It is unfortunate that many of our favorite theme parks close their doors at the beginning of the winter season and typically remain closed until Spring. While parks in warmer states like Florida and California remain open year-round, many are forced to close for the season due to chilly winter temperatures and frosty weather. However, a select few offer a chance to experience your favorite rides and parks during the jolliest (and coldest) season of the year.
Of course, we all know that Disney and Universal-owned resorts are open year-round and have incredible holiday offerings. For this list, however, we are going to exclude them in order to focus on some other theme parks that you may not expect to be open during the winter months. Join us in exploring 5 of the Best Theme Parks to Visit in the Winter!
1. Winterfest at Kings Island
Kings Island is not the only Cedar Fair Park to be hosting WinterFest this year. Kings Dominion, California’s Great America, and Carowinds will also host WinterFest events on select dates throughout November and December. Many of the offerings are the same from park to park. However, of the four parks hosting WinterFest celebrations, Kings Island had the most festival-specific activities and the best live entertainment line-up.
WinterFest at Kings Island begins with over 5 million lights and the transformation of their iconic Eiffel Tower into a giant Christmas tree. The activities offered include everything from artisan shops, pictures with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, ice carvers, snow tubing, crafts, some of your favorite rides (including Mystic Timbers), and more.
They also have ice skating available on their Royal Fountain which is transformed into Snow Flake Lake. There is an additional fee to ice skate which includes skate rental. One of the coolest offerings (pun intended!) is Jack Frost’s Igloo Village. You can rent one of these igloos at an additional cost starting at $199 and accommodate up to 8 people. The reservation includes not only access to your own luxury igloo, but also VIP seating at select shows, 4 souvenir hot cocoa mugs, and priority access to ice skating and cookie decorating. It is a great way to warm up in the chilly weather and ensure great seats for some of the great live entertainment.
There is a wide range of entertainment offerings during WinterFest. First, you can delight your ears with one of many musical groups including The MistleTones 1950’s trio, Four Drummers Drumming, Sounds of Nativity, Holly Holiday’s String-a-Long, and more.
There are also fun family shows. From a Peanuts Guide to Christmas show starring Snoopy and his friend to Kings Island’s version of A Christmas Carol called Bah Humbug…What the Dickens? There is something for everyone. As it gets closer to being dark, be sure to check out the nightly tree lighting ceremony. Finally, end the night with the WinterFest Wonderland Parade featuring Santa Claus himself.
2. Knott’s Merry Farm
One park that might offer the best weather of the parks on our list is Knott’s Berry Farm. This park is open year-round so you can visit all winter long. But from November 19 through January 8th, you can experience Knott’s Merry Farm. The winter festival includes thousands of lights and holiday décor throughout the entire park.
Enjoy a stroll through the Christmas Craft Village where you can find unique gifts for everyone on your list. You can also take a ride on your favorite attractions, and enjoy a nightly tree lighting ceremony with Snoopy and Friends. You might enjoy one of their seasonal sweet treats or savory “holiday classics with a twist.’ Of course, you will not want to miss some of the other live entertainment like Home for the Holidays, a musical revue featuring holiday classics, and even snow. Perhaps, you may prefer the excitement of the ice-skating show starring Snoopy and his friends. Finally, don’t forget to stop by Santa’s Christmas Cabin to say hi to the jolly fellow.
3. Dollywood’s Smokey Mountain Christmas
Deep in the Smokey Mountains, you’ll find the next theme park on our list, Dollywood. Dollywood’s location already makes for a picturesque holiday retreat, but when you add in the festive winter offerings at the park, it makes for an even better winter getaway. Select days November 5th through January 1st, Dollywood celebrates the holidays with Smokey Mountain Christmas Presented by Humana. The event has welcomed guests for over a decade with its vibrant themed lands and millions of lights.
There are several great experiences to check out at Smokey Mountain Christmas. First, don’t miss a ride on the Dollywood Express Light Experience where you can view the park’s lights from the train while enjoying your favorite holiday tunes. Next, you’ll want to check out one of the live shows such as Christmas in the Smokies or Twas the Night Before Christmas.
You will definitely want to try some of the festive food offerings like the pork belly skillet or gingerbread funnel cake before heading over to see whether your children are on Santa’s naughty or nice List. You can even purchase a tasting pass to try multiple dishes. End the night with a spectacular fireworks show set to fun holiday classics.
4. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Both Busch Gardens parks put on the holiday event called Christmas Town. However, Busch Gardens Williamsburg comes out on top with its offerings. There are over 10 million lights decorating the park on select dates from November 11th to January 8th. The event features holiday shops, meet and greets with Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, special treats and drinks, and even Santa’s Workshop.
You won’t want to miss the 20+ rides and coasters open during the event, especially Verbolten which wizzes through festively decorated terrain. After a ride on one of the coasters, you may choose to relax on the Christmas Town Express holiday train ride experience. (It is important to note some rides and coasters may not be available in colder temperatures.) Last but certainly not least, be sure to check out one of the incredible shows like Twas the Night, a holiday ice skating spectacular or Scrooge No More, a musical version of A Christmas Carol.
By far, the best offering at Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is Santa’s Fireside Feast. This special dining experience includes an all-you-care-to-eat meal while Santa himself tells Christmas stories with Mrs. Claus and the elves. Better yet, the meal includes a complimentary photo, and children under three are free. If you are visiting the park, this is surely an experience you will not want to miss. Just be sure to make reservations in advance.
5. An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City
An Old Time Christmas is presented by Humana and runs select dates from November 5th through December 30th. This festival features over six million lights, 60 shops, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Parade, and the Christmas in Midtown light spectacular.
There is an abundance of live entertainment offerings including a living nativity scene, a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and the new show Coming Home for Christmas the includes performances of over a dozen holiday songs and a live band. Kids will enjoy Tinker Junior’s Toy Shop which includes a talking Christmas tree. The festival wouldn’t be complete without trying one of the tasty holiday favorites such as Christmas prime rib, caramel apples, and even wassail.
Honorable Mention: Six Flags
This year, six of the Six Flags theme parks are hosting a holiday event called Holiday in the Park. These include Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and Six Flags Great Adventure. While they do have some exciting holiday activities and events such as open rides and coasters, lights display, live entertainment, and visits with Santa, we didn’t feel they quite topped the other parks on the list. However, they are worth mentioning and if you live near one of these parks you might want to check out Holiday at the Park.
Which do you think is the best theme park to visit in the winter? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
