Carowinds WinterFest 2026: dates, hours and which rides run
Carowinds has posted WinterFest hours for 19 select days, Nov. 27 to Dec. 31, though its event page says the event runs through Jan. 3. Here's every date with hours, the rides the park says will run, and what's included with admission.
The short version
Dates and hours
WinterFest 2026 dates and hours
Weekends first, then every day from Dec. 18 except Dec. 24 and 25. New Year's Eve runs on its own hours.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Nov. 27 to 29 (Fri to Sun) | Fri and Sun noon to 8 p.m., Sat noon to 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 5 and 6 (Sat and Sun) | Sat noon to 9 p.m., Sun noon to 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 12 and 13 (Sat and Sun) | Sat noon to 9 p.m., Sun noon to 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 18 to 23 (Fri to Wed) | Noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19 until 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 24 and 25 | No hours posted |
| Dec. 26 to 30 (Sat to Wed) | Noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26 until 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve) | 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. (WinterFest 3 to 9 p.m., New Year's Eve event 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.) |
| Jan. 1 to 3 (Fri to Sun) | Not confirmed. Jan. 1 and 2 are flagged WinterFest with no hours, and Jan. 3 shows closed. |
Carowinds' event page says WinterFest runs through Jan. 3, 2027. The park's calendar flags Jan. 1 and 2 as WinterFest days but posts no hours for them, and it shows Jan. 3 as closed. Until the two agree, treat those three days as unconfirmed.
What's there
What's at WinterFest
Here's what Carowinds' event page lists:
- Light displays
- Live shows, including Tinker's Toy Factory
- Santa visits and holiday shopping
- Hot chocolate in a souvenir mug
- Specialty food and drinks
- A New Year's Eve countdown with fireworks on Dec. 31, plus early-evening countdowns
Rides
Which rides are open during WinterFest
The park's WinterFest ride list names 29 rides, from Fury 325 and Ricochet to Snoopy's Racing Railway, which the park describes as all-new.
- Beagle Scout Acres
- Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
- Camp Bus
- Carolina Cyclone
- Carolina Skytower
- Charlie Brown's Wind Up
- Copperhead Strike
- Do-Si-Do
- Flying Ace Balloon Race
- The Flying Cobras
- Fury 325
- The Grand Carousel
- Kaleidoscope
- Kiddy Hawk
- Kite Eating Tree
- Mountain Gliders
- Peanuts Trailblazers
- Pig Pen's Mud Buggies
- Ricochet
- Ripcord
- Rock N' Roller
- Slingshot
- Snoopy Vs. Red Baron
- Snoopy's Racing Railway
- Thunder Striker
- Wilderness Run
- Woodstock Express
- Woodstock Whirlybirds
- Zephyr
The park says rides can close in very cold weather, and the list isn't dated, so check it the day you go. It also marks six rides with an asterisk: Carolina Cyclone, Copperhead Strike, Fury 325, Kiddy Hawk, Thunder Striker and Woodstock Express. Look at the park's list for what that means.
Tickets and costs
Admission and extras
Carowinds says WinterFest comes with park admission: live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides. Food, drink, merchandise and select holiday experiences cost extra, and cookie decorating needs an extra purchase.
The park's WinterFest add-ons page was empty on Oct. 11, so it lists no extras or prices. For New Year's Eve ticket details, check that event's page.
Plan your visit
How to plan a WinterFest day
- Saturdays run until 9 p.m., an hour later than the other regular WinterFest days.
- Before Dec. 18, Friday, Nov. 27 is the only weekday with WinterFest hours.
- New Year's Eve is the only day that opens at 3 p.m. and runs past 9 p.m. The late part is its own event, so read its page before you plan the night.
- Thinking about Jan. 1 to 3? Wait until the park's calendar shows hours for those days before you plan around them.
- Look at the crowd calendar before you pick a day, and check the ride list the day you go.
Waits at WinterFest
When Carowinds posts waits for the rides that are running, Ride Ready shows them live, free, and pings you when a line drops.
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WinterFest 2026 FAQ
When does Carowinds WinterFest 2026 start?
Friday, Nov. 27, 2026. The park's calendar has hours for 19 select days, the last one Thursday, Dec. 31, and the event page says WinterFest runs through Jan. 3, 2027. The calendar shows no hours for Jan. 1 and 2 and lists Jan. 3 as closed.
What time does WinterFest open and close at Carowinds?
Noon to 8 p.m. on most days and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. New Year's Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, runs 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Is WinterFest included with Carowinds admission?
Yes. Live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides come with park admission. Food, drink, merchandise and select holiday experiences cost extra, and cookie decorating needs an extra purchase.
What rides are open during Carowinds WinterFest?
The park's WinterFest list has 29 rides, including Fury 325, Ricochet and Snoopy's Racing Railway, which the park describes as all-new. It says rides can close in very cold weather, so check the list the day you go.
Is Carowinds open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
The park's calendar posts no WinterFest hours for Dec. 24 or 25. WinterFest picks back up Saturday, Dec. 26, noon to 9 p.m.
What's happening at Carowinds on New Year's Eve?
Carowinds is open 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. WinterFest runs 3 to 9 p.m., then the separate New Year's Eve at Carowinds event runs 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a countdown and fireworks.
Sources
- Carowinds: WinterFest
- Carowinds: New Year's Eve
- Carowinds: events
- Carowinds: park hours calendar
- Carowinds: WinterFest ride availability
- Carowinds: WinterFest add-ons
Checked against Carowinds' official pages on Oct. 11, 2026. Parks change hours and details during the season, so check their calendar the week you go.