Amusement Park News

The holiday season is in full swing, bringing shopping, celebrations, family gatherings, and over-the-top fun at theme parks both large and small. Most holiday events run through January 4.

At Universal Orlando Resort, guests can enjoy Grinch photo opportunities, festive Whoville experiences, and a holiday parade featuring inflatable characters from Despicable Me, Shrek, and Madagascar. A festively decorated Hogwarts Castle in Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure provides the perfect backdrop for sipping Butterbeer. Similar holiday celebrations are also underway at Universal Studios Hollywood.

In Florida, SeaWorld Orlando offers fireworks displays, performances by otters Clyde and Seamore in their Countdown to Christmas show, and a Sesame Street-themed Christmas parade. At SeaWorld San Diego, fireworks sparkle nightly, along with the Donner and Blitzen laser light show. Performing otters add to the holiday fun on the West Coast as well.

In Tampa, Florida, Busch Gardens Christmas Town features a visit from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, festive food and beverage stations, and seasonal treats such as hot cocoa, spiked eggnog, and apple pecan cobbler. Holiday entertainment includes Elmo's Christmas Wish, Christmas on Ice, and Three Kings Journey. The Serengeti Light Show transforms the park into a colorful display of light and sound, while drones and holiday music fill the sky during the Holiday Skies Spectacular.

Legoland parks in California, Florida, and New York showcase giant Lego Christmas trees, with fireworks lighting up the sky on select nights. Seasonal food offerings include merry pomegranate cider, Fireside apple fries, peppermint ice cream, and hot chocolate.

Holiday shows at Legoland feature Lego Santa and reindeer, a massive Lego nutcracker and gingerbread man, and a Nutcracker marching band. Florida guests can enjoy the Once Upon a Brickmas show, while New York locations offer Elf Driving School and Glice Skating. In California, Benny's Ugly Sweater Party adds to the festivities.

Disney parks across Florida and California undergo a major holiday transformation. Highlights include the sold-out Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Anaheim, EPCOT's international holiday festival, and a holiday celebration at Disney's Hollywood Studios featuring For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.


Many Disney attractions receive seasonal overlays, including festive theming at the Haunted Mansion and a holiday version of Space Mountain at Disneyland, complete with high-energy holiday music and colorful interior lighting. Disneyland's It's a Small World and Sleeping Beauty's Castle also glow with seasonal décor.


Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, becomes Knott's Merry Farm, offering Christmas crafts in the park's well-known Christmas Crafts Village, thousands of twinkling lights, seasonal musical performances, and festive foods such as turkey balls filled with stuffing and cranberry sauce, along with holiday pies. Giant snowflakes and garlands decorate the park, while the Home for the Holidays show and Snoopy ice-skating show delight guests, with Camp Snoopy especially festive for younger visitors.

Smaller California holiday events include Santa's Village and the Christmas Train at the Irvine Park Railroad in Irvine. Duke's Very Merry Village at Castle Park in Riverside features rides on the Castle Park Railroad, holiday light displays, a seasonal light show, and a rethemed Antique Cars ride known as Holiday Lane.

In the mountains above Los Angeles, Christmas at SkyPark in Skyforest transforms the historic Santa's Village into a winter wonderland complete with snow, ice skating, holiday cookie decorating, and visits with Santa.

Beyond California and Florida, Branson, Missouri's Silver Dollar City hosts An Old Time Christmas, featuring 6.5 million lights, an eight-story Christmas tree, an illuminated parade, and 50-foot light tunnels.



In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas focuses on live entertainment, including Christmas in the Smokies, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Appalachian Christmas, and O Holy Night. Weekend fireworks shows are set to holiday music, and new this year is Peppermint Valley in the Country Fair section of the park.

Santa's Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire, welcomes guests year-round, but the holiday season brings special photo opportunities with Santa and his reindeer, along with thousands of sparkling lights.

In Pennsylvania, Dutch Wonderland offers the A Chris Mouse Carol puppet show, live music, Santa visits, and festive light displays. Nearby Hersheypark hosts Christmas Candylane, featuring more than 5 million lights, a synchronized light show, visits with Santa and reindeer, and seasonal treats including rich hot chocolate and a new Gingerbread Shake, along with peppermint and Reese's-flavored hot chocolates.

At Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, millions of lights shine throughout the park for its annual Holiday Lights celebration. A towering Christmas tree, holiday music from local choirs, and a choreographed lagoon light show add to the atmosphere.

Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, presents its Holiday Lights event, promising the tallest Christmas tree in the state and a ride aboard the decorated North Pole Express train.

Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, hosts WinterFest, featuring light displays, sweet treats, ice skating, roving carolers, and the Wonderland Parade filled with colorful seasonal floats.

Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, also celebrates WinterFest with approximately 7 million lights, ice skating, a Wonderland parade, and holiday menus. The park's replica Eiffel Tower transforms into a towering Christmas tree standing 314 feet tall.



Additional WinterFest celebrations take place at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California, and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, both featuring holiday musical performances and visits with Santa. In Texas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas hosts Holiday in the Park, offering festive décor, coaster rides, and holiday character meet-and-greets.