Jackson, NJ — Holiday in the Park is Six Flags Great Adventure’s Christmas event, with lights, live shows and over 30 rides on select days into January. It reopens Nov. 21 after a year off, rebuilt as four themed areas with a 65-foot tree and new shows, while Santa photos and campfire s’mores return. The calendar below gives every date’s hours, and two lists sort what your ticket covers from what costs extra.
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 Fright Fest to Bakunawa in 2027, is in my Six Flags Great Adventure guide.
Note: I may earn a commission if you buy through some links in this article.
What’s new for 2026
- ChangedBack after a year off: Holiday in the Park skipped 2025 and last ran in the 2024 season. This year it runs Nov. 21 to Jan. 3, after a passholder preview Nov. 20.
- ChangedFour themed lands: Glittering Gateway, Santa’s Arctic North Pole, Sweet Street and Coastal Christmas at Shoreline Pier. Six Flags calls it a reimagined event and the first phase of a multiyear transformation.
- ChangedThe tree: in 2024 the park’s five-story tree lit up every 30 minutes in Holiday Magic. This year a 65-foot Holiday Tree in Glittering Gateway comes to life each night in the Tree Lighting Spectacular.
- NewShows: 17 live entertainment acts, among them the Glistening Snow Show, Lights! Magic! Christmas!, Holiday Road: Live on Tour!, Sugar Plum’s Silent Disco and jazz singer Miss Winter Rose at the BRRR! Bar.
- NewWinter Wonder Wheel: a light show on the Giant Wheel with synchronized lights, music and dancing Christmas trees.
- NewCookie decorating and a bubble wand: Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Decorating Confectionery on Sweet Street (four large sugar cookies, costs extra) and the Interactive Nutcracker Bubble Wand, which activates special holiday features around the park.
- NewFood: holiday dishes and drinks at eight spots, with two mocktails, three cocktails, two holiday hot chocolates, Thanksgiving Fries and a Thanksgiving-style Turkey Burger. The food list below opens on the new items.
- ReturningFrom the 2024 event: Santa photos (now St. Nick’s Pics), fire pits with s’mores, the hot chocolate souvenir mug, and Granny’s ham and turkey plates.
Dates and Hours
Holiday in the Park runs on select dates from Nov. 21 to Jan. 3, all from 1 to 8 p.m.: Nov. 21 and 22, Nov. 27 to 29, Dec. 5 and 6, Dec. 12 and 13, Dec. 19 and 20, Dec. 23, then every day from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. The park is closed Nov. 23 to 26, including Thanksgiving, and Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 3 is the last day of its 2026 season. New Year’s Eve has the usual 1 to 8 p.m. hours.
Six Flags bills Nov. 20 as a preview night exclusively for season passholders and members, 4 to 8 p.m., though its online store also lists a $49 park ticket for that date. Tap a date in the calendar for its hours and its online ticket price.
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
1 to 8 p.m., Holiday in the Park4 to 8 p.m., passholder preview
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
What Your Ticket Covers and What Costs Extra
Six Flags says park admission covers the live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides, while food, drinks, merchandise and select holiday experiences cost extra. Parking is $45 a car for the day, bought online, and free with a Silver, Gold or Prestige pass.
Your ticket covers
- The four themed lands and their lights: Glittering Gateway, Santa’s Arctic North Pole, Sweet Street and Coastal Christmas at Shoreline Pier
- The 65-foot Holiday Tree and its nightly Tree Lighting Spectacular
- 17 live entertainment acts on the park map, including the Winter Wonder Wheel light show
- 32 rides on the Holiday in the Park ride list (availability subject to change)
- Meeting Santa at St. Nick’s Pics (the portrait costs extra)
- Writing a letter to Santa at the Post Office, and the Joy to the World Walk
Costs extra
- Parking, $45 per vehicle per day, online. Free with Silver, Gold and Prestige passes. Not included with Free Senior Admission
- Santa portrait at St. Nick’s Pics, price not posted. Meeting Santa is part of the visit. The portrait photograph requires an additional purchase
- Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Decorating Confectionery, price not posted. Decorate four large sugar cookies, sold online and at Mrs. Claus Kitchen on Sweet Street
- Campfire S’mores, buy three, get one free (single price not posted). No other discounts apply, and the fire pits in the S’mores Zone are where you toast them
- Unlimited Hot Chocolate souvenir mug, $12.99 plus tax, refills $1.99 on later visits. Free refills of standard hot chocolate the day you redeem it. Not valid for coffee, signature hot chocolate or spirited hot chocolate. Sold online and at select locations
- Interactive Nutcracker Bubble Wand, $29.99 plus tax. Activates special holiday features around the park
- Holiday food and drinks, price not posted. Items marked M on the map are included in meal plans
Six Flags hasn’t posted showtimes yet, and its holiday map says times vary by day and are listed in the Six Flags app. Six Flags hasn’t posted prices for the Santa portrait, cookie decorating, s’mores or the holiday menu.
