USJ Winter 2026–27: Holiday Events, Dates and What Travelers Should Know

September 15, 2026

This article is based on official information available as of September 15, 2026.

Universal Studios Japan has announced its winter 2026–27 seasonal event, Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!!, running from November 13, 2026 through January 17, 2027.

The winter program includes an expanded food festival, the return of the Joy of Lights nighttime show after nine years, a Christmas celebration at Gramercy Park, and Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic. Some of the most important dates for travelers arrive well before the event begins, including ticket sales for a special nighttime viewing area on September 24.

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The Update

USJ’s main winter event runs from November 13, 2026 to January 17, 2027, but not every winter program runs for the full period.

November 13, 2026–January 17, 2027: Universal Holiday Wonders, Universal Food Festival, and Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic
November 25, 2026–January 11, 2027: Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration and Joy of Lights
September 24, 2026: sales begin for the special viewing-area ticket for the two nighttime shows
September 28, 2026: applications open for messages to appear in Joy of Lights

This date difference matters when you choose when to visit. A trip between November 13 and 24 can include the winter food festival and Hogwarts winter program, but the two major Gramercy Park nighttime shows do not begin until November 25. Likewise, travelers visiting from January 12 to 17 can still experience parts of Universal Holiday Wonders, but Joy of Lights and Light Up the Night will already have ended.

Why Travelers Should Care

USJ is a major part of many Osaka itineraries, especially for families and first-time visitors. If a winter show is one of the main reasons you want to visit, the event’s overall November-to-January dates are not enough to plan around.

The most useful planning window is November 25 through January 11 if you want the broadest overlap of the announced winter entertainment. Travelers visiting earlier or later can still find seasonal programs, but the lineup is different.

There is also a booking decision to make before November. USJ says the special viewing-area ticket for Light Up the Night and Joy of Lights will go on sale September 24, priced from ¥1,700. The ticket is for a designated viewing area and is separate from your general park-entry planning.

What Is Coming to USJ This Winter?

Joy of Lights Returns After Nine Years

Joy of Lights returns from November 25, 2026 through January 11, 2027 at Gramercy Park in the New York Area. The approximately 10-minute nighttime program will project selected guest messages onto the screen with light and music, with a snow effect during the finale.

USJ says messages will be selected through an advance application process. Applications are scheduled to run from September 28 through December 14, 2026.

Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration

The larger nighttime Christmas program, Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration, will also run from November 25 through January 11 at Gramercy Park. USJ describes it as an approximately 30-minute seasonal show featuring music and winter effects.

A special viewing-area ticket for Light Up the Night and Joy of Lights is scheduled to go on sale September 24. Prices start at ¥1,700, with the viewing ticket offered for show dates from November 25 through January 11.

Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will bring back its winter nighttime atmosphere with Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic from November 13 through January 17. The approximately 10-minute mapping show is presented on Hogwarts Castle, with the number of performances varying by date.

This is particularly useful for travelers visiting between November 13 and 24, before the Gramercy Park holiday night shows begin.

Universal Food Festival Expands for the Holiday Season

The Universal Food Festival will run throughout the main winter event from November 13 through January 17. USJ says the 2026–27 edition will expand to its largest scale yet in both the number of menu items and participating areas, with more restaurant details to be announced later.

The Kids Free Pass Is Limited to Japan Residents

USJ has also launched a Holiday Kids Free Pass for visits from November 13 through December 30, 2026. It allows one eligible child to enter free with one adult under the campaign’s conditions.

However, this is an important exception for international travelers: the offer is limited to residents of Japan. To purchase the pass, you must reside in Japan and be able to upload a valid official document confirming the child’s age. Eligible children are generally ages 4–11 and elementary-school age or younger; 12-year-olds who are still in elementary school are also treated as children under the announced conditions.

If you are visiting Japan from overseas, do not build your USJ budget around the Kids Free Pass unless you independently meet the domestic-residency requirements.

What You Should Do

If you want Joy of Lights or the main Christmas night show: plan your visit between November 25, 2026 and January 11, 2027.
If you want the special viewing area: check availability from September 24, when USJ says sales are scheduled to begin.
If you visit November 13–24: expect winter programs such as the food festival and Hogwarts Magical Night, but not Joy of Lights or Light Up the Night.
If you visit January 12–17: check the remaining winter lineup carefully because the two Gramercy Park nighttime shows end January 11.
If you are traveling from overseas with children: do not assume the Holiday Kids Free Pass applies to you; it is restricted to Japan residents.
Before buying your Studio Pass: remember that USJ requires visitors entering on or after September 1, 2026 to select their visit date when purchasing a Studio Pass.

For more on the current Studio Pass rule, see our USJ Studio Pass visit-date guide.

Official Information

For the most up-to-date information, please refer to:

Frequently Asked Questions

When is USJ Winter 2026–27?: Universal Holiday Wonders: Discover U!!! runs from November 13, 2026 through January 17, 2027. Individual programs have different dates, so check the specific show you want to see before choosing your visit day.
When does Joy of Lights run at USJ?: Joy of Lights is scheduled from November 25, 2026 through January 11, 2027 at Gramercy Park. It does not run for the entire Universal Holiday Wonders period.
When do USJ winter special viewing-area tickets go on sale?: USJ says sales for the Light Up the Night and Joy of Lights special viewing area are scheduled to begin September 24, 2026. Prices start at ¥1,700, and the tickets apply to show dates from November 25, 2026 through January 11, 2027.
Can international visitors use the USJ Holiday Kids Free Pass?: No, unless you are a resident of Japan and meet the announced eligibility conditions. The Holiday Kids Free Pass is limited to Japan residents, and purchasers must be able to submit a valid official document confirming the child’s age. Most overseas visitors should therefore plan their budget using regular ticket options.
Do I need to select a visit date when buying a USJ Studio Pass?: Yes. For visits on or after September 1, 2026, USJ requires you to specify your park visit date when purchasing a Studio Pass.