Not your average sleigh ride: 9 can’t-miss theme parks during the holidays
Editor's Note
Theme parks bring out the big kid in all of us, no matter the time of year. When Christmas rolls around, it's even more fun to let our inner child out to play — and maybe even bring some real children along for the ride.
Most theme parks start getting into the Christmas swing in early November, so it's time to start planning your holiday visits now. Where should you be rocking around the Christmas tree this holiday season? Here are some of the best theme parks for festive holiday fun.
Disney World, Orlando
It's that special time of the year when the Jungle Cruise turns into the Jingle Cruise and when "Frozen's" Queen Elsa and her friends transform Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace.
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On select nights in November and December, Disney's Magic Kingdom puts on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It involves a Christmas parade complete with snowfall on Main Street, Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and all the hot cocoa and cookies you can eat.
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney is introducing a new after-hours holiday party this year called Disney Jollywood Nights. During this separately ticketed event, guests can return to Hollywood's golden era, reveling in all the glitz and glam that comes with it. Meanwhile, at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, celebrities including Neil Patrick Harris and Simu Liu take turns narrating the story of Christmas at the Candlelight Processional.
Disney World's holiday celebration runs from Nov. 11 through Dec. 31, 2023.
Universal Orlando Resort, Florida
If you like your Christmas heroes green with a wickedly sarcastic side, we wish you a merry Grinchmas at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Seuss Landing is transformed into a Who-ville wonderland, where you can see a musical take on the Grinch's heartening tale. You can also reserve a breakfast with the Grinch and his Who-ville friends.
In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can hop on the Hogwarts Express between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to see their Christmas makeovers. You can also check out Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees' special holiday show and see the dazzling "The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle" light show each night at Hogwarts Castle.
Forget freezing to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade: Here, those floats, performers and big balloons stay warm in Universal's Holiday Parade.
The Holidays at Universal Orlando officially run from Nov. 17 through Dec. 31, 2023.
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Anyone who plays Dolly Parton's Hard Candy Christmas every year will be pinching themselves at Dollywood's Smoky Mountains Christmas. But don't worry: You don't have to be a fan to appreciate the more than 6 million holiday lights, the 50-foot Christmas tree, the mouthwatering treats or the all-new Christmas drone show.
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Kids will love visiting Santa in his workshop to find out if their name is on the naughty or nice list. The whole family can sit in on heartwarming holiday shows like "Christmas in the Smokies" and "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Smoky Mountain Christmas is open now and runs through Jan. 6, 2024.
Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
Watching a Charlie Brown Christmas on TV is one thing. Seeing Snoopy in a Santa suit doing high kicks in a chorus line on ice is a whole other Peanuts-palooza.
Come Christmastime, Knott's Berry Farm turns into Knott's Merry Farm and the whole Peanuts gang is there. Along with the "Merry Christmas Snoopy!" holiday ice show, there's "'A Peanuts' Guide to Christmas" show in the Camp Snoopy Theatre with tips to survive the holidays in between a mashup of holiday songs.
Get holiday photos with your favorite characters, and when the sun goes down in Ghost Town, join the Snow and Glow party with snow falling to Christmas music.
Knott's Merry Farm begins Nov. 17, 2023, and runs through Jan. 7, 2024.
Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri
Serving up old-time Christmas vibes, Silver Dollar City is where you can see stage productions of classic holiday stories like Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and upbeat knee-slapping productions like the Frontier Fa-La-La Follies at the Silver Dollar Saloon. Then, you can stroll through Midtown, which is illuminated with more than 6.5 million lights.
The eight-story Christmas tree in the town square is custom-designed with thousands of lights that can dance to the music in Joy on Town Square. And, of course, Santa and Rudolph will be there, and the red-nosed reindeer leads the Christmas Light Parade with his own special light.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off its holiday festivities on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, and doesn't stop celebrating until New Year's Day. During "Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter," guests can explore a fully decorated Hogsmeade while listening to holiday tunes from the Frog Choir and sipping a hot butterbeer. At night, "The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts" show lights up the castle and the night sky.
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Guests can also experience "Grinchmas" for live music by the Who-Bee Doo-Wops, photo opportunities with the Grinch, crafts, a story time led by Cindy-Lou Who and more. The park also holds a nightly tree-lighting ceremony with a fun flurry of snow for a 65-foot-tall Grinchmas tree.
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Dining locations throughout the park and CityWalk get in on the fun with festive treats, and you can meet some of your favorite characters like Hello Kitty and Shrek in their holiday best.
Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens is a top holiday spot to visit if you love thrilling coasters as much as you love all things holly and jolly. During "Christmas Town," the park becomes a winter wonderland with dazzling lights, a meet-and-greet with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, storytime with Mrs. Claus and a chance to tell your holiday wish to Santa himself.
There are also entertainment options throughout the park, including an ice skating show, holiday fireworks, Elmo's Christmas Wish and more. Guests can also board the Holly Jolly Express for a fun sing-along train ride around the park.
Christmas Town runs from Nov. 11, 2023, through Jan. 7, 2024.
Legoland
Legoland parks in Florida, New York and California ring in the holiday season in ways only a Lego-themed park could: with Christmas trees made from Lego bricks, meet-and-greets with lifesize Lego minifigures and holiday decor made from Legos.
Each park's celebration is a bit different but equally "brick-tastic." Legoland Florida has a post office where you can send letters to Lego Santa; Legoland California is debuting new seasonal treats like Granny's Apple Fries topped with streusel and a dulce de leche drizzle. Legoland New York has a nightly tree lighting with Santa.
Legoland Florida celebrates on select days between Nov. 24 and Dec. 31, 2023. Legoland California's holiday festivities are held on select days between Nov. 18, 2023 and Jan. 7, 2024. Legoland New York celebrates daily between Nov. 10 and Dec. 31, 2023.
Hersheypark
Hersheypark is sweet any time of year, but it's even sweeter during the annual Hersheypark Christmas Candylane celebration. During Christmas Candyland, Hersheypark glows with more than 6 million lights and the "Kissmass" tree is topped with a giant Hershey's Kiss.
Guests can also meet live reindeer (from the North Pole, of course), visit with Santa and stroll along a tree trail with more than a dozen unique trees. Select rides are also open during the event, so you can enjoy a unique vantage point of the park's holiday decor.
All of these are included with admission to Hersheypark, but guests should also leave time for the nearby Hershey Sweet Lights drive-thru light display, which is a separately ticketed attraction.
Bottom line
Whether you live near one of these parks and are looking for a way to kick off the holiday season or you are looking for somewhere to take your family for the most wonderful time of the year, these festive theme parks will get your whole family in the Christmas spirit.
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