Holiday in the Park
Holiday in the Park is Six Flags over Texas’ yearly Christmas celebration, typically starting in late November and running through December. The entire park is transformed into a giant holiday festival, complete with Christmas lights, holiday shows, Santa Claus, special food and drinks, merchandise, and more.
Six Flags over Texas started the tradition in 1985 making 2023’s Holiday in the Park the 38th year running. The event has since been adopted by most other Six Flags parks.
The cool weather, specialty food vendors, and holiday attractions make Holiday in the Park one of the best times to visit the park. Holiday in the Park attendance has grown significantly over the years to the point where it’s no longer a good time to visit to specifically avoid crowds (at least on the weekends), but its special offerings and atmosphere still make it worth a trip.
Ride Closures
While most rides are now open during Holiday in the Park, they may be running with reduced capacity due to seasonal maintenance on ride vehicles. The following rides are typically closed during Holiday in the Park, either due to their seasonality or refurbishment requirements. Actual ride closures will vary depending on maintenance, weather, and other factors.
Holiday in the Park 2023 Dates
November 19 through December 31
Visit Official Site for Daily Schedule
Entry during Day
The giant Christmas tree before nightfall
Front Entrance
Getting a picture in front of the Christmas tree and sign is a must-do for many families
Carousel Area
Mini Christmas trees fill the planters around the Carousel
Giant Christmas Tree
The huge Tree of Lights show at the park entry
Snowmen Display
A snowman band silently jamming in the Old South & France section
Candy Cane Lights
Candy Cane light display by Speelunker Cave
Santa Visit
Take a visit with Santa and get a professional photo taken
Giant Nutcracker Characters
Tall characters from the Nutcracker can be seen roaming the park
Santa’s Christmas Cabin
Visit Santa in his Cabin located in the Old South & France section
Photo Op in Old South & France
One of several holiday photo ops throughout the park
Runaway Mountain Queue Decoration
Lights and a giant snow globe occupy the Runaway Mountain queue
Schoolhouse Mistletoe
Sneak a kiss under the mistletoe hung by the Johnson Creek Schoolhouse
Southern Palace
Home of the “Christmas at the Southern Palace” show
Old South Columns
The iconic columns decorated for Holiday in the Park
Critter Corral
Check out some live critters at the Johnson Creek Critter Corral
Critter Corral
A goat munching on some hay
Critter Corral
Other furry things
Letters to Santa
Kids can write letters to Santa and drop them in the special mail box for delivery to the North Pole
Coloring Table
Kids can color and do puzzles while adults take a break
Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Mrs. Claus reads classic stories to children at various times here
Crazy Horse Saloon
Cozy up in the warm Crazy Horse Saloon to get a drink and catch the game
Karaoke with Carol Kringle
Take a turn singing Christmas tunes on the Texas Courthouse Stage
Chaparral Cars Light Tunnel
An antique car passes through the Christmas light tunnel over the bridge
S’mores Time
Buy a $5 S’mores pack to roast marshmallows over the wood-burning fires throughout the park
Holiday in the Park Shows
Special shows and performances are featured throughout the park during Holiday in the Park, starting with the Tree of Lights light show at the front gate that starts each evening after the nightly tree lighting ceremony. Singing and holiday antics can be found in the Jolly Holiday and North Pole-a-Palooza shows. The main draw, however, has to be the live music performance of holiday classics at the returning Christmas at Southern Palace show which earned a Golden Ticket Award for best new show when it originally debuted.
Christmas at the Southern Palace
The premier, award-winning Holiday in the Park show, Christmas at Southern Palace, returns for a third season with a new lineup of holiday songs and elaborate sets.
Location: Southern Palace
Showtimes: 4:30, 5:30, 7
Tree of Lights
The giant Tree of Lights dazzles guests with synchronized light shows. Each night (through Dec. 23), Santa and his friends lead the tree lighting ceremony from the Silver Star Carousel stage.
Location: Star Mall
Showtimes: Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00pm
A Jolly Holiday
A dance-filled, holly jolly experience for all in this nightly park closing show.
Location: Silver Star Carousel Stage
Showtimes: 15 minutes before park closing
North Pole-a-Palooza
The North Pole brings fun to life in this magical show.
Location: Gotham City Stage
Showtimes: 4, 5, 6:30
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
Join Mrs. Claus for a reading of a classic holiday tale.
Location: Santa’s Outpost (Crazy Horse Saloon)
Showtimes: 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 7, 8
Rudolph's Reindeer Roundup
The Reindeers put on a fun holiday show.
Location: Silver Star Carousel Stage
Penguin X-ing
Penguins slide and perform, followed by a meet-and-greet.
Location: Bugs Bunny Boomtown entrance
Nutcrackers on Parade
The stilt-walking Nutcrackers perform a small show.
Location: Merry Marketplace (Old South & France and Texas sections)
Showtimes: Ongoing
Christmas Crooners
Christmas Crooners sing all your favorite holiday hits.