The Four Lands and the 65-Foot Tree
Glittering Gateway, Santa’s Arctic North Pole, Sweet Street and Coastal Christmas at Shoreline Pier are the four themed lands of this year’s Holiday in the Park, which Six Flags calls the first phase of a multiyear transformation of the event. Glittering Gateway starts at the main gate, Sweet Street wraps around the Carousel and Enchanted Tea Cups, Santa’s Arctic North Pole surrounds The Flash: Vertical Velocity and Justice League: Battle for Metropolis, and Coastal Christmas runs south of Sweet Street toward Flying Scooters and Superman: Ultimate Flight.
The 65-foot Holiday Tree stands at the center of Glittering Gateway, hung with thousands of synchronized lights, and it comes to life each night in the Tree Lighting Spectacular. In 2024 the park’s five-story tree lit up every 30 minutes in Holiday Magic.
Glittering Gateway
The arrival area, with light displays, larger-than-life ornaments, holiday music and photo spots.
Where: From the main gate entrance
The 65-Foot Holiday Tree
Thousands of synchronized lights and ornaments, lit each night in the Tree Lighting Spectacular.
Where: Glittering Gateway
When: Nightly. Six Flags hasn’t posted the time.
Sweet Street
A street styled on candy shops and Christmas bakeries, where bakers, candy makers and cookie decorators invite guests to join in.
Where: Around the Carousel, Enchanted Tea Cups and Houdini’s Great Escape
Santa’s Arctic North Pole
A snowy village with fire pits, s’mores with Santa’s helpers, holiday shows and sing-alongs.
Where: Around The Flash: Vertical Velocity and Justice League: Battle for Metropolis
Coastal Christmas at Shoreline Pier
A boardwalk with palm trees hung with ornaments, glowing beach cottages and nautical decorations.
Where: South of Sweet Street, toward Flying Scooters, Wave Swinger and Superman: Ultimate Flight
Holiday Shows and Street Acts
All 17 live entertainment acts on Six Flags’ holiday map are new this year, from a candy-themed barbershop quartet on Sweet Street to a jazz singer in the BRRR! Bar. In Glittering Gateway, the Glistening Snow Show fills the area with music, lights and falling snow, and in Lights! Magic! Christmas! Santa and his elves try to light a new Christmas tree.
Santa’s Arctic North Pole has Miss Winter Rose at the BRRR! Bar, a street dance party with Jack Frost’s nieces Snowflake and Tinsel, and Jack Frost with his Snowblaster 3000, making snow flurries. Holiday Road: Live on Tour!, a concert by a band stranded by a blizzard, plays at the spot marked 16 on Six Flags’ holiday map, just south of the land.
Six Flags hasn’t posted showtimes yet, and its holiday map says times vary by day and are listed in the Six Flags app.
Glistening Snow Show
Music, lights and falling snow.
Where: Glittering Gateway
Citizens of Glittering Gateway
Roaming performers race to finish last-minute holiday preparations, with guests’ help.
Where: Glittering Gateway
Lights! Magic! Christmas!
Santa and his elves try to light a new Christmas tree, and guests help find the magic to bring it to life.
Where: Glittering Gateway
The Wishing Tree
A storyteller tells a Christmas tale at the Wishing Tree, with lights and music.
Where: Glittering Gateway
Ginny & Ginger’s Gingerbread House Nailed-It! Challenge
Gingerbread siblings Ginny and Ginger race to build a gingerbread house from confusing instructions.
Where: Sweet Street
The Sweet Street Sleuths
Cookie Caramel, General Neopolitan and Captain Macaroon recruit guests to solve candy-themed mysteries.
Where: Sweet Street
The Sweet Tooths
A candy-themed barbershop quartet with holiday songs and comedy.
