Mason, OH — WinterFest, Kings Island’s Christmas event, runs on 25 dates from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31 and is included with park admission. The event offers millions of lights, with the Eiffel Tower lit as a giant Christmas tree, holiday shows, a nightly parade, visits with Santa, ice skating and rides, including Phantom Theater, the dark ride that opened this year. Below is my guide to the event to help you plan.
Every other theme park Christmas event, from Disney to Six Flags, is in my Theme Park Christmas guide, by date.
The rest of the park’s year, from Phantom Theater to Halloween Haunt, is in my Kings Island guide.
Note: I may earn a commission if you buy through some links in this article.
What’s new for 2026
- NewA new dark ride: Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare, which opened in Planet Snoopy this year, runs on all 25 WinterFest dates. Riders sit in an opera box and catch runaway ghost notes with a flashlight.
- ReturningThe nightly WinterFest Wonderland Parade, Tinker’s Jingle Bell Ball, skating on Snow Flake Lake, Jack Frost’s Igloo Village, Santa at St. Nick’s Pics, cookie decorating, Sally’s Christmas Crafts and Flight of Fear as Flight of Cheer.
Dates and Hours
WinterFest runs on 25 dates from Friday, Nov. 27, to Thursday, Dec. 31. The park is open noon to 10 p.m. on the 10 Saturdays and Sundays, 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and on the open December weekdays (Dec. 14 to 18, 21 to 23 and 28 to 30), and 5 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Kings Island is closed Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, Dec. 7 to 10, and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tap a date in the calendar for its hours and that day’s online prices for a park ticket, Fast Lane and an igloo.
November 2026
December 2026
Noon to 10 p.m.5 to 10 p.m.5 p.m. to midnight, New Year’s Eve
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
Kings Island hasn’t posted showtimes yet. The park points guests to its mobile app for showtimes and locations.
What Your Ticket Covers and What Costs Extra
WinterFest is included with park admission to Kings Island, and the park says admission covers the live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides. Food, drinks, merchandise and select holiday experiences cost extra.
Your ticket covers
- The nightly WinterFest Wonderland Parade, from Coney Elf Village
- The Tree Lighting Ceremony on International Street, the lights and the Eiffel Tower lit as a giant Christmas tree
- Every holiday show, from Tinker’s Jingle Bell Ball in the Kings Island Theater to Swinging Into Christmas in the Festhaus
- A visit with Santa at St. Nick’s Pics in Rivertown
- The North Pole Post Office, Sally’s Christmas Crafts (children 12 and under), Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Lot, Reindeer Roundup, the Coca-Cola Polar Party and the Midway Merriment characters
- 28 rides and attractions, including the new Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare, Mystic Timbers and Flight of Cheer. Skating is the one that costs extra
- The New Year’s Eve countdowns and fireworks on Dec. 31
- Children under 3, who don’t need a ticket
Costs extra
- Jack Frost’s Igloo Village, $229 to $499 by date. A private igloo for up to 8 people, with food, drinks and concierge service. On sale now, online only
- Snow Flake Lake ice skating. Price not posted yet. Timed sessions that can sell out, skates included, waiver required
- Cookie decorating at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen. Price not posted yet
- Hot chocolate mug, wand and WinterFest shirt. Prices not posted yet
- Santa photo packages at St. Nick’s Pics. Price not posted online. FunPix discounts don’t apply
- Daily Fast Lane, $30 to $50 by date. Skips the regular line on 14 rides
- Parking, $35 general and $45 preferred, online. General parking is free with a Silver or Gold Pass
- Dining plans: Single Meal Deal $25, All Day Dining $35
- Holiday food, drinks and merchandise
Kings Island lists ice skating, cookie decorating, the hot chocolate mug, the wand and the event shirt as coming soon, with no prices posted yet. Last year the WinterFest Experiences, skating and cookie decorating, started at $17, the mug was $12.99 and the interactive toys started at $29.99.
The Parade, the Tree Lighting and Holiday Shows
The WinterFest Wonderland Parade is a nightly Christmas parade of lit floats and performers, with Santa, that begins in Coney Elf Village. On International Street, the Kings Island Holiday Singers gather at the start of each evening for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, below the Eiffel Tower lit as a giant Christmas tree.
