We’ve been busy here at MiceChat sharing all the festive details about the Merriest Place on Earth, but Disneyland Resort isn’t the only SoCal theme park celebrating the holidays with guest-favorite shows, special seasonal experiences, and of course, holiday treats. Here’s a roundup of Southern California theme parks that are ready for the holidays:
In the meantime, let’s check out the holiday merriment at theme parks from Valencia to San Diego – and everywhere in between.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park
Holiday in the Park is returning to Six Flags Magic Mountain on Nov. 24, 25, 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17–31, and Jan. 1.
This year, guests can experience several new themed areas and a new Holiday Market offering seasonal shopping and a special “nook” for kids to write letters to Santa. Plus, Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Taste of Holiday in the Park offers specialty holiday-inspired main courses, including BBQ cranberry ribs and a turkey mac ‘n cheese sandwich, as well as sweet treats like freshly-made peppermint bark, apple pie funnel cakes, and s’mores thrill shakes.
“We’re delighted to be celebrating the magic of the season with the return of our beloved holiday event,” said Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Don McCoy. “This year we’ve added more lights to newly-themed areas, elevating the sights and sounds of the holidays in a truly captivating way. From joyful entertainment and musical light displays to festive foods and seasonal treats, Holiday in the Park offers something for all to enjoy.”
Immersive holiday-themed areas include:
• NEW North Pole (Beginning at 1 p.m. on Holiday in the Park days through Dec. 24 in Whistlestop Park) – Visit Santa in his cottage, enjoy crafts with Mrs. Claus, snap a holiday photo, or ride the North Pole Express train
• NEW Arctic Alley (Located near Viper) – A whimsical show with thousands of glimmering lights choreographed to festive music
• NEW Jingle Bell Way (Located in DC Universe) – Larger-than-life 30-foot walk-thru
ornaments lit with thousands of twinkling lights
• NEW Glacier Point (Located in Metropolis) – A festive open fire pit to roast marshmallows and feast on Taste of Holiday in the Park foods
• NEW Polar Bear Pass (Located in the Golden Bear Plaza) – The perfect spot to snap a holiday photo with the spectacularly-lit holiday tree.
• Holly Rock (Located in The Underground) – A lighted time-travel tunnel into the fabulous ’50s for a rockabilly holiday extravaganza featuring a 22-foot tree, classic cars, festive “oldies” music, and an open fire pit to roast s’mores
• Peppermint Path – A path lined with thousands of candy cane red and white lights down the midway from Viper to Katy’s Kettle
• Gleampunk District – Recreates the sights and sounds of the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, featuring thousands of lights and a video journey into the inner workings of the Steampunk Candy and Toy Factory projected on the façade of Gearworks Theater.
• Holiday Square – A festive area decorated with hundreds of thousands of colored lights highlighted by falling snowflakes
• Snowy Nights (Full Throttle Stage) – A live holiday show featuring contemporary music and DJs.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Favorite holiday experiences are back from Nov. 25, 2022, through Jan. 1, 2023, at Universal Studios Hollywood, including Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – featuring The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle projection show – and the Who-tacular Grinchmas celebration.
“Universal Studios Hollywood offers incredible holiday celebrations that allow guests to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with epic festivities,” said Lora Sauls, Universal’s Senior Manager for Entertainment. “Dazzling decorations and holiday-themed character encounters also come to life…to help bring the merriment of the season to our guests.”
In addition to the extremely popular seasonal Hogwarts projection show (be sure to get into Hogsmeade early to snag a prime viewing spot), the already-magical village is “extra” during the holidays, with decorations themed to each wizarding shop and caroling by the Hogwarts Frog Choir.
And even though hot butterbeer is now available year-round, I think we can all agree it tastes best during the holidays.
The Grinchiest time of year is also celebrated in Hollywood with the “Who-bilation” in Universal Plaza on the Upper Lot, which includes strolling Who-ville characters, Meet & Greets with the mean one himself, and the lighting of the park’s 65-foot Dr. Seuss-inspired Grinchmas tree, complete with a SoCal snowfall.
Knotts Merry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm’s old-timey holiday celebration from Nov. 18, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023, features Christmas-themed shows, unique Christmas Crafts, and traditional holiday foods with a twist.