Where: Sweet Street
Candy Cane & Mister Twister’s Open Mic Mayhem
A family comedy show with holiday challenges and improv games.
Where: Sweet Street
Sugar Plum’s Silent Disco
A silent disco with the Sugar Plum Fairy, festive games and holiday music.
Where: Sweet Street
Elves on Vacation
Three elves on a beach getaway lose track of time, and guests help them realize Christmas is tomorrow.
Where: Coastal Christmas at Shoreline Pier
The Frostettes
A trio of singing sisters with holiday classics.
Where: By Air Jumbo and Jolly Roger
Winter Wonder Wheel
Synchronized lights, music and dancing Christmas trees on the Giant Wheel, which is open to ride.
Where: Giant Wheel
Polar Pop!
The Polar Pop! Singers perform current pop hits with choreography in a holiday concert.
Where: By the Scrambler
Live at the BRRR! Bar
Jazz singer Miss Winter Rose sings holiday favorites and jazz classics. Drinks cost extra.
Where: BRRR! Bar, Santa’s Arctic North Pole
Snowflake and Tinsel’s Social Influencer Snow Party
Jack Frost’s nieces run a street dance party with festive challenges and photo moments.
Where: Santa’s Arctic North Pole
Jack Frost & His Snowblaster 3000
Jack Frost roams the park with his Snowblaster 3000, making snow flurries and running snow experiments with guests.
Where: Roams the park. The map pins him by The Flash: Vertical Velocity.
Holiday Road: Live on Tour!
A band stranded by a blizzard on its Christmas tour turns a canceled show into a holiday concert.
Where: At the spot marked 16 on Six Flags’ holiday map, just south of Santa’s Arctic North Pole
Santa, Letters to Santa and Holiday Activities
St. Nick’s Pics in Glittering Gateway is where to meet Santa and share a wish list, and the portrait photo costs extra. Six Flags hasn’t posted the portrait’s price, and it hasn’t said when Santa’s last day is.
Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Decorating Confectionery on Sweet Street is new this year: decorate four large sugar cookies with colored icing and sprinkles, sold online and at Mrs. Claus Kitchen. The fire pits in the S’mores Zone, next to Granny’s Chicken, are where to toast s’mores, which are buy three, get one free.
St. Nick’s Pics
Meet Santa, share your Christmas wishes and pose for a portrait. The portrait photo costs extra.
Where: Glittering Gateway
Price: Not posted
Post Office
Write a letter to Santa and send it to the North Pole.
Where: By Sky Screamer (the map calls it the North Pole Post Master)
Joy to the World Walk
A stroll past twinkling lights, holiday decorations and holiday scenes.
S’mores Zone
Fire pits for toasting s’mores. The s’mores cost extra, buy three and get one free, while supplies last.
Where: Next to Granny’s Chicken, by Fender Benders
Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Decorating Confectionery
Decorate four large sugar cookies with different colored icing and sprinkles.
Where: Mrs. Claus Kitchen, Sweet Street
Price: Not posted. Sold online and at Mrs. Claus Kitchen.
Interactive Nutcracker Bubble Wand
A nutcracker bubble wand that activates special holiday features around the park.
Price: $29.99 plus tax, limited quantity
Rides
32 rides run during Holiday in the Park, on the event’s 1 to 8 p.m. hours, among them The Joker, Batman The Ride, Superman: Ultimate Flight, The Flash: Vertical Velocity, The Dark Knight Coaster, Skull Mountain, Sky Screamer and Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth. Six Flags says ride availability is subject to change.
The Giant Wheel runs as the Winter Wonder Wheel, a light show with synchronized lights, music and dancing Christmas trees that guests can also ride. In 2025 the wheel had a holiday edition of Enchanted Illuminations Nov. 22 to 30, during GreatFUL November.
El Toro, Nitro, Medusa, Jersey Devil Coaster, Runaway Mine Train, Saw Mill Log Flume, Sling Shot, Tango and the Looney Tunes kids’ rides aren’t on the Holiday in the Park ride list.
The park’s Holiday in the Park ride list has the latest.
