A Very Furry Christmas returns to Sesame Place Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 14, with an all-new Nutcracker show starring Elmo and his puppy, Tango. After Santa heads home on Christmas Eve, Cookie Monster reportedly fills in as Santa through Jan. 3.
Sesame Place Philadelphia turns on A Very Furry Christmas on Saturday, Nov. 14, and this year Elmo is doing the Nutcracker.
The Langhorne, Pa., park lists three all-new experiences on its event page: The Nutcracker with Elmo & Tango, Elf Training with Big Bird & Snuffy and a Winter Warm-Up Lounge inside Elmo's Pizza Kitchen. The event runs on select dates through Jan. 3, 2027, and Sesame Place says it's included with admission.
Opening night starts with Santa's Grand Illumination at 5 p.m. on Nov. 14, when the park lights its 30-foot 1-2-3 Christmas Tree.
What's new at A Very Furry Christmas in 2026?
Here's what each new piece is, based on the park's page and a Nov. 9 guide from Haunted Attraction Network.
The Nutcracker with Elmo & Tango: A new Christmas show at Elmo's Studio Theater. Tango is Elmo's puppy, and yes, a puppy in a Nutcracker show is about as on-brand as it gets.
Elf Training with Big Bird & Snuffy: Kids sign on as Santa's helpers and train as elves in the park's Birthday Party Room.
Winter Warm-Up Lounge: An indoor holiday spot in Elmo's Pizza Kitchen, for when little fingers get cold. In Bucks County in December, that's around minute four.
There's one schedule change, too. The park is closed Christmas Day, Santa's last day is Dec. 24, and Santa Cookie Monster takes over from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3, Haunted Attraction Network reported. Cookie Monster in a Santa suit, eating the cookies left out for Cookie Monster in a Santa suit. We'll allow it.
When is A Very Furry Christmas 2026?
Season passholders get exclusive hours on Friday, Nov. 13. After that, the public schedule runs like this, per Haunted Attraction Network's read of the park calendar:
Nov. 14 and 15: Opening weekend.
Through Dec. 20: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Dec. 21 to 24: Every day.
Dec. 25: Closed.
Dec. 26 to Jan. 3: Every day.
Hours vary. Saturdays usually run 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays 1 to 6 p.m. and most Fridays 4 to 8 p.m.
What else is on the Sesame Place holiday calendar?
Hanukkah Celebration: Dec. 4 to 12, select dates.
Santa's 'Twas the Night Celebration: Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.
Kwanzaa Celebration: Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
New Year's Eve Fireworks: Dec. 31.
The returning lineup includes the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, the Furry Friends Holiday Dance Party, a music and light show at the big tree, Santa in his Furry Workshop and character photos in holiday outfits. Plus rides and what the park calls millions of lights.
How much are Sesame Place tickets for Christmas?
The holiday event comes with regular admission. Kids 23 months and younger get in free. At the front gate, a one-day ticket for ages 2 and up is $110.99 plus tax, and a two-day ticket is $121.99, according to Sesame Place's ticket page.
Online is cheaper. When we checked Tuesday, the park was running a Black Friday presale with one-day tickets as low as $31.99. Prices change by date, so look before you buy.
Extras cost extra, Haunted Attraction Network reported:
Parking: From $36 plus tax.
Cookies & Cocoa with Cookie Monster: $20 per person.
Dine with Elmo & Friends: $34.99 for ages 10 and up, $24.99 for ages 2 to 9.
Abby's Unlimited Magic Queue: From $29.99, depending on the day.
Is a Sesame Place season pass worth it for Christmas?
If you'll go twice, maybe. 2027 season passes cover the rest of 2026, so A Very Furry Christmas is included. Haunted Attraction Network listed regular prices of $175.50 for Bronze, $236.25 for Silver, $303.75 for Gold and $387 for Platinum. Silver and up includes free parking.
Sesame Place's own site advertises the 2027 pass from $13.25 a month. For a family that lives within driving distance and has a toddler obsessed with Elmo, that math can work out fast.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Sesame Place Philadelphia (Nov. 10, 2026), event dates, all-new 2026 experiences, holiday celebrations and gate ticket prices
Haunted Attraction Network (Nov. 9, 2026), show locations, the Cookie Monster Santa change, the day-by-day schedule, hours, dining, parking and season pass prices
Sesame Place Philadelphia blog (July 27, 2026), 2027 season passes covering the rest of 2026
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