The Best Holiday Theme Park Events Near Washington DC
These are our favorite holiday theme park events near Washington DC. Each theme park is located three hours or less from the DMV area. They offer plenty of fun for all ages from toddlers to seniors. They offer exciting thrill rides and family ride options, beautiful Christmas light displays, fabulous holiday music and entertainment, and specialty food and drink menus. Each theme park has indoor venues that allow you to get out of the cold too!
These are our favorite holiday theme park events near Washington, DC for 2025. Each theme park is located about three hours or less from the DMV area and offers plenty of fun for all ages—from toddlers to teens to grandparents. Expect exciting thrill rides and family rides, beautiful Christmas light displays, festive holiday music and entertainment, specialty food and drink menus, and indoor venues where you can warm up between adventures.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas Town
Event Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (select dates)
Location: Williamsburg, VA (2 hours 45 minutes from Washington DC; 2 hours 30 minutes from Baltimore)
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is Virginia’s biggest Christmas event and our favorite holiday theme park near Washington, DC. Christmas Town turns what’s already been voted the most beautiful theme park in the world into a glowing winter wonderland with millions of lights, festive shows, and seasonal treats.
Many popular rides and attractions operate during Christmas Town, including fan-favorite coasters, family rides, and the scenic Christmas Town Express train. Kids can meet Santa at the North Pole and visit Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland. Little ones can also say hello to Elmo, Cookie Monster, and friends in their holiday best at Sesame Street Forest of Fun.
Guests of all ages will be delighted by more than 10 million holiday lights, immersive theming in each European village, and special holiday overlays on classic attractions.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town 2025 Highlights
This year’s Christmas Town lineup features a full schedule of Christmas shows and entertainment, on-going village entertainers, and a nighttime holiday light spectacular. Here are some of the 2025 highlights:
- ALL-NEW: Christmas Town Live! A Holiday Special – Step back into a 1960s-style holiday TV special at Das Festhaus, complete with classic carols, medleys, and nostalgic variety-show vibes.
- Gloria! – A beautiful re-telling of the first Christmas in the Abbey Stone Theatre, blending contemporary and traditional music, dance, and costumes to highlight the true meaning of the season.
- Scrooge No More! – A live musical version of A Christmas Carol in the Globe Theatre, where Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
- ‘Twas That Night – A spectacular ice-skating show in the Royal Palace Theatre inspired by “The Night Before Christmas,” returning for another year of jaw-dropping skating.
- Elmo’s Christmas Wish – Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe help Elmo discover his Christmas wish in this adorable family show.
- Celebration of Lights at O’Tannenbaum – A multi-colored light show set around a towering 50-foot Christmas tree that creates a perfect “we’re really here” holiday moment.
- Polar Pathway: Spectacle of Lights – A dynamic light spectacular featuring more than a million LED lights choreographed to holiday music.
- Wisemen – Three talented musicians share holiday traditions, memories, and ballads on the open-air stage in Il Teatro di San Marco.
- Village Entertainment & Merry Misfits – Carolers and high-energy performers bring the streets of England, New France, and France to life with fun takes on holiday classics.
There are also plenty of holiday-themed dining options, from hot cocoa and festive cocktails to full holiday meals, plus specialty shopping and Christmas Town–exclusive souvenirs.
Discount Tickets to Busch Gardens
The best place to find discount tickets to Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas Town is on Groupon. They frequently run fantastic deals for one- and two-day tickets as well as tickets that include dining plans!
Many families search for “Busch Gardens Christmas Town Groupon deals” during the holidays, and I’ve tracked down the best offers for you. View the current discount offers. These limited-time deals often include single-day tickets, two-day bundles, and ticket-plus-dining packages — and they sell out fast during peak weekends.
Looking for discount tickets to Busch Gardens Christmas Town in Tampa or other Florida theme park holiday events? Check out these offers:
Holiday ticket prices change constantly, so it’s always smart to check the latest available offers before you book.
More Resources For Your Williamsburg Vacation
Make a weekend of it! Check out our Christmas Trip to Williamsburg guide. And check out our Ultimate Guide to Williamsburg Virginia for more ideas on what to do, see and taste! We also recommend SpringHill
Right now, you can get discount Busch Gardens Christmastown tickets! Groupon has fantastic deals for one- and two-day Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets! Groupon also has offers for Busch Gardens Tampa Christmastown tickets as well as Adventure Island Tampa tickets, Sea World Orlando tickets, Aquatica Orlando tickets, multi-day discount passes for Busch Gardens Tampa, Sea World Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Adventure Island Tampa Bay that can be used any time in the next year. For those that want to hit multiple theme parks in Orlando, Groupon also has a fantastic deal for Universal Studios theme parks!