Tinker’s Jingle Bell Ball, a musical that debuted last year, plays in the Kings Island Theater: Tinker, Mrs. Claus and the elves plan a Christmas present for Santa. The other shows are spread across the park’s stages, from a big band in the Festhaus to carolers in Rivertown and Charlie Brown’s sing-along in the PEANUTS Showplace.
WinterFest Wonderland Parade
A nightly Christmas parade of lit floats and performers, with Santa.
Where: Begins in Coney Elf Village
Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Kings Island Holiday Singers gather on International Street at the start of each evening.
Where: International Street (the Bandstand Stage on the park map)
Tinker’s Jingle Bell Ball
A musical in which Tinker, Mrs. Claus and the elves plan a Christmas present for Santa. It debuted in 2025.
Where: Kings Island Theater
Yuletide Follies
A Christmas musical revue with a vocal quartet and the Follies dancers.
Where: Bandstand Stage
It’s Christmas, Charlie Brown!
Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus lead a holiday sing-along.
Where: PEANUTS Showplace
What the Dickens
A comic, interactive retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic.
Where: PEANUTS Showplace
Swinging Into Christmas
A 1940s-style big band plays holiday songs.
Where: Festhaus (Tannenbaumhaus on the park map)
Songs of the Nativity
Seasonal songs performed with a manger scene.
Where: Carousel Pavilion Stage
Jingle Jazz
Carolers in Dickens-era costume sing Christmas hits each night.
Where: Rivertown Wonderland
The Mistletones
A trio sings classic holiday tunes in a 1950s style each night.
Where: Tinsel Town Stage
Holly Holiday’s String-A-Long
Holiday music played on strings.
Where: Enrique’s Patio
Reindeer Roundup
Murray the Moose interviews with Ruby Reindeer for a spot on Santa’s sleigh team.
Where: Rivertown
Midway Merriment
Holiday characters, among them Jack Frost, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Candy Cane and Jingle Bell, greet guests.
Where: Not posted
Santa, Ice Skating and Holiday Activities
St. Nick’s Pics in Rivertown is where to meet Santa and share toy requests. The visit is included, and photo packages cost extra, with no price posted online.
Snow Flake Lake is the Royal Fountain on International Street turned into an ice rink below the Eiffel Tower. Skating costs extra and runs in timed sessions that can sell out, with skates included and a waiver for every skater, and children under 10 skate with a companion 14 or older. Also on International Street, Jack Frost’s Igloo Village rents private igloos for up to 8 people, $229 to $499 depending on the date.
St. Nick’s Pics
Santa takes toy requests and poses for photos. Photo packages cost extra, and FunPix discounts don’t apply.
Where: Rivertown
Snow Flake Lake Ice Skating
Skate on the Royal Fountain, turned into a rink, in timed sessions. Skates included, waiver required. No passholder discount, and guests who bring their own skates still pay.
Where: International Street
Price: Not posted yet (coming soon)
Jack Frost’s Igloo Village
A private igloo for up to 8 people, with food, drinks and concierge service. Park admission is not included.
Where: International Street
Price: $229 to $499 by date, online only
Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen
Decorate your own box of cookies.
Where: International Street
Price: Not posted yet (coming soon)
Sally’s Christmas Crafts
Children 12 and under make a greeting card or decorate an ornament.
Where: Planet Snoopy
North Pole Post Office
Children write a postcard to Santa, and it is posted to the North Pole.
Where: International Street
Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Lot
Help Charlie Brown and Linus pick out a tree that needs a little love.
Where: Camp Snoopy
Coca-Cola Polar Party
Games, prizes and music with the Polar Party Crew.
Where: Coney Mall
Artisan Alley and the holiday shops
Local artisans and craft vendors sell gifts in Artisan Alley, and North Pole Mercantile, PEANUTS Holiday Gifts, Trim-A-Tree and Sugar Plum Sweets sell WinterFest apparel, ornaments and candy.
