Kings Island Adding New Parade To WinterFest Festivities

Kings Island crews have been taking advantage of the nice weather this past week to prepare the amusement park for WinterFest.

The annual holiday tradition in Mason offers an unforgettable experience for Kings Island’s guests with the park transformed into 11 enchanting winter wonderlands, ice skating on the Royal Fountain, the Eiffel Tower converted into a magical 314-foot-tall Christmas tree, more than 5 million lights, up to 20 rides including Mystic Timbers, and live entertainment all throughout the park.

This year’s WinterFest will feature the addition of a brand new holiday parade. The nightly “Wonderland Parade” will feature more than 150 festive performers and eight floats with classic themes such as toy boxes, gingerbread houses and even a float for the big man himself- Santa Claus. Much like the Spectacle of Color Parade during the parks Grand Carnivale event, the new parade will stop several times along the route to allow guests to participate in the show. Below is a sneak peek of what guests can expect!

Activities around the park include:

Carriage Rides

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Lot

Holiday Games

Ice Carvers

Jack Frost’s Igloo Village: Guests can chill-out in one of Jack Frost’s luxury Igloos! Furnished with comfort and warmth, this is the perfect spot to take a break and immerse yourself in the beauty of WinterFest! Reservations are required for the VIP experience that includes Igloo rental for up to eight guests, refillable souvenir hot chocolate mugs, exclusive VIP seating at select shows, and priority access to Ice SKating, Carriage Ride and Cookie Decorating experiences. **Additional fee required**

Let It Snow: (The best time to catch the snowfall is immediately after the Tree Lighting Ceremony or following a performance of Cool Yule Christmas on the International Street stage
Midway Merriment: Guests will have the chance to meet over 30 of the parks merriest of citizens.

Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen Cookie Decorating: Mrs. Claus invites you to stop by and decorate four of your very own delicious cookie creations at the North Pole Kitchen! Vouchers are 18.99 and includes four large sugar cookies and all the frosting and toppings for families to decorate.

North Pole Post Office: Once children have written their request lists, the elves will collect them and officially certify the mail, guaranteeing delivery to the North Pole.

Sally’s Christmas Crafts

Snow Works: Sledding in action zone!

Snowflake Lake Ice Skating: The Royal Fountain is transformed for the holiday season into one of the most scenic and largest ice skating venues around. In front of the ice rink, picturesque polar bears welcome guests as they enter the park. Vouchers are $15.00 for unlimited ice skating during the date and time slot chosen. Each time slot is an hour and a half.

St. Nick’s Holiday Pics: A picture with Santa is a holiday tradition, and the man in the red suit will be taking toy requests throughout WinterFest. Santa is surrounded by holiday merriment as families gather around his golden throne to ask for that special someone and create a family portrait that will rekindle memories that last a lifetime.

WinterFest Snow Globe: The WinterFest Snow Globe (in Action Zone) offers “snow” better place for that perfect holiday card photo.

NEW FOR 2021! WinterFest Wonderland Parade: Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season as the WinterFest Wonderland Parade winds its way through the park each night of the event. The nightly parade starts at 8:30 p.m. in Coney Elf Village.

The event runs Select Nights, November 26 through December 31 concluding with a “New Year’s Eve firework spectacular”. For tickets and more information, visit the official Kings Island website here.

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