Grinchmas at Universal Studios
Disney World, Orlando
Home for the holidays isn't for everyone. Some families want to get out and experience Christmas on a grand scale.
Disney World takes holiday celebrations way up a notch. The theme park and resort has its own soirée, "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party," a "Frozen" themed holiday wish at Cinderella's Castle, a candlelight processional with celebrity narrators (from LeVar Burton to Isabella Rossellini), "Holidays Around the World" at Epcot and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, which features millions of lights synchronized to holiday music.
Oh, and Mickey, Minnie and Santa will be there, too.
Image via Disney World
Celebration in the Oaks, New Orleans, La.
Down in N'awlins, the Celebration in the Oaks at City Park honors the holidays with a slew of light displays with a Louisiana flavor—gators and New Orleans Saints tributes. The lights are scattered throughout the 25-acre park, and there's an animated "Cajun Night Before Christmas" display, plus train and carousel rides. They even have their own character, a snowman named Mr. Bingle.
Image via New Orleans City Park
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Va.
Wanna see over eight million lights all aglow? Then Busch Gardens' Christmas Town is the place. They'll also have shows, an ice palace with penguins, animals in a Scottish-inspired highland stables and Santa, natch.
Image via Busch Gardens
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The rest of the year, animals and plants are the big draw at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. During the holiday season, it’s their PNC Festival of Lights. Families can go on a North Polar Express train ride, feast on s’mores, see a blacklight puppet show, go visit Santa and his Mrs. and bask in the glory of lights—lots and lots of lights.
Image via Cincinnati Zoo
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Like you need an excuse to head to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Pigeon Forge, Tenn., theme park. At the country icon's happy place, there are tons of entertainment options from Southern Gospel to Dollywood's "A Christmas Carol," their annual Parade of Lights, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and a bunch of hustle and bustle over at Santa's Workshop.
Image via My Pigeon Forge
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, Calif.
Knott's Berry Farm will hold its Knott's Merry Farm experience with the crew from Peanuts. The event includes the über-busy Santa and Mrs. Claus (They're everywhere at this time of year, aren't they?), a Snoopy ice show and a Christmas Crafts Village—a great place to pick up last-minute gifts from local artisans.
Image via Knotts Berry Farm
