20 reasons to go to Kings Island in Cincinnati Ohio for Winterfest

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Kings Island Winterfest

If you’re visiting or going to be in the Cincinnati, Ohio area this holiday season, then you and your family or friends should definitely head to Kings Island Winterfest!  This Christmas event, which takes place at the iconic theme park in Mason, Ohio, has so many fun things to do, see and eat – here are 20 reasons why I think your family would love a trip here.

1. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Every night at 5:30 P.M., there will be a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at International Street.  You’ll see the Eiffel Tower shining with thousands of lights.

2. Snow Flake Ice Skating

The Royal Fountain will be transformed into a gorgeous ice skating rink!

3. Coney Elf Village

Come celebrate the ones behind Santa’s success: the elves!  At Coney Elf Village, there will be beautiful holiday decorations, displays & lights, plus great holiday-themed games.  You can also shop for holiday gifts here as well as sweets & treats.

4. Candy Cane Lane

Take a walk on the sweet side with Candy Cane Lane, which features amazingly sweet decorations like:

  • Amazing Lights
  • Gingerbread House
  • Live Gingerbread Characters
  • 20-foot tall candy canes
  • Candied Trees
  • Peppermint Drops
  • Lollipops
  • Icing
  • Cookies

5. Carriage Rides

Have yourself a picturesque winter moment on a horse-drawn carriage ride

6. Santa & Mrs. Claus

You can get that perfect photo of you & your family with Santa or stop by Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and decorate sugar cookies at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen with your friends or family!

7. Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Lot

Help Charlie Brown & Linus pick out a Christmas tree in a wonderful maze of Christmas trees complete with holiday surprises

8. Coca-Cola Polar Bear Plaza

Kings Island’s DJ will be spinning holiday favorites & newer holiday music at this Cocoa-themed party complete with a 30 foot iconic Santa holding a Coke.  There will be interactive games & nightly prizes that will make this holiday party a must attend.

9. Snow

If you love seeing snow at Christmas time, then you’ll love the snow on International Street!

10. North Pole Post Office

Send Santa Claus a customized letter, sent directly to the North Pole, at the North Pole Post Office

11. Sally’s Christmas Crafts

Kids 12 & under can create their own holiday crafts they can take home!

12. Action Ice Zone

Enjoy a winter wonderland that includes:

  • A sledding hill that guests at least 42 inches can sled down
  • An inflatable giant life sized snow globe – a great photo opportunity
  • Ice carving demonstrations

13. Holiday Shows

There will be great holiday-themed shows at Winterfest, like:

  • Sounds of the Nativity, with Christmas carols & live animals
  • Charlie Brown’s Christmas Spectacular
  • Cool Yule Christmas
  • Tinker’s Toy Factory
  • A Peanuts Guide to Christmas
  • What The Dickens?!

Check out Charlie Brown’s Christmas Spectacular from a performance from Winterfest in Charlotte:

14. Musical Performances

Enjoy great holiday music from great musical performers, like:

  • Blitzen’s Brass Band
  • Four Drummers Drumming
  • The Mistletones
  • Jingle Jazz
  • Holiday Sing-Along
  • Holly Holiday’s String-a-Long
  • Holly Jolly Trolley

15. Artisan Village

You’ll be able to purchase hand-crafted items at The Artisan Village, located near the Eiffel Tower, including:

  • Winter accessories
  • Hand-painted wooden signs
  • Fused glass & mosaics
  • Decorative wreaths
  • Jewelry
  • Prints
  • Personal care products
  • And more!

16. Christmas Gifts & Shopping

In addition to the Artisan Village, there are also great places to pick up the perfect holiday gift or item, like:

  • Personalized ornaments & gifts
  • Great shopping on International Street
  • A holiday-themed bear or a personalized bear for a stuffed animal lover in your life at Build a Bear Workshop
  • Winterfest apparel
  • Plush toys
  • Holiday home decor & ornaments
  • Coca-Cola themed gifts

17. Midway Merriment

Meet over 30 holiday characters, such as:

  • Holly
  • Jolly
  • Lolly
  • Jingle
  • Captain Macaron
  • Cookie Caramel
  • Candy Cane
  • Sugar Plum Fairy
  • And more!

18. Food & drinks

Kings Island will be serving up delicious holiday food & drinks, plus food & drinks that are delicious any time of the year, like:

  • Norseman’s Christmas Pork
  • Holiday inspired Funnel Cakes
  • Christmas Sausage
  • Hot Chocolate
  • Blue Hot Chocolate
  • Fudge
  • Smoked Turkey
  • Cinnamon Pull-a-part
  • Ciders
  • Polish Kielbasa and Sauerkraut with Pierogis
  • Pick-A-Mix candy
  • Bacon-On-A-Stick
  • Mini Donuts
  • Turducken Sandwich
  • Gourmet Apples
  • Italian Pasta and Meatballs
  • Gourmet Mac & Cheese
  • Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders
  • Buckeyes
  • German Schnitzel with Fried Cabbage
  • Churros
  • Patty Melts
  • Popcorn
  • Smoked Honey Spiced Chicken Wings
  • Cincinnati famous LaRosa’s Pizza
  • Cotton Candy
  • Novelty candy ornaments
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Kings Island signature Smashed Burgers

19. Great rides

When you visit Kings Island you’re going to want to go on some of their great rides, right? Well, luckily, there will be rides available, like:

  • Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
  • Character Carousel
  • Charlie Brown’s Wind Up
  • Dodgems
  • Flight of Fear
  • Grand Carousel
  • Joe Cool’s Dodgem School
  • K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad
  • Linus’ Launcher
  • Mystic Timbers
  • Peanuts 500
  • Sally’s Sea Plane
  • Scrambler
  • Shake, Rattle & Roll
  • Snoopy vs. Red Baron
  • Snoopy’s Space Buggies
  • The Great Pumpkin Coaster
  • Woodstock Gliders
  • Zephyr

20. Jack Frost’s luxury Igloos

If you get too cold during your time at the park, you can rent a Jack Frost Luxury Igloo! In addition to the igloo, you’ll also get concierge services, food & beverage delivery to your igloo, reserved seating at select shows., Souvenir Hot Chocolate Mugs, free carriage ride or ice skating & more

Discount Tickets

Looking for discount ticket or coupons for Kings Island?  Then you have come to the right place!  Buy your ticket here and you’ll find a coupon for $9.01 for your ticket.  You’ll also find a coupon for $3 off your parking!