Celebrate Holidays at California Theme Parks

Special Family-friendly Festivities at Legoland, Disney & Sea World

Sep 22, 2008

The mega theme parks in Southern California roll out the red carpets for family holiday travel in December, with special decorations, events, parades and fireworks.

Balmy Southern California weather combined with theme parks all decked out for the holidays, make December a great time to bring the whole family to some of the country's biggest mega-attractions, from Legoland in Carlsbad to Disneyland in Anaheim to Sea World in San Diego.

Here's a peek at what's happening at three California theme parks for family holiday travel, generally between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Legoland California, Carlsbad

Legoland California, a wonderfully manageable (read: not too big) theme park dedicated to those famous little building bricks, marks the Christmas holiday with its 10th Annual Holiday Block Party, December 20-30. Snap family photos in front of the 30-foot Christmas tree built entirely out of Legos, and watch a giant fireworks spectacular nightly.

The park is decorated in twinkling lights, and Santa makes an appearance December 20-24. Families can also count down the end of 2008 with a special Kids' New Year's Eve celebration December 31; it takes place after dark, but well before midnight.

Disneyland Park, Anaheim

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is comprised of California Adventure and Disneyland Park. Both spruce up with festive holiday decorations, but Disneyland Park is especially magical, with Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle shimmering with twinkling lights and faux icicles. The amusement park starts its Yuletide celebration early -- November 21 (a week before Thanksgiving) and extends it through January 4, 2009.

The It's a Small World ride is transformed into a holiday-themed attraction, with Christmas songs from around the world; the special A Christmas Fantasy parade makes its way down Main Street; and the pyrotechnics show is cast as the Believe... In Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular. Kids can check out real reindeer in a corral, play some games, and do arts and crafts at Santa's Reindeer Round-up.

Sea World, San Diego

Shamu the world-famous whale, brings holiday spirit to Sea World in San Diego with Shamu's Holiday Night Show, featuring a live choir and musical soloists. Not skipping a beat, the sea lions also get into the act with Clyde and Seamore's Night Before Christmas show.

Sea World's special holiday decorations include a 30-foot Christmas tree and the nightly illumination (at about 6 p.m.) of the Skytower Tree of Lights. Keep an eye (and ear) out for carolers and instrumentalists who make their way around the park, sharing holiday cheer. SeaWorld's Holiday Celebration takes place November 28-30; weekends December 6-14; and daily December 20-31.