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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AMUSEMENT PARK HOLIDAY FUN

A Summary of What the Local Amusement Parks Are Doing For the Holidays

By Sharon Rosenthal, www.camarillo.macaronikid.com November 22, 2015
Every year Southern California amusement parks get a makeover for the holidays and they add some fun wintery attractions for local kids and families. Here is a list of the amusement parks that have started their celebrations early.

SIX FLAGS HOLIDAY IN THE PARK
See the park transformed into a winter wonderland with millions of twinkling lights during Holiday in the Park, select days November 27 – January 3, 2016. Holiday in the Park is filled with enchanting experiences to help create those special family fun outings during this magical time of the year. Our breathtaking holiday event features a variety of delightful and interactive activities to help capture the holiday spirit. Gather with your loved ones to enjoy sparkling lights, glamorous decorations, seasonal treats, playful activities, heartwarming singing and dancing, and thrilling rides full of merriment.

DOWNLOAD THE HOLIDAY IN THE PARK GUIDE HERE

For more information visit https://holiday.sixflags.com/

SEAWORLD
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration® returns even bigger and better Nov. 21, 2015–Jan. 3, 2016. Guests can grab hot cocoa and experience shows including the inspiring Shamu Christmas Miracles featuring SeaWorld’s family of killer whales; and the hilarious Clyde & Seamore's Christmas Special. Families can also enjoy the nightly lighting of the 40-foot animated tree and more. 

For more information visit http://seaworldparks.com

LEGOLAND
Build a snowman with LEGO® accessories and throw real snowballs at colorful targets. Experience the magic of Winter Nights with shows, music, and twinkling lights. There’s even a food truck with yummy treats served by Santa’s Elves. Stay for the nightly fireworks over Miniland USA, December 26 - 30. Witness the lighting of a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas Tree and enjoy live entertainment with LEGO Friends Live. A life-sized LEGO Brick Santa and Reindeer make the perfect family photo. Every day is a Holiday Snow Day at LEGOLAND® California Resort from November 21st to January 3rd and enjoy Snow Play, our LEGO® Christmas Tree, and holiday treats.

Plus on select dates, we also offer live holiday entertainment and fireworks for our Winter Nights!
  • Winter Nights festivities at 5-7pm on November 27, 28  and December 5, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.
  • Official Tree Lighting on November 30, nightly Tree Lighting at 5pm, December 3-25th.
  • Holiday Fireworks at 7pm on December 26-30th.
  • Kids’ New Year’s Eve celebration from 3 - 6pm with fireworks and a "Brick Drop" at 6pm on December 31st. (capacity limited)
For more information visit http://california.legoland.com
 
KNOTT'S MERRY FARM
Starting November 21st, Knott’s Berry Farm is filled with the spirit of the holiday season as it wondrously transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm! The perfect place to make holiday memories and traditions invites guests to celebrate with thrilling attractions, live entertainment, a crafts fair, festive food, lavish holiday decorations, and nightly snow in Ghost Town.

Returning this year, the PEANUTS® gang, and a cast of world class ice skaters perform in the breathtaking ice show, Merry Christmas, Snoopy! in the 2,100 seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre. In this whimsical show, Snoopy enjoys all of the best parts of the season, including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival, and attending the Christmas Ball! Select dates, November 21 – Jan 3 (dark Wednesdays).

The Wilderness Dance Hall in Ghost Town transforms into Santa’s Christmas Cabin for the holiday season. Here, the young and the young at heart can share their wish lists with jolly ol’ St. Nick and take home a picture of the occasion. Indulge in holiday delights like Santa’s homemade cookies, mouthwatering pastries, fresh roasted nuts, seasonal craft beer, and decadent cinnamon rolls. 

A perfect reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, the Camp Snoopy theater will debut an all-new show, Christmas Time is Here, Charlie Brown. The show features a delightful mash up of some of your favorite holiday songs with a cheerful and heartwarming dose of the Peanuts gang.

Strolling the pathways of Ghost Town, the Calico Carolers share the sounds of the season through songs and hand bell chimes. In the intimate setting of Ghost Town’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, Knott’s melodrama company brings to life Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and O. Henry’s A Gift of the Magi with daily performances. 

When the sun sets on the Farm, the buildings and paths in Ghost Town will twinkle to the beat of holiday music while snow gently falls. This year, snow falls across even more of Ghost Town, from the School House to the Saloon and down to the Assay Office. Another nighttime tradition at Knott’s Merry Farm is Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting show on the Calico Square Stage. This whimsical tree lighting features a cast of marching toy soldiers, the loveable Mrs. Claus, dancing snowmen, and the world’s most famous beagle, Snoopy! 

The toe tappin’, hand clappin’, comedy and bluegrass of Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies continues their Knott’s Merry Farm residency this holiday season in the Birdcage Theatre on select nights. Plus, the upbeat blue grass quartet, the Ghost Town Miners, make their eagerly awaited return to the Fireman’s BBQ stage. Southern California’s finest live bluegrass bands can only be seen at Knott’s Merry Farm. 

For more information visit https://www.knotts.com/merryfarm/live-entertainment

DISNEYLAND
As the holidays draw near, Disneyland Park comes alive from November 13th thru January 6, 2016 with fanciful decorations and enchanting attractions. ‘Tis the season to enjoy these sensational special highlights:
  • A Christmas Fantasy Parade – Gather ‘round to watch some of your favorite Disney Characters—including Disney Princesses—join Santa and his reindeer for a merry, musical holiday salute.
  • Jingle Cruise – We’re decking the hulls… and decks, as the iconic tropical excursion gets a fun and festive twist with lights, decorations and special Christmas-themed experiences.
  • It's a small world" holiday – Marvel at the brightly decorated façade. Then sail through a world of joyous yuletide traditions and messages of goodwill from around the globe.
  • Haunted Mansion Holiday – Tour the delightful, frightful mansion featuring a Christmas makeover courtesy of Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
  • Paint the Night Parade – A million glowing lights, dazzling special effects and a host of Disney friends make spirits bright in a wondrous spectacle that will take your breath away.
  • Disneyland Forever Fireworks – Get ready for an incredible immersive experience as Disneyland Park becomes the backdrop for spectacular sights and sounds. Watch in amazement as favorite Disney stories come alive all around you!
  • Meet Santa Claus at Pooh’s Thotful Spot in Critter Country – at various times throughout the day.
For more information visit https://disneyland.disney.go.com

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS GRINCHMAS (Only opens December 5, 2015)
This annual holiday treat starts December 5 and 6, and runs on weekends December 12 and 13, and daily December 18-January 3, 2016.
  • Snap a photo with The Grinch or a 60 foot tree, then visit Max to take a picture for all to see.
  • Each postcard you send to The Grinch promising 3 good deeds, means a book will be sent to a child in need.
  • Listen to beautiful caroling from the Who-ville Singers, then try cookie and ornament decorating
  • (prepare for messy fingers)!
  • You can finally settle in for story time with Cindy-Lou Who,and then Martha May and the Who-Dolls will sing and dance for you.
For more information visit http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/