The 2024 Knott’s Peanuts Celebration runs through Feb. 25 with stage shows, live music, character meet-and-greets and themed food and merchandise at the Buena Park theme park.

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I’m a huge fan of Mac & Cheese and consider the dish one of my five basic food groups.

By my count, 10 of the 21 Peanuts Celebration food and beverage items on this year’s Peanuts Celebration menu feature Mac & Cheese — making Knott’s the Cheesiest Place on Earth for the next few weeks.

“It’s kind of a secret menu,” Knott’s Berry Farm Vice President of Food & Beverage Laura Brubaker said of the preponderance of Mac & Cheese items. “We did advertise it to some degree, but not like we do with other events.”

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm sets dates for 2024 festival lineup

Making Mac & Cheese the star of the culinary show made sense with the kids-centric Peanuts Celebration, according to Brubaker.

“If you like Mac & Cheese, why not put it into anything?” Brubaker said via email. “I thought it would be fun to hone in on this item. Mac & Cheese is very versatile and goes with a lot of different things — like burgers, with ground beef and on fries.”

Cheese has been a recurring theme during the annual Knott’s festival celebrating Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, Pig-Pen and the rest of the Peanuts gang from the newspaper comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz.

Grilled cheese — another kids menu staple — went over well as the culinary star of the Peanuts Celebration a few years ago, according to Brubaker.

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If Knott’s can have an entire festival dedicated to the Boysenberry, why can’t Knott’s have a Mac & Cheese festival as part of the Peanuts Celebration?

“Mac & Cheese has legs and many people love eating it,” Brubaker said via email. “I do think there could be a larger celebration dedicated to it, however this is a pilot this year and may grow.”

Here are all of the Mac & Cheese items on the menu at this year’s Peanuts Celebration.

1) Franklin’s Mac and Cheesy Noodle, Cheddar and Broccoli Soup (Ghost Town Bakery)

2) Schroeder’s Fluffy Breakfast Mac and Cheese Pancake served with a side of Bacon and Maple Syrup (Sutter’s Grill)

3) Lucy Van Pelt’s Mac and Cheese Waffle Cone topped with Pulled Pork (Sutter’s Funnel Cake)

4) Cornbread Funnel Cake with Mac and Cheese and Pulled Pork with a BBQ Sauce Drizzle (Sutter’s Funnel Cake)

5) Snoopy’s Mac and Cheeseburger with Burger Sauce (Wilderness Dogs and Drinks)

6) Linus’ Mac and Cheese Bites over French Fries served with a Spicy Aioli (Strictly-on-a-Stick)

7) Pig Pen’s Ham and Mac and Cheese Loaf (Boardwalk BBQ)

8) Jose Peterson’s Swedish Meatball on top of Mac and Cheese and French Fries (Papas Mexicanas)

9) Charlie Brown’s Burrito with Mac and Cheese, Ground Beef and Queso (Casa California Restaurante)

10) Fully Loaded Funnel Cake topped with a Cheesecake Batter and Mac Gummies (Log Ride Funnel)

Knott’s closed on Thursday, Feb. 1 due to inclement weather, according to the Buena Park theme park’s official Twitter page. Knott’s tickets purchased for Thursday are valid any day through Feb. 25.

ALSO SEE: 10 rainy day closures cost Knott’s Berry Farm millions in early 2023

SeaWorld San Diego also closed on Thursday because of inclement weather and will reopen on Friday, Feb. 2, according to the marine park’s website. SeaWorld’s Weather-or-Not program provides a free return visit when rain, thunder, lightning, hail, winds, heat, snow or a hurricane force the closure of the park.

The latest rainfall hammering Southern California is thanks to a Pineapple Express weather system carrying heavy rain from the tropical Pacific — specifically from the Hawaiian islands area.

Other Southern California theme parks remained open despite the back-to-back storms forecast to wallop the Southland through early next week.

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Disneyland is set to close early at 8 p.m. on Thursday to empty the Anaheim theme park of daily visitors so the separate admission Sweethearts’ Nite after-hours event can get started. Disney Lovebirds will want to bring a raincoat, boots and an umbrella along with their romantic intentions.

