Step Into a World of Holiday Magic at Carowinds

Carowinds' WinterFest Opens November 17

Charlotte, N.C. (November 7, 2023)—Celebrate the holiday season at Carowinds' WinterFest, the Carolinas' immersive holiday tradition set to captivate guests on select nights from November 17, 2023, to January 1, 2024.

Carowinds invites guests to embrace the holiday season with 28 days of festivities, including dazzling light displays featuring millions of shimmering lights, ice skating, family activities, festive live entertainment, delectable holiday-inspired comfort food, and attractions. Explore specialty holiday gift shops to find that perfect present and partake in holiday-themed games.

Festive Activities

New for this season, guests can engage with in-park elements to unlock distinctive experiences and effects using the Interactive WinterFest Wonder Wand. Artisan Alley further enhances the holiday spirit, with local crafters offering unique and handmade gifts that are perfect for holiday shopping.

Carowinds' WinterFest offers family-friendly activities, including Santa's Christmas Cabin for photos with Santa Claus, ice skating on Snow Flake Lake, North Pole Post Office for guests of all ages to create the perfect letter to Santa, and cookie decorating at Mrs. Claus' Kitchen. New for this year is Tinker's Reindeer Round-Up, where guests can join Tinker in a quest to save Christmas after Santa's reindeer are set loose.

Live Shows

Guests will immerse themselves in the holiday spirit with festive live entertainment, including A PEANUTS Guide to Christmas, Cool Yule Christmas, Jingle Jazz, Polar Party, Snow and Glow, Sounds of the Nativity, The Down Home Duo, Tinker's Toy Factory, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and TWAS: A Merry Mishap.

After an evening of merriment, guests can enjoy the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, a nightly procession featuring lavishly decorated floats, festive music, and captivating performers. The parade starts at 9:00 p.m. in Celebration Plaza, with show stops in Celebration Plaza, Thrill Zone, and County Fair.

Rides

And up to 28 rides, including thrills like Air Racers, Copperhead Strike, Fury 325, and family-friendly attractions like Flying Ace Balloon Race, will be operating to add to the festive fun.

Seasonal Treats

Executive Chef John Loukas has curated a festive menu featuring returning guest favorites such as holiday pull-apart bread and gourmet hot chocolate at Shake Central. New offerings include the bacon cinnamon roll, shrimp and crawfish étouffée, and white Christmas chicken pizza. Hot chocolate enthusiasts will find offerings throughout the park, with an option for refillable souvenir mugs featuring artwork by 12-year-old Alaina Koroskenyi of South Carolina. The design contest was conducted in partnership with A Kid Again, a non-profit dedicated to children with life-threatening conditions.

Merry Cocktails

For those seeking a unique holiday experience, check out the all-new Tacky Sweater Bar, an over-the-top bar adorned with Christmas decor featuring a selection of unique cocktails.

For unlimited access to events like WinterFest, give the gift of FUN with a 2024 Gold Season Pass, offering unlimited visits this year and the next, free season-long parking, unlimited visits to Carolina Harbor Waterpark, admission to seasonal events, discounts on meals and merchandise, and enticing Bring-A-Friend discount offers.

For ticket information and event details, please visit Tickets & Admission | WinterFest | Carowinds.

Media Opportunities: Media and influencers, digital media professionals, are invited to an exclusive preview of WinterFest at the Carowinds Media Showcase: WinterFest on Friday, November 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., registration required.

WinterFest Media Assets: MEDIA KIT: WinterFest (carowinds.com)

About Carowinds

Carowinds, a 400-acre amusement park located on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, is home to top-rated roller coasters, including Fury 325, the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster, as well as more than 58 rides, attractions, and live stage shows. Carolina Harbor, a 26-acre water park, features a variety of water slides, wave pools, large play structures and a three-acre children’s play area. Carowinds Camp Wilderness and SpringHill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds are guest accommodations located on-site. For information on attractions and accommodations at Carowinds, visit www.carowinds.com or call 704.588.2600.

Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world, and is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio.  Focused on its mission to make people happy by providing fun, immersive, and memorable experiences, the Company owns and operates 13 properties, consisting of 11 amusement parks, four separately gated outdoor water parks, and resort accommodations totaling more than 2,300 rooms and more than 600 luxury RV sites.  Cedar Fair’s parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Texas and Toronto, Ontario. 

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