Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood — Dates, Jurassic World Reopening and the Pass Member Takeover

Introduction

Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood runs November 21 through January 3, per Universal's holiday page (read October 30, 2026). This guide answers three questions: when it runs, whether Jurassic World — The Ride is open for it, and what the Pass Member Holiday Park Takeover is.

It also covers one planning wrinkle: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is not included with Universal Express.

When Is Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood runs from November 21 through January 3, per Universal's holiday page (read October 30, 2026). Per Laughing Place, which reported Universal's announcement, that is Saturday, November 21, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027.

Per the same Laughing Place report, Grinchmas and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are among the festivities returning in that window. I am not listing hours, show times or menus here because I do not have sourced details for them. Check Universal's app before you go.

Is Jurassic World — The Ride Open for Holidays?

Not as of this writing. Jurassic World — The Ride is listed as temporarily closed for refurbishment, and Universal has it scheduled to reopen November 21, the first day of Holidays. Dates can change, so check the ride page and Universal's app before you plan around it.

When it does reopen, the ride has a 42 inch (107 cm) height requirement, per our ride data. In my opinion, do not build a Holidays day around it until you have seen it listed as operating in Universal's app that morning.

What Is the Pass Member Holiday Park Takeover?

The Pass Member Holiday Park Takeover is a two-night after-hours event on December 1 and 2, from 7 to 11 PM, and it requires a reservation, per Universal's Pass Member page (read October 30, 2026).

Per Inside the Magic, it is open only to Universal Studios Hollywood Annual and Season Pass Members. Per Universal's Pass Member page (read October 30, 2026), a reservation is required, capacity is limited, and reservations opened after 11 a.m. on November 4. If you are visiting on a regular ticket, this event is not available to you, and I would not plan around it.

What Else Is Part of Holidays?

Per Laughing Place, Grinchmas and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter both return for the November 21 through January 3 run. If Hogwarts is the draw, my Harry Potter Wizarding World Guide covers the land and its rides. Universal's holiday page is the place to confirm the full lineup before you go.

Is Universal Express Worth It During Holidays?

In my opinion, yes if you only have one day, and that is the same call I make the rest of the year. Universal Express, which many guests call Express Pass, includes one-time (per day) express access to each ride, attraction and seated show, with Hollywood Drift excluded, per Universal's ticket page (read October 15, 2026) and Universal's Rides, Show & Attractions FAQ (read November 9, 2026). It covers rides such as Revenge of the Mummy and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

I do not have sourced crowd data for the Holidays weeks, so I am not going to tell you how busy they will be. My Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass Guide breaks down when I would buy it, and the Universal Studios Hollywood Crowd Calendar helps you pick a date.

Does Universal Express Work on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift?

No. Universal's Rides, Show & Attractions FAQ (read November 9, 2026) says Universal Express covers each ride excluding Hollywood Drift, so plan that ride separately.

Per our ride data, Hollywood Drift has a 72 mph top speed and a 51 inch (130 cm) height requirement. My firsthand verdict is still pending. My Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride guide has the details.

Sarah's Take

Sarah's Take: Holidays is a nice layer on top of a park I already love for the rides, and the Jurassic World reopening on day one is the part I care about most. I would still check Universal's app before trusting that date, because refurbishment dates move. The Takeover is a great perk if you are a Pass Member and irrelevant if you are not, so do not build a trip around it. If you only have one day, I would buy Universal Express, ride The Studio Tour no matter when you visit, and head to Hollywood Drift early since Express does not cover it (all opinion).

— Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins, Universal & Coaster Specialist

Tickets

Universal's ticket page (read November 9, 2026) lists 1-Day General Admission from $99.95 and Universal Express from $189.95, which includes 1-Day General Admission. Online ticket prices vary by day and season. Planning a regular-day visit during Holidays? Compare ticket prices through Undercover Tourist before you buy.

See Also

Picking a date? Read Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood. Mapping out your day? Use the Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary. New to the park? Start with the Complete Universal Studios Hollywood Guide.

Guide by Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins | Theme Park Network

Last Updated: November 2026. Dates, ride statuses and event details can change; verify them on Universal's official app or website before you go.

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