Across the esplanade, Disney California Adventure is scheduled to remain open until 9 p.m. on Thursday.

Universal Studios Hollywood is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. on Thursday while Legoland California will stay open until 4:30 p.m.

Legoland California offers a “Rainy Day Promise” that allows visitors to return within a year when storms ruin the day.

Universal Studios tickets are rain or shine with no complimentary admission to return another day when it rains.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the winter season.

The 2024 Knott’s Peanuts Celebration kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 27 and runs through Feb. 25 with stage shows, live music, character meet-and-greets and themed food and merchandise at the Buena Park theme park.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm barn destroyed by fire was birthplace of historic attractions

The “It’s Your Life, Charlie Brown” musical takes over the Calico Mine Stage during the day with the Peanuts star facing the shock of his life on the game show “It’s Your Life.”

In the evening, Calico Mine Stage hosts “Snoopy’s Legendary Rooftop Concert” with the Jelly of the Month Club indie rock band headlining the musical event.

The James Street Trio pays tribute to Peanuts music created by the Vince Guaraldi Trio at the patio of the Boardwalk BBQ restaurant.

ALSO SEE: 10 former Knott’s rides and attractions we miss the most

Budding artists can learn to draw Snoopy, Woodstock and other characters in the Peanuts Sketch School in the Bird Cage Theatre. In between art lessons, the Bird Cage hosts Charlie Brown’s Trivia Challenge where you can test your Peanuts knowledge.

The Peanuts Cowboy Jamboree in Calico Park features Wild West-themed games hosted by Franklin and Linus. Pigpen’s Pig Pen in the Ghost Town Livery Stables offers a chance to meet a few animals and the messiest Peanuts character of them all.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm adding 4 rides in Camp Snoopy makeover

A Franklin-focused gallery exhibit in Calico Town Hall examines the pop cultural significance of the newspaper comic strip character created by Charles M. Schulz in 1968.

The Knott’s seasonal celebration features more than 30 Peanuts-inspired menu items found throughout the park — including a host of mac-and-cheese menu items paired with pancakes, waffle cones, funnel cakes and burritos.

Usually the annual Knott’s Peanuts Celebration is centered in Camp Snoopy — which features more than a dozen kiddie rides including the Peanuts-themed Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies, Linus Launcher and Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer.

But this year Camp Snoopy is undergoing a major makeover set to debut Memorial Day Weekend 2024 that will add a new family coaster and super-sized kids swing and update an off-road rally race and miniature train ride.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm sets dates for 2024 festival lineup

During the overhaul, the Camp Snoopy Theater is being reoriented with the relocated stage facing the midway and a shade cover over new log-style seating.

The Peanuts Celebration is part of the Knott’s Seasons of Fun — with Knott’s Boysenberry Festival (March 8-April 28), Knott’s Summer Nights (June 14-Sept. 2), Knott’s Scary Farm (Sept. 19-Oct. 31) and Knott’s Merry Farm (Nov. 22-Jan. 5) on the calendar for the remainder of the year.

Closures are an inevitable stage in attractions’ lifecycle — especially in a park such as Knott’s Berry Farm that has almost no space for expansion. To make room for something new, something old has to go.

But that did not make the news that the Huff and Puff would be closing hurt any less. I never went on the unique little ride in Camp Snoopy. Yet it provided some of my most cherished memories while visiting Knott’s Berry Farm.

Huff and Puff was a toddler-sized rail handcar ride that opened with Camp Snoopy in 1983. Kids sat by themselves in each cart, “huffing and puffing” to pump the car’s handle to propel themselves around the track. As the name implied, it was not always easy, and that difficulty hurt the appeal of an attraction that already had a very limited audience due to its size restrictions.

Theme parks are in the business of providing attractions that actually attract people, so you can’t blame them for closing rides with limited appeal to clear space for something new. But few rides in the park were as beloved by its fans as Huff and Puff.

First, it was unique. I can’t recall having seen a ride like it in any other major park. That alone would elicit admiration from well-traveled fans. More important, however, Huff and Puff illustrated what makes people fall in love with theme park attractions.