Where: International Street and Coney Mall
Rides
28 rides and attractions run during WinterFest, on the event’s hours, from Mystic Timbers and The Racer to the PEANUTS rides in Planet Snoopy and Camp Snoopy. Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare, the interactive dark ride that opened this year, runs for the first time during WinterFest, with a 42-inch minimum height. Flight of Fear, the launched coaster, runs as Flight of Cheer, and the K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad runs from 5:30 p.m.
Kings Island says some rides may not run as temperatures approach freezing. Skating on Snow Flake Lake is the only WinterFest attraction that costs extra, and a Daily Fast Lane, $30 to $50 by date, skips the regular line on 14 of the rides, Phantom Theater, The Racer and Mystic Timbers among them.
All 28 WinterFest rides and attractions
- Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare (new)
- Mystic Timbers
- Flight of Cheer (Flight of Fear)
- The Racer (both tracks)
- Sol Spin
- Scrambler
- Zephyr
- Shake, Rattle & Roll
- Dodgem
- Cargo Loco
- Snow Works
- Kings Mills Antique Autos
- Grand Carousel
- K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad (from 5:30 p.m.)
- Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers
- The Great Pumpkin Coaster
- Snoopy’s Space Buggies
- Snoopy vs. Red Baron
- Linus Launcher
- Linus’ Beetle Bugs
- Franklin’s Flyers
- Sally’s Sea Plane
- Character Carousel
- Charlie Brown’s Wind Up
- Joe Cool’s Dodgem School
- PEANUTS Off-Road Rally
- Beagle Scout Acres
- Snow Flake Lake ice skating (costs extra)
The park’s WinterFest page has the latest.
Holiday Food and Drinks
Sugar’s Cake Factory on International Street sells creme brulee and hot chocolate funnel cakes, warm beignets and the Christmas Mini Trio, and the cinnamon pull-apart bread is at Claus Confectionery in Rivertown and Sweet Spot on International Street. Sugar Plum Sweets in Coney Mall has candy and fudge, Action Zone Hot Chocolate sells hot cocoa and Dippin’ Dots, and 21° and Colder in Coney Mall serves frozen alcoholic drinks to guests 21 and older.
Kings Island hasn’t posted a holiday menu or food prices online. The hot chocolate souvenir mug is on this year’s WinterFest Extras list as coming soon, and dining plans start at $25 for a Single Meal Deal.
See the WinterFest food and drink listSort by type or by area of the park. No menu prices are posted.
Claus Confectionery (Rivertown) and Sweet Spot (International Street)
Sugar’s Cake Factory (International Street)
Sugar’s Cake Factory (International Street)
Sugar’s Cake Factory (International Street)
Sugar’s Cake Factory (International Street)
Claus Confectionery (Rivertown)
Sugar Plum Sweets (Coney Mall)
Action Zone Hot Chocolate (Action Zone)
Coming soon on the park’s WinterFest Extras list, no price yet. Last year it was $12.99, with free refills of standard hot chocolate on the first visit.
21° and Colder, Coney Mall
Must be 21 or older. Open in WinterFest mode on the park map.
Nothing matches. Try All or All locations.
Tickets and Passes
WinterFest is included with park admission. Dated online park tickets are $35 on Dec. 14 to 17, $39 or $45 on most dates and $49 on Dec. 19, 20 and 26, plus a processing fee of up to $9.99, against $59 at the gate. Children under 3 are free.
Through Nov. 30, the 2027 Silver Pass is $99, the same price as a Good Any Day ticket, and it covers the rest of 2026, including WinterFest, then visits through Labor Day 2027 with free general parking. Kings Island says WinterFest is included in 2026 only, not in 2027. Guests 65 and older get in free through Dec. 31 after registering online, without parking, as I reported in my senior admission story.
