Amusement Parks Holidays 2025

Here’s a guide to the best amusement park holiday schedules in the USA for 2025. Many U.S. theme parks go all out during holiday periods, creating seasonal experiences with decorations, themed attractions, special shows, and parades. This guide breaks down popular parks and their key holiday events, including what to expect for New Year’s, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more.

Holiday	Date(s)	Parks & Events
New Year’s	January 1	Disneyland Resort (CA): New Year’s fireworks and extended hours Walt Disney World (FL): Fireworks, DJ parties across four parks Universal Studios: New Year’s Eve festivities
Spring Break & Easter	March – April	Universal Orlando (FL): Extra performances and street shows Knott’s Berry Farm (CA): Boysenberry Festival Dollywood (TN): Easter egg hunts and spring activities
Independence Day	July 4	Magic Kingdom (FL): “Celebrate America!” fireworks Busch Gardens (VA): Fireworks, patriotic shows SeaWorld (FL & CA): Electric Ocean and patriotic displays
Halloween Season	September – October	Universal Studios (FL & CA): Halloween Horror Nights Magic Kingdom (FL): Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Knott’s Berry Farm (CA): Knott’s Scary Farm
Thanksgiving	November 27 – 30	Disneyland & Walt Disney World: Kickoff of Christmas festivities Dollywood (TN): Smoky Mountain Christmas lights and shows Silver Dollar City (MO): “An Old Time Christmas”
Christmas & Winter	December	Magic Kingdom (FL): Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Universal Orlando: Grinchmas & holiday decor Six Flags (Various): Holiday in the Park events

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1. New Year’s Events (January 1, 2025)

• Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, CA): Disneyland and Disney California Adventure offer extended hours on New Year’s Eve and fireworks on New Year’s Day. Expect themed decorations to continue as the parks transition from holiday to winter themes.
• Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL): All four parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios) celebrate with elaborate New Year’s fireworks displays, live DJ parties, and character appearances.
• Universal Studios (Hollywood, CA, and Orlando, FL): Known for New Year’s Eve festivities with live entertainment, dance parties, and fireworks (weather permitting).

2. Spring Break & Easter (March-April 2025)

• Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure (Orlando, FL): Both parks see increased spring break attendance with extra entertainment and street performances. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is particularly popular during this time.
• Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park, CA): The “Knott’s Boysenberry Festival” celebrates the park’s signature fruit and features themed food items, live entertainment, and kid-friendly activities.
• Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN): Dolly Parton’s theme park celebrates Easter with a mix of springtime events, featuring flower displays, craft demonstrations, and the annual Great Smoky Mountains Easter Egg Hunt.

3. Independence Day Celebrations (July 4, 2025)

• Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL): The “Celebrate America!” fireworks on July 4th bring patriotic themes, while Main Street U.S.A. hosts red, white, and blue decor.
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg (VA): Known for its Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza, featuring a mix of thrill rides and celebrations inspired by the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg.
• SeaWorld Orlando & San Diego: Offers patriotic fireworks displays and activities like “Electric Ocean,” a nighttime spectacular with neon lights and themed dance parties.

4. Halloween Events (September-October 2025)

• Halloween Horror Nights (Universal Studios Orlando & Hollywood): The iconic Halloween Horror Nights runs throughout September and October, bringing terrifying haunted houses, scare zones, and shows.
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Magic Kingdom, FL): A family-friendly event with trick-or-treating, special Halloween fireworks, and a Halloween-themed parade, suitable for all ages.
• Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park, CA): Knott’s Berry Farm transforms into Knott’s Scary Farm with mazes, scare zones, and live performances – a must for Halloween enthusiasts.

5. Thanksgiving Weekend (November 27-30, 2025)

• Disneyland and Walt Disney World: Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the Christmas season, with festive decorations, parades, and seasonal treats available across all parks.
• Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Pigeon Forge, TN): Dollywood’s holiday season begins around Thanksgiving, featuring millions of Christmas lights, themed shows, and holiday treats.
• Silver Dollar City (Branson, MO): The “An Old Time Christmas” celebration starts in November, featuring parades, millions of lights, and special performances perfect for Thanksgiving weekend.

6. Christmas and Winter Holidays (December 2025)

• Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL): “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” runs on select nights in December, featuring snowfall on Main Street, festive parades, and themed treats.
• Universal Studios Orlando: Universal’s Christmas celebration includes “Grinchmas” and the Wizarding World’s holiday transformation, with themed performances, decorations, and holiday treats.
• Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas: Lights cover the entire park, and events include holiday-themed shows, a Parade of Many Colors, and meet-and-greets with Santa.
• Six Flags (Various Locations): “Holiday in the Park” runs in December, featuring millions of lights, holiday-themed shows, and seasonal food.

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Tips for Visiting During the Holidays

• Plan Ahead: Parks tend to be busiest during peak holiday times (especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, and July 4). Purchasing tickets and making reservations in advance can help avoid long waits.
• Check for Special Events: Many parks require separate tickets for special events like Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
• Arrive Early: Arriving when the park opens is especially beneficial during holidays for shorter lines and easier access to popular rides and events.
• Dress for the Season: December events in Southern locations can still be chilly in the evenings. For Halloween events, consider packing comfortable costumes if they’re allowed.
• Look for Holiday Food Specials: Many parks offer exclusive holiday-themed snacks and meals that are available only during these periods.

This guide covers the highlights, but each park’s official website will have the latest schedule details and ticket information, especially closer to 2025.

List of Amusement Parks with Holiday Hours.