The most popular trope on theme park rides is that something will go terribly wrong, or an obstacle will fall into your way. As former Universal Creative designer Thierry Coup once told me, “It has to. It gives us a chance to be heroes and to try to save the day.”

The most powerful joys might be the ones you have to work the hardest to earn. That’s why attractions based on fear and apprehension work so powerfully. Knott’s, of all theme parks, knows this, being the home to the industry’s original Halloween attraction, Knott’s Scary Farm.

I remember questioning my life choices after boarding The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal Orlando for the first time. I was facing a two-second, zero-to-40 mph launch up a tunnel into a Cobra roll, which would lead immediately into a 100-foot loop. It’s perhaps the most audacious start to a roller coaster in America. As soon as I flew through that Cobra roll, however, my apprehension melted into joy for I remembered that audacious roller coasters are freaking awesome.

I felt the same thrill watching my kids jump off the Huff and Puff after successfully pumping themselves around that track for the first time. That day, they were heroes. No one had to push them around the track. No automated vehicle did all the work. They got to play the main character, and win.

Whether it is by summoning the courage to get on an intimidating roller coaster or the strength to push yourself around a Camp Snoopy track, people love feeling like the hero. Great theme park attractions provide us the chance to do that. That’s why I loved the Huff and Puff and will miss it.

I’m sure I looked like an idiot cranking the hand pump back and forth — but I was determined to tackle the human-powered one-of-a-kind kiddie ride.

Knott’s Berry Farm will close the Huff and Puff ride in Camp Snoopy at the end of the day on Sunday, Jan. 7. The Buena Park theme park will hand out “Last Ride” merit badges to riders on the final day.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm adding 4 rides in Camp Snoopy makeover

Get ready to earn your first merit badge! This Sunday, January 7, marks the last day guests will get to ride the Camp Snoopy classic, Huff and Puff! To commemorate the event, guests can “earn” their Huff and Puff Last Ride merit badge. pic.twitter.com/L9ZLE5gEzT

— Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) January 3, 2024

It turns out I should not have been allowed on the Huff and Puff ride, which has a 52-inch height maximum. Maybe the ride operator overlooked my height that day — or more than likely simply wanted to see me try to get in and out of the Huff and Puff cart.

Either way, I’m happy I got to ride Huff and Puff before it disappeared forever from the theme park landscape.

It’s possible the miniature mining cart can still be found at a few other theme parks — but it’s definitely a rarity. In a few days, Huff and Puff will be relegated to the Knott’s history books and reside only in the memories of visitors fortunate enough to have taken a spin on the novel kiddie ride.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm sets dates for 2024 festival lineup

The 1983 Huff and Puff was built by Long Beach-based Bradley & Kaye Amusement Company. Bradley & Kaye also made the 1983 Timberline Twister kiddie coaster that’s also being removed as part of the latest Camp Snoopy makeover.

The ride maker was co-founded by Beverly Park owner David Bradley — who played a crucial role in theme park history.

Walt Disney was a frequent visitor of Beverly Park with his daughters in the 1940s.

ALSO SEE: What Cedar Fair-Six Flags $8 billion merger means for Knott’s and Magic Mountain

Disney showed Bradley his plans for Disneyland in 1950 and soon after hired him as a consultant for the fledgling park, according to KCET.

Bradley’s wife, Bernice, a story researcher at Disney Studios, worked double duty as Beverly Park’s treasurer and box office manager.

“Our park was very tiny. There was a carousel, a little train ride and another little boat ride for children,” said Bernice Bradley, according to MousePlanet. “Walt was out there almost every day, sitting on the end of the bench watching how children enjoyed the rides.”

In 1953, Walt dispatched his Imagineers to the small corner amusement park in Beverly Hills “for inspiration and general reconnaissance,” according to the DisneylandForward EIR.

ALSO SEE: Disneyland closes 6 attractions after busy Christmas season

Bradley & Kaye was best known for the Little Dipper kiddie roller coaster built in partnership with the Allan Herschell Company. The 1971 Magic Flyer coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain is a B&K model.

The original Balloon Race at Knott’s was built by Bradley & Kaye — and since replaced with a redesigned ride. Similar B&K balloon rides can be found at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia and Hersheypark in Pennsylvania.

