Grinchmas at Universal Studios is a Wholiday treat

Through Jan. 3

(Universal Studios Hollywood/Photo by David Sprague)

By Tae Hong

The “Who”lidays at Universal Studios Hollywood have arrived with The Grinch (and his dog Max) in tow.

Grinchmas at the Los Angeles park, which saw an installation of a spiraling, glittering 60-foot tree at Universal Plaza, started Dec. 4 and will run through  Jan. 3.

Thousands of visitors — both local and around the world — are filling the park with holiday cheer as they take photos with the Whos of Whoville and, of course, The Grinch.

(Universal Studios Hollywood/Photo by David Sprague)

Kim Ha-na, 34, her husband and three children, were on vacation from Korea with a group of friends and family.

They were waiting to take a photo with The Grinch, she said.

Her son, 8-year-old Woo-hyun, said he’d spent the day playing games outside the Simpsons Ride at Krustyland.

As the tree was lit Saturday, the dancing-and-prancing Martha May Whovier and the Who Dolls took to the stage, followed by hip-hop boy band the Wholiday Singers.

Grinchmas activities include create-your-own ornaments for a tree lot, Who-bilicious Cookie Dec-Who-rating and Story Time with Cindy Lou Who, whose rendition of Dr. Seuss’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” features special effects and audience participation.

Grinchmas received a mayoral proclamation from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti during the Dec. 3 kickoff ceremony.

He said the goal is to attract 50 million visitors to the city by 2020.

“I’m working hard to protect and promote L.A.’s creative and tourism sectors because they’re essential to our economy and our city’s character,” Garcetti said according to a Universal Studios press release. “As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles, Univeral Studios Hollywood attracts visitors from across the globe with their unparalleled attractions, including such seasonal celebrations as ‘Grinchmas,’ and is pivotal to our city’s economic vitality.”

Lee Ji-eun, a 22-year-old international student attending Hope International University, came out to the park for the first time to watch the tree lighting with friends.

She said she’d attended Christmas tree festivals back home in Busan, South Korea, but that they didn’t compare to the giant “Grinchmas” tree.

“I really feel like I’ve returned to my childhood,” she said.

The crowd watches the Grinchmas tree lighting at Universal Studios Hollywood Dec. 13. (Tae Hong/The Korea Times)

Martha May Whovier and the Who Dolls perform at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Grinchmas Dec. 13. (Tae Hong/The Korea Times)

Grinchmas is included in the price of theme park admission. Visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com for more information.

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