Universal Beijing Resort celebrates Chinese New Year, 5th anniversary

Universal Beijing Resort has officially announced its 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations and a year-long lineup of activities for its upcoming fifth anniversary. 

The resort is hosting a grand Chinese New Year seasonal event from Jan. 23 to March 3, interpreting traditional festivities through its theme park experience. In parallel, preparations have begun for its fifth anniversary year under the theme "UBR's 5th Anniversary, Infinitely Your Way," promising nine major themed events and special fan celebrations.

A floral installation for the park's fifth anniversary at the entrance of Universal Beijing Resort, Feb. 10, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The Chinese New Year festivities offer a vibrant blend of tradition and modern entertainment. The centerpiece is Universal's Chinese New Year Nian Show, returning with a vibrant blend of Chinese and foreign elements, alongside festive park decorations. Universal's Re-U-Nian Show returns with a brand-new performance — fourteen iconic characters, including Po from "Kung Fu Panda," King Julien from "Madagascar" and Minions, join dozens of performers for a unique 20-minute spectacle. The show innovatively integrates Peking opera female warriors, Sichuan opera face-changers, and acrobatic drummers on a stage blending Chinese architecture with international IPs. 

On Hollywood Boulevard, blockbuster characters like Shrek, Fiona, Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws appear in festive outfits for meet-and-greets. In Minion Land, the Minions don special Year of the Horse-themed costumes to interact with guests.

Festive decorations amplify the holiday spirit across the park. The upgraded Golden Wintersweet Tree of Blessings presents a dazzling new "Light Symphony" light and music spectacle at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. 

Meanwhile, culinary offerings blend tradition and creativity. Universal's Chinese New Year Square features a mix of nostalgic Chinese snacks and Western desserts adorned with auspicious "fu" characters. Several resort restaurants offer special meals, from blended Chinese-Western New Year's Eve dinners at Sunset Grill and Hammond's to celebratory set menus at NUO Resort Hotel's JIA. Minions in festive attire will also greet guests at the Universal Studios Grand Hotel's Lotus Garden, while multiple restaurants at Universal CityWalk Beijing are launching creative new dishes.

Guests are invited to explore new ways to celebrate in the resort's different lands. They can transform into "heroes" in Kung Fu Panda Land, greet Po and Mei Mei, take on challenges at Transformers Metrobase, revisit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and wave wands, or get festive face painting in Hollywood. New "Kung Fu Panda" themed merchandise adds a sense of delight, and guests can participate in online activities like red packet draws. Special Chinese New Year ticketing products will also be available.

Looking ahead to 2026, the resort's fifth anniversary celebrations will be a year-long journey. A lineup of nine major events, member specials, a fan celebration and a birthday month will fill the year with wonder, immersing guests of all ages in new stories through cross-dimensional IP experiences in the "Infinite Universe."

Joe Hoskin, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Beijing Resort, said: "Since our opening in 2021, Universal Beijing Resort has shared countless joyful and unforgettable moments with tens of millions of guests. Our fifth anniversary is not only a significant milestone in the resort's development, but also a brand-new starting point for every guest to unleash limitless creativity. Through a year-long lineup of immersive events and diverse experiences, we look forward to welcoming guests to join us on this extraordinary celebration beyond boundaries."

The illuminated Golden Wintersweet Tree of Blessings at Universal Beijing Resort. [Photo courtesy of Universal Beijing Resort]

The anniversary year kicks off with the Chinese New Year event, followed by Universal Infinite Spring with major new IP collaborations. Universal Cool Summer will bring brand-new music and water play, while autumn's Scares @ Universal event unveils thrilling adventures. Winter Holiday will conclude the year with romantic seasonal charm. Beyond these, fan-favorite events like Universal Passion Month and Celebrate Back to Hogwarts will continue, offering character birthdays and exclusive merchandise. The resort will refresh its decorations with new character costumes and release exclusive anniversary-themed merchandise and food.

Adding to the anticipation, a special cross-dimensional fan celebration will be introduced as part of the anniversary, honoring shared passions that unite everyone. With the arrival of September, the celebration will reach its crescendo, the resort promised.

The resort has also unveiled new IP collaborations for 2026. Animated film "Chang'an" and online game "Genshin Impact" will debut during the Universal Infinite Spring event, featuring an interactive restaurant and immersive zone. For the Scares @ Universal event, novel franchise "The Grave Robbers' Chronicles" and horror mobile game "Identity V" will offer story-driven haunted mazes. These top IPs will unite in cross-dimensional stories, offering exclusive plots and new ways to play. More fan-favorite international IPs will be gradually unveiled through official announcements for upcoming seasonal events.

Zhao Lin, senior vice president of marketing and sales at Universal Beijing Resort, said: "The Universal Beijing Resort experience represents a collection of Universal Studios' most popular attractions from around the world. By fusing decades of Universal's global theme park experiences and our deep insights from local guests with ever-evolving creativity and production, we partner with popular IPs worldwide to deliver narrative-rich, one-of-a-kind theme park experiences. We are thrilled to mark our fifth year by welcoming masterpieces from multiple popular fields to celebrate the varied passions of younger guests as well as guests of all ages, making Universal Beijing Resort an Infinite Universe for limitless imagination among guests and IP fans."