The ‘wonder’-ful event is back! Celebrate the holidays at Universal Studios Japan’s incredible Christmas event, Universal Wonder Christmas™, as it takes place from November 9, 2018 to January 6, 2019. With spectacular shows, fun parades, and all sorts of holiday specials, read up on KKday’s ultimate guide and make the most of your holiday!
Here’s Your Guide to 2018 Universal Wonder Christmas™
Booking Your Tickets
Book your Universal Studios Japan Park Entry ticket ahead with KKday! These allow you to skip the lines and head straight to park.
Special Tickets and Express Passes:
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- Universal Express Pass: Breeze through the lines and save hours of precious theme park time with the Universal Express Pass! This add-on ticket gives you priority access to all your favorite attractions, including The Flying Dinosaur and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Choose from the Standard 4 or Express 7 varieties, which let you choose rides to hit up!
- VIP Wristband & Abeno Harukas Observatory Tickets: If you’re planning to go sightseeing in Osaka, this combination ticket allows you to climb up the Abeno Harukas Observatory for a breathtaking view of the city.
Transportation Services:
- Universal Studios Japan Round-trip Shuttle from Kyoto: Enjoy convenient transportation from Kyoto Station to USJ, and back!
Minion HACHA-MECHA Christmas Party™
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- Dates: November 9, 2018 to January 6, 2019
- Location: Hollywood Area
Show Times:
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- Show times are subject to change and are posted 10 days in advance. Check here to see the show schedule ahead of time
- Please arrive 30 minutes prior
The Minions take a break from plotting world domination to bring you the most happening Christmas party in town! See them sing and dance with their Santa hats on, as roll down Main Street on a huge float. This year, unlike any other, the Hollywood Area will be also covered with yellow decorations! Join in their fun and make your way to the front of the crowd, and dance along as festive balloons and yellow Christmas confetti rain from the sky.
The Gift of Angels III : The Voice of an Angel™
- Dates: November 9, 2018 to January 6, 2019
- Location: New York Area/Gramercy Park
Show Times:
- Start times will differ depending on the day (check here).
- Please arrive 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Now on its fourth year running, ‘The Gift of Angels III: The Voice of an Angel™’ is back this season and is grander than ever. See a heartwarming holiday story unfold with spectacular lights and fireworks and a heavenly chorus of angels.
Experience the excitement and awe with everyone in the audience as the Universal Illusion Tree is lit for the show’s grand finale. Fun fact: The magnificent tree is the current Guinness World Record title holder for ‘Most artificial lights on a Christmas Tree’—around 508,806 in fact—since 2011!
Notes:
There are designated but limited wheelchair exclusive areas at the Special Viewing Area. Guests should speak and seek assistance from crew members early on. Flash photography is also prohibited.
Winter in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
- Event Dates: November 9, 2018 to January 6, 2019
- Location: Hogsmeade
- Event Times: 10:00am onwards
Feel the magic of Christmas as you walk the snowy streets of Hogsmeade™ Village at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. Warm up with some Butterbeer™ from the Three Broomsticks™, or have your fill of Christmas-themed sweets from Honeydukes and enjoy all the holiday-themed decorations that give life even to the old Hog’s Head pub.
This year, grab the opportunity to cast your own spell at the village’s Christmas Tree. With your own special wand right from Ollivander’s, a few choice words (“Locomotor” or “Lumos”), and a swish and flick, you can charm the tree into moving or see it light up beautifully!
Notes:
Please make sure you have a “Magical Wand” before advancing to the Wand Magic location. “Magical Wands” can be purchased at Ollivanders™ and other locations.
- Dates: November 9, 2018 to January 6, 2019
- Location: Hogwarts™ castle
- Time: 30 minutes after sunset until closing. Show times are subject to change, so please check the official website to see the schedule ahead of time.
Feel the magic come alive as you witness the iconic Hogwarts Castle transform before your very eyes. As the day dips into nighttime, the castle magically transforms from an icy stone edifice to a brilliant display of light. See wizards and witches raise their wands to Hogwarts to cast a warm, holiday spell that envelopes the entire park.
Notes:
- Details may be altered or canceled without notice due to weather or other factors.
Christmas Exclusive Food
- Location: Joyful Christmas Market
- Price: 600 yen
Feeling peckish? Take a bite of this fluffy and hot treat that tastes like a baked sweet potato! Its plum color gives it a perfectly festive look for the season.
- Location: Minion Park
- Price: 600 yen
With their big round eyes looking right back at you, be sure to take a photo before biting into these cute sandwich cookies. Munch on the sweet Christmas exclusive treat stuffed with seasonal strawberries, cream, and custard.
- Location: Minion Park
- Price: 580 yen
Remember when Agnes won her stuffed unicorn and exclaimed, ‘It’s so FLUFFY I’m gonna die!’? Well, this Fluffy Hot Rich Chocolate won’t kill ya, but it’ll certainly make you giddy with delight due to its adorable design and creamylicious flavor!
- Location: Three Broomstickers™, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Price: Christmas Exclusive Set 8500 yen/ Hot Butterbeer™ (including the cup) 1250 yen
Enjoy Christmas just like the teachers and students of Hogwarts as you feast on their special Christmas dinner: hearty fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.
For the exclusive seasonal special, guzzle down a mug of frozen Butterbeer™! You can also have your Butterbeer™ served hot to warm your spirits, or opt for delicious pumpkin juice!
Christmas Exclusive Products
Minion Popcorn Buckets
This Minion and its bear hat are so adorable that you should take it home or you will regret it. Just like last year, this year’s cutest and most iconic souvenirs are the Christmas-themed Minion Popcorn Buckets. Perfect that holiday movie marathon with the family!
Universal Studios Japan™ Shops
There are all sorts of Christmas-themed merchandise like socks, dolls, and some ornaments everywhere. If you want to buy some souvenirs, take a look at your nearest store. We recommend Beverly Hills Gifts™, Peanut Corner Store™, It’s Sooo Fluffy™.
Speaking of which, check out Universal Studios Japan’s newest shop, ‘It’s Sooo Fluffy™’ and get your fill of all things soft, girly pink, and sparkly! The shop is bursting with stuffed unicorns, sweatshirts, holders, and all the fluffiness to die for.
See Hello Kitty, the Sesame Street Gang, the sharks from Jaws, and Snoopy spread the holiday cheer in their blue snowman outfits in a limited gift set.
Or choose one of the bestsellers: the Snoopy Christmas Hat, which customers love for its soft, warm fur, or the Minion dolls in wacky, Santa outfits. In every corner of Universal Studios Japan™ this Christmas, there’s something for everyone!
Universal Studios Japan Countdown Party 2019™
Hot on the heels of Christmas, is the exciting New Year celebration! You’ll be sorry to miss out on the grand party here at Universal Studio Japan, which will keep your adrenaline pumping from last minute of 2018 ‘til the first night of 2019!
Are you bummed out that you’ve missed the special events of this year? Here’s your chance to enjoy them all in one night, including Universal Summer Festival™, Universal Surprise Halloween™, and Universal Wonder Christmas™! It is a night to make all your dreams come true.
On top of that, all the attractions after the countdown party will be open until 9PM of the next day, and you can hop on the best attractions as much as you want. What are you waiting for? Book your ticket ASAP or it’ll be sold out quickly:
- Universal Studios Japan Countdown Party 2019 Pass
- Dates: December 31, 2018 – January 1, 2019
- Event Times: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