The celebration also includes the return of the beloved holiday ice show starring Snoopy and his Peanuts pals (celebrating its 40th year in the park!) and “Home for the Holidays,” a musical revue featuring classic Christmas tunes, magical dancing toys, and of course, snow.
Guests can also experience Santa’s Christmas Cabin, a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the magical “Snow and Glow” holiday snow and light show in Ghost Town, and a Christmas light show in Camp Snoopy.
For a complete look at Knott’s Merry Farm this year, take a look at our guide below:
Christmas at Legoland California Resort
Through Jan. 2, 2023, Christmas at Legoland California Resort includes meet-and-greets with special Lego characters, including Santa, the Toy Soldier, and the Gingerbread Man – plus a life-size Lego Santa and sleigh for Christmas Card-worthy photo ops.
Each night, the park’s 30-foot Lego Christmas tree (decorated with over 400 Lego ornaments) is illuminated to holiday tunes and falling “snow” during the Holiday Light Show, and the park’s famous Kid’s New Year’s Eve celebration will ring in 2023 at a kid-friendly hour with fireworks that look like cascading Lego bricks in the sky (thanks to special Legoland glasses).
SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld San Diego becomes a SoCal winter wonderland through Jan. 1, 2023, with twinkling lights and festive foods. Plus, guests can enjoy Dolphin Adventures with a holiday twist, Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special, and not one, not two, but SEVEN new holiday experiences.
- NEW A Stocking Full of Soul (located in Mission Bay Theater on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) – Join “America’s Got Talent” Favorite Bryan Cheatham, as he and his friends (plus with appearances by favorite SeaWorld characters) get ready for his big Christmas Celebration.
- NEW A Joyous Celebration (Nautilus Amphitheater) –The magic of Christmas will come alive nightly at this family-friendly musical show.
- NEW Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Cavalcade – Mrs. Claus and her band of merry elves make their way throughout the park several times daily.
- NEW The Holly Pops and Holiday Hipsters – Two acapella Christmas Caroling groups bring the magic of the season to life with inventive arrangements of favorite holiday songs.
- NEW Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show (At the front of the park) – Experience a nightly canopy of laser beams accompanied by a festive soundtrack.
- NEW Santa’s Live Reindeer – Donner and Blitzen are making a special visit to San Diego from the North Pole.
- NEW A Christmas Wish Fireworks Show – The sky above SeaWorld will light up with a special holiday fireworks display on the evenings of Nov. 19, 25, 26 and Dec. 10, 16 – 17, and 23 – 31.
Sesame Place San Diego Very Furry Christmas
For the first time on the West Coast, families can also experience the Very Furry Christmas Celebration through Jan. 8, 2023, at Sesame Place San Diego, with holiday shows and parades, festive decorations, and (most importantly) favorite Sesame Street pals dressed in their holiday best, including Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, and “Cookie Claus” (Cookie Monster decked out in Santa’s red suit).
Cookie Monster also steals the show in “Elmo’s Christmas Wish” when he croons Mariah Carey’s holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to his beloved cookies. Other fun holiday performances include the “Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party,” “A Very Merry Sesame Street Sing-Along” (culminating in kid-safe “snoap” flurries), and the “Sesame Street Christmas Parade.”
California Theme Park Holiday Celebration Cheat Sheet
- Disneyland Resort – Daily from Nov. 11, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023
- Universal Studios Hollywood – Daily from Nov. 25, 2022, through Jan. 1, 2023
- Knott’s Berry Farm – Daily from Nov. 18, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023
- Six Flags Magic Mountain – Select dates from Nov. 24, 2022, through Jan. 1, 2023
- Legoland California Resort – Select dates from Nov. 19, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023
- SeaWorld San Diego – Select dates from Nov. 12, 2022, through Jan. 1, 2023
- Sesame Place San Diego – Select dates from Nov. 12, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023
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Let’s Hear From You!
What’s your favorite Southern California theme park holiday celebration? Do you ring in the season with Mickey and his pals in Anaheim, party with Harry Potter and the Grinch in Hollywood, snuggle up with Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm. or all of the above? Which new holiday experiences are you looking forward to checking out this year? Let us know in the comments.
Want more holiday 2022 theme park content? Check out our whole page dedicated to the holidays below!
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