WinterFest has returned to Kings Island for the 2019 holiday season, transforming the park into a nostalgic winter wonderland. And beginning Dec. 17, visitors will have even more opportunities to enjoy the festive park. WinterFest is now open daily until Dec. 31 (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
To celebrate their kick-off, Kings Island is offering tickets for $19.99 when purchased by Wednesday (Dec. 18).
If you miss the discounted ticket deadline and still want to score a deal, (or you just want to don your most cringe-worthy garb) the park is hosting an Ugly Sweater Day on Dec. 20, where visitors who participate will get in for $19.99 and the first 3,000 guests will get to take home a limited-edition Coca-Cola “bottle sweater.”
There will also be a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party at the park, with a giant balloon drop and countdown at 9 p.m. and fireworks at midnight.
For the duration of WinterFest, Kings Island’s International Street will be decked out with holiday lights and displays, featuring a Snow Flake Lake ice skating rink under the Christmas tree-styled Eiffel Tower. In addition to strolling carolers and holiday shows, you can stop by an artisan village selling holiday crafts, indulge in booze-infused hot beverages, watch ice carvers in the “Action Ice Zone,” take a horse-drawn carriage ride and stop by Blitzen’s Hot Beverage Bar for some blue hot chocolate.
Nineteen of the park’s rides are open to enjoy, including Mystic Timbers and Kings Mills Antique Autos, with lots of seasonal scenery in between — like the oversized Candy Cane Lane — for family-friendly photo ops.
Festivities run through Dec. 31. After Wednesday, tickets start at $27.99.
Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, visitkingsisland.com.
This article appears in Dec 11-24, 2019.