Ho-Ho-Holy cow, it’s almost Christmas!
Welcome to another week of the Holidays & Nights newsletter! Parents, I hope your little Elves on the Shelves aren’t causing you too much seasonal panic. I don’t have children, but I have young nieces, nephews and cousins and I’m told those pesky little Santa tattletales can be quite burdensome this time of year.
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Fear not, we’re just 18 days away from Christmas and that nosey elf will soon disappear for another year.
If you’d like to keep yourselves and your kids distracted in the meantime, there’s a ton of holiday-themed events happening at Southern California theme parks.
Reporter and lovely Frumpy Mom columnist Marla Jo Fisher has a quick look at what’s going on at Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Legoland California and SeaWorld San Diego here.
☃️ But wait, there’s more!
🍪 Which Disney treats to splurge on and which ones to skip
Theme parks reporter Brady MacDonald took on the task of tasting a variety of eats and beverages from Disney’s Festival of Holidays, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 7 at Disney California Adventure.
The food is inspired by cultural traditions tied to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Navidad and Three Kings Day. Guests can pick up Sip and Savor passes for $61 for general visitors and $56 for Magic Keyholders. The prepaid card includes eight tabs good for individual tastings at the food and beverage stands.
Brady breaks down 12 of the food items and ranks them from best to worst, starting with the Mad Santa Macaron ($7.50) which he gave an “OMG!” review. The worst, well, you’ll have to check out his list here.
You know those Disneyland candy canes that your passholder bestie raves about? They’re back this year! Can you get one? Possibly. Will it be worth it? Eh.
You’ll have to undoubtedly wait in long lines, but this cult classic that’s more than half a century old, is available Dec. 10, 12, 17, 19 and 24 at the Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen in Disneyland and Dec. 11, 13, 18, 20 and 25 and at Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure. Brady has more on signing up for the mobile waitlist system to get your hands on one of these hot-selling candy canes here.
🎁 Knott’s presents Dickens with a twist
Knott’s Berry Farm — excuse me, Knott’s Merry Farm — is treating guests to a Wild West version of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.” The show, dubbed “A Calico Christmas Carol” takes place at various times in the Bird Cage Theatre and is included in the price of admission through Jan. 7.
The show brings Ebenezer Scrooge to the Calico Ghost Town and there’s lots of references to familiar Knott’s Berry Farm fare, including the famous boysenberry pie. Brady has more on this festive theater production and what else the seasonal event has to offer here.
🎄The Grinch is back, and Harry Potter, too
Though his name is The Grinch, he’s actually quite jolly. His heart has grown three sizes and he’s filled with holiday cheer as he skips around the Universal Plaza at Universal Studios Hollywood.
He’ll happily pose for photos with guests, crack jokes and he’s always down for a dance-off. He’s also the star of the nightly performance, tree lighting and snowfall inside Whoville. He’s joined by a colorful cast of Whoville residents, including Cindy Lou Who, who reads “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” too.
There are all kinds of sweet treats and warm and cold holiday-flavored beverages and activities for kids. Over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, snagging a warm cup of Butterbeer is a must inside the Three Broomsticks. Then head over and watch the nightly show dubbed, The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, with a massive fireworks finish.
I checked out all Universal Studios Hollywood had to offer in terms of seasonal fun and you can read all about that here.
🍹 Miracle pop-up Christmas bars: Are they worth it?
Last week, I shared my article about the Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up Christmas experiences taking over restaurants and bars in Southern California this season.
I’ve been to these experiences before and have had such a great time. This year is no exception. I decided to try my luck and see if I could squeeze into The Ordinaire in Long Beach last Saturday since I was already hanging out with a friend downtown.
As luck would have it, we only waited in the non-reservation line for about 10-minutes and then waltzed right up to the bar and ordered some drinks. The crew at The Ordinaire went ALL OUT with the décor from floor to ceiling and even decorating in the bathrooms. It’s incredible and immediately puts you in a festive mood.
While I’ve had some of the other Miracle cocktails on the menu in previous years (the Snowball Old-Fashioned, Carol Barrel and ode to “Die Hard” hero John McClane, the Yippee Ki Yay — yeah, you know the rest) I decided to try two newer cocktails.
The Marshmallows & Unicorns is a gin-based drink with cherry liqueur, velvet falernum, cardamom, black pepper, marshmallow, lemon, egg white, Tiki bitters and soda. It is dangerously good, served in an adorable unicorn mug and topped with these fluffy strawberry marshmallows and cherries. Rudolph’s Replacement was a nice dessert drink, with vodka, coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, orange curacao, chai, almond milk and aromatic bitters. This one was served in a super cute Santarex Tiki-style mug.
The atmosphere at these places is so immersive and Christmasy, the drinks are actually worth it ($15.95-$17.95 per cocktail, but a pretty spectacular cocktail). The food at The Ordinaire is exceptional, too. If you hit the Long Beach Miracle location, you have to get the Chicken Pot Pie Bites, which are served with the most savory-amazing gravy.
Here’s a list of Miracle and Sippin’ Santa locations in Southern California.
❄️ I’ll be back next week with more holiday fun!
Get previous editions of Holidays & Nights online or subscribe to the newsletter for additional seasonal content sent directly to your inbox.
❄️Holidays & Nights: How local bars and restaurants are transforming into Winter Wonderlands
❄️Holidays & Nights: Family-friendly events to celebrate the season
