Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Parks

Most parks used to call it a season soon after Labor Day. But, over the last few years, the majority has remained open for Halloween events. More recently, however, seasonal parks--even ones in places where the mercury can dip well below freezing and snow is likely--have been extending their seasons straight through to January with festive holiday celebrations.

Want to know where to find bazillions of twinkling lights, visits from St. Nick, elaborate holiday-themed stage shows, and, yes, coasters and other rides amid winter's chill? Put on your thermal-lined Santa cap and peruse the park guide to Christmas and holiday events.

The guide is arranged alphabetically by U.S. state. This page includes holiday events at theme parks in U.S. states from California to New York.

The next page includes holiday events at theme parks in U.S. states from Pennsylvania to Texas .

CALIFORNIA

2007 Christmas Holiday Events at California Theme Parks
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Then get the heck out of Southern California. But if you want some holiday hoopla along with some theme park fun, you've come to the right place. Includes info about Christmas holiday events at Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Legoland, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and other parks.

• Disneyland Resort Holiday Season Photo Gallery

COLORADO

Santa's Workshop

• North Pole (really!-near Pike's Peak)
• Dates: In general, the park will be open daily, except Wednesdays and Thursdays, through Dec. 30.

This small Christmas-themed park is open May through December, but it really glows during the holiday season. Take a ride on the world's tallest (by altitude, anyway) Ferris wheel, the Candy Cane Coaster, and the Peppermint Slide, or catch some stage magic at Santa's Show House. Of course, Mr. Claus awaits all good boys and girls at Santa's House.

FLORIDA

2007 Christmas Holiday Events at Florida Theme Parks
Florida's theme parks are magical throughout the year. Add an overlay of holiday cheer, and the parks supersize the magic and fun between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Includes info about Christmas holiday events at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and other parks.

• Walt Disney World Holiday Season Photo Gallery
• Universal Orlando Holiday Season Photo Gallery

GEORGIA

Wild Adventures
Christmas Wonderland

• Valdosta (near the Florida border)
• Dates: Nov. 23 to Dec. 31.

Home to nine coasters (and a bunch of other rides), a zoo, and an ambitious lineup of concerts (included with admission), Wild Adventures transforms its park for the season with millions of Christmas lights. Other holiday features include a Wonderland Express themed train ride, the Jingle Street Parade, and holiday-themed shows.

KENTUCKY

Beech Bend Park
Holiday Lights Spectacular

• Bowling Green
• Dates: Nov. 22 to Jan. 5, 2008

New to the theme park holiday hoopla this year, Beech Bend will feature a 2-mile drive-through light display plus hay rides, a train ride to a Christmas Village, ice skating, outdoor movies, and visits with Santa. For extra fees, the park will offer some of the park's family rides as well as its Kentucky Rumbler coaster.

MASSACHUSETTS

Edaville U.S.A.
Holiday Festival of Lights

• Carver (near Cape Cod)
• Dates: Nov. 9 to 11, 16 to 18, and 23 to 30, Dec. 1 to 24, and 26 to 31, and Jan. 1, 2008.

In the heart of Massachusetts' cranberry country, the featured attraction is the authentic Edaville Railroad steam train. Millions of Christmas lights line the train route as well as the park's turn-of-the-(last) century village. Edaville also features a carousel and other kiddie rides.

MISSOURI

Silver Dollar City
An Old Time Christmas

• Branson
• Dates: Nov. 3 to Dec. 30. (Open Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 2. Open Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 6 through 23. Open Daily Dec. 26 through 30.)

Many of the park's rides are open for the event, including the coasters, Wildfire and PowderKeg. Special for the season, Silver Dollar City features 4 million lights, a Holiday Lights parade, musical performances, and a presentation of "A Christmas Carol." Santa holds court in Kringle's Krossing, and kids can decorate cookies in the Kringle's kitchen. Artisans demonstrate their old-world skills and sell their wares. Special holiday treats include hot wassail and apple dumplings with cinnamon ice cream.

• Silver Dollar City's An Old Time Christmas Photo Gallery

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Santa's Village
Christmastime

• Jefferson (in the White Mountains)
• Dates: Nov. 23 to 25, Dec. 1 to 2, 8 to 9, 15 to 16, 22 to 23, and 28 to 29.

The original Santa's Village park (there have been a few other same-named, but separately run parks) celebrates Christmas in the spring and summer but, oddly, was closed during the holiday season until a few years ago. Opened in the 1950s, the park has the perfect blend of authentic nostalgia and contemporary appeal. Most of the rides and shows, including Santa's Skyway Sleigh (a mini-monorail), the 3-D movie, "A Tinkerdoodle Christmas!" and the Christmas Ferris Wheel, are operating, even when there is some snow on the ground. (This is in the WHITE Mountains, after all.) Warm up by the big bonfire, then head back for some more rides.

NEW YORK

Santa's Workshop
Christmastime

• North Pole--where else?! (150 miles north of Albany, near Lake Placid)
• Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 17 to Dec. 16. Also open Friday, Nov. 23.

The small, Christmas-themed park is open in the summer and during the Christmas season. It offers a few rides such as a Ferris wheel and carousel (that are open weather-permitting) as well as shows such as the Mother Goose Guild and a Nativity Pageant.

The next page includes holiday events at theme parks in U.S. states from Pennsylvania to Texas.