HOLIDAY FUN PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
MAKING MERRY IN 2016 THE RAGE MONTHLY’S CHRISTMAS GUIDE TO GOOD CHEER
Well okay, maybe not in the “There’s a chill in the air,” snowy, winter wonderland sort of way. The temperate climate, sun-filled beaches
and ever-present balmy weather associated with our “Endless Summers” can at times, for those of us who associate the holidays with a definitive chill, can make Scrooge rear his cranky head and make life miserable for every one under his grouchy scowl. Here in Southern California, a trip to Granny’s
house will certainly take you “Over the river and through the woods...” But the route will probably entail a slow crawl along a multi-lane freeway, over the concrete viaducts crossing the L.A. river (or other hemmed in waterway) and chances are the only woods you’ll pass will probably only feature the occasional eucalyp- tus, ficus or leggy palm tree. Luckily for us, those three ghosts came a’ calling and turned Scrooge’s “Bah Humbug” into “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to every-body!” So, in the spirit of Scrooge’s newfound cheer, gather your loved ones, take a moment or two, perhaps even three… and “Keep Christmas Well” as you share some of Southern California’s holiday happenings.
1. CHRISTMAS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE:
Chill at the Queen Mary This is one for those aforementioned peeps who are pining for snow, ice and frigid winter temps. It’s called Chill at the Queen Mary. This year’s theme isAlice in Winterland and features a holiday-inspired, re-imagining of the classic Lewis Carroll story, in a 14,000-foot walk-through exhibit, with two million pounds of ice sculpted into larger-than-life ice
creations...Some of them towering over 2.5 stories tall! Stroll through theNorth Pole Village, hop on the Swinging Sleigh Ride or theGiant Rocking Horse. Work out your holiday frustration withPrancer’s Paintballand after, satiate you sweet tooth by making a tasty creation at theGingerbread House, as you enjoy assorted live music and holiday carolers! Need to cool down even more? Look no further thanChill’s 6,000 square foot ice rink, or slide down their 135-footGlacier Glide Ice Tubing Luge! Don’t forget to grab a parka and gloves – temperatures drop to a numbing nine degrees inside The Queen Mary’s CHILL!
queenmary.com/events/chill
Holiday In The Park Known as the “Thrill Capitol of the World,” the 260-acre theme park, Six Flags Magic Mountain features 19 world-class roller coasters, with more than 100 rides, games and attractions for the entire family. What could be better than that? How about all the thrills, with the added-bonus of endless Christmas cheer? Six Flags Plaza becomes a dazzling holiday square with hundreds of lights festooning
12 RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2016 | DECEMBER 2016 “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”
buildings and trees with carolers strolling through falling snow (no really, it snows every 20 minutes)! The Full Throttle stage offersSnowy Nights, a high-energy show with music and dancing and DC Universe comes alive duringRockin’ Universe, with contemporary music and light shows, every 15 minutes. Two, new additions include:Santa’s Star-Spangled Plaza featuring 10-foot toy soldiers and Santa’s Wild Sleigh Ride VR Coaster. There’s the all-new Steampunk Holiday Experience too, the largest themed area in the park, with magical lights along tree-lined streets andKwekmas, their unique acrobatic show inside the Gearworks Theater. There is so much to be seen and experienced, so eat, drink and be merry…And maybe a little terrified (have you been on Tatsu?).
sixflags.com/magicmountain
Disneyland Resort They have been the “Merriest Place on Earth” since July 1955 and offering a multitude of holiday fantasies for young and old alike since. The park’s all-new nighttime spectacular, World of Color–Season of Light, celebrates the heartfelt spirit of the holidays with a sparkling, winter fantasy, classic holiday songs and memorable moments from much-loved Disney animated films. New for 2016, theFestival of Holidaysinside Disney California Adventure Park (rumor has it that Princess Elena of Avalor will be making her debut there), with the ever-popularDisney ¡Viva Navidad! and the many international sounds and foods associated with the Disney park experience. Returning also is theA Christmas Fantasy Parade with even more favorite Disney characters, theJingle Cruise, the resort’s festooned, tropi- cal excursion, or return to theHaunted Mansion Holiday, for a festive Xmas fright. If that’s not merry enough, look for thePaint the Night Parade, a wondrous spectacle with even more Disney
delights.Santa Claus will also be making regular stopsalong Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, with his reindeer sleigh filled of mischievous elves. disneyland.disney.
go.com/events-tours/holidays-at-the-disneyland-resort
Knott’s Merry Farm As they say, “Joy is in season at Knott’s Merry Farm!” Get into the spirit and beat the “Bah Humbugs” by celebrating Christmas with Snoopy and the gang! Look for the return ofMerry Christmas, Snoopy!the Peanuts-themed world class ice show and new for 2016, the show It’sThe Merriest Christmas Show Ever, Charlie Brown. Carolers wander the streets and live entertainment abounds at
the park’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, where you can catch performances such as Charles Dickens’A Christmas Carol, O. Henry’sA Gift of the Magiand many others. As the sun drops below the horizon, enjoy thousands of sparkling lights as you tour theCalico Christmas Crafts Village with local artisans selling their unique gifts and festive food, or wander theSnow in Ghost Town exhibit for a spectacular, one-of-a-kind
moment.knotts.com/merryfarm
Legoland California Resort Legoland’s theme this year is “Festive Cheer” and they want you to tame your holiday Scrooge, by coming to celebrate the season with them. Featuring live music, twinkling lights and a nightly snow fall in Heartlake City. You can build a custom snowman and festoon him with Lego accessories, or toss a random snowball at your partner, brother or friend! The park has a life-sized LEGO Brick Santa and Reindeer for a perfect “family” photo, a nightly lighting of their 30-foot Lego tree, their nightly, holiday firework display and regular live entertainment withLego Friends Live! California.
legoland.com
Winterfest In what claims to be SoCal’s newest winter tradition, Winterfest has taken over the O.C. Fair and Event Center. Walk through the two millionFestival of Lights snowscape and have a roll in the fluffy stuff blown in daily atSnow Play, take a turn ice tubing onSnowflake Summit, or polish up your ice skating skills on their outdoor rink. If that’s not enough, enjoy a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, carnival rides, bounce houses, the world’s largest rocking horse, a petting zoo, festive entertainment, seasonal food and beverages, visits with Santa, a nightly fireworks display and so much more.
winterfestoc.com
SeaWorld San Diego: Christmas Celebration As they say at the park, “The moment you arrive at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration you’ll feel a wave of holiday spirit splash over you.” Beside the SeaWorld aquatic shows:Shamu Christmas Miracles, theDolphin Island Christmasshow and fun with the sea lion in Clyde and Seamore’s Christmas Special, there are many seasonal at- tractions such asThe Christmas Village, filled with culinary delights and Christmas merchandise, special entertain- ment, caroler’s as they stroll through the night and merry elves with boss Santa hanging in his cottage. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, look for the40’ Happiest Christmas Tree as it dances the night away to everyone’s favorite Christmas tunes. Just look for the most obvious holiday landmark in San Diego—the ginormous holiday tree—SeaWorld’s breathtaking320-foot Christmas Tree of Lights, a San Diego tradition since 1969.
seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/christmas
Universal Studios Hollywood: Grinchmas! I guess San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre doesn’t have an exclusive on the Grinch theme!Grinchmas is Universal Studios take on the Who’s in Whoville and let me tell you, this is one revved up, super-popular holiday event in L.A.’s Hollywood area. Join mean old Mr. Grinch and his ever- cheerful pup, Max, for a “Fahoo fores dahoo dores, Welcome Christmas, Christmas” spectacular, set amongst the original movie backdrops from the classic Dr. Seuss’How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Board the tram for a studio tour amid the original Whoville buildings, as you experience a one-of-a- kind performance by its residents as they re-enact favorite scenes and songs from the film. Then build your very own snowmen as you enjoy some chilly playground fun in the park’s tons of snow. Watch for the nightly lighting of the curving, whimsical 60 foot Grinchmas tree (Try and stuff that one in your sleigh, Mr. Grinch) and be entertained by the colorfully, costumed Whoville choir as they carol through the park! universalstu-
dioshollywood.com/grinchmas/grinchmas_event
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