Bradley restored classic carousels and made fiberglass molds of famed horse carvings used to reproduce new highly-detailed figures for refurbished or modern merry-go-rounds.

Chance Rides purchased Bradley & Kaye Amusement Company in 1986.

Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes festivals dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm adding 4 rides in Camp Snoopy makeover

Knott’s Peanuts Celebration will run daily from Jan. 27 through Feb. 25. Snoopy and the gang will make character meet-and-greet appearances during the month-long festival as the park adds Peanuts-themed shows, treats and decor.

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival pays tribute to the little berry that started it all with daily events March 8 through April 28. Knott’s culinary team takes center stage during the foodie fest filled with boysenberry-inspired meals, treats and drinks with plenty of live music and family activities tossed into the mix.

Knott’s Summer Nights turns the park into a big block party barbecue from June 14 through Sept. 2. Bands take turns on a pair of stages near the Calico Mine Ride with DJs spinning dance tunes in between sets. The popular Ghost Town Alive interactive role-playing game will once again take over Calico throughout the summer.

Knott’s Scary Farm returns on select nights from Sept. 19 through Nov. 2. More than 1,000 monsters will lurk in the haunted mazes, scare zones and fog-filled streets throughout the park. Unlike all the park’s other seasonal festivals, Knott’s Scary Farm is a separate-admission event.

Knott’s Spooky Farm takes a family-friendly approach to Halloween during the day on select dates from Sept. 26 through Oct. 31. Kids can trick-or-treat at Calico Ghost Town shops and businesses before the sun falls and ghouls fill the park.

Knott’s Merry Farm wraps up the year with a big Christmas bow from Nov. 22 through Jan. 5, 2025. Entertainment will include Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas ice show, Snow and Glow faux snowfall show and the Calico Christmas Carolers. Santa will be on hand to go over wish lists while shoppers can pick up last-minute gifts in the Christmas Crafts Village.

The Camp Snoopy makeover set to debut Memorial Day Weekend 2024 at the Buena Park theme park will add a new family coaster and super-sized kids swing and update an off-road rally race and miniature train ride while removing two original attractions from the themed land that opened in 1983.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm adds a Wild West twist to ‘A Christmas Carol’

The last major Camp Snoopy overhaul took place in 2014 for the 30th anniversary of the kiddie land when Knott’s added Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer, Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies and Linus Launcher — all from Italian ridemaker Zamperla.

A new “Camp Snoopy” animated television show coming soon to Apple TV will offer some inspiration for the revamped rides — even if the refreshed land won’t be directly tied to the new TV show.

One goal of the Camp Snoopy refresh is to make Knott’s visitors feel like they are joining the Peanuts characters during a day at camp, according to Cedar Fair Creative Development Director Ken Parks, who headed up the Camp Snoopy makeover.

“How would the Peanuts kids use Camp Snoopy if this were a real camp?” Parks said during an online video interview. “That’s really at the core. It will feel like the kids go to camp here.”

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm won’t add Six Flags to theme park name

A meet-and-greet area tucked in a back corner will be removed so the Peanuts characters will be out and about more in the land.

“It will feel like they live at Camp Snoopy,” Parks said. “That they’re really inhabiting the land.”

Another goal of the Camp Snoopy overhaul at Knott’s is to add more attractions that children can ride with their parents and grandparents — rather than the adults standing off to the side watching their kids have fun.

“One of the things that we hear from our guests is that they really want to play together,” Parks said. “Whether it’s a new attraction or an older attraction, we are making it so that everybody can go on the rides together.”

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm barn destroyed by fire was birthplace of historic attractions

Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster

The new Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster will take the place of the 1983 Timberline Twister roller coaster and the 1992 Camp Bus flying carpet ride.

The Tenderpaw family coaster will take riders on an off-road adventure with Snoopy at the wheel of a jeep-like vehicle in his Beagle Scout uniform. The launched coaster will travel twice around the twin helix track during each ride.

“The launch is certainly thrilling,” Parks said.

The new Zamperla family coaster will be similar to the Daddy Pig’s coaster at the Peppa Pig mini-park at Legoland Florida.

