They are open year round but it seems like this month is an appropriate time to write about the Santa Claus themed parks around the  U.S.

A Driving and Dining Christmas

Roadside attractions seem to be closing down left and right, yet you just have to look online to see how many people love the fun and nostalgia (and food) to be found during a visit. I believe that the sculptures and figurines that make up these attractions are important pieces of folk art, history, and (in the case of U.S. sites) Americana.

Christmas Amusement Parks & Theme Parks

Some rights reserved by Roadsidepictures

New York’s Santa’s Workshop claims that they are America’s oldest theme park – they’ve been operating since 1949.

This attraction is one of the best we’ve seen – it has rides, shows, and several shops – including a post office where you can mail a post card which will actually be postmarked from the North Pole (New York). They also have candy, stocking making, glass blowing, and blacksmith shops. (Blacksmith, you ask? To make reindeer shoes, of course…)

At the Lindale Santa Land you can catch a ride on Santa’s trailer and admire over 2.5 million lights in the 24 acre drive thru experience, Texas style. But watch out for the marshmallow monster! Afterwards you can recuperate with some hot cider or hot chocolate at the concession truck and fresh gingerbread goodies at the gift shop.

Sadly, the Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana is actually closed during the Christmas season. If you visit it after it reopens in the Spring, you can take a ride on the Wildebeest. (Don’t be scared, that’s the name of the world’s longest water coaster.)

Other Santa or Christmas themed attractions are permanently shut down. According to weirdca.com, Santa Claus Lane of Carpenteria, California has been turned into an English Style themed fishing village (not as a tribute to famous California residents and musical geniuses, the Carpenters, as I had hoped).

Here is interesting (yet sad, and even creepy) footage of an abandoned Santa’s Village in East Dundee, Illinois:

If you are reading this article, please make a visit to a local attraction part of your holiday traditions (and don’t forget to buy a souvenir and eat at the concession while you’re at it!).

Christmas Theme Parks Around the World

Santa Park – Finland

What better place then the habitat of real, live reindeer?!

Everland Theme Park – South Korea

Everland transforms into a Christmas theme park once a year – featuring parades, Christmas trees, and even a fake snow fall. They also advertise their new ‘Herbivore Safari’ (hopefully not replacing an ill-fated ‘Carnivore Safari’- due to the costs of constantly replacing the smaller animals and the occasional park employee…).

Village du Pere Noel – Canada

Located in Quebec, a part of Canada that loves winter so much, they hold a carnival to celebrate the season and the guest of honor is a snowman (Le Bonhomme de Neige).

Christmas Park, Mountain View Nature Park – The Philippines

You can read about this park at My Cebu Photo Blog.

Christmas Parks, Listed alphabetically by State:

Santa’s Theme Park – Chandler, Arizona

Fantasy of Lights – Los Gatos, California

Santa’s Workshop, North Pole – Cascade, Colorado

Holiday World – Santa Claus, Indiana

Santa’s Village – Jefferson, New Hampshire

Santa’s Workshop – North Pole, New York

Santa’s Land – Cherokee, North Carolina

Santa Land (The Magic Forest) – Lindale, Texas

Santa’s Land – Putney, Vermont

For a fantastic and comprehensive collection of photos, please visit the Fairy Tale Parks/Santa Parks image pool at Flickr.

Did We Miss Any?

Please let me know if I’ve missed any sites to add to the list. Also, I am currently researching religious attractions for the next article (Christmas, Hanukkah, or other religious holidays celebrated in December). We always love to hear first-hand reviews and stories, too – please share in the comments below:

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