If you’re seeking twinkling lights, holiday goodies, and serious cheer this time of year, you can’t go wrong heading to a California theme park.
Theme parks around the state celebrate the season with gusto, whether your holiday treat of choice is a tamale, a latke, or anything with peppermint. To make the most of your visit, plan to stay after dark to experience the light tunnels, fireworks, or a possible “snowfall” of bubbles. While some parks offer culinary or entertainment add-ons, most festivities are included with regular admission—and you might even score a deal on your ticket if you buy a pass for 2026.
Plan a trip around one of these one-stop holiday celebrations:
Begins Nov. 14: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
The duo of parks in Anaheim cover every corner of the holiday season. Disney California Adventure Park celebrates all of the season’s big events during its Disney Festival of Holidays—with observances of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Navidad, Diwali, and Christmas. Consider purchasing the Sip and Savor Pass, which is typically good for about eight small plate–style treats at participating kiosks in the Festive Foods Marketplace—past dishes have included Hot Nashville Turkey Sliders and Gingerbread Mickeys. Come on Jan. 6 to celebrate Three Kings Day with its own decor and photo ops.
In Disneyland Park, be sure to get pics of the gleaming Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, watch A Christmas Fantasy Parade, and enjoy the decked-out Haunted Mansion Holiday. Evenings end with a colorful sky and bubble snow during the Believe In…Holiday Magic Fireworks.
In the Downtown Disney District, take part in a scavenger hunt by looking for special ornaments hidden on trees along Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail. Festivities run through Jan. 7.
Begins Nov. 14: SeaWorld Christmas Celebration, San Diego
The marine-life theme park in San Diego glows with a million lights, including a tunnel of lights and the glittering 320-foot SkyTower. Watch the park’s celebrity seals in Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas, meet characters like Rudloph and Winston the Walrus, and watch live entertainment including A Stocking Full of Soul and Mrs. Claus’s Christmas Parade. Play a game by doing the Snowflake Seeker’s scavenger hunt, looking for snowflake clues around the park in exchange for a prize. Stay ‘til dark, too, for Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show. Upgrade your ticket to a Fun Card that includes a 2026 season pass. Runs through Jan. 4
Begins Nov. 21: Knott’s Merry Farm, Buena Park
Knott’s Berry Farm does its own version of a country Christmas with Knott’s Merry Farm. Browse the Christmas Crafts Village in the park’s Old West–style Ghost Town of Calico and check out the nightly Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at Santa's Christmas Cabin. Watch ice skaters perform at Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas, or catch the live musical revue Home for the Holidays, featuring Christmas classics, dancing toys, and snow.
This year’s showstopper at the park in Buena Park is the new Christmas tree decorated with more than 7,000 twinkling lights, vintage Victorian-inspired wood ornaments, and a hundred custom-made candles. Runs through Jan. 4.
Begins Nov. 22: Holidays at LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad
This year, the LEGO-loving theme park in Carlsbad offers various live events, such as the “Elf Build Workshop” and the Once Upon a Brick-Mas show, plus performances by the LEGO-style Mint Marching Band. Enjoy meet and greets with characters including LEGO Snowman, Reindeer Girl, and Gingerbread Man. Kids can steer their way through the holiday-themed Elf Driving School and everyone can get hands-on with seasonally themed LEGO building stations or the Elf Hat Scavenger Hunt. Then, take a family picture in front of the 30-foot-tall LEGO tree or by the new LEGO Santa and his 17-foot sleigh and two LEGO reindeer.
Select nights feature fireworks, plus special 3D viewing glasses that turn the fireworks into exploding LEGO bricks. Stay overnight at the park’s two onsite hotels which will be hosting Holly Jolly Sleepovers with holiday dance parties and more meet and greets with the holiday LEGO characters; book a hotel package that takes 30 percent of the rate and bundles in free kids tickets. Come on New Year’s Eve for the kid-friendly party and ball-drop at 7 p.m. Runs through Jan. 4.
Begins Nov. 28: Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Clarita
The annual winter wonderland at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita features a glistening Peppermint Path plus the Jingle Bell Way, with its larger-than-life walk-thru ornaments lit with thousands of lights. Head to the North Pole Depot to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, create a few crafts, or enjoy a photo op. Stick around for the nightly Tree-Lighting Ceremony with singers, dancers, and a giant tree. The park’s seasonal treats typically include bread bowls, enchilada soup, and traditional tamales, along with plenty of sweets. Keep an eye out for Santa and his reindeer as you ride the thrill rides CraZanity and X2. Select days through Jan. 5.
Begins Nov. 28: North PoleNights at Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy
On select nights, the Gilroy amusement park stays open late for ice skating, a falling “snow” of bubbles, plus meet and greets with Santa. Check out the live shows and walk through the tunnel of lights. The weekend of Dec. 20–21 includes a family-friendly holiday feast (adults $29.99 and kids 12 and under eat free). Take note: For a limited time, you can score four bonus “Bring-a-Friend” tickets to the Gilroy park, which are valid for this year’s North Pole Nights, when you buy a 2026 Premium annual pass. Runs through Dec. 31.
Begins Nov. 28: Winterfest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo
The theme park in Vallejo is throwing an all-new holiday party this year. Walk through themed lands including Gingerbread Town, Toyland, Arctic Alley, and Candy Cane Lane. Check out the 70-foot Christmas tree—which has a nightly lighting ceremony—and enjoy festive live entertainment and seasonal treats. Then, take part in writing letters to Santa or decorating cookies. Runs on select dates through Jan. 4.
Begins Nov. 24: Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
The Hollywood-focused theme park celebrates three versions of the holidays. Start with Grinchmas, featuring The Grinch, his canine sidekick Max, and a Who-inspired doo-wop singing quartet. After that, take in the lights, decorations, and music of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with the Holiday Frog Choir and an evening light show against Hogwarts Castle. Plus, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD gets decked out too, including a tree adorned with a Super Star topper, snowmen dressed as Mario and Luigi, and seasonal treats at Toadstool Café. Be sure to soak up the live entertainment and seasonal cheer on Universal CityWalk too. Runs in Los Angeles through Jan. 4.