Langhorne, PA — A Very Furry Christmas returns to Sesame Place Philadelphia on select dates from Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, with the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, a light show on a 30-foot tree, holiday shows and Santa, all included with park admission. New this year are The Nutcracker with Elmo & Tango, Elf Training with Big Bird & Snuffy and the Winter Warm-Up Lounge, and the park closes on Christmas Day this year. Below is my guide to the event to help you plan.
Sesame Place San Diego has its own A Very Furry Christmas guide. The park’s full year, with what opened in 2026 and what’s coming in 2027, is in my Sesame Place Philadelphia guide.
What’s new for 2026 vs. the park’s 2025 pages
- NewThe Nutcracker with Elmo & Tango: an all-new show at Elmo’s Studio Theater.
- NewElf Training with Big Bird & Snuffy: kids train as elves with Sparklewrap the Elf in the Birthday Party Room.
- NewWinter Warm-Up Lounge: an indoor holiday room in Elmo’s Pizza Kitchen with hot chocolate, games and character photos.
- ChangedChristmas week: the park is closed Dec. 25 this year, Santa’s last day is Dec. 24, and Santa Cookie Monster takes over Santa’s Furry Workshop from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3.
- ReturningThe Sesame Street Christmas Parade, Elmo’s Christmas Wish, the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree Light Show, the Furry Friends Holiday Dance Party, the sing-along, Santa’s Furry Workshop and the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
The Sesame Street Christmas Parade
The Sesame Street Christmas Parade brings floats and Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, Oscar, Bert, Ernie, Zoe and Telly through the park, set to songs like Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bells. The Candy Cane Crew, a candy-striped cheer squad, works the parade route and hands out candy canes through the day.
Parade and show times go up on the park’s daily schedule, which updates each day when the park opens, rather than on the event page.
Holiday Shows
The Nutcracker with Elmo & Tango is the new show this year: Elmo and his puppy Tango retell Tango’s first Christmas on a dream quest through the Land of Sweets to find Tango’s nutcracker toy. Elmo’s Christmas Wish, the Furry Friends Holiday Dance Party and A Very Merry Sesame Street Sing-Along return, and Elf Training with Big Bird & Snuffy turns kids into elves-in-training.
The Nutcracker with Elmo & Tango
Elmo and his puppy Tango retell Tango’s first Christmas, on a dream quest through the Land of Sweets.
Where: Elmo’s Studio Theater
Elmo’s Christmas Wish
Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe and Rosita sing about what they want for Christmas, and Murray joins in.
Where: Sesame Street Theater
Furry Friends Holiday Dance Party
An interactive dance party to holiday hits with Sesame Street friends.
Where: Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Stage
A Very Merry Sesame Street Sing-Along
Elmo, Abby Cadabby and friends sing holiday songs.
Where: Abby’s Paradise Theater
Elf Training with Big Bird & Snuffy
Sparklewrap the Elf trains Big Bird, Snuffy and the kids as elves, with songs and a photo at the end.
Where: Birthday Party Room
Santa and Santa Cookie Monster
Santa meets families at Santa’s Furry Workshop, next to the Sesame Street Theater, through Dec. 24. A free virtual queue at the Tinsel Tent holds your place: join it when the park opens and come back within 20 minutes of the text, with a possible extra wait of up to 45 minutes when you arrive. On Dec. 24, Santa leaves at 4:30 p.m., and from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3, Santa Cookie Monster takes over the workshop for photos.
Santa’s Furry Workshop
Meet Santa and take a photo, with a free virtual queue at the Tinsel Tent. Last year Santa stayed through Dec. 31.
When: Through Dec. 24. Santa leaves at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Where: Next to Sesame Street Theater
Santa Cookie Monster
Photos with Cookie Monster dressed as Santa.
When: Dec. 26 to Jan. 3
Where: Santa’s Furry Workshop
Holiday Photos with Sesame Street Friends
Characters in holiday outfits.
Where: Photos with Elmo & Friends and around the park
Candy Cane Crew
A candy-striped cheer squad hands out candy canes through the day.
