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16 Dec 2021
The holiday season is here once again and theme parks across the country have been transformed into winter wonderlands with festive décor and special events. While last year wasn’t quite as celebratory due to the pandemic, parks are taking big steps towards getting back to normal this year. To help you decide where to go first, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite holiday happenings at the major theme parks this season.
It’s also important to note that some theme parks may require vaccination cards among other safety precautions, so it’s important to check the website of any park you plan on visiting in advance to ensure you know what’s in store.
Disneyland (Ends January 9th, 2022)
At Disneyland in Anaheim, California, you can expect to see Sleeping Beauty’s Castle adorned with winter decorations and a 60-foot Christmas tree towering over Main Street, U.S.A. At night, Disneyland will treat guests to a holiday themed fireworks show and snowfall across portions of the park. Some rides will also sport a new holiday theme, including classic rides like “It’s a small world” and the Haunted Mansion. Throughout the park, Disney will also be celebrating Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings’ Day with various musical and dance performances.
Disney World (Ends December 31st, 2021)
Disney World in Orlando, Florida will be celebrating with special holiday themed parades, fireworks, character sightings, and festive treats. Cinderella’s castle will also be transformed for the holiday season, with all new cheerful projections and decorations. Additional activities are also planned at the other parks around Disney World Resort. You can expect to see Santa and his friends sailing down Discovery River at Animal Kingdom or cruising down Hollywood Blvd in a red convertible at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Each park will also have special edition merchandise and food to celebrate the season, so be sure to research what’s new when planning your trip.
Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando (Ends January 9th, 2022)
Universal theme parks center their seasonal festivities on transforming The Wizarding World of Harry Potter into a holiday version Hogsmeade, complete with festive décor and themed food and beverages. Hogwarts Castle will be magically lit up for the holidays and showcasing a new themed light show set to holiday music. You will also find Seuss Landing has been turned over to the Grinch for Grinchmas, including themed music and shows. You can even catch the Grinch himself performing the story of how he stole Christmas with the cast of Whoville. In addition to the Christmas festivities inside the park, Universal CityWalk will have plenty of options for holiday shopping and dining, as well as photo opportunities with their spectacular Christmas tree.
Six Flags (Ends January 2nd, 2022)
Six Flags parks across the country will be reveling in the holiday spirit with Holiday in the Park. Most parks will be boasting huge light displays, including the animated Holiday Light Spectacular at Six Flags Over Georgia. The Holiday Express will also be at Six Flags Over Georgia, which takes guests on magical a trip around the park to discover how cultures around the world celebrate the season. Six Flags Magic Mountain in California invites guests to travel back to the 1950s for a rockabilly Christmas at The Underground, featuring classic cars and “oldies” holiday tunes. At Six Flags Great America and Six Flags New England, guests get to enjoy the park’s extravagant lights and holiday decorations from the comfort of their own car with unique Drive-Thru Experiences. Each Six Flags Park will also be offering exclusive holiday food and beverages, including stations to roast your own s’mores. Be sure to check your local Six Flags website to see what unique shows and offerings they will have on hand.