🔄 Updated daily | Last updated: Nov 3, 2026
November 2026
View Legend 1 Very quiet 2 3 4 5 6 7 Extremely busy Details
Crowd Level
- 1Very quiet
- 2Quiet
- 3Normal
- 4Slightly busy
- 5Busy
- 6Very busy
- 7Extremely busy
Weather
- Sunny
- Partly Cloudy
- Cloudy
- Rain
- Thunderstorm
- Snow
- Wintry Mix
- Strong Winds (incl. Typhoon)
Status
- As forecast (the number is the actual crowd level)
- One level off the forecast
- Two or more levels off the forecast
- PastPast (no check)
- TodayUpdating Today's Data
- ForecastForecast (High Accuracy)
- ForecastForecast (Reference)
- Event day (tap the date for details)
WBGT (Heat Stress Index)
- 31+ Danger
- 28-31 Severe Warning
- 25-28 Warning (shown in day details)
November 2026
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🎯 Best 3 quieter days in November (forecast)
Our forecast shows every remaining day this month as busy. These are the relatively calmer ones.
- Nov 4 (Wed)Lv4 Slightly busy
- Nov 5 (Thu)Lv4 Slightly busy
- Nov 6 (Fri)Lv4 Slightly busy
🎯 Best 3 quieter days in December (forecast)
- Dec 1 (Tue)Lv3 Normal
- Dec 2 (Wed)Lv3 Normal
- Dec 3 (Thu)Lv3 Normal
Our forecast is updated every morning, so these dates may change.
See current waits for major attractions
Major attractions (live)Updated 16:01 / Open 23 / 29
| Attractions | Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Donkey Kong's Mine-Cart Madness | 180 min |
| Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge | 100 min |
| Hollywood Dream - The Ride | 100 min |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | 50 min |
| Yoshi's Adventure | 65 min |
| Jurassic Park - The Ride | 70 min |
| The Flying Dinosaur | 80 min |
| Jaws | 50 min |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 55 min |
| Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast | 25 min |
Show the other attractions (19)
| Attractions | Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Hollywood Dream -The Ride - Backdrop- | 100 min |
| Flight of the Hippogriff™ | 70 min |
| Sadako's Curse: Dark Horror Ride. | 60 min |
| Snoopy's Flying Ace Adventure | 55 min |
| Freeze Ray Sliders | 40 min |
| Hello Kitty's Ribbon Collection | 40 min |
| The Flying Snoopy | 40 min |
| ファクトリー・オブ・フィアー ～絶望のゾンビ・ツアー～ | 40 min |
| Playing with Curious George™ | 30 min |
| SING ON TOUR | 30 min |
| Ollivanders™ | 20 min |
| チェンソーマン・ザ・カオス 4-D | 20 min |
| Hello Kitty's Cupcake Dream | 10 min |
| Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™ | Closed |
| Shrek’s 4-D Adventure™ | Closed |
| Space Fantasy – The Ride | Closed |
| ジョーズ | — |
| 葬送のフリーレン×ストーリー・ライド ～鳥の魔物と馬車の旅～ | — |
| Jurassic Park - The Ride in the Dark | — |
Current waits as of the time above (updated every 5 minutes).
Powered by Queue-Times.com
Estimated waits for major attractions
Top Attractions
| Attractions | Wait Time |
|---|
Daily crowd levels, weather, and temperatures vary by theme park. Compare them to plan your trip.
Forecasts are estimates. Check the official site for the latest information.
| Major attraction | Weekdays (avg) | Weekends and holidays (avg) | Longest (last 30 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mine Cart Madness™ | 156 min | 163 min | 214 min |
| Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge™ | 94 min | 91 min | 138 min |
| Hollywood Dream - The Ride | 68 min | 65 min | 128 min |
| Yoshi's Adventure™ | 62 min | 62 min | 103 min |
| The Flying Dinosaur | 63 min | 56 min | 146 min |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ | 48 min | 43 min | 99 min |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | 43 min | 45 min | 63 min |
| Jurassic Park – The Ride™ | 32 min | 33 min | 48 min |
| JAWS™ | 32 min | 31 min | 52 min |
| Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast | 26 min | 31 min | 44 min |
Averages computed from 90 days of actual measurements (2026-08-05 to 2026-11-02). Powered by Queue-Times.com / Busiest time of day across the park: around 15:00 (measured average).
