Discount ticket for WinterFest at Great America: Snow, Shows & Holiday Cheer in Santa Clara

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If you’re looking for a fun, family friendly Christmas event in the Bay Area, look no further. Visit California’s Great America WinterFest! Each year, the Santa Clara theme park is transformed during the holiday season into a winter wonderland. There is live entertainment, delicious holiday treats, ice skating, millions of sparkling lights, and more.  This year, it will be open on select nights from November 29, 2024, through January 5, 2025.

In this guide, we’ll let you know all about the special Christmas shows and activities you and your family can enjoy. We’ll share where you can eat and shop as well as some of the attractions you can ride during WinterFest. And then we’ll you know how you can save money on admission with a promo code!

Holiday Shows

Cool Yule Christmas

You won’t want to miss this high energy show in front of the 70-foot-tall Christmas tree at Celebration Plaza! This show combines the singing and dancing of 12 performers with holiday pop music and choreographed lighting. Plus, there’s even falling snow!

It’s Christmas, Snoopy!

If you’re ever wanted to watch an ice skating show starring Snoopy, now’s your chance! This family friendly show, inside the Great America Theater, combines world-class skating, singing, and favorite PEANUTS friends (like Charlie Brown and Linus). You’ll also be impressed by the fabulous costumes, like cupcake and candy cane dresses, as well as a Santa costume for Snoopy. And you’ll be thrilled by the falling snow during the grand finale!

Holly Jolly Trolley

Vibrantly dressed performers ride (what else) a Holly Jolly Trolley through Gingerbread Village, stopping to delight guests with an upbeat performance. The trolley itself is reminiscent of the famous San Francisco cable cars from the early 1900s. And the song selection combines familiar favorites with a unique Holly Jolly spin.

The Mistletones

The Mistletones captures the feel of the 1940s.  The trio of singers perform in Tinsel Town and sing a number of favorite holiday hits, sung in the style of the 1940s era.

Jingle Jazz

Dickensian-era carolers will perform a selection of Christmas songs at the Hometown Square Gazebo.

A PEANUTS Guide to Christmas

Head to the PEANUTS Showplace in Planet Snoopy to catch this interactive show and holiday sing-along. Charlie, Lucy, and Linus will discuss such topics as their favorite holiday food, what Christmas means to them, how to give the perfect present, and writing letters to Santa. If you have a younger child in your group, you’ll want to catch a performance of this fun show.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

The perfect start to a night of holiday fun, the Tree Lighting Ceremony is held each evening. Dancers and singers are on hand to celebrate the occasion, which includes a countdown to lighting the giant Christmas tree at Celebration Plaza. At the end of the countdown, Snoopy and some special guests insert an oversize plug into a giant power outlet, and the tree is lit!

Activities

Sally’s Christmas Crafts

Kids 12 and under receive a personal bag of crafts upon entering this location at Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town. This will allow them to decorate their own special Christmas ornament, which they can take home as a keepsake or use to help decorate a Winterfest Christmas tree. Children will also have the chance to write holiday cards to send to family members worldwide. And of course they will be able to take a picture with Sally herself!

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Lot

This Christmas Tree lot, located in Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town, is more of a fun holiday maze. And at the end, you’ll reach a Christmas Tree that is perfect for Charlie Brown! Make sure to take a photo with Charlie Brown and Linus in front of this very special tree.

Artisan Village

Go shopping for that perfect Christmas gift! You’ll have so many options with all of the Bay Area artisans and craft vendors who will be selling their handmade goods. With all the local artists selling in attendance each night, you’ll have lots of gift ideas! From unique Christmas ornaments to scented candles to holiday decor to handblown glass to jewelry to homemade toffee and so much more, you’ll be able to find all kinds of presents for your family and friends.

Santa’s Workshop

Has your child written a letter to Santa Claus yet this year? If not, then stop by Santa’s Workshop at Orleans Place! Santa’s elves were nice enough to set up this store to make sure all kids can reach their boss by letter. Pens, paper, and crayons are available for children to use to write their requests to Santa.

Once written, elves will collect the letters and send them flying overhead using a zany pulley system. But don’t worry – they will be officially certified, so you’ll know they’ll make it to the North Pole. In fact, once Santa reads them, he’ll even send the letters back to the North Pole Postmaster station so that they can be displayed on the wall for all to see.

 

Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen

Decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus! You can do so right in a recreation of her North Pole kitchen, located at Orleans Place. And you’ll certainly want to take some photos of this special activity. This does require an additional fee which includes four large sugar cookies plus frosting and toppings for decorations.

St. Nick’s Pics

Stop by Santa’s WinterFest home at Hometown Square to get a family photo with Santa Claus! An additional fee is required, and you’ll be able to choose from many photo package options.  This is only available through December 23, 2024.

Snow Flake Lake Ice Skating

Have a magical experience ice skating inside California’s Great America, right next to the tallest carousel in the world! Please note that this is not included with admission – you’ll need to pay an additional fee which includes skate rental and one open skate session.

Let It Snow

Watch snow fall along with colorful changing lights at Hometown Square.

Coca-Cola Polar Party

Hang out with the Coca-Cola polar bear as listen to great tracks and enjoy fun games – where you may even win prizes!

Dining

There’s some great festive food and drinks available at Winterfest.  This includes delicious holiday treats like Christmas cookies or gingerbread men.  You can also warm up with hot chocolate or hot cider.

Shopping

If you weren’t able to get gifts for everyone on your list at Artisan Alley, you can always stop by one of the gift shops where you can find souvenirs and plush toys.

You can also shop for special ornaments to remember the occasion as well as holiday decor.

Attractions

What’s a theme park without rides? At WinterFest, you’ll still be able to ride some of your favorite attractions. 28 rides (for everyone from kids to adults) will be available, such as:

  • Delirium
  • Demon
  • Flight Deck
  • Patriot
  • Psycho Mouse
  • RailBlazer
  • Xtreme Skyflyer
  • Carousel Columbia
  • Snoopy’s Space Race
  • Flying Ace
  • Joe Cool’s Dodgem School
  • Kite Eating Tree
  • Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies
  • Snoopy’s Space Buggies
  • Sally’s Swing Set
  • Woodstock Express
  • Flying Eagles
  • Star Tower
  • And more!

WinterFest Promo Code

So now that you know all of the fun things to do at Great America’s holiday celebration, I’m sure you’d like to know how you can save money on your ticket. Well, buy your ticket here and you can save up to 67% off on your WinterFest tickets! This is a huge savings for this popular San Francisco area event.