Six Flags and Cedar Fair completed their merger last year, and this year, the new company is implementing various changes across its park chain. The merger puts the future of events like Winterfest, Haunt, and Holiday in the Park into question in many markets. Today, we will cover everything we know so far about these events this year.
Kings Dominion Cancels Winter Event
The company has canceled Winterfest at Kings Dominion in 2025. Last year’s event likely marked the final Winterfest there for the foreseeable future. Early this year, the park updated its Passholder purchase pages and removed the Winterfest information.
Competition during the holiday season has increased in recent years, as Busch Gardens Williamsburg introduced its Christmas Town event down the street. Having grown up near Richmond, Virginia, I know many people will be sad to see this event disappear, especially since my recent visits indicated it was very popular. This cancellation reverses the direction Kings Dominion took from 2022 to 2023 when the chain attempted year-round operations. Furthermore, in the last earnings call, CEO Richard Zimmerman announced plans to sell the adjacent undeveloped land for development.
California’s Great America Cancels Winterfest
California’s Great America also canceled its Winterfest event this year. In early January 2025, the park emailed Passholders, stating it planned to operate only into late October 2025 for its Halloween Event.
Cutting Winterfest from California’s Great America makes sense given the park’s circumstances. The company sold the park’s land years ago, and the park likely won’t continue operating past 2030. Additionally, the merger now makes Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and California’s Great America sister parks, located about an hour apart. Consolidating to one event will likely boost attendance at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Holiday In The Park Becomes Winterfest
Consequently, Six Flags decided to move Winterfest to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Six Flags will transform the event previously known as “Holiday in the Park” into Cedar Fair’s premier winter celebration. I suspect Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will receive items shipped from California’s Great America, making the event more vibrant. The park will likely open more attractions too, as management could reposition associates from California’s Great America for the holiday season.
What Other Changes Are Coming To Winterfest And Holiday In The Park
Six Flags’ goal is to streamline operations and trim unnecessary costs from the budget. To achieve this, I anticipate a dynamic first few years post-merger. We’ve already witnessed many changes this year, including parks like Kings Dominion, Carowinds, and Six Flags Great Adventure closing numerous rides. Carowinds removed Nighthawk, Drop Tower, and a few other attractions this season to reduce high maintenance costs, and many other parks have followed suit.
Likely, other things are on the way. We’ll be sure to keep you updated. Stay tuned to RideRover!
