Amusement Park News

At Disneyland in California, November 11th marked the start date for the Disney Festival of Holidays and the “¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” celebration at Disney's California Adventure Park. At Disneyland itself, parkgoers can view “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” and the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks show on select nights. And they can enjoy a visit from Santa himself. Holiday events end January the 8th.



Over on the east coast, Holidays at the Walt Disney World Resort also start November 11, with the after-hours Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party commencing a few days earlier on the 9th. Disney's Hollywood Studios is offering the separately ticketed Disney Hollywood Nights between November 11 - December 20. A new Frozen Holiday Surprise castle projection show makes its debut at Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT's International Festival of the Holidays begins November 24. All events run through December 30.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, Grinchmas and Christmas time at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter both make a cheerful return, affording visits with the Grinch, a sip of Butterbeer, and a massive projected illuminated light show at Hogwarts castle. Universal Studios started the holiday entertainment Nov. 25, with events running through January 1st. In Orlando, the festivities started November 17th, running through the 31st of December. Along with the Grinch himself, at Universal's Florida location, The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular Live Musical show takes place; Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's will march, while Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter conjures up east coast magic. On four separate evenings, Mannheim Steamroller will also perform.



SeaWorld San Diego splashed into the holiday season on November 14th, presenting a nightly snowfall, holiday fireworks, and appearances from Santa and Rudolph. The famous reindeer's nose won't be the only thing that's glowing – the park will also illuminate a 30-foot Christmas tree. The celebration ends by January 8th.
SeaWorld San Antonio starts their Christmas Celebration on November 9th, while the 10th marks the start date at Sea World Orlando. Both make holiday waves through January 2nd. Busch Gardens Christmas Town will invite guests to enjoy traditional holiday offerings such as Santa's North Pole Experience from  November 10 to January 7, as will Busch Gardens Tampa Bay starting on November 11th.

Legoland California brought back the park's brick-tacular holiday celebrations from November 19th through January 8th. Kids can meet up with Santa, Gingerbread Man, the Toy Soldier, and pose for photos by a 30-foot-tall Lego Christmas tree, which will be decorated with over 400 Lego ornaments. A Holiday Light Show sparkles during the evenings.

November 24 through December 31, Legoland Florida offers its own tree, light show, and meet n' greets; from November 10 through 31, Legoland New York runs its own Holiday Bricktacular event daily.



In Valencia, Calif., Six Flags Magic Mountain presents a Six Flags Holiday in the Park celebration through Jan. 1, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus meet and greets, as well as offering arts and crafts workshops with Mrs. Claus on select evenings. Holiday lights will also be shining in full force, lighting up seasonal food selections including turkey with mac n cheese sandwiches and enchilada soup. Other Six Flags locations offer holiday lights, Santa, and seasonal dining fair including Six Flags Fiesta Texas, from November 18 - December 31; Six Flags Over Georgia between November 18 - January 3, 2024; Six Flags Over Texas November 19 - December 31, Six Flags Great Adventure from November 24 - January 1, 2024; and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom from November 24 - December 31. At Northern California's Six Flags Great America, the World of Illumination: Arctic Adventure, a drive-through light experience, will run on select nights November 17 through December 31.
Soon to merge with Six Flags, Cedar Fair Parks are also celebrating the season. Buena Park, Calif.'s Knott's Berry Farm, will become Knott's Merry Farm Nov. 18 to Jan. 8th, when park guests can take in holiday lights, a Snow and Glow Dance Party experience, and live entertainment such as Home for the Holidays. Santa's Christmas Cabin will offer a homey photo op appeal, while holiday foods from breaded turkey balls to cranberry sauce and stuffing will satiate guests at dining venues around the park. Elsewhere in Cedar Fair's dominion, at Carowinds, Winterfest runs select nights from November 17 through January 1, 2024, as well as through December 31st at King's Dominion. Kings Island starts its festivities the latest, on November 24th, with its Eiffel Tower turned Christmas tree glittering at the park until the 31st. This park's old-fashioned WinterFest celebration will include a massive ice-skating rink and tasty holiday menus.



Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., is already keeping Christmas special with the park's brand new Joyful! Season of Light drone show, as well as performances of live musical productions such as "Christmas in the Smokies" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." The holiday fun runs through January 6th. Meanwhile, in Branson, Mo., at Silver Dollar City, now through December 30th, park guests can enjoy An Old Time Christmas holiday event featuring Rudolph's Jolly Holiday Christmas Lights Parade, the Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train, and several other Christmas-themed musical shows.



And what could be sweeter than Hersheypark at holiday time? From November 10 through January 1st, the Pennsylvania park presents Christmas Candylane with 5 million lights bedecking the park, a festival of trees, and Santa plus his reindeer. For a separate price, the drive-through experience of Hershey Sweet Lights will also run on the same dates. This attraction is a 2-mile wooded drive past 600 illuminated animated displays all accompanied by a custom holiday radio station.



Also in Pennsylvania, Kennywood, located outside Pittsburgh, glitters with its own holiday lights -- 2 million lights in all. And along with the holiday glow, local musical choirs will perform favorite holiday songs, and Santa will make an appearance for family photo ops. Nightly, guests will see a choreographed light show over the park's lagoon.

12 months a year, Christmas comes to Santa's Village located in Jefferson, N.H., but come November, even as the weather gets colder, things really get hopping with a million-light holiday illumination, and photos with Santa and his reindeer in the classic village setting from November 11 through December 23. A special New Year's celebration will also be held at the park on December 31st.

Happy holidays indeed!