On November 23, 2018, Kings Dominion opened Winterfest to the public for the first time. The theme park is known for its spooky Halloween Haunt, but never before has the park been decorated for Christmas. The park opens at five o’clock, and as attendees stream in, they gather around the infamous Eiffel Tower. Lights. As five-thirty strikes, lights on the Eiffel Tower resemble a Christmas tree, complete with a star on top.

Throughout the park, new themes are open to new areas. Near the front of the park is the Coke Polar Party, where snow surrounds polar bears and Coke bottles. Penguins and unique snowy decor lines Jack Frost’s frozen tundra, sending chills over whomever enters. Patrons may enjoy magical carriage rides for ten dollars per person, and close to the back of the park is the Sounds of the Nativity, during which singers tell the story of Jesus’s birth, as live animals such as goats, sheep, cows, and camels, gather in a petting zoo.

Multiple shows, both outside and indoors, are available for anyone and everyone to see. For those who are chilled from the outdoors and wish to defrost, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Spectacular takes place in the Kings Dominion Theater. Showtimes go by the hour, starting at 5:30. By PEANUTS Showplace, Tinker’s Toy Factory is an exciting show about elves determined to have enough Christmas spirit for Santa’s sleigh to fly, but one elf in particular, Tinker, is having a harder time finding the true meaning of Christmas. This show also goes by the hour, and the first showing begins at 5:30. For anyone who would rather watch a shorter show, the Four Drummers Drumming in Toy Soldier Alley offers a unique show full of remixes and upbeat pa-ra-pa-pum-pums.

Hot chocolate is sold throughout the park, and Snow Flake Lake Ice Skating provides the perfect fun and exercise for anyone in the mood to ice skate. More traditional theme park activities, including Kings Dominion’s famous rides, Dominator, Racer 75, Delirium, are open as well.

Kings Dominion Winterfest is open from November 23 to December 31, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.