Holidays with kids in the Bay Area mean visits to the Fairmont’s life-size gingerbread house, voyages aboard the Roaring Camp holiday train, and the drive-through Christmas in the Park in San Jose. But if you’re looking for even more go-to kid-friendly activities, consider taking a trip to Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland. The popular storybook theme park will be decked out with holiday lights from 4-7pm December 16-30, and will even host a special 21+ Winterland for Grownups night on Thursday, December 15th.
Families can enjoy a totally magical and multicultural evening at this lovely storybook park. Snap some timeless holiday photos against twinkly backdrops while exploring the Fairyland’s interactive whimsical landscape. Black Santa will make an appearance every night for children to make their Christmas wishes or say thank you in the days following December 25th.
Guests won’t want to miss daily events including an Alice in Wonderland puppet show at 4:30pm and 6pm; a show from magician Blake Maxim at 5:30pm; and the Festival of Lights Parade every night at 6:30pm, where each child will receive a treat to enjoy.
Families can also participate in a culturally-inclusive holiday scavenger hunt, watch fun and festive performances, and catch a “snow” flurry in the Old West Junction. Don’t forget to grab your complimentary cup of cocoa or cider before dropping off your letters to Santa at the Chapel of Peace’s North Pole mailbox.
Tickets to Fairy Winterland cost $18 general admission. The park will be open from December 16-30, except for the nights of December 24th and 25th.
About Children’s Fairyland
Oakland’s Children’s Fairyland is a nonprofit organization and the oldest storybook theme park in America, dating back to 1950. It began as a landscape of storybook sets and whimsical gardens on the shores of Lake Merritt, and even served as inspiration for the beginnings of Disneyland’s “magic kingdom” in Anaheim.
These days it still features lovely interactive fairytale sets, play-acting, and plenty of imagination. Even the smallest children can enjoy the tiny rides and attractions, not to mention gentle animals including Nigerian Dwarf goats and miniature donkeys. Some of the gardens even feature original plantings from over 70 years ago.