Sally’s Swing Along

The new Sally’s Swing Along will replace the 1983 High Sierra Ferris Wheel that offers birds-eye views of Camp Snoopy, La Palma Avenue and the Claim Jumper restaurant just outside the park.

The two-sided backyard swing set will sweep young riders 10 feet in the air as they sway back and forth on a bench seat.

The Zamperla Happy Swing will be themed to Charlie Brown’s younger sister Sally with a playlist of songs she yearns to sing to her long-time unrequited crush Linus.

“Sally wants to go and meet Linus so they can sit in the swing together,” Parks said. “Unfortunately, he has stood her up.”

Camp Snoopy’s Off Road Rally

Camp Snoopy’s Off Road Rally will revamp the Rocky Mountain Trucking Company road rally ride — transforming the big rig trucks into four-wheel jeeps.

The new backstory for the ride will be a celebration of the annual Camp Jamboree with humorous checkpoints along the route marked by Woodstock sculptures.

Each of the jeeps will be themed to an individual Peanuts character — including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, Franklin, Sally, Pigpen and Peppermint Patty.

“Each character has created their own jeep,” Parks said. “The designs reflect all of the individual characters.”

The expanded track and terrain will include obstacles to go around, over and under.

The nearby Balloon Race ride will also incorporate the Camp Jamboree theme.

Beagle Express

The Grand Sierra Railroad will be rethemed as the Beagle Express with a new electric locomotive in place of the steam engine.

Show scenes along the miniature train route will reflect the Camp Jamboree theme — including Charlie Brown participating in a sack race with a sack over his head and Beagle Scouts earning their horticulture badges by tending to the boysenberry vines.

With a little help from Woodstock, the Beagle Scouts will wrap Lucy in bandages from head to toe like a mummy.

“Linus, who is our tour guide, says that is definitely helping those in need,” Parks said with a laugh.

Camp Snoopy Theater

Elsewhere in the land, the Camp Snoopy Theater will be reoriented with the relocated stage facing the midway and a shade cover over new log-style seating. The Grizzly Creek Lodge restaurant will be rethemed as a campground mess hall.

The first extensive makeover of Camp Snoopy in a decade will take out several rides from the 1983 birth of the themed land as a High Sierras camping experience.

The Timberline Twister roller coaster, High Sierra Ferris Wheel and Camp Bus magic carpet ride will be removed as part of the makeover while Woodstock’s Airmail kiddie drop tower will be relocated.

The Timberline Twister was the first roller coaster experience for generations of Knott’s riders during the past four decades. The 1983 Bradley and Kaye Little Dipper climbed to a height of 30 feet before taking riders on a twisting and dipping course over 480 feet of track, according to Roller Coaster Database. Each ride came to end with the help of a manual hand brake.

Orange County Fire Authority firefighters battled a Thanksgiving evening blaze that destroyed a vacant two-story barn in the 7800 block of Western Avenue just down the street from the Buena Park theme park. The cause of the fire that broke out at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 is under investigation, according to OCFA Captain Sean Doran.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm adds a Wild West twist to ‘A Christmas Carol’

The barn was used as a workshop by Southern California theme park pioneer Bud Hurlbut, who designed several early Knott’s rides and used his own Castle Park theme park in Riverside as a proving ground for new attractions.

Hurlbut used the Buena Park barn while designing and creating the 1960 Calico Mine Ride, 1969 Timber Mountain Log Ride, 1969 Hat Dance tea cup ride and 1980 Dragon Swing, according to Knott’s officials.

“A lot of the park’s early attractions were conceived and designed over there at the barn,” said Knott’s printing department manager Allen Palovik.

Bud’s Barn was filled with concept drawings, blueprints and scale models of attractions alongside lathes, drill presses and other machinery, according to Palovik, a third generation Knott’s employee who has worked at the park for 49 years.

“It’s a piece of history gone,” Palovik said during an online video interview. “It’s sad it went that way.”

Knott’s Berry Farm had nothing stored in the barn, which belongs to the city of Buena Park, according to Knott’s officials.

A Real Barn Burner

Tonight crews in Buena Park arrived on-scene of a 2 story vacant barn well involved with fire. Firefighters utilized a defensive strategy to protect exposures and provide for firefighter safety.

