Theme Parks at ChristmasTime

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Theme park experiences might be a bit different in 2020, but lots of our favorite places to visit are still making sure guests have a holly, jolly time - with some parks even adding NEW experiences for 2020! I'm sharing how Disney World, Busch Gardens, Dollywood, Hersheypark, Sesame Place and Six Flags are celebrating this holiday season.

Theme Parks at Christmastime

Christmas lights, socially distanced visits with Santa and more! Theme parks are trying as hard as they can to get guests into the Christmas spirit this year. Find out what merry offerings are a theme park near you!

Theme Parks at Christmastime: Disney World

The holiday magic hit Disney World early this year!

Their Christmas celebrations kicked off November 6th and will run through December 30th.

Each of Walt Disney World's four theme parks have holiday offerings. 

Magic Kingdom

• Holiday themed Castle projections
• Holiday themed Character Cavalcades 
• Dapper Dans on their Holiday Trolley
• Main Street Philharmonic (Toy Soldiers marching down Main Street U.S.A.)
• Holiday Decor
• Holiday Treats

EPCOT

• Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays 
• Holiday Cookie Stroll
• Santa Claus Promenade (see Santa and his horse-drawn sleigh parade through World Showcase)
• Mickey & Friends Holiday World Tour (Mickey & Friends holiday themed cavalcades)
• Frozen Holiday Parade (Elsa and Queen Anna cavalcade)
• NEW for 2020! Olaf's Holiday Tradition Scavenger Hunt (find all of the things on Olaf's list)

Related: Gift Guide: Disney Jr. Favorites


Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Santa Claus Motorcade (Santa and his elves ride through in a red corvette)
• The Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel (evenings)
• Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine (distanced character dining experience)
• Seasonal Decor

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Santa Claus Festive Flotilla (watch Santa sail down Discovery River)
• Donald's Dino Bash Festival (Donald & Friends holiday themed flotilla)
• Mickey & Friends Festive Flotilla 
• Discovery Island Drummers Festival Flotilla 
• Tree of Life Awakenings - Holiday Edition (evenings)

Theme Parks at Christmastime: Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens' Christmas Celebration in Williamsburg, VA is taking place on select days from November 13th through January 3rd.

What does this event have to offer?

• Christmas light displays + Holiday decor
• Santa meet & greets (say hello & take a photo with Santa, from a distance)
• Holiday entertainment; the England Carolers & Killarney Irish Trio 
• Festive photos with the Clydesdales
• Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt (can you spot all of the gingerbread men hiding throughout the park?)
• Sesame Street's Forest of Fun (meet Sesame Street characters in their festive attire, from a distance)

​Learn more: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA


Related: Personalized Videos from Santa from Portable North Pole


Busch Garden's Christmas Town in Tampa, FL is taking place from November 20th through January 3rd.

What does this event have to offer?

• Christmas lights & shows (world-class ice skaters)
• Holiday fireworks show
• Rudolph & Clararice Meet & Greets (distanced, of course)
• Meet Santa Claus (at a distance)
• Holly Jolly Express

Learn more: Busch Gardens Tampa, FL

Theme Parks at Christmastime: Dollywood

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas runs through January 3rd.

What does this event have to offer?

• ​Over 5 MILLION Christmas lights
• NEW for 2020! Merry & Bright, Holiday Light! Fireworks show
• Holiday shows (Christmas in the Smokies, the all NEW Heart of the Holidays inside DreamSong Theater)
• Candlelight Carolers 
• NEW for 2020! Take a peek at Santa inside his workshop and check his Nice List to see if you made it (this special experience is only available through Dec. 23rd)

Learn more: Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas


Related: Personalized Letters from Santa!

Theme Parks at Christmastime: HersheyPark

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane running from November 13th through January 3rd.

Hersheypark offers guests a Christmas celebration by foot AND by car!

What does this event have to offer?

• Over 5 MILLION Christmas lights
• See Santa AND his nine reindeer
• NEW for 2020! TREEville at Boardwalk (walk the trail of more than 1 dozen Christmas trees)
• Hershey Sweet Lights a 2 mile drive through 600 illuminated, animated light displays

Learn more: Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 

Theme Parks at Christmastime: Sesame Place

Sesame Place's a Very Furry Christmas Celebration runs select days from November 21st through January 3rd.

Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA offers guests a fun in-park experience by foot AND on selection days, BY CAR!

What does this event have to offer?

• Millions of lights & holiday decor
• NEW for 2020! 1-2-3 Christmas Tree Show watch as a 30-foot, fully illuminated, pixel-based tree projects seasonal imagery and dance to Christmas tunes
• Train ride through the Twiddlebugs' Gingerbread Cookie Factory (via the Sesame Place Furry Express)
• Christmas shows; Elmo's Christmas Wish & A Very Merry Sesame Street Sing-Along
• Meet Rudolph and Clarice (at a distance)
• Meet Santa (at a distance)
• NEW for 2020! Sesame Place's Christmas Drive Thru (only operating on Tuesdays & Wednesdays) - Drive thru the park! See millions of lights, your favorite furry friends in their festive attire, and wave to Santa all from the comfort of your own car!

​Learn more: Sesame Place a Very Furry Christmas

Theme Parks at Christmastime: Six Flags

Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is offering Holiday in the Park! Running select days from November 14th through January 3rd.

What does this event have to offer?
Millions lights
Holiday treats
Themed street entertainment
NEW for 2020! Jolly Jamboree - Located in the catering area, enjoy savory Holiday eats, feel the warmth of a holiday fire pit (& toast marshmallows), play games and taste seasonal beverages - you may even see Santa!
NEW for 2020! Wild Lights National Park - little tikes will soar over illuminated animals inspired by the wild safari! 
NEW for 2020! Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience (only operating Monday-Thursday) - Drive thru the park! 12 immersive areas or more than a million lights, keep your eyes open for Santa!

Learn more: Six Flags Great Adventure, NJ Holiday in the Park

Holiday in the Park is being held across multiple Six Flags locations, all with their own unique touches.


2020 may have been an odd year, but the holidays are in full swing! Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday!