Travel experts at AAA predicted record-breaking travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, up 2% from 2023 and exceeding pre-pandemic numbers. Airports and highways nationwide feel the added strain of travelers in November and December as families visit relatives and take much-needed vacations. Many holiday visits include a day at a local theme park to check out seasonal offerings. For others, the entire vacation revolves around these theme parks.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort are industry-leading destinations with popular holiday events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Look beyond Disney, however, and travelers will find multiple parks with glowing light displays, limited-time entertainment, and more.
Travel experts share recommendations for families looking beyond Disney this holiday season for top-tier theme park offerings. These parks reside near Disney World and Disneyland and in corners nationwide. Families will find multiple options for fun holiday events without the notorious crowds that come with a Disney vacation.
Disney’s Biggest Competitor Offers Holiday Magic
Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort bring beloved holiday traditions to their guests annually, but they do not monopolize seasonal magic. Universal’s two properties, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, have fan-favorite festivities from Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, 2024. Given the breadth of offerings, travelers seek out Universal’s parks each holiday season.
The parks’ leading intellectual properties, including Harry Potter, take on a spirited look every year. Kimberly Fidler, Vice President of Marketing for Get Away Today, recommends families check out Universal’s parks this time of year for their “incredibly immersive holiday overlays.” Celebrated on both coasts, Harry Potter enthusiasts carve out time during their visit for The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle light show and Frog Choir-sung seasonal medleys.
One of the most recognized holiday characters, The Grinch, turns into the hottest must-see attraction each holiday season at Universal Orlando Resort. Guests happily wait hours to say hello and snap a photo. Grinchmas, the seasonal celebration at Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure, includes additional character sightings and family-friendly entertainment.
Fidler also recommends families check out Universal’s Holiday Parade, which features floats used by Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Offered seasonally at Universal Orlando Resort, Fidler notes, “It feels larger than life!” Between the limited-time entertainment and food, Universal’s theme parks represent some of the most sought-after holiday theme park offerings. Only time will tell how Universal Orlando’s next park, Epic Universe, incorporates the holidays into its calendar.
Smaller Regional Parks Deliver Seasonal Heavy-Hitters
Smaller regional parks outside the primary markets dominated by Disney and Universal pull out all the stops this time of year. Frequent traveler and Planner at Heart founder Monica Fish recommends Legoland New York’s Holiday Bricktacular for those traveling in the Northeast.
Fish shares, “From writing letters to Santa and mailing them with the Elves to smores and so many twinkling lights, kicking off the holiday season at my kids’ favorite place and enjoying the rides one last time is the perfect way to close the year.” Legoland New York’s Holiday Bricktacular began on Nov. 16, 2024, and concludes on Jan. 4, 2025.
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, celebrates the holidays with An Old Time Christmas. The seasonal festival, which runs from early November through late December, gave the park the distinction of “The Most Illuminated Park On Eart,” according to The Travel Channel. An Old Time Christmas runs through Jan. 4, 2025.
Alex Caspero, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Delish Knowledge, details why Silver Dollar City is her family’s favorite holiday theme park. “During the holiday season, the park is transformed with millions of lights, decorated Christmas trees, and seasonal shows,” she shares. “Visitors can enjoy holiday-themed foods and experience rides and attractions with a festive twist.”
Dollywood churns out similar awe-inspiring light displays with Smoky Mountain Christmas, running through Jan. 5, 2025. “To me, the best regional theme park offering for the holidays happens at Dollywood,” says theme park journalist Megan duBois. She points out the park’s six million-plus lights, holiday treats, and entertainment as reasons why families must consider Dollywood for a future November or December visit.
Other regional parks with seasonal holiday events include Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with its Christmas Candylane overlay featuring five million lights, festive character meet-and-greets, and more. Christmas Candylane takes place on select days from Nov. 15 through Jan. 1, 2025. Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia, celebrate seasonally with their unique Christmas Town displays, each in operation through Jan. 5, 2025. In Southern California, Knott’s Berry Farm transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm from mid-November through early January. The event brings festive food, entertainment, and decorations to the Buena Park property.
