USHR//Universal City, CA, February 5, 2019 —Universal Studios Hollywood ushers in the “Year of the Pig” as the movie-based theme park celebrates Lunar New Year with uniquely-themed programs featuring beloved global pop icon Hello Kitty, DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda masters Po and Tigress and a Mandarin-speaking Transformer’s MEGATRON, now through Monday, February 18, 2019.

This spectacularly-themed Lunar New Year tradition takes place within Universal Plaza, located at the heart of the theme park. Under a curtain of customary red Chinese lanterns and stunning plum blossom Wishing Trees, the festivities come to life as guests discover the 12 zodiac animal signs accompanied by their symbolic attributes.

The centerpiece of the Lunar New Year festivities features DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda Jade Palace Performance Stage and the exciting Dragon Warrior Training Show based on the beloved Kung Fu Pandafranchise and Universal Studios Hollywood’s popularDreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda”attraction. The energetic experience is designed to engage guests of all ages in an interactive martial art demonstration performed by Master Po and friends. The immersive event also features seasoned animators teaching guests techniques to draw Po and the Furious Five as keepsake mementos.

Adding to the beauty and excitement of this year’s Lunar New Year festivities are new traditional dance and martial arts cultural performances. Select dates and performers are as follows:

· February 9-10 – Hangzhou Performance Groups

· February 16-17 – Southern Wind Lion Dance

· February 18 – Wong Tai Sen Lion Dance

DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda’s famous Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop is back by popular demand serving up delicious culturally-themed food such as Po’s Dumplings, Dragon Warrior Bao, Oogway Eggrolls and Secret Ingredient Stir Fry Noodles. Mr. Ping himself will be on hand to interact with guests and take memorable souvenir photos.

In addition to Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop, guests can feast on an array of Asian fare at various locations throughout the park such as Banh Mi Sandwiches, Baos and dumplings at the Plaza Grill and Asian Entrée Bowls at Hollywood and Dine and Gru’s Lab. Specialty Lunar New Year desserts including a “Year of the Pig” cookie, a Chocolate Matcha Cupcake and a Ginger Cheesecake with fortune cookie can be also found at various carts and restaurants.

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

Keeping with Universal Studios Hollywood’s Lunar New Year tradition, a Mandarin-speaking Transformer’s MEGATRON will greets guests at the entry of the festivities. The imposing 12-foot-tall robot leader of the DECEPTICONS interacts with guests, engaging them both in Mandarin and in real time conversation reflective of his persona. A resident of Universal Studios Hollywood, MEGATRON is one of the stars of Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D.”

Illumination Entertainment’s Minions from the theme parks’ popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhemride also join the festivities, stepping out in style and dressed up in brightly colored traditional Lunar New Year attire.

Uniquely themed experiences offered in Mandarin include the theme park’s signature Studio Tour and the exclusive VIP Experience, both of which provide two distinctive and revealing looks at an authentic movie and television studio. Featuring expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking tour guides both opportunities provide insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy a front row seat and 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 where a variety of Asian-inspired foods will be served.

Dongpo Kitchen restaurant 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.

The ever-popular Voodoo Doughnut is also celebrating Lunar New Year with a specially-created “Year of the Pig” doughnut.

Universal CityWalk’s newest restaurant, Vivo Italian Kitchen, serving freshly prepared authentic Italian fare in a newly designed modern setting, also invites guests to toast the “Year of the Pig” offering its haute cuisine menu in several languages, including Mandarin.