Ultimately, the fire went 2 alarms. >>> pic.twitter.com/EQXDklvtGi

— OCFA PIO (@OCFireAuthority) November 24, 2023

Orange County Archivist Chris Jepsen was saddened to see Hurlbut’s workshop on fire.

“I suppose it would have been torn down eventually, but it’s so sad to see this once-magical place on fire,” Jepsen wrote on the Orange County History Facebook page. “The huge workshop of his Hurlbut Amusement Equipment Co. — which I remember being stuffed full of carousel horses, ride vehicles, beautifully painted signs and ironwork, amazing scaled-down steam trains, and myriad other wonders — is located across La Palma Ave. from Knott’s.”

Hurlbut began designing custom miniature trains in 1943 and opened the Hurlbut Amusement Company a few years later in Santa Ana.

Hurlbut’s first attractions in 1945 were at Crawford’s Kiddieland in El Monte — which featured a Ferris wheel, boat ride and miniature train. Hurlbut struck up a conversation one day with a regular Kiddieland visitor named Walt Disney — who became a friend and would go on to open Disneyland a decade later.

In 1955, the year Disneyland debuted, Hurlbut partnered with Walter Knott on a gentlemen’s handshake and began operating an 1896 Dentzel carousel at what would eventually become Knott’s Berry Farm theme park. In the 1960s, Hurlbut went on to design the Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knott’s.

During Halloween 1973, Hurlbut donned a gorilla suit to scare riders on the Calico Mine Train, helping give birth to Knott’s Scary Farm.

In 1976, Hurlbut founded Riverside’s Castle Park while continuing his relationship as a ride concessionaire with Knott’s.

ALSO SEE: Knott’s Berry Farm won’t add Six Flags to theme park name

Hurlbut quickly brought the new Knott’s haunted event concept to Castle Park, which hosted its first annual Halloween Surprise Party in 1977.

Riverside would have had a 65-foot-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty along the 91 Freeway in 1982 if Hurlbut had gotten his way — but the city denied a proposal that would have transformed Castle Park into Liberty Park.

Hurlbut continued to use the Buena Park barn as his ride-building workshop after he turned his attention to Castle Park, according to Palovik.

Hurlbut sold his interests at Knott’s in 1984 and threw himself into Castle Park. During the 1980s, the Riverside park added a merry-go-round, bumper cars, Scrambler, Tilt-A-Whirl, Whip, wave swings, log flume ride, swinging ship and the former Knott’s antique car ride.

In 1999, with Hurlbut in his 80s, Castle Park was sold and the park’s founder was honored for his lifetime of service to the theme park industry by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

The quiet man revered in the theme park industry for his creativity and innovation could be found tinkering in his Buena Park barn workshop into his early 90s. Hurlbut died in 2011 at the age of 92.

After Hurlbut’s passing, many of his custom-made miniature trains that filled the barn were sold to collectors.

An estate sale held in 2012 emptied the remaining contents of Hurlbut’s barn workshop — including carousel horses, reel-to-reel cassettes of amusement park music and the drafting desk where he designed many of his rides.

Disneyland Resort

Disney is known for its spectacular holiday decorations (and crowds) that look even better after dark. And some 75 limited-time holiday foods will be for sale around the resort during the holiday period, which runs through Jan. 7.

Disney California Adventure: The annual Festival of Holidays returns, celebrating traditions and foods of different cultures and countries, including Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. Special foods are for sale and live performances. A Sip and Savor pass can be purchased offering 8 coupons for holiday treats. Disney ¡Viva Navidad! returns to Paradise Gardens Park for its 10th season. This year, new menu items will be available. And the traditional Latin street party will take place. Also live music and dancing and more.

ALSO SEE: 12 Disneyland Festival of Holidays foods ranked from best to worst

Disneyland Park: The annual transformation of Sleeping Beauty’s castle with, along with holiday décor such as lighted icicle trim, along with the classic giant Christmas tree. “A Christmas Fantasy” parade stars characters from Disney Animation’s “Frozen,” Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” and more. The “Believe … In Holiday Magic” nighttime spectacular illuminates the night sky over Disneyland Park with breathtaking fireworks and sprinklings of snow. “Snow” is scheduled to fall at various times in Disneyland and also Downtown Disney.

