Universal CityWalk Hours, Calendar & The Best Days to Go

Universal CityWalk is typically open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day, but each venue keeps its own hours. Most full-service restaurants open between 10 and 11 a.m. and close between 10 p.m. and midnight, nightlife venues open between 8 and 10 p.m. and run until 2 a.m., and Starbucks and Cinnabon open as early as 7 a.m. Parking is free after 6 p.m. The best days for a relaxed dinner are Tuesday through Thursday, when walk-in waits are shortest. Friday and Saturday evenings right after the parks close are the busiest.

CityWalk is the dining, shopping and entertainment district in the middle of Universal Orlando Resort. Every guest walks through it between the parking garages and the gates of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and it is also where the shuttles leave for Volcano Bay and Epic Universe. Locals use it for everything from a quick coffee before rope drop to a free-parking Wednesday night out. Here is how the hours, parking and crowds actually work.

CityWalk hours by venue type

There is no single opening and closing time. The district is open roughly 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., but you will find plenty of places closed at the very start and end of that window.

CityWalk parking hours and prices

Parking in the main Universal garages is free after 6 p.m. Before 6 p.m. you pay the regular daily rate, and there are pricier prime and valet options closer to the entrance. Universal hotel guests get parking with their stay.

If you are only going for dinner, drinks or shopping, arrive after 6 p.m. and park for nothing. If you are spending the day in the parks, you park once and walk through CityWalk to the gates, so the same ticket covers both. Rates change, so check the current price on Universal's website before you go.

The best and worst days to go

Tuesday through Thursday are the quietest days at CityWalk, with the shortest restaurant waits and the most relaxed feel. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest, especially from about 6:30 to 9 p.m., when the parks close and everyone pours out looking for dinner. Sunday evenings are moderate, and Monday can surprise you on a holiday weekend.

The best and worst times of day

The busiest stretch at CityWalk is 6:30 to 9 p.m. on any day the parks are open late: the post-park dinner rush. The quietest windows for eating are before 11:30 a.m., 2 to 5 p.m. and after 9:30 p.m. For nightlife, the peak is 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The local trick: 2 to 5 p.m. is CityWalk's hidden gem. Most restaurants are open, crowds are thin, and you can usually walk into Bigfire, Toothsome or The Cowfish without a reservation. If you are coming just for dinner, arrive around 5:30, browse the shops, and sit down after 6 when parking has turned free.

Seasonal patterns

CityWalk is open all year with no seasonal closures, but crowds swing a lot.

• Peak season: mid-June through mid-August, spring break (mid-March to mid-April), Thanksgiving week and Christmas through New Year's. Reserve restaurants, and expect cover charges and lines at the clubs.
• Moderate season: October, late May and early June. Mostly manageable, with busy weekend evenings.
• Low season: September after Labor Day, January and February, and weekdays in May. You can walk into almost any restaurant.

Volcano Bay closes for part of the cooler months each year, and during that stretch more resort guests spend their evenings at CityWalk. Check Universal's calendar for this year's water park dates, and see our best time to visit Orlando guide for month-by-month crowds.

Holiday and event hours

• Halloween Horror Nights (select nights, September to early November): CityWalk stays busy late as event guests come out of Universal Studios Florida after midnight.
• Mardi Gras (late winter into spring): extra live entertainment around the resort, with busy weekend nights.
• New Year's Eve: CityWalk's biggest night, with a separately ticketed party, live music, DJs and a midnight countdown. It sells out.
• Thanksgiving and Christmas Day: some restaurants change hours or close. Hard Rock Cafe and the larger restaurants generally stay open. Check the app for holiday schedules.

See our Orlando events calendar for what is on during your dates.

Tips for timing your visit

• Arrive after 6 p.m. for free parking if you are not going into the parks.
• Reserve for Friday and Saturday. Walk-in waits at Bigfire, Toothsome, The Cowfish and Antojitos regularly top 45 to 60 minutes on weekend nights. Universal takes restaurant reservations at 407-224-FOOD (3663) and in the app.
• Eat early or late. 5 to 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 10 p.m. have the shortest waits, and 2 to 4 p.m. is the quietest of all.
• Grab breakfast on the way in. Starbucks and Cinnabon open around 7 a.m., which beats hunting for breakfast inside the parks at opening.
• Know the evening youth rules. CityWalk has a policy for younger guests at night, and teens should plan to be with an adult later in the evening. Check Universal's current rules before a night out.
• Watch the park hours. When the parks close late, the dinner rush hits later and harder. When they close early, the rush comes earlier and clears sooner.

