Kings Dominion Scraps WinterFest for 2025, Sparks Backlash from Season Pass Holders

Kings Dominion, the popular amusement park near Richmond, has announced that it will not be hosting its annual Winterfest event for 2025, despite earlier assurances to season pass holders. WinterFest, a festive holiday event that traditionally featured a dazzling light show, live performances, a petting zoo, and the opportunity to ride the park’s signature roller coasters, has been a seasonal favorite for years.

The cancellation, confirmed by WWBT-TV, comes after the event mysteriously did not appear on the park’s annual event schedule, which was released on Wednesday, January 29. Initially, Kings Dominion promised that admission to WinterFest would be included with the purchase of a 2025 season pass. The sudden absence of the event raised concerns among fans, prompting the park to address the matter publicly.

Kings Dominion will open for its regular season on March 29, 2025, and will kick off its 50th anniversary celebrations. The park will highlight milestone attractions, including the debut of Rapterra, a new roller coaster, and host events such as A Golden Summerbration, Halloween Haunt, Oktoberfest, and Tricks and Treats. These events are designed to provide thrilling and memorable experiences for all ages.

Following the announcement, angry customers flocked to Kings Dominion’s Facebook page to vent their frustrations over the cancellation. Many season pass holders expressed disappointment about the park not fulfilling its promise of WinterFest, with some demanding compensation.

Here are some of the comments from Facebook users:

• “When can we expect the partial refund on our season pass renewals and all-season add-ons since you canceled Winterfest after they were purchased?”
• “Canceling Winterfest is an extremely poor decision. Most season passholders expect Winterfest to be a part of what we paid for considering it has been in existence for a very long time. Attending Winterfest is a holiday tradition for many local families. My kids will be absolutely devastated. I hope those responsible for making decisions for Kings Dominion read all of these comments regarding Winterfest and reconsider as there is plenty of time to make adjustments to include Winterfest in the schedule.”

For more details, you can view the video where customers share their concerns: Watch here.

Kings Dominion offers season passes ranging from $95 to $260, depending on the desired benefits level.

Kings Dominion is now under new ownership following the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair Entertainment Corporation, which had managed the park before the merger. The merger created the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, North America’s largest regional amusement resort operator, with 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine resort properties across 17 U.S., Canada, and Mexico states.

Kings Dominion has assured season pass holders that they will be contacted regarding alternative benefits or compensation related to the cancellation of WinterFest.