Downtown Disney: Decorated Christmas trees predominate in the district and hotels. “Snow” is also scheduled to fall in the Downtown Disney District nightly every half hour from 6. to 10 p.m. between Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes starting Friday, Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, a new gingerbread house inspires awe. Live music is available at times. Learn more at disneyland.disney.go.com.

Knott’s Berry Farm

The park transforms into “Knott’s Merry Farm” through Jan. 7, with thousands of lights and garlands.

The melodrama company puts on “A Calico Christmas Carol,” based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale inside The Bird Cage Theatre, which also presents the Knotts version of O. Henry’s classic “The Gift of the Magi, 1885.” Thousands of lights blink to Christmas music while “snow” gently falls throughout Ghost Town. The Wilderness Dance Hall becomes Santa’s Christmas Cabin and the Calico Carolers perform songs of the season, along with more live music.

Over at the Walter Knott Theater, the Knott’s Ice-Skating Ensemble and Snoopy retelling the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” reimagined Peanuts style. Special Christmas food treats will also be available, along with the annual Christmas Crafts Village. Knotts.com.

ALSO SEE: Halloween and Christmas are the new summer at theme parks

Legoland California

“Holidays at Legoland” offers parkgoers the chance to meet Santa, the Toy Soldier and Gingerbread Man, available for selfies and holiday hugs. There will be holiday shows along with holiday-themed food and drinks through Jan. 7.

There’s a nearly three-story-high Lego tree, fireworks, sweet treats and two new Lego characters: LEGO Snowman and LEGO Reindeer Girl. Sing and dance with Benny’s Ugly Sweater Party, try Granny’s Apple Fries and watch fireworks on select nights. Also check out the festive zones — including Peppermint Plaza, Merry Mistletoe Town, and Wizard’s Winter Hill — each offering seasonal entertainment,

On Dec. 31, enjoy the Kids’ New Year’s Eve countdown to “midnight” (OK, really 7 p.m.) with fireworks, treats, entertainment and more. legoland.com

SeaWorld San Diego

A giant Christmas tree and light tunnel are among the attractions during the holiday season, which runs through Jan. 7. Feel the “snow” falling and watch Mrs. Claus’ Christmas parade twice a day. Visit Santa and, for only $80, you can skip the line to see him. Enjoy O.P. Otter’s Holiday Sing-A-Long at the Mission Bay Theater. Fridays through Sundays, find Bryan Cheatham of “America’s Got Talent” performing at the Nautilus Amphitheater in “A Stocking Full of Soul.”

There’s a Coca-Cola branded Christmas market including a family photo opp, decorations and treats, and a lighted pathway with candy cane inspired lights, music and holiday treats with, of course, holiday Coca-Cola beverages.

Then there’s Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show running lightly with a canopy of laser beams, and “snowfall” nightly. seaworld.com

Six Flags Magic Mountain

“Holiday in the Park,” which runs through Dec. 31, includes many holiday light displays, entertainment and a visit with Santa. Holiday Square features thousands of twinkling lights, snowfall approximately every 20 minutes and a visit from the Traveling Toy Soldier Troupe.

Peppermint Path is lined with thousands of red and white candy cane lights. Plus enjoy live country holiday music from Drivin’ Mama Crazy starting at 4 p.m. on select Holiday in the Park days. Jingle Bell Way offers 30-foot-tall walk-through ornaments and a new dancing light show. Arctic Alley has a whimsical light show choreographed to festive music. Polar Bear Pass offers a holiday photo opp and fire pit to roast marshmallows, along with meet-and-greets with Looney Tunes characters in holiday dress. The North Pole Express Train runs and visits with Santa start at 1 p.m. on Holiday In The Park days through Dec. 24.

HollyRock! is a 1950s rockabilly holiday with thousands of lights, classic cars, jugglers and more. www.sixflags.com/magicmountain

ALSO SEE: Universal Studios Hollywood announces dates for its 2023 holiday festivities

Universal Studios Hollywood

The park is welcoming this year’s return of “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and “Grinchmas,” with a new Who-Bee-Do-Wops musical show. Universal’s holiday celebration kicks off Friday, Nov. 24 and continues through Jan. 1.

