Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, holiday festivities will look a little different this year, however there are still many fun places and events to attend this Holiday season.

  While the Disneyland resort has been closed for almost seven months, the theme parks have begun opening for the holiday season. On Nov. 19, the resort opened up part of the California Adventure theme park. This opening includes the shops and restaurants of Buena Vista Street, and decorations for the holidays. Downtown Disney has also been decorated, and has begun to offer special holiday themed merchandise and treats. In order to ensure a limited capacity and proper social distancing, Disney has introduced a mobile waitlist. 

  “At some locations, including Buena Vista Street, the World of Disney store, and Marceline’s Confectionary…a mobile waitlist system will be used…Guests can choose to provide their name and mobile number to receive a text when they are able to return,” according to the official Disneyland Resort website.

  Another Orange County theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, is also still holding their annual holiday event, with some altercations. Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm will be held from Nov. 20 through Jan.3. The park will be decorated for the holidays with light and holiday decor, and over 60 kinds of food and drink are offered with the purchase of a tasting card. The event will also fear tune shopping as well as dining with a variety of stores and holiday merchandise.

  “The only way to experience the limited time Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm is with a tasting card purchased in advance,” reads the occipital Knott’s Berry Farm website.      

  Tasting cards can be purchased at Knotts.com. Tasting cards for ages 12 and up are 40 dollars, and tasting cards for age 12 and under are priced at 20 dollars.

  Many malls in Orange County will also be holding COVID safe holiday festivities. Fashion Island will be holding virtual Santa meet and greets as well as a variety of Christmas themed photo ops. Fashion Island will also be holding a menorah lighting display on Dec.10 through Dec.18. The Irvine Spectrum will be holding nightly tree lightings starting Nov. 27 through Jan. 3, as well as Holiday Drive-In Movie Nights on select nights.

  Thanks to the quick thinking of these theme parks and malls, Orange County still has many holiday festivities to offer that are safe for families to enjoy.