If you’ve ever watched Gilmore Girls and thought, “I want to spend Christmas in Stars Hollow,” Warner Bros. Studio Hollywood has made it possible. Last year, we were transported into Stars Hollow during the Gilmore Girls Holidays Made Here event, and I’m not going to lie – it was pretty awesome! This event was actually the catalyst for our entire post-Christmas trip to California. This year, Holidays Made Here runs from December 12, 2026 – January 3, 2027 (closed on Christmas Day).
Welcome to Stars Hollow
We’ve watched Gilmore Girls enough times that the moment we walked into Stars Hollow, everything looked familiar. There was the gazebo. The town square. The storefronts. The town we’d seen countless times on one of our favorite shows. And there she was, all decorated for Christmas. So, of course, we had to explore it all.
With Christmas trees, lights, and holiday decorations all around the town, it really did feel like stepping into a Christmas episode of Gilmore Girls.
The funny thing about visiting a TV set for a show that you’ve watched for years is that you start recognizing things before you even realize what you’re looking at. And suddenly you’re pointing out buildings to each other as if you actually lived there! And honestly, I’d live in Stars Hollow in a heartbeat if I could.
But because it’s a TV set, the buildings are closer together than the show suggests. Like Lorelai and Sookie’s houses are actually connected – you can walk through the Gilmore girls’ house and directly into Sookie’s. The kids all got a kick out of how small Stars Hollow really is.
Of Course We Had to Visit Luke’s
No trip to Stars Hollow would be complete without a stop at Luke’s.
Luke’s Diner is one of those places that immediately feels recognizable, even though you’ve never actually been there before. I swear, it would be awesome if there was a Luke’s in my town – we would definitely be regulars!
And yes, we had coffee. Because what else would you do at Luke’s?!
Getting to see the diner up close was definitely one of those moments that made the whole experience feel real. It’s one thing to watch Lorelai and Rory sitting at the counter on television, but it’s another thing to actually stand there yourself.
I may have had to take a few pictures. Or a lot. Because, obv. But shhhhh… because I’ve heard cell phones aren’t allowed.
Walking Through Stars Hollow
From Luke’s, we wandered through the rest of Stars Hollow, stopping every few minutes because there was something else we recognized and wanted to check out.
I love all of the little details that make Stars Hollow feel like Stars Hollow.
We stopped by the Black & White & Read Bookstore to play Gilmore Girls trivia. And though we’ve all seen the show numerous times, we did NOT do as well as I expected at trivia! Some of the questions were obscure and oddly specific, which led to lots of head-shaking and laughter. But it was a great time!
One of my favorite things about experiences like this is that you don’t necessarily have to be doing something the entire time. It’s just fun to wander around and take it all in. And with Gilmore Girls Holidays, there’s SO MUCH to take in.
Stars Hollow at Christmas
If you’re going to visit Stars Hollow, it might as well be during the holidays. Or in the fall – wouldn’t it be great if they added a fall event, too?!
We’ve visited this part of Warner Bros. Studio before on the regular studio tour, but the Christmas decorations really change the atmosphere. The lights, the trees, and the holiday details make the town feel even more like the cozy little place we’ve all come to know and love. And if you stay into the evening, the town takes on a completely different feel once everything is lit up. Unfortunately, we didn’t stay late enough to see all the lights come on, but I’ve heard it’s absolutely magical.
The New Gilmore Girls Holidays Experiences in 2026
Even if you’ve been to Holidays Made Here before, there are quite a few new additions to check out for 2026.
This year, you can step inside Luke’s Apartment (rebuilt inside its original Stage 13 filming location!), explore the Chilton School Graduation Courtyard, and see an expanded version of the Gilmore Estate. And if meeting Luke himself is on your list, Scott Patterson will be there too, with the option to book a photo op with him for an additional fee.
What We Ate in Stars Hollow
Of course, we couldn’t spend the day in Stars Hollow without trying some of the food.
We grabbed a snack at Al’s Pancake World. If you’re not familiar with the show, Al decided to stop selling pancakes and focus on a rotating menu of international cuisine. We ordered mini egg rolls, potstickers, churros, and a mini burrito with chips and salsa. I think the menu changes a bit every year, so definitely check it out.
There are several Gilmore Girls-inspired food and drink options throughout the experience, so if you’re anything like us, you’ll definitely want to leave some room for snacking. And yes, there are plenty of opportunities for coffee – this is Stars Hollow after all.
Decorating cookies at Sookie’s house is a must-do. And unlike getting a snack at Al’s Pancake World, this sweet treat is included in the admission price.
If decorating cookies is high on your to-do list, make sure to get there early. This activity runs from about 11am-230pm, ending before the costume contest and evening tree lighting begin.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning your own visit to Gilmore Girls Holidays, there are a few things I’d keep in mind.
Give yourself time. Don’t plan to rush through Stars Hollow – there are lots of details to see, photos to take, and places to explore. We spent about three hours exploring before we had to leave, but easily could have stayed for a few more hours. Lots of people plan to spend the entire day in Stars Hollow.
Consider adding the full Warner Bros. Studio Tour. If you’re already making the trip to Warner Bros., this gives you the chance to see even more of the studio and learn about the other movies and shows filmed there. But if you’re not interested in the full tour, you can just get a ticket for Stars Hollow.
Plan around the holiday events. If seeing Stars Hollow lit up for Christmas is important to you, check the schedule and plan your timing accordingly – you’ll need to stay until it gets dark.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll want to walk around and explore without worrying about your feet.
Bring your camera. You’re going to want it because you’re actually IN Stars Hollow.
Tickets are available now. This year there are two ticket options: tickets for Gilmore Girls Holidays (just Stars Hollow) are $79, and a combo ticket with the regular Studio Tour is $124.
Is Gilmore Girls Holidays Worth a Visit?
If Gilmore Girls is one of those shows that has been part of your life for years, getting to actually walk through Stars Hollow is pretty special. It would be such a fun girls’ trip or mother-daughter experience – especially if you’ve watched the show together. If you’re a fan, I absolutely think Gilmore Girls Holidays Made Here is worth adding to your holiday plans.
For me, though, the best part was the feeling of being transported to my happy place and actually becoming a part of Stars Hollow – especially since I was able to bring all my little Gilmore Girls fans.
We wandered through Stars Hollow, took way too many pictures, drank coffee at Luke’s, and, of course, said, “I smell snow!” repeatedly. Getting to make that memory together is what made the whole experience so special. Definitely a core memory for this Gilmore Girls loving fam.
Until Next Time, Stars Hollow
Certain TV shows become more than just shows. You watch them for years, quote them, revisit favorite episodes, and somehow start to feel like you know the characters and places. Gilmore Girls is definitely one of those shows for me, so getting to walk through Stars Hollow at Christmas was pretty surreal. For a few hours, it wasn’t just the town where Lorelai and Rory lived – we were actually part of the town, too. And it was pretty epic.
Have you been to Holidays Made Here? What TV show set would you want to spend a day on??
Are you looking for more things to do in Southern California? Check out these posts:
- Exploring Warner Bros. Studios | Burbank, CA
- Best Disneyland Snacks + Where To Find Them
- Channel Islands National Park | California