The Harry Potter land is transformed with lighting, garlands and wreaths. Guests can take in a cappella performances by the Frog Choir and try festive fare to eat. Nightly at dusk, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” light projection show illuminates Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Holiday merchandise will be available for purchase.

The “Grinchmas” Who-bilation also returns with a new daytime show featuring the Who-Bee Doo-Wops group. The familiar, topsy-turvy 65 foot-tall “Grinchmas” tree, adorned with hundreds of ornaments and thousands of LED lights, will have a nightly lighting ceremony and snowfall flurry within Universal Plaza. “Grinchmas” activities will include photo opportunities with the Grinch and his faithful dog Max, a chance to spend time with Cindy-Lou Who as she leads daily story time for young guests looking to learn “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and visit to the Who-ville post office to mail a merry postcard sharing three good deeds.

Universal CityWalk Hollywood will be dressed for the holiday season with spirited décor and a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree featuring more than 200,000 LED lights. UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

The new “A Calico Christmas Carol” debuted on Friday, Nov. 17 in the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Knott’s Merry Farm kicked off on Friday and runs through Jan. 7 at the Buena Park theme park with a host of holiday shows, entertainment, food, merchandise and decor.

The new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” brings Scrooge to Calico Ghost Town where he learns the true meaning of Christmas during a magical night of discovery.

As always, the Bird Cage sets were simple — which makes the shows all about the performances. The story was set in Calico Ghost Town with plenty of references to Boysenberry Pie, the Ghost Town Grill and the Calico Saloon.

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Scrooge teetered expertly between a terrifying tyrant tormenting Bob Cratchit and a mean-spirited jokester who knew just where to play the crowd for laughs. The Christmas ghosts walked an equally fine line between adding just enough “yee-haw partner” patter to establish the Wild West theme and leaning into the emotional pain of Tiny Tim’s death.

I love the Bird Cage Theatre in part because the old time melodramas are such a rarity to find in a theme park. The 30-minute stage shows are the perfect way to introduce kids to the theater and a fun break from all the funnel cake, roller coasters and Christmas shopping.

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A host of holiday shows and entertainment returned for this year’s Knott’s Merry Farm.

The new “A Calico Christmas Carol” alternates show times in the Bird Cage Theatre with the returning “Gift of the Magi, 1885.”

Long-time favorite “Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas” brings the ice skating spectacular back to the Walter Knott Theater for a retelling of the holiday poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” re-imagined Peanuts style.

The “Home for the Holidays” stage show that debuted in 2019 returns to the Calico Mine Stage. The theatrical musical feels like watching an “Andy Williams Christmas Special,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade all rolled up into one holiday spectacular.

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A parkwide holiday lighting just after sunset always leaves visitors awestruck and astonished.

The popular “Snow & Glow” light show with “snoap” falling on Calico Ghost Town that takes place several times a night serves as a nightcap kiss goodnight.

Seasonal entertainment includes Krazy Kirk & the Hillbillies with a holiday twist in the Wagon Camp, Knott’s Calico Carolers on the Ghost Town streets and Sleigh Bells a cappella group at Calico Park Stage.

Throughout the event, shoppers can browse the Christmas Crafts Village and snap holiday photos at Santa’s Christmas Cabin.

Holiday eats and treats were available at more than two dozen locations throughout the park. Highlights included the Turkey Ball on a bed of mashed potatoes and gravy, Cinnamon Roll Cookiewich and Yellow Snow funnel cake.

I tried the Tamale Fries at Papa’s Mexicana in Fiesta Village and found the dish tasted better the deeper I dug into the bowl. The mash-up of the corn and potatoes made a great base for the red and green tamale filling piled on top. I recommend breaking up the tamale and mixing the whole thing together for the best experience.

Would I get the Tamale Fries again? Maybe. There are a lot of new and returning menu items to try at the holiday festival.

Would I recommend the Tamale Fries to others? Definitely. Especially if you like to try unorthodox food concoctions.

All I know is I ate all of the Tamale Fries until I was scraping the bottom of the bowl clean. For me, that’s the best testament of all.