9 can’t-miss theme parks to visit during the holidays

Theme parks bring out the big kid in all of us, no matter the time of year. But the Christmas holiday season is one of the best times of year to let your inner child out to play — and maybe you’re at an age where you might bring some real children along for the ride, too.

Most theme parks start getting into the Christmas spirit 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 to enjoy festive holiday fun.

Walt Disney World — Orlando

It’s that special time of the year when the Jungle Cruise turns into the Jingle Cruise and when Queen Elsa and her friends from “Frozen” transform Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace. All four parks get festive makeovers and holiday-themed treats on restaurant menus, but there are also two after-hours parties for those who want to make their holiday visit to Disney World extra special.

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On select nights from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20, 2024, Disney’s Magic Kingdom puts on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Guests at this separately ticketed event can enjoy a Christmas parade complete with snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and all the hot cocoa and cookies you can handle.

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Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can attend an upscale holiday soiree called Disney Jollywood Nights on select nights from Nov. 9 to Dec. 21, 2024. During this separately ticketed after-hours 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 in past years) take turns narrating the story of Christmas at the Candlelight Processional. Guests can also meet Santa, listen to holiday music and stories from around the world and go on the tastiest scavenger hunt ever — the Holiday Cookie Stroll. This event takes place during regular park hours from Nov. 29 through Dec. 30, 2024 — no separate ticket purchase required.

Universal Orlando Resort

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 Whoville wonderland where you can see a musical take on the Grinch’s heartening tale.

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In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can hop on the Hogwarts Express between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to see their magical 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 (though there is still a snowfall during every performance). The parade takes place nightly, with a mix of classic Christmas floats and balloons inspired by films like “Despicable Me” and “Madagascar.”

The Holidays at Universal Orlando officially run from Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, 2024.

Dollywood — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Anyone who plays Dolly Parton’s Hard Candy Christmas every year will be pinching themselves at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain 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 holiday entertainment.

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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 from Nov. 1, 2024, through Jan. 5, 2025.

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 will be 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. 22, 2024, and runs through Jan. 5, 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.

An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City runs from Nov. 2 through Dec. 30, 2024.

Universal Studios Hollywood — Universal City, California

Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off its holiday festivities around Thanksgiving 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 and 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.

Then, on New Year’s Eve, you can party all night with DJ-led parties, photo ops, Champagne and a countdown to midnight.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

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, story time 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. 15, 2024, through Jan. 5, 2025.

Legoland — various locations

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 life-size Lego minifigures and holiday decor made from — what else — Lego bricks.

Each park’s celebration is a bit different but equally bricktastic. Legoland Florida has a post office where you can send letters to Lego Santa; Legoland California has a daily dance party; and Legoland New York has a nightly tree lighting with Santa.

Legoland Florida celebrates on select days between Nov. 29 and Dec. 31, 2024. Legoland California‘s holiday festivities are held on select days in November and December. Legoland New York celebrates on select days between Nov. 23, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025.

Hersheypark — Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hersheypark is sweet any time of year, but it’s even sweeter during the annual Hersheypark Christmas Candylane celebration. During Christmas Candylane, Hersheypark glows with more than 5 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-through light display, which is a separately ticketed attraction.

Bottom line

Whether you live near one of these parks and a fun 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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