📋 Universal Studios Japan Crowd Forecast List (November 2026 / December 2026 / January 2027) — text version
All values are forecasts on a 7-level scale (Lv1 Very quiet – Lv7 Extremely busy) and may change. See the interactive calendar above for weather, events, and details of each day.
| Date | Day | Crowd Level (Expected Wait) | Notes / Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/3 | Tue | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Holiday: Culture Day / Halloween 2026 |
| 11/4 | Wed | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Halloween 2026 |
| 11/5 | Thu | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Halloween 2026 |
| 11/6 | Fri | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Halloween 2026 |
| 11/7 | Sat | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Halloween 2026 |
| 11/8 | Sun | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Halloween Horror Nights |
| 11/9 | Mon | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Halloween Horror Nights |
| 11/10 | Tue | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | |
| 11/11 | Wed | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | |
| 11/12 | Thu | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | |
| 11/13 | Fri | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Universal Christmas |
| 11/14 | Sat | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Universal Christmas |
| 11/15 | Sun | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/16 | Mon | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/17 | Tue | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/18 | Wed | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/19 | Thu | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/20 | Fri | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/21 | Sat | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/22 | Sun | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/23 | Mon | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Holiday: Labor Thanksgiving Day / Christmas |
| 11/24 | Tue | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/25 | Wed | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/26 | Thu | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/27 | Fri | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/28 | Sat | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/29 | Sun | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 11/30 | Mon | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| Date | Day | Crowd Level (Expected Wait) | Notes / Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/1 | Tue | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/2 | Wed | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/3 | Thu | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/4 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/5 | Sat | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/6 | Sun | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/7 | Mon | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/8 | Tue | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/9 | Wed | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/10 | Thu | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/11 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/12 | Sat | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/13 | Sun | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/14 | Mon | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/15 | Tue | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/16 | Wed | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/17 | Thu | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/18 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/19 | Sat | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/20 | Sun | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/21 | Mon | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/22 | Tue | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/23 | Wed | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/24 | Thu | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/25 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 12/26 | Sat | Lv7 Extremely busy (100 min+) | Christmas |
| 12/27 | Sun | Lv6 Very busy (90–100 min) | Christmas |
| 12/28 | Mon | Lv7 Extremely busy (100 min+) | Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| 12/29 | Tue | Lv7 Extremely busy (100 min+) | Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| 12/30 | Wed | Lv7 Extremely busy (100 min+) | Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| 12/31 | Thu | Lv7 Extremely busy (100 min+) | Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| Date | Day | Crowd Level (Expected Wait) | Notes / Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/1 | Fri | Lv7 Extremely busy (100 min+) | Holiday: New Year's Day / Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| 1/2 | Sat | Lv6 Very busy (90–100 min) | Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| 1/3 | Sun | Lv6 Very busy (90–100 min) | Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| 1/4 | Mon | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Year-End Holidays / Christmas |
| 1/5 | Tue | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 1/6 | Wed | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 1/7 | Thu | Lv4 Slightly busy (70–80 min) | Christmas |
| 1/8 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Christmas |
| 1/9 | Sat | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | |
| 1/10 | Sun | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | |
| 1/11 | Mon | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Holiday: Coming of Age Day |
| 1/12 | Tue | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | |
| 1/13 | Wed | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | |
| 1/14 | Thu | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | |
| 1/15 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | |
| 1/16 | Sat | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/17 | Sun | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/18 | Mon | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/19 | Tue | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/20 | Wed | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/21 | Thu | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/22 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/23 | Sat | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/24 | Sun | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/25 | Mon | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/26 | Tue | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/27 | Wed | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/28 | Thu | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/29 | Fri | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/30 | Sat | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
| 1/31 | Sun | Lv3 Normal (60–70 min) | Cool Japan |
Found a date that works on the crowd calendar? Next up: booking your hotel and tickets.
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Using this calendar
Each day shows a Universal Studios Japan crowd forecast on a 1–7 scale (lower = quieter). Tap a date for Osaka-area weather, temperature and estimated ride waits. Past dates display actual recorded data.
Where the forecast comes from
We collect data every day and build our forecasts from the data we have accumulated. The accuracy score at the top of the calendar shows our real hit rate — misses included.
The crowd outlook on this page is our own forecast, not a guarantee of how busy a day will be. Opening hours, ticket prices, events, closures and annual-pass block-out days follow USJ’s official announcements.
FAQ
Q. How often is the data updated?
A. We collect data every day and build our forecasts from the data we have accumulated. The written content on this page was checked against USJ’s official site on October 15–19, 2026 (the closure list was rechecked on October 23, 2026).
Q. Can the forecast be wrong?
A. Yes — that is why we publish our accuracy score right on the calendar. Crowd levels can differ from our forecast, so treat it as a planning guide.
Q. How should I pick a day in winter?
A. With an Annual Pass Standard, choose from the days outside the official entry block-out days. With a 1-Day Studio Pass, the block-out days don’t apply to you, so check the dates of the event you want to see, then check the day-by-day forecast on the calendar.
Q. Do annual-pass block-out days mean the park will be crowded?
A. Block-out days are the days an Annual Pass Standard can’t be used for entry; they are not a promise of how busy the park will be. If you’re going on a 1-Day Studio Pass, decide together with the day-by-day forecast.
Q. When is the 2026 Christmas event?
A. The winter event “Universal Holiday Wonders ～Discover U!!!～” officially runs from Friday, November 13, 2026 to Sunday, January 17, 2027. The Gramercy Park night shows “Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration” and “Joy of Lights” run from Wednesday, November 25 to Monday, January 11, 2027, and are not held on December 31.
Q. Anything to watch out for with young children?
A. Through November 8, “Halloween Horror Nights” is officially not recommended for children age 5 and under, and children age 12 and under need a guardian’s consent. For entry dates from November 13 to December 30, USJ also sells the official “Holiday Kids Free Pass” (our English rendering of the Japanese name), which admits one child aged 4 to 11 free with each adult.
Q. How much is a ticket, and when should I buy?
A. Our calendar shows the per-day price for the 1-Day Studio Pass (adult) exactly as published by USJ’s official web ticket store. As of October 19, November had four price levels from ¥9,400 to ¥11,900. Entry dates from December on were not yet on sale as of October 15, so the calendar points you to the official site for those dates. From September 1, 2026 entry dates, USJ can revise per-day prices in line with demand even after tickets go on sale, and prices may go up, so buying early is recommended. For Annual Pass Standard holders, the block-out-day 1-Day Studio Pass is half price for entry dates through December 31, 2026, and 30% off from January 2, 2027.
Q. What is closed from November to January?
A. As posted on the official site on October 23, 2026: Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™, Shrek’s 4-D Adventure, and Space Fantasy – The Ride are closed indefinitely, and the show WaterWorld is closed from November 28 to December 25, 2026.
Q. What happens on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?
A. Regular operating hours on Thursday, December 31 are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. From 7:00 PM on December 31 to 9:00 PM on Friday, January 1, 2027, the park runs “NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2027 ～Discover U!!!～”, which needs a separate ticket (PARTY PASS). December 31 is an Annual Pass Standard block-out day; January 1 is not.
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USJ crowd forecast summary: November 2026–January 2027
“When in November can we see the Christmas shows?” “Which days around New Year are easiest for a family to get in?”
When you start planning a winter USJ trip with kids, you end up juggling not just the crowds but the start and end dates of each event.
November 2026 through January 2027 at USJ is the three-month stretch where the scenery shifts from the close of Halloween to Christmas and then the New Year.
Per USJ’s official announcements, the fall event “Universal Extreme Autumn ～Discover U!!!～” and “Halloween Horror Nights” both run through Sunday, November 8.
The winter event that follows, “Universal Holiday Wonders ～Discover U!!!～”, is officially announced for Friday, November 13 to Sunday, January 17, 2027.
At USJ, what you see also depends on which ticket you’re using. When you pick a date, think about which event you want to enjoy that day, not just the crowd forecast.
If you’re going on a Universal Prime Annual Pass Standard, you’ll choose from the days outside its official entry block-out days.
The block-out days are officially listed as November 1–3, 7–8, and 21–23, and December 19–20 and 25–31.
In January 2027 they are the 2nd–3rd and the 10th; New Year’s Day, January 1, is not a block-out day.
If you’re going on a 1-Day Studio Pass, you don’t need to worry about block-out days. Check our day-by-day forecast on the calendar above for how busy each day may be.
For Annual Pass Standard holders, there is a discount on the block-out-day 1-Day Studio Pass: officially half price for entry dates through Thursday, December 31, 2026 (the 25th-anniversary offer), and 30% off from Saturday, January 2, 2027.
So a block-out day can also be thought of as a day you can enter at a discount, rather than a day you can’t go.
This page summarizes the next three months for families using our crowd calendar. Our crowd levels are forecasts, not a guarantee of how busy a day will actually be.
November to January at USJ changes a lot depending on the event switchovers and where the holiday weekends fall. So below, we cover the official event dates, block-out days, and holiday weekends first. For day-by-day levels, check the calendar above.
USJ November 2026 crowd trend
November is the month USJ’s events switch from fall to winter. The fall event and “Halloween Horror Nights” both end on Sunday, November 8.
“Universal Holiday Wonders ～Discover U!!!～” starts on Friday, November 13. The Gramercy Park night shows “Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration” and “Joy of Lights” start on Wednesday, November 25.
If Halloween is what you’re after, go by the 8th; if the Christmas night shows are, go from the 25th on. The week you pick depends on what you want to see.
The national holidays are Tuesday, November 3 (Culture Day) and Monday, November 23 (Labor Thanksgiving Day), and Saturday, November 21 to Monday, November 23 is a three-day weekend.
In our forecast, November weekends and holidays run a step busier than weekdays, while most weekdays — in the last week of Halloween and in the winter-event weeks alike — look calm. Check the calendar above for the day-by-day forecast.
The Annual Pass Standard block-out days are November 1–3, 7–8, and 21–23: the final Halloween weekend, Culture Day, and the Labor Thanksgiving Day three-day weekend.
Ticket prices also help you choose. As of October 19, the 1-Day Studio Pass (adult) on the official web ticket store had four price levels in November, from ¥9,400 (approx. $63 USD) to ¥11,900 (approx. $79 USD).
The lowest, ¥9,400, applies to Tuesday to Thursday, November 10–12, and Wednesday, November 25 and Thursday, November 26 — all weekdays. The highest, ¥11,900, is on the 1st, 2nd, 6th–8th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, and 27th.
For entry dates from September 1, 2026, USJ can revise per-day prices in line with demand even after tickets go on sale. Prices may go up, so once your date is set, check again early.
If you’re visiting in winter with kids, the official “Holiday Kids Free Pass” (our English rendering of the Japanese name) is worth a look. It covers entry from Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, December 30.
One child aged 4 to 11 (elementary school age or younger) gets in free with each adult, and the price is listed from ¥8,400 (approx. $56 USD, tax included). At purchase, you need to submit (upload) an official document showing the child’s age.
In November, closing time varies widely by day, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Friday, November 20 and Friday, November 27 close at 7:00 PM, so if you plan to stay for the night shows, check the official operating hours for your date.
The show “WaterWorld” goes into a closure from Saturday, November 28. If you want to see it, plan for November 27 or earlier.
A special live concert is scheduled inside the park on Saturday, November 28. Guests who aren’t attending the concert can still enter the park with a regular studio pass.
Looking back at last month: in September 2026, USJ’s average wait on weekdays was almost the same as on weekends, and the clear jump came on the three-day holiday weekend. In November too, if you can only go on a day off, skipping the holidays on the 3rd and the 23rd alone may keep your queue time down.
USJ | November 2026 key points
| Item | Key points |
|---|---|
| Crowd forecast (our own forecast) | Weekends and holidays look a step busier than weekdays; most weekdays look calm. The holidays are the 3rd (Tue) and 23rd (Mon), and the 21st–23rd is a three-day weekend. |
| Events | The fall event and “Halloween Horror Nights” run through the 8th (Sun). “Universal Holiday Wonders” starts on the 13th (Fri); the two Gramercy Park night shows start on the 25th (Wed). A special live concert is held on the 28th (Sat). |
| Annual Pass Standard block-out days | The 1st–3rd, 7th–8th, and 21st–23rd, including Culture Day and the Labor Thanksgiving Day three-day weekend. |
| Ticket prices | The 1-Day Studio Pass (adult) had four levels from ¥9,400 to ¥11,900 as of October 19; the lowest is on the 10th–12th and 25th–26th. Prices can be revised in line with demand after going on sale. |
| Holiday Kids Free Pass | Entry dates from the 13th (Fri) to December 30 (Wed). One child aged 4 to 11 free with each adult; from ¥8,400 (tax included). |
| Closures | “WaterWorld” is closed from the 28th (Sat). To see it, go by the 27th (Fri). |
| Opening hours | Closing time varies from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM by day. The 20th (Fri) and 27th (Fri) close at 7:00 PM. |
If you plan to stay until closing or arrive the night before, it’s reassuring to check hotel rates and availability as soon as your date is set. Once you’ve picked a date, the booking services below can help with tickets and nearby stays.
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USJ December 2026 crowd trend
December is when the winter event, Christmas, and the year-end all overlap.
The Annual Pass Standard block-out days are Saturday, December 19 to Sunday, December 20 and Friday, December 25 to Thursday, December 31. Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, is not a block-out day.
“Universal Cool Japan 2027” begins on Wednesday, December 2. Its Sailor Moon attraction, “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Miracle 4-D — Moon Palace Edition Deluxe,” runs from December 2, 2026 to Monday, April 5, 2027 at the Cinema 4-D Theater.
Another special live concert is scheduled inside the park on Saturday, December 5. The park opens at 9:00 AM that day, so settle your morning plan early.
On the official operating calendar as of October 15, most December days run 9:00 AM–9:00 PM. Fridays, December 4, 11, and 18 close at 7:00 PM, while Wednesday, December 23 and Thursday, December 24 run longer, 8:00 AM–9:30 PM.
From Saturday, December 26 to Wednesday, December 30, the park opens at 8:00 or 8:30 AM and closes at 9:00 or 9:30 PM. On New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31, regular hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, and that is as far as a regular studio pass takes you.
From 7:00 PM on December 31 to 9:00 PM on January 1, 2027, the park runs “NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2027 ～Discover U!!!～”, which needs a separate ticket (PARTY PASS).
The “WaterWorld” closure runs through Sunday, December 25, with the show scheduled to return from Saturday, December 26 (as posted on the official closure page on October 23). “Resident Evil Requiem: The Dive” runs through Sunday, December 27.
December 1-Day Studio Passes were not yet on sale on the official web ticket store as of October 15. Once they go on sale, check the price and consider buying early.
Winter nights get cold, so if you’re staying for the Gramercy Park night shows, add an extra layer for the kids.
USJ | December 2026 key points
| Item | Key points |
|---|---|
| Crowd forecast (our own forecast) | Check the day-by-day outlook on the calendar at the top of the page. Annual Pass Standard block-out days are not a guide to how busy the park will be. |
| Events | “Universal Cool Japan 2027” starts on the 2nd (Wed). A special live concert is held on the 5th (Sat). From 7:00 PM on the 31st, “NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2027” needs a separate ticket. |
| Annual Pass Standard block-out days | The 19th (Sat)–20th (Sun) and 25th (Fri)–31st (Thu). Christmas Eve, the 24th (Thu), is not a block-out day. |
| Ticket prices | 1-Day Studio Passes for December were not yet on sale as of October 15, 2026. The block-out-day discount for Annual Pass Standard holders is half price for entry dates through the 31st. |
| Closures | “WaterWorld” is closed through the 25th (Fri) and scheduled to return from the 26th (Sat). “Resident Evil Requiem: The Dive” runs through the 27th (Sun). |
| Opening hours | Mostly 9:00 AM–9:00 PM as of October 15. The 4th, 11th, and 18th (Fri) close at 7:00 PM; the 23rd–24th run 8:00 AM–9:30 PM. The 31st (Thu) is 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. |
USJ January 2027 crowd trend
January is the month when the New Year holidays and the end of the winter event overlap.
The national holidays are Friday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) and Monday, January 11 (Coming of Age Day), and Saturday, January 9 to Monday, January 11 is a three-day weekend.
The Annual Pass Standard block-out days are Saturday, January 2 to Sunday, January 3 and Sunday, January 10. New Year’s Day and Coming of Age Day are not block-out days, so if you’re going early in the year on an Annual Pass Standard, those two days are candidates.
In our forecast, weekdays after the New Year holidays end look calm. Check the calendar above for the day-by-day outlook.
“Universal Holiday Wonders ～Discover U!!!～” continues through Sunday, January 17. The two Gramercy Park night shows run through Monday, January 11, so if you want the Christmas atmosphere after New Year, you’ll be going by January 11.
“Jaws: Red Alert” runs through Sunday, January 31, and “Hogwarts™ Castle Walk” through Sunday, January 17. The Sailor Moon attraction of “Universal Cool Japan 2027” continues through January.
As of October 15, January operating hours were not yet posted on the official operating calendar, and January 1-Day Studio Passes were not yet on sale. Check the official site once they are released.
The block-out-day discount for Annual Pass Standard holders officially returns to the regular 30% off from Saturday, January 2, 2027. If you’re going on January 2 or 3 with an Annual Pass Standard, that discount applies.
USJ | January 2027 key points
| Item | Key points |
|---|---|
| Crowd forecast (our own forecast) | Weekdays after the New Year holidays look calm. The holidays are the 1st (New Year’s Day) and the 11th (Coming of Age Day); the 9th–11th is a three-day weekend. |
| Events | “Universal Holiday Wonders” runs through the 17th (Sun); the two night shows through the 11th (Mon, holiday). The Sailor Moon attraction continues through January. |
| Annual Pass Standard block-out days | The 2nd (Sat)–3rd (Sun) and the 10th (Sun). New Year’s Day and Coming of Age Day are not block-out days. |
| Ticket prices | 1-Day Studio Passes for January were not yet on sale as of October 15, 2026. The block-out-day discount for Annual Pass Standard holders is 30% off from the 2nd. |
| Attraction schedule | “Jaws: Red Alert” runs through the 31st (Sun); “Hogwarts™ Castle Walk” through the 17th (Sun). |
| Opening hours | Not yet posted on the official operating calendar as of October 15, 2026. |
Events & closures as of November 2026
USJ’s 25th-anniversary programming continues, and the fall seasonal event “Universal Extreme Autumn ～Discover U!!!～” is officially announced for Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Within it, “Halloween Horror Nights” also runs through Sunday, November 8. Officially, it is not recommended for children age 5 and under, and children age 12 and under need a guardian’s consent.
Individual programs end on different dates. Per official announcements, “Resident Evil Requiem: The Dive” runs Friday, September 11 through Sunday, December 27, 2026 (rated R-15; not open to guests aged 14 or under or to junior high school students).
“Jaws: Red Alert” runs September 11 through Sunday, January 31, 2027, and “Hogwarts™ Castle Walk” runs Tuesday, September 1 through Sunday, January 17, 2027.
Some of this content is age-restricted, so if you’re visiting with young children, check what’s included before you go.
The winter seasonal event “Universal Holiday Wonders ～Discover U!!!～” is officially announced for Friday, November 13, 2026 to Sunday, January 17, 2027.
“Universal Food Festival” and the nighttime Hogwarts™ Castle projection show “Hogwarts™ Magical Nights – Winter Magic” run from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, January 17, 2027.
At Gramercy Park (New York area), “Light Up the Night: Christmas Celebration” and “Joy of Lights” run from Wednesday, November 25 to Monday, January 11, 2027. On the official pages, the shows are not held on Thursday, December 31.
Night show times vary by day and are posted on the official show schedule about a week before each date.
The winter period also brings seasonal-costume greetings in Universal Wonderland, Minions in knit caps welcoming guests at the park entrance, and a winter-only singing show, per the official event page.
“Universal Cool Japan 2027” begins on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. The Sailor Moon attraction “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Miracle 4-D — Moon Palace Edition Deluxe” runs from December 2, 2026 to Monday, April 5, 2027.
“NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2027 ～Discover U!!!～” runs from 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 31, 2026 to 9:00 PM on Friday, January 1, 2027, and requires a special ticket (PARTY PASS).
Special live concerts are scheduled inside the park on Saturday, November 28 and Saturday, December 5. Guests who aren’t attending the concert can still enter the park with a regular admission ticket.
USJ closures
USJ’s official show & attraction closure page lists Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™ and Shrek’s 4-D Adventure as closed from January 8, 2026, indefinitely.
Space Fantasy – The Ride (from June 2, 2025, indefinitely) is also still listed. These closure listings refer to the regular attractions; a limited-time attraction may run in the same building.
The show “WaterWorld” is listed as closed from November 28 to December 25, 2026 (as posted on October 23, 2026).
Closure periods and event content can change, so once your date is set, check the latest official information as well.
Separately, USJ has officially announced that “Sesame Street™ Fun World” and the attractions in that area closed for good on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Closures can change, so check the official show & attraction closure info (English) before you go.
Opening hours can change without notice, and some days run extended hours during event periods. Just before your visit, check the official operating hours & schedule (English).
For the Annual Pass Standard block-out days, check the latest listing on the official annual-pass block-out day page (Japanese). The first table on that page covers only three months; block-out days for later months are in the full list on the same page (as of October 15).
How our September 2026 USJ forecast compared with the real crowds
Before you pick a USJ date, here is how our September 2026 forecast lined up against the actual crowds.
| Item | Days |
|---|---|
| Days checked | 30 |
| Forecast matched the actual level exactly | 4 |
| Within one level (including exact matches) | 18 |
| Off by two levels or more | 12 (10 of them were busier than forecast) |
The biggest misses were the following (levels are our crowd levels; wait times are the actual daily average).
| Date | Morning forecast | Actual | Average wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, September 21 (Respect for the Aged Day) | Level 2 | Level 7 | 119.5 min (September’s highest) |
| Tuesday, September 22 (a Citizens’ Holiday) | Level 2 | Level 7 | 106.9 min |
| Sunday, September 20 | Level 2 | Level 6 | 98.4 min |
The biggest misses came on weekdays after Halloween Horror Nights began on September 11 (a run of days where the actual level was two steps above the forecast) and over the Silver Week holiday of September 20–22. September at USJ was a month that missed on the busier side.
If you’re going on an event-period weekday or a holiday weekend, plan for a busier day than the forecast level and decide the order of your must-do rides in advance.
These actual results go into our daily data, which feeds the next forecasts. The September results for all five parks are in our September 2026 crowd report (Japanese).
More English guides
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USJ® and Universal Studios Japan® are registered trademarks of NBCUniversal / USJ LLC. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and characters such as Mario are trademarks of Nintendo. Harry Potter is a registered trademark of J.K. Rowling / Warner Bros. Minions are works of Illumination / NBCUniversal. Snoopy and PEANUTS are registered trademarks of Peanuts Worldwide LLC. Elmo and Sesame Street are registered trademarks of Sesame Workshop. Resident Evil (Biohazard) is a registered trademark of Capcom Co., Ltd. This site is for informational purposes and is not an official partner of any of the above companies.
Note: Images on this page were created with generative AI.
Official reference pages
- USJ — Operating Hours & Schedule (English)
- USJ — Show & Attraction Closures (English)
- USJ — Annual Pass Block-out Days (Japanese)
- USJ — Partner Hotels (English)
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) — official travel info
This English page was adapted from the original Japanese with AI assistance. Rules, hours, event details, and closures can change—please always confirm the latest on the official USJ site before you visit.