CityWalk for different kinds of visits

Pre-park morning

Park by 7:30 or 8 a.m., grab coffee or a cinnamon roll, and walk to the gates while CityWalk is nearly empty. It is also where you catch the shuttle to Epic Universe. See every ride in our Universal Studios Orlando attractions list.

Post-park dinner

The most common CityWalk visit. After a day in the parks, stop on the way out. Reserve for the busiest spots, such as Bigfire, Toothsome, The Cowfish, Antojitos and Pat O'Brien's, or go quick-service at Red Oven Pizza Bakery.

An evening without the parks

CityWalk works on its own. Arrive after 6 p.m. for free parking, have dinner, play Hollywood Drive-In Golf, browse the Universal Studios Store and finish at The Groove, Red Coconut Club or Pat O'Brien's. You pay only for what you eat and do. Looking for more ideas? See our cute date ideas in Orlando.

Late-night nightlife

The clubs and bars peak from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Groove and Red Coconut Club are 21 and over with valid photo ID and may charge a cover later at night. CityWalk's Rising Star, karaoke with a live band, is one of the most fun nights out in Orlando. More ideas in drinks and nightlife in Orlando.

Park tickets and CityWalk dining

CityWalk itself is free. If you are pairing it with the parks, multi-day tickets give you the best value per day, and park-to-park tickets let you ride the Hogwarts Express between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Staying near the parks makes CityWalk nights easy. Compare hotels in our best hotels in Orlando guide, including the luxury resorts where Universal's premier hotels include Express.

Frequently asked questions

What time does CityWalk open?

The district is open from about 8 a.m., with Starbucks and Cinnabon opening around 7 a.m. Most restaurants open between 10 and 11 a.m., and bars and nightlife venues open between 4 and 10 p.m. depending on the venue.

What time does CityWalk close?

Most restaurants close between 10 p.m. and midnight, and the nightlife venues stay open until 2 a.m. The district is generally cleared by around 2 to 2:30 a.m.

Is parking free at CityWalk?

Yes, after 6 p.m. in the main Universal garages. Before 6 p.m. you pay the standard daily parking rate, and Universal hotel guests have parking included with their stay.

What is the best day to visit CityWalk?

Wednesday is usually the quietest, with the shortest restaurant waits, and Tuesday and Thursday are close behind. Avoid Friday and Saturday evenings unless you have reservations.

What is the best time to eat at CityWalk?

Between 2 and 5 p.m. for the easiest walk-ins, 5 to 5:30 p.m. for an early dinner before the rush, or after 9:30 p.m. The worst time is 6:30 to 9 p.m. on weekends.

Do I need a ticket to visit CityWalk?

No. CityWalk is free to enter and you do not need a theme park ticket. Some venues, such as concerts, special events and clubs later at night, charge their own admission.

Do CityWalk restaurants take reservations?

Yes. Most full-service restaurants take reservations through the Universal Orlando app or by calling 407-224-FOOD (3663). Reserve for Friday and Saturday nights and holidays.

How does CityWalk connect to the parks?

Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are a 5 to 10 minute walk from CityWalk. Volcano Bay and Epic Universe are reached by free shuttle buses from the resort.

Is CityWalk family-friendly?

Yes, during the day and early evening. Toothsome, The Cowfish, Bubba Gump and Hollywood Drive-In Golf are all great with kids. Later at night the atmosphere shifts to adult nightlife.

What happens at CityWalk on New Year's Eve?

CityWalk hosts a separately ticketed New Year's Eve party with live music, DJs and a midnight countdown. It is the busiest night of the year and tickets sell out, so book early on Universal's website.

Plan your CityWalk visit

CityWalk rewards good timing. Go midweek, arrive after 6 p.m. for free parking, and you get dinner, entertainment and shopping without paying a cent for admission. On weekends, reserve your table and beat the post-park rush. For your park days, see the full Universal Studios Orlando attractions list and our guide to the best theme parks in Orlando.