It’s been a hot minute since thrill seekers and roller coaster fanatics were able to head just an hour north of the city to nearby Gurnee to experience Six Flags Great America. But, despite the crippling closures to the park this season, they are still finding a way to put on a holiday experience for members and guests with the Holiday in the Park Lights Experience.
Here’s what the park’s website says about the event:
“The third season of Holiday In The Park returns November 27 as a re-imagined experience featuring over 3 million dazzling lights plus entertainment. While our world-class rides will not be open during Holiday In The Park Lights, we’ve planned some exciting holiday experiences you and your family will enjoy.”
The Six Flags Holiday In The Park Lights experience will include:
- Over 3 million sparkling Christmas lights
- Continuous twinkling holiday light displays throughout the property
- Themed entertainment for open-air viewing
- Special socially-distanced photo ops
- Delicious holiday treats and other exciting surprises
The best part is, admission to the Holiday in the Park festival is not limited to just Six Flag season pass holders. Though some enjoy the unlimited access every summer for rides like the Raging Bull, Superman, Batman, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, admission tickets for the holiday lights extravaganza are available on a first come first serve basis and start as low $19.99 per person. You do need a reservation, unlike a normal day at Six Flags Great America. As an ode to the park’s attractions, guests will be able to walk the entire park and pass their favorite rides and themed areas with holiday joy lacing the entire journey. Some of the attractions you’ll be able to safely attend include the following Elves Live!, Santa’s Workshop, and Wonderland; which features more than a dozen live singers and dancers in a super high-energy performance of your favorite holiday tunes.
During the event, Six Flags Great America will also be partnering with local organizations to give back to the community. Here are just a few ways of doing so when attending Holiday in the Park Lights this year:
- Any day during Holiday In The Park Lights, guests can Round Up at the Register to support Special Olympics of Illinois. While completing their transaction at any retail location, guests can ask to round up their transaction to the nearest dollar, or add on a $1, $3, or $5 donation to support athletes across the state in realizing their dreams.
- On December 3, for one day only, Six Flags Great America will be offering a special $20 single-day ticket online to its Christmas lights display benefiting the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Guests may reserve a visit using the ticket any operating day from December 5-30. All proceeds from sales of the special ticket will go to help our neighbors in need this season.
- We’ve also brought back our “Buy One, Give One” plush program. For each adorable winter bear sold at the park, a plush is donated to local children’s organization, It’s Our Little Story, which strives to involve, educate, and empower abused, neglected, and at-risk youth and adolescents to break the cycle of abuse and write their own story.
Because we are in an age of COVID-19 there are some rules and regulations to follow pertaining to your trip to Six Flags Great America to observe the Christmas lights. The schedule of open dates, how to make your reservation and get your ticket, and how the park is handling the governor’s protocols are below.
Holiday In The Park Lights Schedule
Holiday In The Park Lights begins November 27 and runs select days through December 30. Please check out our operating calendar for details.
Tickets & Reservations
One-day tickets to Holiday in the Park are available online for as low as $19.99 plus FREE parking! Visits to Holiday In The Park Lights is included with your Season Pass or Membership. Reservations are required for each guest.
Safety Protocols
In accordance with Governor Pritzker’s reopening guidelines, the Holiday in the Park event will operate at reduced capacity levels and without rides. We’re also implementing extensive safety measures and hygiene protocols, including several new advanced technology systems to protect guests and employees.
All in all, the entire Six Flags Great America Holiday in the Park Experience is another example of some of our favorite annual holiday traditions completely adapting to still entertain patrons amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no real end in sight for when the things we know and love will be back to how we once knew them. However, knowing that activities like drive-thru holiday light shows and more are still available for us gives a small token of appreciation to the holiday season and those we get to spend them with.
Featured Image Credit: Six Flags Great America