Celebrate Christmas at Six Flags

2020 Holiday in the Park Events Make Spirits Bright

Six Flags Holiday in the Park lights

Six Flags

Most Six Flags theme parks used to lower their flags for the season soon after Labor Day. Now, however, they all present Fright Fest Halloween events well into the fall. Nearly all Six Flags also remain open through the end of the year as well by presenting Holiday n the Park. Typically, the only U.S. parks that do not participate in the Christmas merriment are the two New York locations, Six Flags Darien Lake and The Great Escape—although Six Flags' indoor water park resort adjacent to The Great Escape amusement park does get into the spirit of the season as noted below.

For 2020, the pandemic is causing the park chain to change up its plans. For one thing, all of the parks are operating with limited capacity and require visitors to make advance reservations. They have also introduced a variety of health and safety measures, including temperature screenings and the requirement of face coverings. State regulations have prevented some parks from opening, including Six Flags Magic Mountain in California and Six Flags New England in Massachusetts. Two other parks, Six Flags Great America in Illinois and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California, are presenting modified, Holiday in the Park Lights events without rides.

All of the other participating parks will deck their halls with twinkling lights and other holiday finery and present holiday-themed shows. Old St. Nick will be on hand making spirits bright. Because this is Six Flags, many of the coasters and other rides will be open for the event—even when temperatures may dip well into the frosty zone.

Info about which parks will be celebrating Christmas and the holidays and some of the event details follows.

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California - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo

Cougar Cubs Celebrate The Holiday Season
Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

The modified walk-through event, Holiday in the Park Lights, will feature some of the elements of past events, including an enormous Christmas tree, loads of festive decorations, seasonal treats, and a synchronized holiday light show. Some of the park’s animal exhibits will also be open. But none of the coasters or rides will be available.

  • 2020 dates: TBD
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Georgia - Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell

Christmas Holiday in the Park Six Flags Georgia

Six Flags

Six Flags Over Georgia will mix tradition with retro fun when it presents A Georgia Christmas. With over 1 million lights, snow machines, an adorned tree, and other enhancements, the promenade at the front of the park will become A Main Street Christmas. Other themed areas will include Peppermint Plaza. The park will give visitors the opportunity to roast marshmallows and make their own treats in S'mores Village. Available coasters will include Twisted Cyclone, Goliath, and Georgia Scorcher.

  • 2020 dates: Select days November 21 to January 3, 2021
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Illinois- Six Flags Great America in Gurnee

Six Flags Great America Holiday in the Park

Six Flags

This will be the third year that the Midwest park joins in the holiday-themed fun, although it will present the modified Holiday in the Park Lights walkthrough event an d forego any coasters or other rides. As at the other Six Flags locations, Great America will deck out its midways with lights (2.5 million of them!) and offer seasonal food such as hot chocolate and s'mores. There will also be themed entertainment.

  • 2020 dates: Select days November 27 to December 27
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Maryland - Six Flags America in Mitchellville

Six Flags Holiday in the Park stage show

Six Flags

2020 will mark the fourth Christmas event for Six Flags America. Coasters such as Superman Ride of Steel and The Wild One along with some of the park's other rides will be open for the event. Expect plenty of hot chocolate, s'mores, more than one million lights, and other seasonal treats. 

  • 2020 dates: Select days November 21 to January 3, 2021
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Missouri - Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka

Campfire at Six Flags Holiday in the Park
Courtesy of Six Flags

This will be the fifth Christmas season that Six Flags St. Louis will offer Holiday in the Park. The park is promising over one million sparkling lights, street entertainment, and holiday-themed shows. Among the rides that will be open for the event are Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast and American Thunder. To help keep visitors warm, Six Flags will offer hot chocolate and crackling fires.

  • 2020 dates: Select days November 21 to January 3, 2021
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New Jersey - Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson

Six Flags Great Adventure Holiday in the Park
Courtesy of Six Flags

Expect mighty cold weather at Six Flags Great Adventure's Holiday in the Park, but try to stay warm enough to give the park's incredible arsenal of rides a whirl. There will surely be a considerable wind chill factor aboard world-class coasters such as Nitro. There will be scads of twinkling lights, some man-made snow showers to go along with any actual snow, hot chocolate and cider to wash down fried s'mores (fried?), carolers, toy soldiers, a stage show, and other special features themed to the holidays.

  • 2020 dates: Select days November 14 to January 3, 2021
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New York - Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in Queensbury (near Lake George)

Holiday in the Lodge at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark
Courtesy of Six Flags

The Great Escape theme park is not presenting Holiday on the Park, but the adjacent Six Flags Great Escape Lodge indoor water park resort is offering Holiday in the Lodge. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children. There will also be holiday shows, carolers, special food, crafts, and other seasonal activities. The resort will also celebrate New Year's Splashin' Eve on December 31.

  • 2020 dates: November 20 to December 27
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Oklahoma- Frontier City in Oklahoma City

Frontier City Holiday in the Park

Six Flags

This is the third year that Frontier City is back in the Six Flags fold, and this will be the second year that the park will present Holiday in the Park. Expect visits with Santa, over one million twinkling lights, seasonal treats, and select rides such as Silver Bullet and Diamondback to be open for the event.

  • 2020 dates: TBD
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Texas - Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio

Six Flags Fiesta Texas celebrates the annual Holiday in the Park.
Courtesy of Six Flags

In addition to its lineup of roller coasters (including the wonderful Iron Rattler) and thrill rides, Six Flags Fiesta Texas will be offering live entertainment and lots of holiday decorations for the seasonal event. The Christmas event features choreographed lights, festive food, and special shows such as "The Majesty of Christmas." Bugs and his pals will be decked out in their holiday finery. You could ride the Holiday Express train and enjoy the Singing Saps, animated Christmas trees that warble holiday tunes. Carolers will roam the streets, and a certain jolly gent and his Mrs. will be on hand in Santa's Castle.

  • 2020 dates: Select days November 21 to January 3, 2021
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Texas - Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington

Holiday in the Park Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags

Expect plenty of entertainment and holiday decorations for the seasonal event. Six Flags will amp up the holiday hoopla with thousands of lights, festive food, and music. SantaLand will offer hang time with ​the holly-jolly fellow and his elves, and Mrs. Claus will present a Christmas craft workshop. Take the SantaLand Express train to visit the magical place. There will also be sledding down Frosty Snowhill.

  • 2020 dates: Select days November 21 to January 3, 2021