Here’s a question for you. Have you ever thought about going to a theme park for the holidays? For a lot of people, the answer is no. But here’s the thing, theme parks aren’t just for summer vacation. In fact, there are lots of theme parks that really kick things up a notch when it comes to the holiday season.
In this post, you’re going to see some of our top choices for the best theme parks for the holidays. So grab your winter clothes, your wrapping paper, and a nice cup of hot cocoa. We’re off to start holiday planning!
Universal Studios Orlando
Let’s face it, there never really is a bad time of year to head to any of the theme parks in Orlando. But, when it comes to the holiday season, Universal Studios really gets into the holiday spirit. From early December through the New Year, Universal Studios borrows many of the amazing floats from Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and recreates the moment daily.

© 2016 Universal Orlando Resort
Many people head to Williamsburg to go back in time and see Colonial America. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Busch Gardens embraces that by creating a Christmas Town. It features over 8 million twinkling lights and old world shops. Visitors can also spend time in Santa’s North Pole Workshop, see Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, and enjoy live performances too.

Busch Gardens® Williamsburg ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.
Dollywood
Who doesn’t love Dolly Parton? So it shouldn’t be too far of a stretch to imagine that Dolly’s own theme park, Dollywood, goes all out when it comes to the holiday season. That’s why visitors from all of the country (and the world) flock to Dolly’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Here, you can see the ghost of Dolly (in hologram form) introduce live events, amazing performances, and tons of twinkling lights.
Knott’s Berry Farm
If you’ve ever spent a few hours watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas – and let’s face it, who hasn’t? Then you’ll love recreating the theme at
Santa’s Village
Hey, you can’t ignore a place like Santa’s Village when it comes to a list of best theme parks for the holidays, right? This New Hampshire institution goes all out around the holiday season to make it really special for kids of all ages. Visitors can meet Santa, enjoy rides and take the famous train. Be sure to stay once the sun goes down because the park becomes an incredibly bright winter wonderland.
These are just a few of our favorite picks for some of the theme parks that really get into the holiday spirit every year. No matter where you live across the country, you aren’t far from a winter wonderland of your own at a local theme park. So be sure to explore some this season!
What are some of your favorite theme parks to visit during the holidays?