Ringing in the New Year at Universal Orlando is seriously a top-tier experience!

We can hardly believe it, but we’re only a few weeks away from 2026! Universal Orlando Resort is going to ring in the New Year with a dazzling New Year’s Eve celebration you won’t want to miss. There will be live entertainment, a celebratory countdown, character appearances, and much more!

Universal Orlando Resort is inviting guests to close out the year with a range of New Year’s Eve festivities. Along with a live DJ and character interactions, guests will get extended park hours and unforgettable festivities across Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe!

If you don’t have a park ticket, don’t worry, there will be amazing celebrations at both Universal CityWalk and at Universal Orlando’s hotels to ring in 2026 as well! Basically, just make sure you’re at the Universal Resort on December 31st, 2025. So with the three parks, CityWalk, and the hotels — what does each destination deliver on New Year’s Eve?

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Florida will kick off the New Year’s Eve festivities at 6:15 PM. The park will have a live DJ set at the Music Plaza Stage, roaming stilt walkers, and select floats from this year’s Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s stationed for photo opportunities throughout the park.

There’s also going to be a showing of CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular, a dazzling nighttime show, at 10 PM. The night will be wrapped up with a countdown celebration near the Music Plaza Stage as the clock strikes midnight.

Islands of Adventure

Universal Islands of Adventure will also kick off the celebration at 6:15 PM. There will be a live DJ set in the Port of Entry, followed by more music, entertainment, and meet and greets with beloved characters throughout the park. To ring in the New Year, guests can cap off the evening with a midnight countdown celebration, with dedicated viewing areas in Port of Entry, Seuss Landing, and Toon Lagoon.

Epic Universe

Universal Epic Universe is joining the festivities, inviting guests to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Universal’s newest theme park for the FIRST TIME EVER. In addition to access to the thrills of the park, guests can enjoy live music and entertainment from a DJ at the Hemisphere Stage in Celestial Park, and a midnight countdown celebration that includes a special fountain show that will span the expansive waterways of Celestial Park.

CityWalk

At Universal CityWalk, guests can enjoy live music and DJ sets throughout the night at the Waterfront Stage and the Green and Red Coconut Club, which also features festive decorations, live entertainment, holiday cocktails, and more. Guests may also encounter stilt walkers and other entertainment throughout the evening, and can ring in 2026 with an exciting midnight countdown celebration throughout the entertainment complex.

Universal Hotels

There will also be New Year’s celebrations at Universal Orlando’s 11 hotels. The Universal Helios Grand Hotel will be the first-ever New Year’s Eve Party at the Palace. The party is for adults 21+ to enjoy an evening of elegance with dinner, drinks, a DJ, and spectacular views of Universal Epic Universe at Bar Helios.

Families can join the festive Party on the Piazza at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, which includes food stations, desserts, beer and wine, plus lively music and dancing. At Universal Aventura Hotel, guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind rooftop New Year’s Eve celebration featuring Korean and Latin-inspired food stations, specialty cocktails, and panoramic views of Orlando, also for adults 21 and over.

After New Year’s Eve, guests can still enjoy the final days of Universal Orlando’s Holidays celebration, which runs daily through January 4th. Guests can revel in the holiday spirit with popular seasonal experiences like Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas at Suess Landing, and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. You’ll also be able to taste the last little bit of the variety of festively themed food and beverage offerings, as well as shop for holiday merchandise.

For more Universal news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog!

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Will you be celebrating New Year’s at Universal? Let us know in the comments!