Kirsten Kraus | Staff Writer

This year, to kick in the holidays, various attractions are converting their typical parks into  winter wonderlands. Lights, hot chocolate, and joy fill the parks as the holiday season rolls in.

1. Santa’s Ranch

This drive- thru Christmas light park creates a twinkling winter escape for families to visit. From November 1, 2013 through January 4, 2014, Santa’s Ranch is open for visitors to take a driving tour of nearly a mile of extraordinary holiday light scenes.

Over one million lights are used to bring life to 100 plus displays and animations celebrating the holiday season. During the approximately 20 minute drive, visitors will encounter a christmas tree, a blue ”river” of lights, numerous scenes from the bible, and many more spectacular settings.

Santa’s Ranch is open seven days a week, 6pm -10pm on Sundays-Thursdays and 6pm-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

To get specific details on Santa’s Ranch click here.

2. Six Flags: Holiday in the Park

This local amusement park converts their normal summer themes into a holiday paradise. The park provides numerous sources of holiday themed activities that capture the holiday spirit.

Families visit the park to enjoy sparkling lights, decorations, treats, activities, rides, and the heartwarming holiday shows.

Holiday in the Park begins November 5 and weekends through December 23. The park opens for daily operation December 26-January5.

To get more information on Six Flags’ Holiday in the Park click here.

3. SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration

SeaWorld is kicking in the holiday season by decorating its park for their annual Christmas Celebration. SeaWorld’s celebration is a magical holiday program opened on scheduled days from 12pm to 9pm.

With everything from Santa to Shamu, SeaWorld embraces the holiday. Visitors immerse themselves in the holiday spirit at by attending shows in the wintery, watery wonderland, strolling through a sea of sparkling lights and exploring the park full of people and animals.

To get the details on SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebrations click here.

4. Schlitterbahn

The extravagant water park stays open even during the winter season by opening heated indoor features, including more than a dozen rides, tube slides, body slides, kids areas, the Torrent wave river, a wave pool, and a man made surfing wave.

Hot or cold, rain or shine, Schlitterbahn is open for enjoyment with their climate controlled rivers, slides, and pools. The winter friendly park is open daily December 21- January 5, from 10am to 5pm.

For details and information on Schlitterbahn’s winter season click here.