking a Holiday Tour and get guaranteed access.

With numerous performances throughout the day, you'll have no excuse to miss this live musical retelling of the holiday classic.

The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular features the music of Mannheim Steamroller stars the Grinch, the Whos of Who-Ville, and even a living, breathing, adorable Max the dog.

There's almost too much great Grinch merch to choose from throughout the parks, from the Holiday Tribute Store to Seuss Landing. We spotted these Santa Grinch onesies flying off the racks.

Comfort is king this season and guests have been snatching up Grinchmas pajamas, cozy hats and slippers for the whole family quicker than the Grinch stole Christmas.

If you went to a theme park and didn't get a souvenir popcorn bucket, did you even go? This Grinch bucket will set you back $28 but it doubles as décor when you get home and gets you unlimited refills for just $2.33 each. We even got holiday green popcorn when we refilled ours in Seuss Landing.

Universal's holiday parade featuring Macy's balloons is the closest you'll get to experience the iconic Manhattan parade without going to NYC (and chances are you'll be a lot warmer here).

See larger-than-life balloons like Minions and Gingerbread Man from Shrek soar overhead as performers march to a festive soundtrack.

It's not a proper Macy's holiday parade if the big guy in red doesn't bring up the rear. Santa is the grand finale to this crowd-pleasing spectacle.

The snow-covered rooftops of Hogsmeade are a winter wonderland year-round, but the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is extra festive during the holidays.

The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle nighttime projection show lights up Hogsmeade with festive music, projections, and a pyro finale from dusk until close in Universal's Islands of Adventure.

There's no question that Butterbeer is the ultimate Wizarding World treat. In addition to all of the Butterbeer-flavored sweets available in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, from fudge to soft-serve ice cream, Butterbeer comes in three drinkable forms-frozen, cold, and hot. I'm usually partial to frozen Butterbeer but on a cool Florida night, 'tis the season for a hot Butterbeer.

On select dates through January 1, 2023, Universal's Holiday Tour gets guests front-of-the-line access to Universal's best holiday offerings, including a meet and greet with the Grinch, reserved seating for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, snacks, a private Santa meeting and digital photo, priority. Tour guests also get an exclusive showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, and it's the only way to see the projection show this year. Tickets are $59.99, with a $10 discount for passholders. Park-to-Park admission and reservations are required.

Staying at one of the hotels on property adds another layer of immersion to your Universal Orlando visit and, naturally, the holiday décor is on theme. We love the kitschy silver Christmas trees at Cabana Bay Beach Resort, perfectly embodying the hotel's retro vibe.

Staying at a Universal resort doesn't just make your trip to the parks quicker and more convenient, guests who stay on property also get a leg up on other guests with Early Park Admission, access to one of Universal's theme parks an hour before scheduled opening time. This is a great opportunity to beeline it to the most popular rides, like Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure.