January 2, 2024, Beijing - While The Golden Snake brings auspiciousness, the new year comes with blessings. “Universal’s Chinese New Year” at Universal Beijing Resort will make a grand return from January 18 to February 23, creating a must-visit holiday destination for guests to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Snake. The festival will feature various exciting activities, including spectacular performances, New Year’s greetings from the beloved blockbuster world characters, thematic decorations, and special holiday delicacies and goods. Guests will be invited to celebrate Chinese New Year with rich and authentic experiences full of Universal flavour and a new Chinese New Year vibe.
One highlight of the event is the much-anticipated return of the annual hit show, Universal’s Nian Show 2025, where iconic blockbuster world characters will take the stage in song and dance, retelling the story of the Chinese New Year. Master Viper from Kung Fu Panda will make a grand appearance dressed in festive attire for the Year of the Snake, joining a lineup of characters to extend New Year greetings to guests. The Universal’s Golden Wintersweet Tree of Blessings will be unveiled, creating the perfect place for guests to make New Year wishes. The newly revamped Universal’s Chinese New Year Square will blend traditional customs with modern creativity, delivering an immersive cultural experience. In addition, Universal Beijing Resort will offer a wide selection of themed dining options, exclusive merchandise, and attractive hotel packages. Guests will also explore the expanded offerings at Universal CityWalk Beijing, enjoying an enhanced Chinese New Year celebration filled with joy and reunion. Guests will be invited to gather and enjoy the excitement of the Year of the Snake.
2025 Universal’s Chinese New Year Kicks Off on January 18
The Blockbuster World Celebrates the Chinese New Year with Classic Movie Characters
Since 2022, Universal Beijing Resort has been celebrating Chinese New Year in a unique way, becoming a new destination for guests to celebrate the festive holiday with family and friends. As we enter the Year of the Snake in 2025, the spotlight shifts to one of Kung Fu Panda’s legendary Furious Five—Master Viper, debuting as the Universal Beijing Resort theme icon for the new year. Master Viper, known for her justice and graceful strength, will be featured as a stunning statue on Hollywood Boulevard, adorned in festive floral outfits and holding a pink oil paper umbrella, surrounded by bamboo and flower-shaped lanterns, offering guests warm wishes for the festival.
Universal’s Nian Show is set to make a spectacular comeback. Different from other shows at Universal Beijing Resort, Universal’s Nian Show has the richest Chinese elements, serving as a tribute to traditional Chinese culture. First introduced during the 2024 Year of the Dragon celebration, the show quickly became a favorite among guests. The 20-minute show features 14 iconic movie characters from Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and Illumination’s Despicable Me, joined by dozens of characters in a vibrant narrative about driving away the mythical “Nian” who “can steal people’s youth” on Chinese New Year’s Eve. From dragon dancing, lion dancing, water sleeves, Chinese dancing, Chinese drum music, and Chinese acrobatic performance to the Chinese architectural stage and original songs created by Universal Beijing Resort, all these traditional Chinese cultural elements are deeply integrated with movie characters, leaving the audience immersed in a spirit of joy and courage while bringing joyful and auspicious moments to guests.
Universal’s Nian Show Is Set to Make a Spectacular Comeback
Beyond the show, guests will celebrate the Chinese New Year with beloved blockbuster world characters through Meet and Greet immersive interactive experience. On the star-studded Hollywood Boulevard, characters such as Po from Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and Fiona, Woody Woodpecker and Winnie Woodpecker, and Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws will be dressed in Chinese New Year outfits and gather with guests. In the refreshed Minion Land, guests will have a chance to meet the mischievous Minions decorated with the Chinese character for “fortune” throughout Gru’s Neighborhood. In the Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, Po, Mei Mei and Tigress in Chinese New Year attire will be visited by guests at the Kung Fu Panda Meet and Greet.
Experiencing a blend of tradition and modernity at the landmark and Chinese New Year Square
At the picturesque Lagoon at the end of Hollywood Boulevard, a spectacular landmark attraction will debut in celebration of the Year of the Snake: Universal’s Golden Wintersweet Tree of Blessings. Wintersweet blooms, symbolizing resilience and purity, are rendered in a vivid warm gold hue that signifies brightness and hope, extending heartfelt wishes for a prosperous Chinese New Year. This enchanting setting is further complemented by a Chinese-style Meet and Greet stage on the back of the tree together with six golden statues of iconic characters from the blockbuster world, seamlessly blending traditional cultural symbolism with modern creativity. Thousands of Wintersweet petals will undergo a stunning transformation every half hour under the luminous points, blending traditional culture with modern creatives and offering guests a fresh, immersive experience of Chinese New Year wish-granting rituals.
