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Foodie's Guide to WinterFest at Carowinds

Hayden Biebel Photo Hayden Biebel |
November 12, 2024

Step into the magic of WinterFest at Carowinds, the Carolinas' most enchanting holiday event. WinterFest is a dazzling spectacle of shimmering lights, family-friendly shows, and delectable holiday-inspired cuisine. Carowinds' talented culinary team has crafted a festive menu that includes returning favorites like the Gobbler, as well as delightful new additions such as the Apple Sonker.

Savory Delights

Indulge in traditional holiday fare and festive favorites with a unique twist. You can savor these tasty specialty items at select locations, available for a limited time during WinterFest.

Blue Ridge Country Kitchen
  • Carved Turkey – Hand-carved turkey breast, marinated in herbs.
  • Honey Baked Ham – Tender ham, sliced and served in a honey glaze.
  • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Gravy – Fluffy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and turkey gravy.
  • Sweet Potato Fries – Freshly fried potatoes, tossed in cinnamon sugar.
Juke Box Diner
  • The Gobbler – Sliced turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, cranberry mayo and turkey gravy; served on a roll.
  • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Gravy – Fluffy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and turkey gravy.
Soup Nook
  • Broccoli Cheddar Bread Bowl – Creamy cheddar soup with broccoli, served in a rosemary olive oil bread bowl.
  • Chicken Noodle Bread Bowl – A broth of chicken, vegetables and noodles, served in a rosemary olive bread bowl.
  • Chili Bread Bowl – A hearty serving of beef chili, served in a rosemary olive oil bread bowl.

Sweet Treats

Indulge in your holiday cravings with an array of delicious desserts and festive treats sprinkled throughout Carowinds for an even sweeter WinterFest experience.

The beloved cinnamon pull-apart bread is a staple of WinterFest and a guest favorite. This freshly baked bread is generously coated in cinnamon sugar and crowned with vanilla icing and festive sprinkles. Available for a limited time at Blue Ridge Fixins, Tinker’s Treat Stop, and Candy Cane’s Sugar Shack.

Blue Ridge Country Kitchen
  • Apple Sonker – Deep-dish, baked dessert with a cinnamon apple filling.
Funnel Cake Emporium
  • Gingerbread Funnel Cake – Classic funnel cake topped with gingerbread spices, powdered sugar, caramel and whipped cream.
  • Churro Sundae – Ginger-spiced churros with ice cream and caramel drizzle.

Leonardo’s Hometown Italian Food
  • Peppermint Mocha Cupcake – Mocha cupcake with peppermint frosting, peppermint chips and a crunchy cookie straw.
  • Maple Toffee Cheesecake – Sweet and salty cheesecake with white chocolate drizzle and toffee chips.
  • Leonardo’s Cinnamon Knot – A large knot of cinnamon sugar bread, with icing drizzle and sprinkles.

Harmony Hall
  • Christmas Tree Brownie – Festive brownie with frosting and sprinkles.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Cupcake – Snickerdoodle cupcake with a winter-spiced frosting.
  • Rocky Road Crispy Treat – Sweet, chewy puffed rice treat with chocolate chips and almonds.
  • Eggnog Parfait – Creamy dessert with eggnog cheesecake filling and crunchy gingerbread crumbles.
  • Hot Cocoa Parfait – Creamy dessert with marshmallow and chocolate.

Joy's Desserts
  • Build Your Own Canoli Flight – Choice of filling, toppings, and dizzle for three minature canoli.
  • Joy's Peppermint Bites – Buttery shortbread bars layered with peppermint bark.

Gourmet Hot Chocolate

Warm up on a chilly WinterFest night with gourmet hot chocolate flavors, each one a rich cup of holiday cheer. Choose between three wintry flavors at Sugar Plum’s Hot Cocoa (Shake Central):

  • Salted Caramel Truffle Hot Chocolate – Creamy hot chocolate topped with a salted caramel sauce and house made truffle.
  • Cinnamon Roll Hot Chocolate – Cinnamon sugar hot chocolate topped with brown sugar and cinnamon streusel crumbles.
  • Peppermint Bark Hot Chocolate – Peppermint hot chocolate topped with white chocolate, peppermint bark and chocolate syrup.

Build your own gourmet hot chocolate at Candy Canne's Sugar Shack, Joy's Desserts, or Tinker's Treat Stop with a variety of toppings. Traditional hot chocolate is also available at various locations throughout the park. Refillable souvenir mugs are available for purchase.

Seasonal Sips

Raise a toast this holiday season at WinterFest with festive cocktails and mocktails.

Signature Cocktails and Mocktails

Enjoy signature cocktails at the Harmony Hall bar and Blue Ridge Tavern bar, as well as a variety of seasonal and limited-time bar locations throughout Carowinds.

  • Blue Christmas – A frosted combination of silver rum, white cranberry juice, blue curaçao and lemonade.
  • Snow Slope Mojito – A blizzard of coconut milk, rum, Sprite® and fresh mint.
  • Brandy Cane – A chilly candy cane cocktail with rum and brandy, flavored with pineberry, grenadine, and Minute Maid Lemonade®.
  • Santa’s Cane – A chilly candy cane cocktail with red wine, flavored with cranberry-apple juice, orange juice, ginger beer, and vanilla syrup.
  • Peanut Buttery Winter Cocoa – Hot chocolate spiked with peanut butter whiskey and topped with whipped cream, peanut butter sauce, and peanuts.
  • Holly Jolly Hot Cocoa – Hot chocolate infused with Irish cream and peppermint, topped with a mountain of cream and crushed peppermint candy.
  • Fireplace Cider – Mulled warm apple cider with dark rum, cranberry, orange, cinnamon, allspice, anise and clove.
  • Spiced Holiday Wine – Mulled warm Glühwein infused with sugar, oranges, cinnamon, anise, and clove.

For guests who prefer a non-alcoholic option, four mocktails are also available at these bar locations.

  • Chilly Cranberry Delight – Winter Spiced Cranberry Sprite® and cranberry juice with a rosemary and cranberry garnish.
  • Rudolph’s Shiny Nose – Sprite® with lemonade and grenadine.
  • Granny Cane – A chilly candy cane spirit-free beverage filled with Minute Maid Lemonade® and Granny Smith apple syrup with a splash of apple juice.
  • Gingerbread Hot Chocolate – Gingerbread-infused hot chocolate with whipped topping, chocolate shavings, and mini marshmallows.
Hand-Crafted Cocktails at Terminal A

Terminal A continues to provide an elevated food and beverage experience for guests this holiday season. Here, guests can enjoy three exclusive hand-crafted beverages in addition to the signature cocktails available parkwide.

  • Gingerbread Eggnog – A rich and creamy eggnog infused with gingerbread syrup and rum, topped with nutmeg.
  • Cranberry Old Fashioned – A bourbon concoction with cranberries, angostura bitters, and cranberry syrup; garnished with cranberries and an orange slice.
  • Santa’s Hat Chocolate (non-alcoholic) – Hot chocolate infused with white raspberry and topped with a red vanilla whipped cream Santa hat.

As you immerse yourself in the magic of WinterFest, be sure to savor the flavors of the season. From festive food options to blissful beverages, these holiday treats are the perfect way to make your visit even more dazzling. Grab a cup, share a bite, and create sweet memories this holiday season at Carowinds' WinterFest, where culinary excellence meets holiday enchantment.