Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Parks

Guide to 2009 Christmas and Holiday Season Events at U.S. Theme Parks

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

The preceding page includes California to New Hampshire.

NEW YORK

Santa's Workshop
Christmastime

• North Pole--where else?! (near Lake Placid)
• 2009 Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 21 to Dec. 20. Also open Friday, Nov. 27.

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 Great Escape (a Six Flags park)
Holiday in the Park

• Queensbury (near Lake George)
• More info: Six Flags Holiday in the Park
• Six Flags Holiday in the Park Photo Gallery

PENNSYLVANIA

Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Winter Wonderland

• Lancaster
• 2009 dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Nov. 20 to Dec. 30.

Like sister property, Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland will also be thawing out some of its rides for the holidays. The Princess of Dutch Wonderland will be offering some Christmas stories. Santa will be on hand to see who's been naughty or nice. And the Dutch Winter Wonderland Royal Light Show will feature colorful lights synchronized to holiday music.

Hersheypark
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane and Hershey Sweet Lights

• Hershey
• 2009 dates: Nov. 13 to 15 20 to 22, 25 to 29, Dec. 3 to 6, 10 to 23, and 26 to 31.

The park will scrape off the ice and open some of its rides (weather permitting) for hardy souls to enjoy. The park's great coasters won't be open, but you will be able to board the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Scrambler, and other selected rides. It'll be quite a sight to see riders, all bundled up in mittens and parkas, twirling on the Wave Swinger. Shows will include the musical, "Home Sweet Home For Christmas."

Hershey also offers a drive-through holiday light display beginning November 13. Called Hershey Sweet Lights, it features 2 miles of trails with over 1 million lights on more than 500 animated tableaux. Hershey offers hotel packages and other holiday promotions as well.

Sesame Place
Sesame Place Holiday Party

• Langhorne (near Philadelphia)
• 2009 date: Nov. 28
• $9.95 admission

It's only one day, but the party will include select rides, character appearances, Elmo's World Live! show, and holiday shopping and dining with the Sesame Street gang.

TENNESSEE

Dollywood
Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival

• Pigeon Forge (near Knoxville)
• 2009 dates: Nov. 7, 8, 12-15, 19-22, 25, 27-29, Dec. 3-6, 10-13, 17-23, 26-30, Jan. 1, 2.

Weather permitting, many of Dollywood's rides will be operating during the festival. If it's running, you could check out the park's 3.5 million twinkling lights from the top of a coaster. Some of the lights will be synchronized to holiday tunes. The park will also feature an ambitious production of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and other holiday shows, including "Dollywood's Babes in Toyland" and "Christmas in the Smokies." The park will present The Polar Express 4-D Experience, a ride film based on the popular Christmas film. At Santa's Workshop, children will be able to make their own holiday craft projects.

• Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Photo Gallery

TEXAS

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort
Schlitterbahn's Hill Country Christmas

• New Braunfels
• 2009 dates: Nov. 20-22, 27-29, Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-23, 26-31, Jan. 1-3.

No, you won't be able to take a ride on the Master Blaster water coaster alongside Santa. None of Schlitterbahn's water rides will be open for the holiday festival. But you will be able to jump into the "Winter Wassail Hot Tub," which will be cranked up to keep guests warm. And you'll be able to ride the Luge Sled Run, test your skills in the Merry Maze, visit Santa, as well as marvel at the oodles of twinkling lights, and go ice skating and sledding. The park will also present four holiday shows, carolers, bands, and street performers.

SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration

• San Antonio
• 2008 dates: Nov. 21-29, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19-24, 26-31.

Shamu Claus, as well as Santa Claus, will be on hand to greet guests. The park will present The Polar Express 4-D Experience, a multi-sensory film based on the popular Christmas movie. Special shows will include "Shamu Christmas…Miracles" and "Deck the Halls with Clyde and Seamore," featuring the park's sea lions.

Six Flags Over Texas
Holiday in the Park

• Arlington (near Dallas)
• More info: Six Flags Holiday in the Park
• Six Flags Holiday in the Park Photo Gallery

Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Holiday in the Park

• San Antonio
• More info: Six Flags Holiday in the Park
• Six Flags Holiday in the Park Photo Gallery

VIRGINIA

Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Christmas Town

• Williamsburg
• 2009 dates: Nov. 27-29, Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-24, 26, 27

For its first-ever holiday event, Busch Gardens will transform its European hamlets, including Ireland and England into Old World Christmas villages. Always well regarded for its shows, the Christmas Town productions of Rejoice!, Deck the Halls, O Tannenbaum, and A Sesame Street Christmas, should be top-notch. Weather permitting, the park's rides, including the wonderful Griffon coaster, will be operating. Delicious holiday-themed food and a dining experience with Santa are also on tap.

• More info: Christmas Town official site