Holiday Food and Drinks
New this year: Thanksgiving Fries and Christmas Fries at Garden State Fresh Cut Fries, a Thanksgiving-style Turkey Burger at Yum Yum Cafe, build-your-own bowls with a seasonal side at Main Street Pub, the Humbug and Red Velvet hot chocolates at Funnel Cake Company, two mocktails at Sweet Treats, and three holiday cocktails at the Ale House and the BRRR! Bar. Granny’s Chicken brings back its ham and turkey platters, now with a pot roast platter, and chili returns in the Chili Bread Bowl at Garden State Fresh Cut Fries.
The Unlimited Hot Chocolate souvenir mug is $12.99 plus tax, with free refills of standard hot chocolate the day you redeem it, from Nov. 21, and $1.99 refills after that. Six Flags hasn’t posted prices for the holiday menu, and items marked M on the map are in the park’s meal plans.
See the Holiday in the Park food and drink menuOpens on the new items, and sorts by type or by stand. No menu prices are posted.
Sweet Treats, Glittering Gateway
Cranberry juice, pineapple juice, lime, cranberries and Seagram’s Ginger Ale.
Not a meal-plan item.
Sweet Treats, Glittering Gateway
Sprite over pink cotton candy with a sugar rim.
Not a meal-plan item.
Main Street Pub, Glittering Gateway
Build your own bowl: a seasonal side topped with sliced turkey and gravy.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Main Street Pub, Glittering Gateway
Build your own bowl: a seasonal side topped with slow-roasted pot roast.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Main Street Pub, Glittering Gateway
Build your own bowl: a seasonal side topped with slow-roasted pulled pork.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Main Street Pub, Glittering Gateway
Build your own bowl: a seasonal side topped with chicken tenders.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Funnel Cake Company, where Glittering Gateway meets Sweet Street
White chocolate and peppermint, served in a souvenir mug.
Not a meal-plan item.
Funnel Cake Company, where Glittering Gateway meets Sweet Street
Dark chocolate hot cocoa topped with cream cheese-infused whipped cream.
Not a meal-plan item.
Ale House, Glittering Gateway and BRRR! Bar, Santa’s Arctic North Pole
Layered Wheatley Vodka cocktail with strawberry, grenadine, blue Curacao, lemon and Sprite.
Not a meal-plan item.
Ale House, Glittering Gateway and BRRR! Bar, Santa’s Arctic North Pole
Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Simply Cranberry Cocktail, Coca-Cola and vanilla.
Not a meal-plan item.
Ale House, Glittering Gateway and BRRR! Bar, Santa’s Arctic North Pole
Black Cherry White Claw, Wheatley Vodka, cranberry and lime.
Not a meal-plan item.
Yum Yum Cafe, Sweet Street
A Thanksgiving-style turkey burger topped with stuffing and cranberry sauce.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Garden State Fresh Cut Fries, Sweet Street
Fresh-cut fries topped with turkey gravy, diced mozzarella, sliced turkey and cranberry sauce.
Not a meal-plan item.
Garden State Fresh Cut Fries, Sweet Street
Fresh-cut fries topped with marinara, diced mozzarella and fresh parsley.
Not a meal-plan item.
Garden State Fresh Cut Fries, Sweet Street
A bread bowl filled with chili and topped with shredded cheese.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Granny’s Chicken, by Fender Benders
Slow-roasted pot roast with your choice of seasonal side.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Granny’s Chicken, by Fender Benders
Roasted holiday ham with your choice of seasonal side.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Granny’s Chicken, by Fender Benders
Slow-roasted turkey with your choice of seasonal side.
In the meal plans (M on the map).
Select locations, also sold online
Free refills of standard hot chocolate the day you redeem it, then $1.99 refills all season. Not valid for coffee, signature hot chocolate or spirited hot chocolate.
Redeemable in the park from Nov. 21.
$12.99 plus tax
S’mores Zone, next to Granny’s Chicken
Buy three, get one free, with no other discounts.
While supplies last.
Nothing matches. Try All or All locations.
Tickets and Passes
Holiday in the Park is included with park admission. Dated online tickets are $49 on most dates and $55 on Dec. 23, 26 and 27 and Jan. 2 and 3, plus a processing fee of up to $9.99 and tax, against a $90 gate price, and ages 2 and under are free.
Through Nov. 30, a 2027 Silver Pass is $79 online, the same as a Good Any Day ticket, and it covers the rest of 2026, including Holiday in the Park, then visits through Labor Day 2027 with parking. Six Flags says Holiday in the Park is included in 2026 only, not in 2027. New this year, guests 65 and older get free admission through Jan. 3 after registering online, and parking isn’t included. My story on Free Senior Admission has the rules and the deadlines at all 10 parks.
