Amusement Park News

The holiday season is popping at amusement and theme parks everywhere this year, making up for a rather dark season last year. Here's a look at some of the celebratory events.

At Dollywood in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains, from November 6th to January 2nd, a solidly performance-oriented celebration includes a colorful seasonal light display with beautiful LED lights; the festival's headline performance of Christmas in the Smokies, performed indoors at the Celebrity Theater;  the popular ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas performance; and the newest show, Heart of the Holidays held in the DreamSong Theater and showcasing songs from Dolly Parton's own A Holly Dolly Christmas album, and O'Holy Night. Also taking place is a live nativity performance. Along with these shows, musical celebrations include a Southern Gospel Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain String Band, carolers, and more thematic musical acts throughout the park.


From November 19th to January 2nd at Knott's Berry Farm, in Buena Park, Calif., the park becomes Knott's Merry Farm, with winter wonderland trimmings, illuminated decor, giant snowflakes, and a holiday ice show featuring Peanuts characters in Merry Christmas, Snoopy! The Christmas Crafts Village offers holiday gift options, plus there's a nightly tree lighting, Christmas lightshow, and an opportunity to visit Santa's cabin.

In Skyforest, Calif. Skypark at Santa's Village also hosts Santa's visits at the revamped hybrid adventure and theme park from November to January 2nd. The park offers ice skating on an outdoor pond at Silver Bells Arena throughout the winter, cookie decorating and crafting with a bevy of Santa's elves, the ability to mail your own letter to Santa, and various performing Northwoods characters. At night, the village itself and trees are alight; morning hours include Breakfast with Santa and tea with Mrs. Claus.

Silver Dollar City, located in Branson, Missouri, presents an all-new Broadway-style show Home for Christmas, a 1.5 million LED light display, a visit to Santa's Cottage, and concessions like caramel apples, hot chocolate, and wassail, too. Additionally, a park tradition returns with a performance of A Dickens' Christmas Carol, a sing-along steam train ride, and Rudolph's Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade. The seasonal activities last throughout November and December.
 
In Florida, Universal Studios Orlando has its own Macy's parade, replete with holiday floats and Shrek, as well as a visit from Santa. Christmas concerts including Mannheim Steamroller, The Blues Brothers Holiday Show, Marilyn Monroe and the (Holiday) Diamond Bellas are also a part of the festivities. Park guests heading over to Seuss Landing will find the Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular show. Grinchmas and other holiday events run November 13 to January 2nd.

Also in Orlando, in Islands of Adventure, Harry Potter Christmas Entertainment includes holiday songs from “singing sorceress” Celestina Warbeck; The Frog Choir performs seasonal music live; and The Magic of Hogwarts Castle returns with a projection mapping lightshow. And The Three Broomsticks and The Leaky Cauldron update menus for special holiday dishes.

At Universal Studios' Hollywood location, with COVID-19 rules in place, the seasonal celebration focuses on Harry Potter as well, with The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle light show and music; holiday décor, food, and seasonal merchandise, and a west coast appearance of the Holiday Frog Choir. As in Orlando, the Grinch appears for Grinchmas along with a tree lighting and faux snowfall.



Six Flags holiday attractions vary by location. At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Northern California, guests experience a massive tree lighting nightly, as well as Victorian era seasonal treats served up in a nostalgic Victorian Village, photos with Santa, and photos with live penguins. A Christmas tree forest, Candy Cane Lane, and giant Toy Land are also part of the experience.  Through January 2nd.

Six Flags Over Georgia has some new holiday attractions for 2021 including a Holiday Spectacular Christmas tree brought to live with animated dancing lights and choreographed to music; the sparkling lights of Merry Lane walk through; and a magical train ride taking passengers through a variety of seasonal traditions. Returning are themed holiday neighborhoods and a glowing candlelight carousel through January 2nd.

Six Flags Great America in the Chicagoland area features live performances such as character storytelling, a light show, dancing elf performances, and the Wonderland at the Grand holiday revue. A Kalightoscope Light Show offers plenty of dazzle through December 30th.

At Santa Springs in Dundee, Ill., there's an immersive drive-through experience for the holidays. Some 2-million synchronized holiday lights, live animals, Santa, plus the ability to purchase hot chocolate and funnel cakes are a part of the drive-through event which runs through December 19th.



Also in the Midwest, at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., Santa's Merry Marketplace serves up food, shopping, and face painting. A Santa letter-writing area, fresh fudge, skee-ball, and Saint Nick's gift shop are part of the ticketed experience, designed to coincide with the aptly named town's Santa Claus Town Fireworks and Christmas Parade, both in early December.

Santa also holds sway at Santa's Village in Jefferson, N.H., where featured attractions include a Reindeer Rendezvous and Elf University, the latter of which offers a park-wide scavenger hunt that features elves. Rides such as The Great Humbug Adventure, Reindeer Carousel, and Christmas Ferris Wheel are well-themed for the celebratory season. Santa's Christmas Lightshow plays outdoors, while a 3D Christmas film, A Tinkerdoodle Christmas entertains at an indoor theater. Events run through December 31st, when a Partybration event welcomes the New Year.

Legoland Resorts California includes a Lego Christmas tree, twinkling lights, and a Kid's New Year's Eve celebration with an early evening fireworks display for the holidays. Kids can play in real snow and enjoy the fun through January 2nd.

SeaWorld San Diego has a brand-new Christmas cirque performance as well as appearances by Santa and Rudolph, a Sesame Street Christmas experience, a music activated light tunnel and a 30-foot Christmas tree among other decorations, through January 2nd.

And at SeaWorld Orlando, guests experience the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, meet Santa and Rudolph, and settle in for an ice-skating holiday performance, Winter Wonderland on Ice, also runs through January 2nd.