Unwrap magical new Christmas experiences at theme parks and attractions in 2026
Christmas 2026 is bringing new shows, festive experiences and the return of holiday favorites to theme parks and attractions. From a new parade at Silver Dollar City to the return of a beloved SeaWorld Orlando tradition, here’s what’s new and different for the 2026 holiday season.
Theme parks and attractions are decking the halls with plenty of new additions for 2026! The season’s merry and bright lineup includes dazzling new entertainment, familiar faces spreading holiday cheer and a few Christmas wishes coming true.
Universal Studios Hollywood: Merry Minions debut
There’s a little extra mischief in the holiday mix at Universal Studios Hollywood this year! Illumination’s Merry Minions make their holiday debut in Minion Land during the park’s Christmas celebration, running Nov. 21, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.
The new addition joins returning favorites including Grinchmas, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and seasonal festivities in Super Nintendo World. The holiday experiences are included with regular theme park admission.
Read more in our Universal Studios Hollywood 2026 holiday guide.
Silver Dollar City: New Christmas parade
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, is making spirits bright with an all-new Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade, twice the length of its predecessor, featuring new floats, costumes and characters. Debuting Nov. 7, the parade brings Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius and the Misfit Toys together with singing carolers, dancing elves, Santa Claus and a Nativity finale.
Guests can even become part of the procession as festive ornaments!
Courtesy of Silver Dollar City
Also highlighting the park’s An Old Time Christmas celebration is a new Grand Fir tree-lighting experience featuring a real Christmas tree. The festivities continue through Jan. 2, 2027.
Read more in our Silver Dollar City Christmas coverage.
Six Flags: Holiday in the Park
Six Flags is decking the halls with a major holiday makeover at two of its theme parks! After taking 2025 off, Holiday in the Park returns to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Six Flags Over Georgia with immersive Christmas lands, dazzling lights, live entertainment and interactive activities.
Courtesy of Six Flags Great Adventure
At Great Adventure, four new holiday worlds debut Nov. 21, including Santa’s Arctic North Pole, the candy-inspired Sweet Street and a Jersey Shore-themed Coastal Christmas. Guests can also enjoy a 65-foot Christmas tree, nightly lighting spectaculars, snowfall effects and a holiday silent disco.
Courtesy of Six Flags Great Adventure
Meanwhile, Six Flags Over Georgia welcomes three new themed lands, along with festive shows, Santa encounters and seasonal treats, from Nov. 21 through Jan. 3, 2027.
Read more about the transformations at Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Over Georgia.
Blue Man Group: A New Holiday Surprise
This Christmas, the holidays are turning blue! Blue Man Group is celebrating ‘A New Holiday Surprise,’ its first-ever holiday production and Broadway debut.
The all-new show brings the group’s signature percussion, comedy and colorful spectacle to Christmas classics performed on its custom instruments, as the Blue Men discover the wonderfully strange traditions of the season. Performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre run from Nov. 12, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.
The all-new holiday production also visits Chicago’s CIBC Theatre from Nov. 24-Dec. 13 and Boston’s Boch Center Wang Theatre from Dec. 15-23.
Learn more on the official Blue Man Group holiday tour page.
Gaylord Ice: New themes
The popular Ice! attraction returns with millions of pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, colorful displays and towering ice slides, bringing beloved holiday stories to life in a chilly 9-degree environment.
Shared during D23
This year’s themes include “Home Alone” at Gaylord Opryland in Tennessee (starting Nov. 6), “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at Gaylord Rockies in Colorado (starting Nov. 20) and “Harry Potter” at Gaylord Texan in Texas (starting Nov. 13).
The celebration is also expanding to new destinations, including Gaylord Pacific Resort in California and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona, bringing the ICE! experience to eight locations for the holiday season.
Read more in our new themes at Gaylord’s Ice! coverage.
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Christmas is getting even sweeter at Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania!
New for 2026, a candy-covered Chocolate House inspired by one of Milton Hershey’s original candy shops joins the holiday festivities, alongside seasonal treats including Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cheesecake, a Snickerdoodle Milkshake and York Peppermint Pattie Dirty Soda, available beginning Nov. 4.
Courtesy of Hershey’s
Guests can also discover new holiday packaging options at the Candy Machine and special offerings celebrating the Milton Hershey movie, including a limited-edition Milton Hershey Movie Bear arriving in November.
Most holiday festivities begin Nov. 13, with returning favorites including the festive Chocolate Tour ride experience.
Learn more about Hershey’s Chocolate World and its Christmas celebrations.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Santa’s Holiday Grove
Santa Claus is making a new home for the holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Santa’s Holiday Grove debuts for Christmas 2026 across from “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond!” at Theater in the Wild, replacing his former greeting location at Restaurantosaurus in the now-closed DinoLand U.S.A.
Guests can follow a festive trail with occasional snow flurries, holiday music and a chance to share their Christmas wishes with Santa himself.
The new location also features an extensive seasonal food and beverage menu, including a Peppermint-Chocolate Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich, Jalapeño-Cheddar Pretzel, Santa Hat Croissant and Cookie Butter Milkshake. Food offerings are available Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.
Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Holiday ride overlays
The Muppets are rocking around the Christmas tree at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! New for 2026, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: Obligatory Holiday Overlay features festive music from The Electric Mayhem, with special guests Cyndi Lauper, Jennifer Hudson, Kermit and Fozzie Bear.
Adapted from images shared by Disney Parks
Meanwhile, Alien Swirling Saucers gets four new holiday tunes. Both experiences run Nov. 4, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027.
Read more in our Disney World Christmas 2026 guide.
Disney Jollywood Nights: New lounge, characters and entertainment
Disney Jollywood Nights is adding more sparkle to the holiday season at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! New for 2026, the Checkin’ It Twice Lounge in Animation Courtyard features specialty drinks, a DJ and entertainment, while George Sanderson and Needleman from “Monsters, Inc.” join the character lineup.
Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Genie also make their debut in the returning “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” stage show.
Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for more coverage of Disney Jollywood Nights 2026!
Other new Christmas experiences for 2026 (Legoland, SeaWorld Orlando, Epic Universe, and more)
Other new Christmas experiences for 2026
There’s even more holiday magic to unwrap at theme parks and attractions this year, including these new experiences and festive additions:
- Legoland Florida: A new Christmas drone show, holiday Rap Battle Show and interactive festive light trail.
- SeaWorld Orlando: The return of “Miracles,” the park’s holiday orca presentation, for the first time since 2019.
- Universal Orlando: New Christmas decorations in Super Nintendo World and a new holiday parade balloon for Earl the Squirrel.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood: “Gilmore Girls Holidays” returns Dec. 12-Jan. 3, with a new standalone ticket option.
- Disney Springs: A new Hallmark Holiday Pop-Up Shop.
With so much holiday magic to unwrap, make your list, check it twice and discover something merry and bright!
Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine throughout the festive season for the latest news, holiday event guides and firsthand coverage from theme parks and attractions around the world.
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