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, and possibly a “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 also buy a pass for 2025.
Plan a trip around one of these one-stop holiday celebrations:
Begins Nov. 9: A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place San Diego, Chula Vista
Walk through the Chula Vista park, adorned with thousands of lights, to admire the 24-foot tree and enjoy live entertainment including the show Sesame Street Christmas, the Sesame Street Christmas Cavalcade parade, and the Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party. The park stays open a little later this time of year so there’s more time to play seasonal games, check out holiday merch and treats, and get a photo with Sesame Street characters dressed up for the holidays. From Dec. 26–31, the park will host a Kwanzaa celebration with themed storytimes and a Kinara lighting each evening with Elmo and Cookie Monster. The rest of the holiday fun runs through Jan. 5.
Begins Nov. 15: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
The Anaheim parks 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 good for up to eight small plate–style treats at participating kiosks in the Festive Foods Marketplace—past dishes have included Hot Nashville Turkey Sliders or 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.
Aside from Santa, the biggest arrival at Disneyland this holiday season is the Nov. 15 debut of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the reinvented version of Splash Mountain. Holiday festivities run through Jan. 6.
Begins Nov. 15: SeaWorld Christmas Celebration, San Diego
The San Diego marine-life theme park doesn’t just have a decorated Christmas tree—the park’s 320-foot SkyTower is festooned with lights. The daily schedule includes holiday shows, a parade, meet-and-greets with Santa and Rudolph and nightly “snow” fall. After extending your holiday greetings to the resident penguins, walk through the music-activated tunnel of lights and get a candy-topped hot chocolate. Upgrade your ticket to score a 2025 season pass. Runs through Jan. 5
Begins Nov. 22: Knott’s Merry Farm, Buena Park
Knott’s Berry Farm does its own version of a country Christmas: Browse the Christmas Crafts Village in the park’s Old West–style Ghost Town, catch the nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and enjoy the falling bubbles of the evening Snow and Glow Show. Watch ice skaters perform at Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas, or head to the Birdcage Theatre for either A Calico Christmas Carol or The Gift of the Magi, 1886. Runs through Jan. 5.
Begins Nov. 23: Holidays at LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad
This year the Carlsbad theme park offers various live shows, such as “Once Upon a Brick-Mas,” along with meet-and-greets with characters including LEGO Snowman, Reindeer Girl, and Gingerbread Man. Take a family pic at the sleigh manned by a life-size LEGO Santa, or pose in front of the 30-foot-tall LEGO tree. On New Year’s Eve, come for the kid-friendly party and ball-drop at 6 p.m. Runs through Jan. 5.
Begins Nov. 28: Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Clarita
The annual winter wonderland at this Six Flags park in Santa Clarita celebrates its 10th anniversary this year: Walk along the glistening Peppermint Path or stroll down Jingle Bell Way with its larger-than-life walk-thru ornaments lit with thousands of lights. The park’s seasonal treats 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 park’s thrillers CraZanity and X2. Upgrade your ticket to a 2025 Season Pass for unlimited visits. Select days through Dec. 29.
Begins Nov. 29: Winterfest at California’s Great America, Santa Clara
This Santa Clara theme park morphs into its own winter wonderland during the holidays. Ice skate in front of the park’s iconic Carousel Columbia, see live shows, then write a letter to Santa or get some cookies from Mrs. Claus. Don’t miss the maze of trees at Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Lot. Shop for locally made gifts in Artisan’s Alley and feast on tamale, buñuelos, and Mexican hot chocolate at the park’s Cocina de Navidad. Runs through Dec. 31.
Begins Nov. 29: North Pole Nights 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 musical show, The Magic of Santa, and walk through the tunnel of lights. Take note: You can score free admission for two to the event when you buy a 2025 annual pass. Runs through Dec. 31.
Begins Nov. 29: Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo
The Vallejo theme park is throwing its holiday party for the 17th year: Walk through the twinkling Christmas Tree Forest and a snowy Winter Wonderlane, browse the Holiday Market, then watch the Let it Glow Tree Ceremony in the Main Plaza. Get a pic with Santa and watch the Very Merry Christmas Sea Lion Show. Upgrade your ticket to add a 2025 season pass. Runs on select dates through Jan. 5.
Begins Nov. 29: Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
The Los Angeles theme park has brought back two classic holiday attractions this year and has also added a third. 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. This year, 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 through Jan. 6.