Sesame Place A Very Furry Christmas
Event Dates: November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (select dates)
Location: Langhorne, PA (40 minutes from Philadelphia; under 3 hours from much of the DMV)
Sesame Place Philadelphia A Very Furry Christmas is one of the best holiday theme park events on the East Coast for families with toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-aged kids. The entire park transforms into a colorful winter celebration filled with sparkling lights, holiday shows, themed ride experiences, festive treats, and meet-and-greets with your favorite Sesame Street characters. It is also the only theme park in the world that is a Certified Autism Center and offers inclusive activities for children with autism and other special needs.
Sesame Place offers about 20 rides and attractions including a family-friendly roller coaster. Santa Claus pictures will be available through December 31st. Note that Santa is NOT available on December 25th as he will be busy delivering toys to all the good girls and boys! There are also several different Sesame character meet and greet photo opportunities throughout the park. We really loved how many character picture locations there were during our visit because the wait was never more than 10 minutes!
Sesame Place 2025 Highlights
Sesame Place Christmas offers several entertainment options throughout the day. Note that most shows are outdoors so make sure you dress warm:
- A Very Furry Christmas – A delightful holiday show featuring favorite Sesame Street characters in festive costumes.
- Santa’s Grand Illumination – November 15
- A family-friendly lighting celebration to kick off the season.
- Hanukkah Celebration – December 19–22
- Featuring traditional music, storytelling, and character appearances.
- Santa’s ’Twas the Night Celebration – December 24
- Holiday entertainment and character appearances on Christmas Eve.
- Kwanzaa Celebration – December 26–January 1
- A joyful celebration with drumming, dancing, and cultural storytelling.
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks – December 31
- Kid-friendly fireworks to ring in the New Year with your favorite furry friends.
Sesame Place Character Meet and Greets
Sesame Place is known for its excellent character experiences. During A Very Furry Christmas, you’ll find:
- Elmo
- Cookie Monster
- Big Bird
- Abby Cadabby
- Grover
- Oscar the Grouch
- Rosita
- And more!
A Very Furry Christmas also offers lots of wonderful dining options. Be sure to book early if you want to attend the Christmas Dine with Elmo & Friends! This popular event does sell out.
Discount Tickets to Sesame Place
Looking for Sesame Place Groupons? Browse the latest holiday ticket discounts so you can save money for holiday gifts! Sesame Place is located under 40 minutes from downtown Philadelphia making it a great place for a quick holiday getaway. There are several convenient family-friendly hotels in Langhorne if you want to make it a weekend trip!
Dutch Wonderland Winter Wonderland
Event Dates: November 15, 2025 – December 31, 2025 (select dates)
Location: Lancaster, PA (1 hour from Philadelphia; under 2 hours from Baltimore and the DC suburbs)
Dutch Winter Wonderland is another great theme park pick geared towards smaller children with over 20 family-friendly rides and attractions, thousands of lights, visits with Santa in his workshop, a miniature train display, and visits with the Dutch Wonderland Princess, Knight, Merlin, and Duke the Dragon at the front gate.
Recently nominated by USA TODAY 10Best as a Best Theme Park Holiday Event, Dutch Winter Wonderland offers more than 10 themed holiday activities and 20+ rides that are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger elementary-age kids. It strikes the perfect balance for families looking for low-stress holiday magic without the overwhelming crowds of a major theme park.
As you explore the park, you’ll be surrounded by over one million twinkling lights, festive decorations, cheerful music, and cozy treats like warm cocoa and fresh-baked holiday goodies. From character meet-and-greets to premium cookie experiences with Santa, Dutch Winter Wonderland is the perfect setting to start new family traditions and make lasting holiday memories.
Dutch Wonderland Winter Wonderland 2025 Highlights
- 20+ Family Rides: More than 20 attractions will be open and decorated for the holidays, giving kids the thrill of a theme park in a size that feels just right.
- Over One Million Lights: The entire “Kingdom for Kids” glows with dazzling displays—perfect for photos, selfies, and holiday cards.
