Over the (Jungle) River and Through the (Zoo's) Woods at California Theme Parks

2009 Christmas and Holidays 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. Christmas and holidays events at California parks are arranged alphabetically:

Disneyland Resort
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort

• Anaheim, CA
• 2009 dates: Daily, Nov. 13 to Jan. 3
• Included with admission
• Disneyland Holiday Season Photo Gallery

Nobody decks its halls quite like Disney. From the enormous Christmas tree at the head of Main Street USA to the miles of twinkling lights, the fantasy world becomes even more beguiling during the holidays.

Special features at Disneyland include:

• A Christmas Fantasy parade
• Believe...In Holiday Magic- The nightly fireworks show concludes with a SoCal "snowfall."
• it's a small world holiday (sic)- The cloying dolls celebrate their multi-culti holiday traditions in a makeover of the classic attraction.
• Haunted Mansion Holiday- The retrofitted Mansion introduces "A Nightmare Before Christmas' " Jack Skellington to the ghostly mix.
• Santa's Reindeer Round-Up- A meet-and-greet area with a certain jolly V.I.P. and his trusty transpo-team (sorry, no actual flying reindeer).

At Disney's California Adventure, guests can meet the red-suited guy at Santa's Seaside Pavilion.

Official Disneyland Resort Holidays info

Gilroy Gardens
Holiday Lights

• Gilroy (near San Francisco), CA
• 2009 dates: Dec. 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 23, and 26-30.
• Separate ticketed event.

The park will adorn many of its distinctive trees and gardens with twinkling lights. Other features include a skating rink, holiday-themed rides, crafts-making, a holiday buffet, the show, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and (of course) a tete-a-tete with Santa in his workshop.

Official Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights info

Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Merry Farm

• Buena Park (next to Anaheim), CA
• 2009 dates: Daily, Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve (closed on Christmas day)
• Included with admission. On weekdays, Knott's offers a special reduced rate for admission only to its Christmas Crafts Village.
• Knott's Merry Farm Photo Gallery

Knott's doesn't go nearly as crazy transforming its park into Knott's Merry Farm for the holidays as it does with its Knott's Scary Farm Halloween makeover, but it does offer plenty of fun, including a Spirit of the Season parade, an enormous Christmas tree, a Christmas Crafts Village with artisans plying their trades, "Snoopy's Cool Christmas", an ice show with the Peanuts gang, the shows, "A Christmas Carol" and "A Gift of the Magi," and Elf Mountain, a transformed Timber Mountain Log Ride.

Legoland
Holiday Block Party and Kids' New Year's Eve

• Carlsbad (near San Diego), CA
• 2009 dates: Dec. 19 to Dec. 31
• Included with admission

Legoland lights its unique Christmas tree made entirely of Lego bricks. It also offers audiences with the "real" St. Nick, lots of holiday decorations, entertainment, and nightly fireworks shows. On Dec. 31, the park celebrates its Kids' New Year's Eve with a kid-focused dance party, live music, and a "midnight" (actually 6 p.m. to accommodate sleepy young 'uns) Brick Drop (modeled after the Times Square ball drop) with fireworks to welcome 2009.

San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park
Wild Holidays

• Escondido (near San Diego), CA
• 2009 dates: Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26-31
• Included with admission

The zoo's Wild Animal Park goes wild for the holidays with more than 100,000 lights and animated displays. The park's hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the lights twinkle on at 5 p.m. In past years, other special features have included a snow hill for sledding (remember, this is Southern California!), holiday crafts, carolers, storytellers, choirs, visits with Santa, and dancers.

SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld Holiday Celebration

• San Diego), CA
• 2009 dates: Not available at time of publication
• Included with admission

Details were not available at time of publication, but in past years, Shamu got his (her?) own holiday-themed nightly show. The sea lions joined in the holiday fun as well. Plus the park, including its landmark Skytower, got decked out with holiday lights. There were also carolers and close-up animal visits.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Holiday in the Park

• Vallejo (near San Francisco), CA
• 2009 dates: Nov. 27-29, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19-23, 26-31, Jan. 1-3.
• $44.99 at the gate. $29.99 for child under 48". $29.99 for adults if purchased in advance. Admission is included for both 2009 and 2010 season pass holders. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is offering 2010 season passes for $49.99, which includes admission to this year's Holiday in the Park and unlimited visits to all Six Flags parks for 2010.
• Save money and time. Buy discounted advance tickets online, direct from Six Flags.

Holiday in the Park will feature an enormous Christmas tree, tons of lights, and loads of festive decorations. And regardless of the temperature, there will be snow at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Blitzen’s Wonderland Mountain. Holiday shows starring killer whales, sea lions, dolphins, and Looney Tunes characters will also be in the offing. The event kicks off nightly with a parade lead by Santa and his reindeer. There will also be a Reindeer Village, Santa's Workshop, Christmas Tree Forest, and Toyland displays as well as seasonal goodies such as roasted chestnuts and eggnog. Most of the park's coasters and kiddie rides will be open during Holiday in the Park.

Official Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Holiday in the Park site

Universal Studios Hollywood
Grinchmas

• Universal City, CA
• 2009 dates: Starts Dec. 19.
• Included with admission to park.
• Get Universal Studios Hollywood tickets in advance of your visit, and check for online discounts.
• Are you planning to visit other California theme parks? Consider getting the Southern California CityPass, which offers considerable value.

The Grinch made his Universal Studios Hollywood debut last season, and he'll be back this year along with the rest of Whoville on the backlot original set of the Grinch movie. The cast will re-enact scenes from the film. The green guy also appear in the Grinchmas Winter Wonderland, complete with actual snow, a Grinchmas tree, cookie-decorating stations, and other activities.