How Festive! Holiday Theme Parks You’ll Want to Visit This Season! Suzy Guese December 11, 2017 Destinations, Family Travel, Holiday Travel, Travel Guide While you may think summer is the best time to visit your favorite amusement parks, a number of parks across the U.S. will make you to think that winter is better. From the small to the big, many theme parks turn up the volume for the holidays. You’ll see folks adorning parks with millions of lights, revving up their best rides, and spreading plenty of good cheer and a festive spirit to all who visit. So go on, leave your inner Scrooge behind, and head for these festive theme parks around the U.S! Disneyland — Anaheim, California Christmas Castle” by Michael Saechang licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 If you love visiting theme parks around the holidays, it’s hard to overlook Disneyland. The entire park comes to life with Christmas cheer starting in the fall and ending in January. Admire the Christmas lights and holiday décor, from Main Street, U.S.A. to Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. Disneyland even orchestrates magical snowfall over locations throughout the park, proving it can in fact snow in Southern California for the holidays. Disneyland also hosts a wealth of holiday events for this festive time of year, including a Festive Foods Marketplace where you can sample delicious food and drink and visit with Santa. Next, bask in the towering Christmas tree in Town Square, or watch the Christmas Fantasy Parade. Santa’s Village — Jefferson, New Hampshire Santa’s Village, Jefferson, NH by Martin Lewison licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Santa’s Village is nestled in the mountains of northern New Hampshire, and is perfect for the holiday season. The Christmas-themed amusement park boasts mostly winter-themed rides such as Rudy’s Rapid Transit Coaster, the Great Humbug Adventure, and the Reindeer Carousel. Santa’s Village sweetens the mix with its Christmastime events all throughout the weekends of December. After dark, the park is lit up with half a million Christmas lights. Visitors can meet Santa, feed the reindeer, and hop aboard 18 rides including the Skyway Sleigh Monorail and the Christmas Ferris Wheel. Santa’s Workshop — Wilmington, New York PC184539 by Jo Amelia Finlay Bever licensed under CC by 2.0 Resembling a storybook village, Santa’s Workshop opened in 1949, one of the first amusement parks that opened in the United States. This holiday-themed park is located in Wilmington, New York, and hosts a number of events for this festive time of year. The Village of Lights celebration includes caroling, fire pits, shops, reindeer, roasted marshmallows, and even visits with Santa throughout the month of December. You can also partake in Yuletide Family Weekends from Thanksgiving through Christmas, with tree trimming parties and stops at Santa’s workshop. The park also offers rides like the Candy Cane Express and Santa’s Sleigh Coaster. Hersheypark — Hershey, Pennsylvania The Kissmas Tree, Hershey Park by Scott Smith licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Want to go to Candyland for the holidays? Hersheypark may be about as close as you can possibly get, with its Hersheypark Christmas Candylane events. Running select dates from November through January, the celebration allows you to can catch some thrills on more than 50 rides, including six coasters, visits with Santa and all nine of his reindeer, and even breakfast and lunch with the man himself. The park is decked out with over 5 million lights and includes choreographed light shows and live Christmas entertainment. Dollywood — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Image via Flickr CC- Chanter52 Perched within the Great Smoky Mountains and owned by legendary entertainer Dolly Parton, Dollywood rolls out the holiday red carpet with its Smoky Mountain Christmas. Dollywood is one of the area’s best holiday events, shining bright with over 6 million lights. The Smoky Mountain Christmas event runs from November to January. Enjoy a whole lineup of live Christmas shows including Christmas in the Smokies, Candlelight Carolers, and Appalachian Christmas. Throughout the 150-acre park, you’ll enjoy the majestic Glacier Ridge light display, see festive fireworks, and feast on some gingerbread funnel cake. Knott’s Berry Farm — Buena Park, California Knott’s Berry Farm by Jeremy Thompson licensed under CC by 2.0 From November through January, Knott’s Berry Farm takes on a whole new name. The amusement park in Buena Park, California becomes Knott’s Merry Farm. Bask in the holiday spirit by enjoying the park’s live entertainment, Christmas Crafts Village, festive food, holiday decorations, and dance the night away at the Snow and Glow event. As traditional live Christmas carolers roam the streets of Calico, you can experience the park’s nightly tree lighting ceremony. Next, catch the holiday Ice Show featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang, or even see Santa’s Christmas Cabin. You Might Also Enjoy: Christmas Town, USA! 4 Magical Small Towns to Visit During the Holidays Walt Disney World — Orlando, Florida Walt Disney World by Antonio Thomás Koenigkam Oliveira licensed under CC by 2.0 If you want to visit a park that truly goes all out for the holidays, you can’t beat Walt Disney World. Throughout November and December, the amusement park radiates good cheer and a festive spirit. The holiday-themed events are endless and include Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (running select nights in November and December), the Magic Kingdom holiday parade, the Cinderella Castle lighting ceremony, and fireworks for the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! Event. FAQs: Q: What are the best dates to visit these theme parks during the holiday season? A: The best dates to visit these theme parks during the holiday season can vary, but generally, they start decorating and hosting holiday events from late November to early December. It’s a good idea to check the official websites of each park for specific opening and closing dates, as well as their holiday event schedules. To avoid the crowds, consider visiting on weekdays or during the first few weeks of December when the holiday festivities are in full swing but before the peak holiday rush. Q: Are there special tickets or passes required for the holiday events at these theme parks? Ans. Most theme parks offer special holiday event tickets or passes in addition to their regular admission tickets. These special tickets typically grant you access to all the holiday-themed activities, shows, and decorations within the park. Be sure to check the park’s official website for details on pricing, availability, and any exclusive holiday packages. Purchasing these tickets in advance is often a good idea, as some events may have limited capacity. Q: What kind of weather can I expect when visiting these theme parks during the holiday season? A: The weather can vary depending on the location of the theme park. In California and Florida, you can generally expect milder winter weather, while theme parks in the Midwest and on the East Coast may experience colder temperatures. Dressing in layers is a good approach, as daytime temperatures can be comfortable, but evenings can get chilly. It’s a good idea to check the local weather forecast before your visit and pack accordingly, including warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and perhaps even some rain gear just in case. Q: Are there any special accommodations for visitors with dietary restrictions or allergies during the holiday season? A: Yes, most theme parks are well-prepared to accommodate visitors with dietary restrictions or allergies, especially during the holiday season. You can find a variety of food options, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly choices. It’s a good practice to inform the park’s dining staff about your specific dietary needs, and they will do their best to provide suitable meal options. Did we miss your favorite holiday theme park event? Let us know in the comments below!
