Your Guide to WinterFest 2023
Kings Island Team
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Your Guide to Kings Island's WinterFest 2023
Cincinnati’s premier holiday experience will now feature more than seven million lights
It’s been just over two weeks since Halloween Haunt and Tricks and Treats Fall Fest ended at Kings Island and the park is nearly transformed and ready for WinterFest. Around here we call it the transition from ‘scary to merry’ and it happens faster than Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve!
For 2023, our annual holiday tradition returns on Friday, Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving, and continues select nights through the park’s New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31.
WinterFest features 12 winter wonderlands and more than seven million holiday lights. From Coney Elf Mall to Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town, the entire park has been themed for the holidays.
During your visit you’ll be able to experience live holiday shows throughout the park including the nightly tree-lighting ceremony on International Street and the Winter Wonderland Parade each night at 8:30 p.m. It’s enough to make even Ebenezer Scrooge smile.
And, if you’ve ever wanted to see Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus* or ice skate on the park's famous Royal Fountain*, you can do that too, along with all the other ways for families to make lasting holiday memories.
For the thrill seekers who believe that no trip to Kings Island is complete without riding at least one ride you’ll be glad to know that more than 20 rides are open including the park’s newest rides, Sol Spin and Cargo Loco in Adventure Port, along with coasters Mystic Timbers and Flight of Fear.
If you visit WinterFest every year, here are some enhancements you’ll notice in 2023:
More Holiday Lights
Kings Island’s WinterFest will add two million LED lights in 2023, making it one of the largest events in the region with more than seven million holiday lights. Here's where you'll see the additions:
- Eiffel Tower: We’ve increased the number of lights on the Eiffel Tower with bulbs that are 30% brighter and smaller, allowing for finer programming of the tower’s animated sequences.
- Royal Fountain- We’ve added GIANT, lit snowflakes to Snowflake Lake (our Royal Fountain ice skating rink).
- Park Enhancements- You’ll notice additional lights that have been added throughout the park, and especially to the new Adventure Port, Rivertown Wonderland and Area 72.
Two New WinterFest Rides
This year our new rides, Cargo Loco and Sol Spin, will be included in the WinterFest rides line-up. That means that the park plans to have more than 20 rides operating each evening.
Holly Jolly Trolley
Located near Kings Mills Antique Autos, guests will be able to tour Tinsel Town and Coney Elf Mall aboard the Holly Jolly Trolley.
New Location for Songs of the Nativity
Previously known as Sounds of the Nativity, this popular show will now be located near the entrance of Boo Blasters in Planet Snoopy (Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town). Its previous location is under construction as we prepare to open Camp Snoopy in 2024. The show also will feature a new stage set.
WinterFest Wonderland Parade Slight Route Change
If you're used to staking out a favorite spot along International Street for the WinterFest Wonderland Parade to get just the right picture with the Eiffel Tower in the background, you'll want to keep in mind that the parade route has slightly changed. This year the parade will first travel down the south (Sweet Spot) side of International Street before circling around to the north (Starbucks) side of the street.
Adventure Port Restaurants re-themed
Adventure Port officially becomes the park’s 12th winter wonderland. In addition to the new rides operating during WinterFest, Adventure Port’s restaurants have been re-named 'Enrique's Cozy Cantina' and 'Enrique's Christmas Cafe' for the holidays.
Jack Frost’s Liquid Libations
This popular beverage stop was previously located in Oktoberfest, but has moved to a new location in Action Zone.
There are other surprises as well, but this will give you something to look out for upon your return to the park for the holidays!
From holiday lights to activities and live entertainment, there's something for everyone at Kings Island's WinterFest. And the best part is that it's free with a 2023 or 2024 Kings Island Season Pass. Start planning your visit now by viewing the park's operating calendar with all the WinterFest dates.
*Additional Fee Required
**Subject to change without notice.