Every ticket, pass and price
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Park Ticket, online | $49 | Nov. 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 28 to 31, and Jan. 1. Plus a processing fee of up to $9.99 and tax. Ages 2 and under free. |
| Park Ticket, online | $55 | Dec. 23, 26 and 27, and Jan. 2 and 3. Plus a processing fee of up to $9.99 and tax. |
| Park Ticket, gate price | $90 | Any event date |
| Good Any Day Ticket | $79 | One visit on any public operating day through Labor Day, Sept. 6, 2027. Not valid at Hurricane Harbor New Jersey or Wild Safari. Plus a processing fee of up to $9.99 and tax. |
| 2027 Silver Pass | $79 | Black Friday price through Nov. 30 (gate price $109). Visits for the rest of 2026, including Holiday in the Park, then Great Adventure, Hurricane Harbor New Jersey and Wild Safari through Labor Day 2027, with general parking. Holiday in the Park is included in 2026 only, not in 2027. |
| 2027 Silver Pass Bundle | $179 | Through Nov. 30. The Silver Pass plus up to 20 meals and Coca-Cola fountain drinks every visit. Meals are valid at Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor New Jersey only. |
| 2027 Gold Pass | $105 | All of 2026 and 2027 at the East Coast Six Flags parks, including Holiday in the Park, with general parking. Renewals $95. |
| Gold Membership | $8 a month | Plus a $20 initiation fee. Gold benefits, auto-renews after 12 months. |
| 2027 Prestige Pass | $249 | All of 2026 and 2027 at every Six Flags park in North America, including Holiday in the Park, with preferred parking (limited). Renewals $239. |
| Prestige Membership | $20 a month | Plus a $20 initiation fee. Prestige benefits, auto-renews after 12 months. |
| Free Senior Admission, 65 and older | Free | Through Jan. 3, 2027, at Great Adventure only. Register online, and bring an ID with your date of birth every visit. Parking not included. |
| Parking | $45 | One vehicle, one day, bought online. Free with Silver, Gold and Prestige passes. |
Buy a pass by Nov. 30 and get a free Bring-A-Friend ticket to use by Jan. 3, 2027.
Photos
Six Flags Great Adventure Holiday in the Park FAQ
Is Six Flags Great Adventure open in December?
Yes, on select days for Holiday in the Park: Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 23, then Dec. 26 to 31, each 1 to 8 p.m. It’s closed Dec. 24 and 25.
When does Six Flags Great Adventure close for the season?
Jan. 3, 2027, the last day of Holiday in the Park, open 1 to 8 p.m. The park calendar lists no hours after that.
What are the Holiday in the Park hours?
1 to 8 p.m. on every public date from Nov. 21 to Jan. 3. The passholder preview on Nov. 20 runs 4 to 8 p.m. Six Flags hasn’t posted showtimes yet, and its holiday map says times vary by day and are listed in the Six Flags app.
Is Holiday in the Park included with a season pass?
Yes. The 2027 Silver Pass covers visits for the rest of 2026, including Holiday in the Park, and Six Flags says Holiday in the Park is included in 2026 only, not in 2027. The Gold and Prestige passes include it too. Through Nov. 30, a 2027 Silver Pass is $79 online, the same price as a Good Any Day ticket.
How much is parking at Six Flags Great Adventure?
$45 per vehicle for one day, bought online. Silver, Gold and Prestige passes include free parking. Free Senior Admission does not.
Is Six Flags Great Adventure open in November?
Yes, on select days. It’s open Nov. 14 and 15, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., then for Holiday in the Park on Nov. 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29, 1 to 8 p.m., after a passholder preview night Nov. 20. It’s closed Nov. 23 to 26, including Thanksgiving.
Nearby in Trenton, Fever sells tickets to Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings, a string quartet playing carols by candlelight at the Historic Trenton Masonic Temple on Dec. 18 and 19. See Fever’s dates and tickets.
Holiday in the Park runs on select dates from Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, at Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson. For tickets and hours, visit sixflags.com. The park’s Halloween event is in my Fright Fest Great Adventure guide, and Sesame Place Philadelphia’s holiday event is in my A Very Furry Christmas guide.