- Magical Light & Entertainment Experiences: Returning favorites include Merlin’s Magical Forest, the walk-through trail Illumination Lane, the high-energy dance party Duke’s Blizzard Bash, the puppet show A Chris-Mouse Carol, and festive live performances from the Dutch WonderBand on select dates.
- Santa’s Jolly Lodge: Meet Santa in his warm winter lodge, open on all operating days leading up to Christmas Eve. Both professional and DIY photo options are available.
- Premium Cookie Experiences (Extra Fee): Dutch Wonderland’s Holiday Cookie Experiences include:
- Cookies with Santa: Enjoy holiday cookies, Santa time, and photo ops inside Enchanted Eats on select dates November 15–December 23 (advance reservations required).
- Cookies with Duke & the Silly Elves: Meet Duke the Dragon and his holiday elf friends for storytelling, treats, and fun.
- NEW! Snowflake Cookies with PBS KIDS Daniel Tiger: A limited-time cookie decorating and character encounter with Daniel Tiger—perfect for preschoolers.
- Festive Food & Seasonal Treats: Enjoy hot cocoa, warm pretzels, seasonal goodies, and classic theme park snacks throughout the event.
Discount Tickets to Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Winter Wonderland is an easy day trip for DMV families—just over an hour from Philadelphia and under two hours from Baltimore and many Washington DC suburbs. It’s the perfect holiday getaway for families with little ones. Purchase Dutch Wonderland Winter Wonderland tickets tickets in advance to save $20+ over gate prices!
Hershey Christmas Candylane®
Event Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (select dates)
Location: Hershey, PA (1 hour 45 minutes from Baltimore; just over 2 hours from Washington DC)
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane® is one of the most magical holiday theme park events on the East Coast, offering more than 5 million lights, festive entertainment, holiday rides, and some of the sweetest seasonal treats anywhere. Located in the heart of Central Pennsylvania, it’s an easy weekend getaway for families from Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia.
A huge perk of visiting Hersheypark during the holiday season is that your single-day Hersheypark ticket includes same-day admission to ZooAmerica® North American Wildlife Park. This 11-acre zoo is home to big cats, wolves, birds of prey, reptiles, and more — perfect for a warm indoor/outdoor break during your holiday visit.
Select family rides, kiddie rides, and classic favorites operate throughout the holiday season, including seven thrill rides when weather permits. Candymonium® continues to be Hersheypark’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster — and it is a crowd favorite! And don’t miss the Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk indoor thrill ride with its Christmas overlay!
Hersheypark’s three signature dining destinations remain guest favorites and are open during the holiday season:
- The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio℠
- Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor℠
- The Sweeterie® Confectionery Kitchen℠
Seasonal treats include hot cocoa flights, holiday-themed milkshakes, chocolate-dipped goodies, and warm pastries.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 2025 Highlights
- Bright Lights & Holiday Nights: Enjoy twinkling lights set to your favorite holiday music during the NOEL Christmas tree show every 30 minutes starting at 5 pm!
- Mary N. Bright Airfield: Meet Santa and all 9 of his reindeer for holiday greetings.
- Our Friends From The Sea: Learn about California Sea Lions and Atlantic Harbor Seals on weekends at 2 pm and 4 pm.
- Twinkling Thru Time: Warm up in Music Box Theatre to see the musical holiday show that is fun for all ages!
- TREEville At The Boardwalk: This year you can find the Kissmas Tree among its decorated tree friends!
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Tickets
The best place to buy Hersheypark tickets is directly on their website. Make it a weekend trip! Check out our advice on where to stay in Hershey and other things to do in Dauphin County and the nearby Harrisburg area! You can occasionally nab Hersheypark Christmas Candylane discount tickets early in the season!
Hershey Sweet Lights®
Hershey Sweet Lights® is a perfect add-on to your Christmas Candylane visit. Just 10 minutes from the Hersheypark entrance, this 2-mile drive-through light experience includes nearly 600 illuminated holiday displays. It’s a relaxing way to end the evening after exploring the park.
Holiday Theme Park Events Near Washington DC
These are our favorite theme park events near Washington DC. Do you know of any others? Please comment below! We’d love to hear your suggestions!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information
Those sound like such fun amusement parks! We really need to get over to the east coast to check them out.
Yes, we’ve been to them all and they are a ton of fun, especially during the holidays!
Thank you for sharing! I have been wanting to take the little ones to Dutch Wonderland. I may try to fit that in before the holidays are over.