Universal Studios Hollywood Announces Lunar New Year Festivities and New Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival

Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, CA

Once upon a time, the start of the year marked the beginning of the “off season” for Southern California theme parks, after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But in an ever-competitive market, parks have rolled out seasonal events to fill the span between New Year’s and summer. Over the past several years, that has meant cultural celebrations and food festivals, and this year, Universal Studios Hollywood will host both!

Two weeks from now, Universal Studios returns its popular Lunar New Year celebration, featuring features from Kung Fu Panda, Hello Kitty, Minions, and Mandarin Megatron. The park has promoted festivities for this East Asian holiday for many years now, and similar to Disney California Adventure’s pageantry, celebrates Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese culture through three weekends.

From the press release:

Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates Lunar New Year
and the “Year of the Rat” Featuring Po, Tigress and Mr. Ping from the “Kung Fu Panda Adventure” Attraction, a Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON from “Transformers: The Ride-3D” and Hello Kitty and Illumination’s Minions, Adorned in Custom-Designed Lunar New Year Attire, from January 23 - February 9

Lunar New Year is Included in the Price of Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood
Click Here for a Sneak Peek at the Annual Celebration

Universal City, CA, January 9, 2020 — Universal Studios Hollywood ushers in the “Year of the Rat,” the first of the Chinese zodiac animals, as the theme park celebrates with the Lunar New Year event from Thursday, January 23 through Sunday, February 9. Lunar New Year is included in the price of admission to the theme park.

This spectacular themed Lunar New Year event will take place within Universal Plaza, located at the heart of the theme park. Under a curtain of traditional red Chinese lanterns and stunning plum blossom Wishing Trees, the festivities will come to life as guests discover the 12 zodiac animal signs accompanied by their symbolic attributes. Guests with birthday years that correspond with the “Year of the Rat” are said to be intelligent, witty and charming.

The immersive event will feature Po and Tigress from the thrilling “Kung Fu Panda Adventure” attraction who will greet guests and pose for engaging photos; Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop returns by popular demand to serve up delicious culture-themed food, and Mr. Ping himself will be on hand to interact with guests and take memorable souvenir photos. Guests can learn how to draw Po and take home the drawing as a keepsake memento and, on select days, community cultural performances featuring traditional lion dances will round out the program.

Beloved global pop icon Hello Kitty, created by the lifestyle brand Sanrio, further complements this year’s Lunar New Year celebration when she steps out in style wearing her signature red bow and specially designed Lunar New Year attire. Hello Kitty will be available to meet guests at the Hello Kitty Shop located within the Animation Studio Store.

(Image courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood.)

Keeping with Universal Studios Hollywood’s Lunar New Year tradition, MEGATRON from the TRANSFORMERS franchise will be speaking Mandarin while interacting with guests at the entry of the festivities. The imposing robot leader of the DECEPTICONS will engage attendees in real-time conversation reflective of his persona and will be sure to entertain TRANSFORMERS fans visiting the park.  MEGATRON is one of the stars of Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D.”

Illumination Entertainment’s Minions from the theme park’s popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride will add to the festivities, entertaining guests in their brightly colored traditional Lunar New Year attire.

The world-famous Studio Tour is available in Mandarin at select times throughout the day. Featuring expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking tour guides, the experience provides insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy behind-the-scenes access to one of the largest production studios in the world. In-language park maps are also available for guests.

Guests can continue their Lunar New Year celebration at Universal CityWalk’s Dongpo Kitchen restaurant which features upscale and modern Sichuan cuisine. Inspired by China’s premier restaurant Meizhou Dongpo, Dongpo Kitchen offers the comforts of a casual dining environment with both indoor and al fresco seating and caters to an eclectic palate with a variety of signature dishes.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Mandarin-speaking guests can learn more about the Lunar New Year event at www.ush.cn.  Information is also available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Weibo @好莱坞环球影城.

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In addition, Universal is making its first foray into theme park food festivals with its own culinary fair, partnering with Top Chef for a one-weekend event. This is a separate ticket event, however, which makes it a little different than the Food & Wine Festival at California Adventure or the Boysenberry Festival at Knott’s Berry Farm. Guests can enjoy food and wine pairings, watch live challenges, and take in informative panels with Top Chef alumns. This partnership with Bravo includes a general and VIP tier and promises a fun time for any foodie!

(Image courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood.)

From the press release:

Universal Studios Hollywood and Bravo Team for the First-Ever Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival on March 19-20, 2020

Coinciding with the “Top Chef” Season 17 Premiere, Inaugural Event Invites Guests to Sample Dishes and Enjoy Cooking Competitions with Series’ Alums To Learn More and To Purchase Tickets, Visit The Website Here
Click Here for a Taste of the Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival

Universal City, CA – Universal Studios Hollywood and Bravo team up for the first-ever Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival on March 19-20, 2020, inviting guests on a culinary excursion featuring an all-inclusive eclectic menu inspired by the series, live challenges, food & wine pairings and panels with “Top Chef” Alums.

The two-day, separately-ticketed event will take place at Universal Studios Hollywood and feature dozens of food, wine, craft beer and spirit stations with a delicious array of dishes inspired by the Cheftestants’ creations over the years. Guests also will have a chance to watch “Top Chef” veterans battle it out in a series of live cooking competitions and enjoy panels with fan favorites from the series.

In addition to a general admission ticket to the event, guests can also purchase a premium VIP ticket option, inviting them to experience several first-class opportunities including an exclusive tasting and wine pairing hosted by a “Top Chef” Alum, intimate meet and greets with the Cheftestants, early access to the theme park, complimentary parking and a special commemorative gift.

The inaugural Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival coincides with the Season 17 premiere of “Top Chef” returning Thursday, March 19 on Bravo with All Stars LA, featuring the fiercest group of competitors the show has seen with 15 finalists, front runners and fan favorites from seasons past who have all returned to finish what they started and battle it out for the coveted title.  

“We are thrilled to partner with Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’ to introduce this exclusive Food & Wine Festival,” said Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood. “As an industry leader, we take as much pride in our culinary offerings as we do with our innovative rides and we’re excited that our Executive Chef will have the opportunity to collaborate with these acclaimed ‘Top Chef’ Alums to create this unique food and wine event, and we look forward to toasting the occasion with our guests.”

“Bravo’s Top Chef Food & Wine Festival will give guests an opportunity to interact with their beloved chefs and try the culinary feast firsthand while also giving them a glimpse at the pressure the competitors face in the kitchen with the Quickfire Challenges,” said Ellen Stone, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Lifestyle Networks, NBCUniversal.  “Partnering with Universal Studios Hollywood is a natural extension of our brand and offers our incredibly engaged fans of Bravo's ‘Top Chef’ a unique chance to taste and experience a piece of the hit culinary competition series.”  

To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit here.  More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

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So that’s a quick glimpse at what’s new at Universal this winter and spring. Stop by and enjoy all the seasonal offerings, plus Universal’s regular mainstays!