{"id":529037,"date":"2025-11-26T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northernvirginiamag.com\/?p=529037"},"modified":"2025-11-25T17:39:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T22:39:50","slug":"3-amusement-parks-near-northern-virginia-are-transforming-into-winter-wonderlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northernvirginiamag.com\/things-to-do\/travel\/2025\/11\/26\/3-amusement-parks-near-northern-virginia-are-transforming-into-winter-wonderlands\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Amusement Parks Near Northern Virginia Transform into Winter Wonderlands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Amusement parks are no longer just a place for summer fun. These adrenaline-pumping destinations are bringing on the holiday cheer with millions of twinkling lights, sweet treats, and meet-and-greets with Santa<\/a>. Head to these nearby amusement parks to celebrate the holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Busch Gardens Williamsburg<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Select dates through January 3, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Busch Gardens\u2019 annual Christmas Town experience allows you to enjoy a European Christmas without leaving Virginia. Ten million lights cover the different countries within the park. Wander through each section to find holiday performances and seasonal shops. Guests can even stop by Santa\u2019s workshop for a special visit before Christmas. 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg, starting at $29.99<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dutch Wonderland<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Select dates through December 31<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pennsylvania amusement park turns into a winter wonderland during the holidays. Find rides and holiday fun, including Santa\u2019s Jolly Lodge, the light show in Merlin\u2019s Magical Forest, and Duke\u2019s Blizzard Bash dance party. The park is also hosting a family-friendly “Noon Year\u2019s Eve” party full of confetti and Dutch Wonderland\u2019s royal mascots. 2249 Lincoln Hwy E., Lancaster, Pennsylvania, starting at $24.99<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hersheypark<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Select dates through January 4, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s out with the scary Dark Nights and in with the jolly Christmas Candylane. Visit the park during the holiday season to see more than 5 million lights covering your favorite rides. The holiday experience also features Santa and his reindeer, decorated trees through The Boardwalk, festive snacks and desserts, and an all-new stage show, Twinkling Thru Time<\/em><\/a>. The park also hosts its own drive-through display. Hershey Sweet Lights takes you through 2 miles of trails featuring sweet-inspired holiday lights. 100 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, Pennsylvania, starting at $49.99<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature image courtesy Busch Gardens<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Millions of lights and holiday treats are taking over these nearby amusement parks.","protected":false},"author":1001795,"featured_media":286295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-529037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAmusement Parks Near NoVA with Winter Wonderlands<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Millions of lights and holiday treats are taking over these amusement parks, including Hersheypark and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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