In the meantime, at Universal’s Chinese New Year Square, located at the Hollywood Amphitheater, guests are invited to immerse themselves in the festive spirit while strolling through the lively market with friends and family. The space is adorned with iconic Chinese architecture, intricate traditional motifs and patterns, radiant Chinese New Year lanterns, and vibrant shades of Chinese red, creating a rich Chinese aesthetic infused with contemporary and recreational design concepts. Adding to the experience, an exclusive selection of Beijing-inspired snacks will be available. Guests can savour warm Spicy Soft Bean Curd, fragrant Beijing Style Duck Jianbing, tender Instant-Boiled Mutton Slices, juicy Pork Dumplings, the nostalgic childhood favorite Tanghulu, and innovative delights such as desserts and Kung Fu Panda Viper Tang Ren. For an added touch of whimsy, the Year of the Snake Kung Fu Panda Souvenir Bucket will double as a classic rattle drum toy as a lantern, rattle and popcorn bucket all in one.
Savoring the Essence of the Chinese New Year and Experiencing Traditional Festivities at Universal’s Chinese New Year Square
Kick Off the Theme Park's Chinese New Year Celebrations
During the event, a vibrant mix of themed dining, merchandise, two resort hotels, and Universal CityWalk Beijing will come together to create a festive atmosphere perfect for family gatherings, parent-child outings, and meetups among friends at the theme park’s Chinese New Year celebration. In addition to the Beijing-flavored snacks at Universal’s Chinese New Year Square, guests will find more various themed dining options throughout the In-Park Food & Beverage.
Guests can also bring home the Chinese New Year vibe with the themed merchandise. Theme colors of the Chinese New Year - fiery red and radiant gold – are delicately incorporated into every detail of the Kung Fu Panda Chinese New Year series, including hats, headbands, hair clip sets, Marshmallow Chocolate Lantern Box, a foldable UV layer umbrella, metal magnets, metal keychains, plush keychains, plush toys, dresses, and neck pillows—an entire set of Chinese New Year blessings to take home. Additionally, the adorable Chinese New Year Minion Plush Blind Box will also be a great choice for guests.
Chinese New Year-Themed Merchandise and Food Full of the Chinese New Year Vibe
Universal Beijing Resort’s two resort hotels will also provide an immersive Chinese New Year experience and the ideal place for a family staycation during the CNY holidays. NUO Resort Hotel will introduce the Chinese New Year Gathering Menus at JIA, featuring several themed reunion dinner menus to extend warm wishes to guests, and as a special highlight Dragon Warrior Po and Tigress will join guests on the Chinese New Year’s Eve to usher in luck and happiness. The Universal Studios Grand Hotel will offer Universal Studios The Lotus Garden - Chinese New Year’s Fabulous Family Fun Dinner Buffet, meeting Bob and Kevin dressed up for Chinese New Year on January 27, and the Universal Studios The Lotus Garden Chinese New Year Overlay Character Breakfast will be back.
As the first and last stop of the resort, Universal CityWalk Beijing will create an unmissable festive atmosphere. A variety of thematic lanterns will adorn both sides of the main street and the bridge, creating an exhilarating festive atmosphere where guests can gather to enjoy these festive delicacies and share in the holiday joy!
Chinese New Year-Themed Offerings at NUO Resort Hotel, The Universal Studios Grand Hotel, and Universal CityWalk Beijing
In response to the diverse needs of guests, Universal Beijing Resort will offer a variety of Universal’s Chinese New Year ticketing products, enhancing the festive experience at the theme park. Stay tuned via the Universal Beijing Resort’s official app, WeChat and WeChat Mini Program, Weibo, Red, and Douyin accounts to participate in exciting activities.
From celebrating the Chinese New Year in the way of Universal Beijing Resort to blending traditional culture with modern creativity and embracing the joy of gathering at the theme park for Chinese New Year festivities, Universal Beijing Resort looks forward to elevating the festive flavour of Chinese New Year and celebrating the Year of the Snake with joy and tradition with guests!