Where: Parade route
Lights, the Winter Warm-Up Lounge and Rudolph
Millions of lights cover the Sesame Street Neighborhood, Cookie’s Monster Land and Elmo’s World, and the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree Light Show plays images and colored lights across a 30-foot tree at Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Stage. The new Winter Warm-Up Lounge inside Elmo’s Pizza Kitchen is the indoor stop, with music, hot chocolate and seasonal snacks, Giant Jenga, Connect Four and character photos.
1-2-3 Christmas Tree Light Show
A 30-foot tree lights up with images and colored lights set to music.
Where: Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Stage
Winter Warm-Up Lounge
An indoor room with festive music, seasonal snacks and hot chocolate, play stations, Giant Jenga, Connect Four and character photos.
Where: Inside Elmo’s Pizza Kitchen
Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland
Rudolph-themed games of skill and Rudolph merchandise, with Rudolph characters on select days. The games cost extra, and their price isn’t posted.
Where: Near Bert & Ernie’s Splashy Shores
Letters to Santa
Write and color a letter to Santa and drop it in the mailbox, now inside the store.
Where: Mr. Hooper’s Gift Shop
Dry rides
Dry rides including Oscar’s Wacky Taxi, Captain Cookie’s High C’s Adventure, Flyin’ Fish and Big Bird’s Tour Bus. Water attractions are closed for the season.
Special Days, From the Grand Illumination to New Year’s Eve
Santa’s Grand Illumination opens the season on Nov. 14 at 5 p.m., with singing and dancing by Santa’s elves and Sesame Street friends before Santa lights the park. The Hanukkah Celebration runs on select dates from Dec. 4 to 12, Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration sends Santa off on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m., and the Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting runs Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. On Dec. 31, the ‘C is for Celebrate’ fireworks go up at 6 p.m.
Santa’s Grand Illumination
Singing and dancing with Santa’s elves and Sesame Street friends, then Santa lights the park.
When: Nov. 14, 5 p.m.
Where: The 1-2-3 Christmas Tree by Oscar’s Wacky Taxi
Hanukkah Celebration
A menorah lighting with a local cantor and Baby Bear, a dreidel and craft station, Baby Bear meet and greets, and a Hanukkah storytime for the first 120 guests.
When: Select dates, Dec. 4 to 12. Menorah lighting at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Abby’s Paradise Theater, Monster Clubhouse and Elmo’s Studio Theater
Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration
A Christmas Eve send-off for Santa with Sesame Street friends.
When: Dec. 24, 5 p.m.
Where: Sesame Street Neighborhood
Kwanzaa Kinara Lighting
Elmo, Cookie Monster and friends light the Kinara and sing about Kwanzaa. Capacity is limited.
When: Dec. 26 to Jan. 1
Where: Abby’s Paradise Theater
‘C is for Celebrate’ New Year’s Eve fireworks
Fireworks with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and Count von Count.
When: Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
Food, Character Dining and Holiday Extras
Sesame Place Philadelphia hasn’t posted a 2026 holiday food menu. The Winter Warm-Up Lounge serves hot chocolate and seasonal snacks, and the holiday dining and treats below cost extra.
Cookies & Cocoa with Cookie Monster
A gingerbread cookie decorating kit, a small craft, a Holiday Hot Chocolate Mug and a photo with Cookie Monster.
Price: $20 a person. Each cookie decorator needs a reservation.
Where: Upper level of Elmo’s Pizza Kitchen
Note: The park says to check back soon for reservations.
Dine with Elmo & Friends
Santa’s Christmas Dine on select dates through Dec. 24, a Christmas Dine, and The Count’s Countdown to New Year’s dine from Dec. 26. The park’s dine page and its New Year’s Eve page list different end dates for The Count’s Countdown.
