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Winterfest at Carowinds
If you are looking for a great time in the Carolinas during the holiday season, then you have to head to Winterfest!
Winterfest is an annual event at Carowinds theme park in Charlotte on the North Carolina/South Carolina border.
You can save up to 53% on a ticket to Carowinds’ Winterfest here.
We’ll go through the park and give you a few highlights of what you can expect in 2025 and 2026, as the event lasts through January 3, 2026!
đ WinterFest Live Entertainment
There are some great entertainment options this year at WinterFest! You can find the specific times in the Six Flags app. Once in the app, you’ll just need to choose Carowinds as the park you’ll be visiting.
- Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Marvel at the beautiful 70-foot Christmas tree!
- Tinkerâs Toy Factory
- Santa, Tinker, and the elves discover the importance of friends and family
- In Carowinds Theater
- Snow and Glow
- Snow will fall while lights sparkle to the soundtrack of holiday music in a very special moment
- Near the Crossroads Gazebo
- Holly Jolly Trolley
- A performance of classic holiday songs
- At the Plaza Stage
- Storytime with Mrs. Claus
- At the Crossroads Gazebo
- Snoopyâs Jingle Jam Dance Party
- At Camp Snoopy
- Reindeer Games
- Fun challenges
- In County Fair
- The Wisemen
- Bluegrass musical performance
- At Blueridge Junction
- Live music at the Tipsy Reindeer Bar
- At the Thrill Zone
âď¸ WinterFest Experiences & Activities
- Tinkerâs Reindeer Round-Up
- Pick up an activity guide near the front gate and help Tinker find Santa’s nine reindeer
- Jack Frostâs Igloo Village
- Reserve an igloo with seating for up to 8 people
- Includes VIP Seating at select shows
- Also includes 4 refillable hot chocolate mugs (free refills that day)
- At Thunder Road
- North Pole Craft Depot & Post Office
- At Crossroads
- Mrs. Clausâ Kitchen
- At Crossroads
- St. Nickâs Pics
- Pose for photos with Santa Claus
- At Camp Snoopy
- Christmas Lights
- If possible, try to stay past dusk so you can enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights throughout the park!
â WinterFest Eats & Treats
You can find seasonal food and drinks at the following places:
- The Tipsy Reindeer Bar
- Burrito CafĂŠ
- Leonardoâs Hometown Italian Food
- Funnel Cake Emporium
- Worldâs Greatest Funnel Cake
- Blue Ridge Country Kitchen
- The Festive Spud and Sugar Shack
- Cozy Mac Bowl
- Harmony Hall
- Juke Box Diner
- Sugar Plumâs Hot Cocoa
đ˘ Rides
The following is a list of the rides that are open and running during WinterFest. Please note that ride availability is subject to change. Also, any ride with an asterisk “*” next to it may experience closures in extremely cold temperatures.
- Thunder Striker*
- Ricochet
- Peanuts Trailblazers
- Woodstock Express*
- Camp Bus
- Fury 325*
- The Grand Carousel
- Kite Eating Tree
- Rock N’ Roller
- Carolina Skytower
- Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies
- Flying Ace Balloon Race
- Ripcord
- Charlie Brown’s Wind Up
- Do-Si-Do
- Snoopy Vs. Red Baron
- Mountain Gliders
- Slingshot
- Woodstock Whirlybirds
- Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
- Carolina Cyclone
- Zephyr
- Kiddy Hawk*
- Wilderness Run
- Snoopy’s Racing Railway
- Kaleidoscope
- Beagle Scout Acres
- Flying Cobras
- Copperhead Strike
Dates and Times
WinterFest runs now through Saturday, January 3, 2026 on most dates. The only days it will NOT be open are December 15-18, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
The hours are 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, except for Saturdays. On Saturday, the park is open an extra hour, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Discount Tickets
Looking for discount tickets to this great holiday event? Buy your ticket here and you can save up to 53% off your ticket. No discount code or promo code is needed as the coupon is automatic!