Every ticket, pass and price
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Park Ticket, online: Dec. 14, 15, 16 and 17 | $35 plus a processing fee up to $9.99 | One visit on the date chosen, with WinterFest. The lowest date price in the park’s online store. |
| Park Ticket, online: Dec. 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 21 to 23 and 29 to 31 | $39 plus a processing fee up to $9.99 | One visit on the date chosen, with WinterFest. |
| Park Ticket, online: Nov. 27 to 29, Dec. 5, 12, 27 and 28 | $45 plus a processing fee up to $9.99 | One visit on the date chosen, with WinterFest. |
| Park Ticket, online: Dec. 19, 20 and 26 | $49 plus a processing fee up to $9.99 | One visit on the date chosen, with WinterFest. |
| Park Ticket at the gate | $59 | One visit. The store shows a $59 gate price beside each date’s online price (checked on four dates across every price tier). |
| Good Any Day Ticket | $99 plus a processing fee up to $9.99 and tax | One visit |
| 2027 Silver Pass (Black Friday deal, through Nov. 30) | $99 plus a processing fee up to $9.99 and tax | The same price as a Good Any Day ticket. Includes 2026 WinterFest (“2026 Only” in the park’s pass comparison), then unlimited visits and free general parking through Labor Day 2027, with Soak City. Bought Nov. 2 to 30, it adds a free Bring-A-Friend ticket to use by Dec. 31, 2026. |
| 2027 Silver Pass Bundle (Black Friday deal, through Nov. 30) | $199 (listed against $348) plus a processing fee up to $9.99 and tax | Silver Pass plus the All Season Dining Access Plan and All Season Drink Plan. Free Bring-A-Friend ticket if bought Nov. 2 to 30. |
| 2027 Gold Pass | $135 ($125 to renew) plus a processing fee up to $9.99 and tax | All of 2026 and 2027 at every Six Flags park in the Midwest region, with free general parking and WinterFest. Also sold as a membership, $10 a month after a $40 initiation fee. |
| Bring-A-Friend Ticket | As low as $25 plus a processing fee up to $9.99 | Online only, for a friend visiting with a passholder or member |
| Free Senior Admission (65 and older) | Free | Register online, then visit any public operating day through Dec. 31, 2026, Kings Island’s last day of the season. Valid ID with date of birth at every visit. Theme park only, parking not included. |
| Children under 3 | Free | No ticket needed |
New Year’s Eve at WinterFest
Dec. 31 is the last night of WinterFest and of Kings Island’s 2026 season, open 5 p.m. to midnight, with a countdown to midnight and fireworks, plus several early-evening countdowns for families. The store sells a dated park ticket for Dec. 31 at $39, and no separate New Year’s Eve ticket is listed. An igloo that night is $499 and Fast Lane is $40.
Photos
Kings Island WinterFest FAQ
When does WinterFest 2026 start and end at Kings Island?
It opens Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, and runs on 25 select dates through New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.
What are the Kings Island WinterFest hours?
The park calendar lists noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and on the open December weekdays (Dec. 14 to 18, 21 to 23 and 28 to 30), and 5 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 31.
Is WinterFest included with Kings Island admission?
Yes. Park admission covers the shows, the parade, the light displays, select activities and most rides. Ice skating, igloos, cookie decorating, Santa photo packages, food and merchandise cost extra. Online park tickets run $35 to $49 by date.
What rides are open during Kings Island WinterFest?
The park calendar lists 28 rides and attractions, including Mystic Timbers, Flight of Fear (as Flight of Cheer), The Racer, Sol Spin, the new Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare and the PEANUTS rides. Snow Flake Lake skating is the only one that costs extra, and cold weather can close rides.
What does Kings Island do for New Year’s Eve?
Dec. 31 is a WinterFest date, 5 p.m. to midnight, with a countdown to midnight and fireworks plus several early-evening countdowns. This year’s page names no separate ticket.
Is Kings Island open on Christmas?
No. The park calendar shows Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 as closed. WinterFest runs Dec. 23 and picks up again Dec. 26.
In Cincinnati, Fever sells tickets to Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings, a string quartet playing carols by candlelight at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Dec. 19 and 20, and to Candlelight: Christmas Classics at Memorial Hall OTR on Dec. 26. See the carols dates or the Christmas Classics date on Fever.
WinterFest runs on select dates from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31, 2026, at Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive. For tickets and hours, visit sixflags.com. The park’s Halloween event is in my Kings Island Halloween Haunt guide, and the other Six Flags holiday events are in my Holiday in the Park guides for Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Factory of Terror’s Christmas event, also in Ohio, is in my Ohio Christmas Factory guide.
