You are probably suffering from PHSD (Post Halloween Stress Disorder). Halloween Horror Nights is gone for 2017, this is true. However, Universal Studios Hollywood has a seemingly endless array of Holiday cheer to keep us in a festive, if not entirely scary mood. This year, for the first time, Universal Studios Hollywood’s will be celebrating “Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” and bringing with it an exciting selection of all-new themed merchandise, food, and a new nighttime spectacular, inviting guests to cherish and share their Harry Potter experience tinged with yuletide cheer beginning November 24th and running through January 7th, 2018!
Universal Studios Hollywood celebrated the opening of “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM,” transforming HogwartsTM castle with a breathtaking animated light projection show, choreographed to a musical arrangement from the Harry Potter movies as The Entertainment Capital of L.A. kicked off the yuletide season.
“We are delighted to welcome ‘Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ as a new Universal Studios Hollywood holiday tradition,” said Karen Irwin. “Millions of guests visiting from around the world have already experienced the incredible offerings of this immersive land. This exciting new holiday program further expands the Harry Potter universe by bringing some of the holiday spirit from the films to life for guests to experience for themselves.”
The all-new “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” experience will take place daily from November 24, 2017 through January 7, 2018 and from what we saw, it is nothing short of magical.
Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade village also shines brightly as the quaint town celebrates with festive décor uniquely themed to each of the individual storefronts, along with holiday-themed fare served at Three Broomsticks and the eagerly-awaited seasonal return of hot Butterbeer. OMG HOT BUTTER BEER IS SO SO SO GOOD!
The food has always been a strong point for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Form Butterbeer (team frozen here) to bangers and mash, great pains are made to create theme-accurate food to further immerse guests in the land. There are now Holiday Dinners that feature a sumptuous roast turkey with gravy platter (The stuffing was AMAZING) that includes pigs in blankets, a medley of vegetables, braised red cabbage and roasted potatoes served with cranberry sauce, along with Christmas Pudding.
The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
Universal continues to push the artistic and technical boundaries of digital map projection with their all-new Christmas show. As night falls on Hogsmeade village, multiple times an evening, colorful projection mapping illuminates Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.”
To see this imposing, yet inviting edifice to imagination come to vibrant life is stunning. Christmas ghosts, chases around the towers on broomsticks, dancing lanterns, and a Christmas tree made of ice are but a few of the mesmerizing scenes featured in this noteworthy addition to the entertainment roster. They did this one right folks.
The Frog Choir
The a cappella Frog Choir has a new set of original holiday songs! The group, comprised of Hogwarts students and their giant throaty frogs, will entertain guests with a range of festive tunes.
Merchandise
From stockings to ornaments, the addition of specialty keepsakes and gift-giving items complement the land’s immersive holiday festivities as the theme park continues to envelope guests in the captivating world of Harry Potter. Read our article on all of the amazing merchandise here!