Price: $34.99 ages 10 and up, $24.99 ages 2 to 9, free for 23 months and younger, reservation required
Holiday gift-with-purchase
A Sesame Street Christmas Snow Globe ($20) and a Cookie Monster fleece blanket ($25) at Mr. Hooper’s Gift Shop and the Sesame Place Store, and a Rudolph fleece blanket ($25) at Mr. Hooper’s Gift Shop, each with a $25 purchase.
Dates and Hours
A Very Furry Christmas opens Nov. 14 and runs Nov. 14 and 15, then Fridays to Sundays through Dec. 20, then every day Dec. 21 to 24 and Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. The park is closed Christmas Day, and Season Pass Members get exclusive hours on Nov. 13. Tap a date for its hours.
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
Open. Tap a date for its hoursSeason Pass Members onlySanta’s Christmas DineHanukkah Celebration
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
Tickets and Season Passes
A Very Furry Christmas is included with a Sesame Place Philadelphia ticket. Single-day tickets are priced by date online, against a $110.99 front-gate price, and children 23 months and younger are free. The 2027 Season Passes, which include the rest of 2026, list the event in every tier.
Ticket and Season Pass prices, parking and Magic Queue
Online prices change by date and with the park’s sales. The park’s tickets page has today’s price.
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| One-Day Ticket (ages 2 and up) | $110.99 plus tax at the front gate | the date chosen. Online prices are lower and change by date |
| Two Day Ticket | $121.99 at the front gate | first visit on the date chosen, second within 6 months |
| 2027 Bronze Season Pass (the rest of 2026 included) | $175.50 regular price | through Jan. 2, 2028. Blocked out Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24, 2027 |
| 2027 Silver Season Pass | $236.25 regular price | through Jan. 2, 2028, free general parking |
| 2027 Gold Season Pass | $303.75 regular price | through Jan. 2, 2028 |
| 2027 Platinum Season Pass (11 parks) | $387 regular price | through Jan. 2, 2028. Not valid for special ticketed events at United Parks |
Parking starts at $36 plus tax, and Silver, Gold and Platinum Season Pass Members park free. Abby’s Unlimited Magic Queue, unlimited priority access on select rides for a day, starts at $29.99 and varies by day.
Photos
A Very Furry Christmas FAQ
When is A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place Philadelphia in 2026?
Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, on select dates: Nov. 14 and 15, then Fridays to Sundays through Dec. 20, then every day Dec. 21 to 24 and Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. Season Pass Members get exclusive hours on Nov. 13. The park is closed Christmas Day.
Is A Very Furry Christmas included with admission?
Yes. It is included with a Sesame Place Philadelphia ticket, and the 2027 Season Passes, which include the rest of 2026, list it too. Children 23 months and younger are free.
What are the hours?
Most Fridays run 4 to 8 p.m. (the day after Thanksgiving, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Saturdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 run 4 to 8 p.m., and Dec. 23, 24 and Dec. 27 to Jan. 1 run 1 to 6 p.m. Check the park calendar, which lists every date.
When can you see Santa at Sesame Place Philadelphia?
Santa is at Santa’s Furry Workshop, next to the Sesame Street Theater, through Dec. 24, with a free virtual queue at the Tinsel Tent. On Dec. 24 he leaves at 4:30 p.m. From Dec. 26 to Jan. 3, Santa Cookie Monster takes his place.
Is Sesame Place Philadelphia open on Christmas Day?
No. The park calendar shows Dec. 25 closed. It is open Christmas Eve, 1 to 6 p.m.
What is new at A Very Furry Christmas in 2026?
The Nutcracker with Elmo & Tango, a show at Elmo’s Studio Theater, Elf Training with Big Bird & Snuffy, and the Winter Warm-Up Lounge in Elmo’s Pizza Kitchen.
Does Sesame Place have New Year’s Eve fireworks?
Yes. The ‘C is for Celebrate’ fireworks are Dec. 31 at 6 p.m., when the park closes that day.
A Very Furry Christmas runs on select dates Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, at Sesame Place Philadelphia in Langhorne. For tickets and hours, visit sesameplace.com. United Parks’ other Christmas events include my Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas Town guide.
