LEGOLAND® holiday events begin the Friday after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Eve. We recently visited LEGOLAND® to experience the holiday events for the first time. Here is our list of the eight fun things you can do when you visit LEGOLAND® during the holidays.
1. Scavenger Hunt
In the DUPLO® Valley area, go to the scavenger hunt kiosk to receive a small card with riddles that serve as clues to find the traditional holiday items (like a stocking, elf, etc.) around the DUPLO® Valley. Once completed, return your card to the scavenger hunt kiosk to be entered into a daily prize pack drawing. You do not need to be present to win because you include your contact information on the back of your card. You also receive a holiday DUPLO® block when you complete the scavenger hunt (one per child). Best of all, this activity is FREE.
2. Seasonal Characters
In 2020, LEGOLAND® had socially distanced opportunities to get your photo with LEGO® Santa, LEGO® Gingerbread Man, LEGO® Toy Soldier, and Holiday Unikitty. We enjoyed taking a quick picture with unique characters and the fun employees at each character spot. The day we went, lines were very short and we could quickly take off our masks for a photo since everyone was distanced. I recommend that you plan ahead for characters you want to meet and be at the location a little early. Character meeting times are usually about 20 minutes, except for Santa, who has much longer meeting times. You can take selfies or purchase professional pictures taken by park employees.
3. Holiday Shows
Three shows were available during our visit: The Very Merry Mixup, North Pole Nonsense, and Rockin Around (the tree lighting, but I talk about that later in this post). The Very Merry Mixup show was new in 2020. I suggest that you plan ahead to make sure you can see The Very Merry Mixup and North Pole Nonsense shows that only run four times daily. I would also arrive early because seating is limited and distancing means fewer seats. The shows are also performed outside.
4. Holiday Photo Spots
In addition to an opportunity to get a quick picture with seasonal characters, there are designated photo spots throughout the park. The photo spots are marked on the ground and include the LEGO® Christmas Tree, Days until Christmas, LEGO® Santa and Reindeer, and LEGO® Snowman. Finding these photos spots added another element of fun to our trip and make for great photos to share with friends and family.
5. Holiday Shopping
All LEGO® fans know that in addition to great sets dedicated to our favorite movies and characters, LEGO® has amazing holiday creations that make great gifts. We loved the displays of LEGO® sets and there are even some LEGOLAND® exclusive sets you can purchase.
6. Holiday Treats
LEGOLAND® is known for its apple fries at Granny’s Apple Fries, but during the holidays there are even more treats available. Snowball on a stick (a coconut-crusted white chocolate bonbon lollipop), merry mint twist (mint ice cream), Kris Kringle Krispies (a crispy rice cereal treat), and hot chocolate freeze (a cocoa-infused milkshake covered with marshmallow fluff with caramel drizzle and chocolate shavings on top) were a few of the holiday treats offered at various locations throughout the park. We tried the snowball on a stick and loved the combination of cake, white chocolate, and coconut. Best of all, it was only $2.00. At that price, you can get one for the everyone. Although the treats are simple, the price for seasonal treats is reasonable and a welcome change from complicated, pricey theme-park snacks.
7. Send a letter to Santa
New in 2020 was a fun opportunity to send a letter to Santa at the Holiday Village Postal Service. This activity is at no additional cost. We were greeted by an enthusiastic postal worker who explained the process and provided a special letter printed to LEGO® Santa, a sanitized marker, and an envelope. After my daughter wrote her letter at a distanced station, she deposited her letter in a LEGO® mailbox and watched its delivery to Mrs. Claus. It was a super cute experience that may have even the most skeptical kiddo feeling excited.
8. Watch the LEGO® Christmas Tree Lighting
Near the entrance of the park is a 30-foot LEGO® Holiday Tree that comes to life with lights and sounds at dusk (around 5:30 PM) until park close. I recommend asking a park employee about the tree lighting time when you arrive so you do not miss the holiday tree lighting.
9. Bonus – Kids’ New Year’s Eve Fireworks
This year, it is difficult to find a fireworks display for New Year’s Eve, especially a kid-friendly fireworks event. LEGOLAND® has you covered for a low stress, easy event for kids on New Year’s Eve. At 8:00 PM, well before midnight, an exciting fireworks display will help visitors welcome the new year with bursts that transform into LEGO® bricks!
Let us help you plan your LEGOLAND® visit
LEGOLAND® is a fun, clean, and relaxed theme park that caters to visitors 12 and under, as well as LEGO® fans of every age. The park has several rides, restaurants, shows, and activities for one day or more. If you are interested in planning a visit, contact us to learn more about how we can help you make the most of your trip. Subscribe to our email newsletter below to download a copy of the 2020 LEGOLAND® holiday event guide for more event information.