When you can celebrate the holidays at Pennsylvania-area theme parks this season

You are roughly a one-tank trip away from spending part of the holidays at Knoebels, Hersheypark or Sesame Place, as each is open throughout the festive season.

Here’s what you need to know before you you go.

Are theme parks open in Pennsylvania on holidays?

These theme parks are open during the holiday season. Several also have end-of-year celebrations worth checking out as well.

• Crayola Experience: The Crayola Experience will be open daily through the holiday season, including on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Dutch Winter Wonderland: Dutch Winter Wonderland is open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28 and 29. Dutch Winter Wonderland will be closed on Christmas Day and will be open on New Year’s Eve.
• Hersheypark: Hersheypark will close for the season on New Year’s Day at 9 p.m. Hersheypark will also be closed on Christmas Day, and will be open on New Year’s Eve.
• Kennywood: will be open on weekends from 3 to 9 p.m., and on Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. through January. Kennywood is closed on Christmas Day, and will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Knoebels Amusement Resort: according to its calendar, Knoebels will shut down for the season on New Year’s Eve with the last edition of the “Joy Through the Grove” drive-thru Christmas lights display. Knoebels will also be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Sesame Place Philadelphia: Sesame Place will close out its holiday season with the last run of “A Very Furry Christmas Celebration” on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Sesame Place will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Six Flags Great Adventure: Six Flags Great Adventure will close for the season at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day with the last running of “Holiday in the Park” showcase. Six Flags Great Adventure will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will be open on New Year’s Eve.

Which them parks are now closed for the season?

It stands to reason that most water-based parks would are already closed for the season.

DelGrosso’s Park & Laguna Splash, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom and Waldameer & Water World are currently closed for the season, and will reopen in late spring/early summer.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.