Location: Blacksmith (by Rodeo)
Showtimes: Ongoing
Holiday in the Park Food
It wouldn’t be Holiday in the Park without specialty food and beverages. While the third-party food vendors of past events are mostly gone for Holiday in the Park 2023, Six Flags has started offering new festive foods at its in-park dining locations. Scroll through each park area below for a listing of park food, descriptions, and pricing (may not be current).
Boomtown Area
Macho Nacho
- Cookies & Cream Churro – $7.99
Cinnamon-sugar churro topped with crushed oreos and chocolate drizzle, served with cookies and cream vanilla sauce
Dry Hole Charlies
- Garlic-Rosemary Pork Platter – $18.49
Pork loin marinated in garlic, thyme, and rosemary, topped with butter and caramelized brown sugar. Served with mac and cheese, Hawaiian roll, and cranberry sauce - Holiday Turkey Sandwich – $18.49
Sliced turkey topped with stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, and lettuce on a brioche bun. Served with waffle fries - Holiday Cake Pop – $6.99
Red velvet cake pop drizzled with icing and holiday sprinkles
Boomtown Bar
- Merry Margarita
Tequila, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and garnished with salt rim and lime wedge - Spiked Egg Nog
Egg nog spiked with Fireball and sprinkled with cinnamon
Miss Abby’s Cookies
- Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich – $8.99
Vanilla ice cream served with two warm sugar cookies and rolled in crushed peppermint - Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwich – $8.99
Vanilla ice cream served between two warm sugar cookies and rolled in red velvet crumbles - Classic Ice Cream Sandwich – $7.99
Vanilla ice cream served between two warm sugar cookies and rolled in holiday sprinkles - Two Jumbo Brownies – $6.99
- Three Fresh-Baked Cookies – $6.99
Gotham City
Dole Gotham
- Christmas Tree-Shaped Dole
Lime-flavored dole served on a cone, topped with sprinkles and a gold star
Mexico & Spain
La Cantina
- Rocky Road Funnel Cake – $15.99
Funnel cake with powdered sugar, whipped topping, marshmallows, pecans, and chocolate sauce
Casa de las Banderas / Casa Bar
- Tamales – $15.49
Choice of 3 tamales (Hatch Green Chili & Monterrey Jack cheese, Shredded Beef, Roasted Pork, Hatch Green Chili and Chicken), topped with queso con carne and served with rice - Holiday Cherry Churro – $7.99
Cinnamon-sugar churro served with warm cherry pie filling, whipped cream, and holiday sprinkles - Nice Shot
Vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice - Naughty Shot
Tequila, Watermelon Pucker, dash of hot sauce
Rancho de Pollo
- Cranberry-Glazed Chili Wings – $18.49
Fried chicken wings tossed in cranberry and sweet Thai chili sauce, served with fries - Santa Shake – $11.99
Choice of vanilla or chocolate milkshake served in a vanilla and crushed peppermint-dipped mason jar, topped with buttercream Santa hat
Old South & France
JB’s Smokehouse
- Smokehouse Platter – $18.99
Country ham, sliced jalapeno, sweet potato casserole, mac & cheese, Hawaiian roll - Chicken & Waffle on a Stick – $15.49
Two skewers of fried chicken breast and waffle quarters drizzled with maple syrup - Turtle Beignets – $11.99
Warm beignets topped with caramel buttercream, chocolate chips, pecans, whipped cream, and a chocolate drizzle
Smith St. Ice Cream
- Seven-layer Bar Sundae – $11.99
Vanilla bean ice cream topped with crushed graham crackers, shredded coconut, a 7-layer bar, and a chocolate drizzle
The Cozy Cafe (Smith St. Cafe)
- BBQ Brisket Baked Potato – $16.49
Baked potato topped with butter, cheese, chopped briskey, BBQ sauce, and sour cream - Broccoli Cheddar Potato – $15.49
Baked potato topped with creamy broccoli cheddar soup - Classic Baked Potato – $15.49
Baked potato topped with butter, cheese, bacon, chives, and sour cream - Loaded Sweet Potato – $15.49
Baked sweet potato topped with toasted marshmallows, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, pecans and honey - Texas-Sized Sourdough Bread Boule – $16.49
Choice of tomato bisque, broccoli & cheddar, Frito pie, or chicken noodle soup served in sourdough bread bowl - Holiday Pies & Desserts – $6.99
Assortment of holiday pie slices and desserts
Smackin Mac (by Southern Palace)
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac – $14.99
- Bangin Texas BBQ Mac – $14.99
- Bacon “Good” Gouda Mac – $14.99
- Holiday Fritos Pie Mac – $14.99
- Hot Cheetos Mac – $14.99
- Original Smackin Mac – $13.99
- Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich – $14.99
- Texas Toast Grilled Cheese Sandwich – $12.99
Big D Kettle Corn (by Southern Palace)
- Kettle Corn Bag – 1 for $12, 2 for $22, or 3 for $30
Choice of original, black pepper, cinnamon toast, caramel apple, honey habanero, salted caramel, Jingle Bells (apple, cherry, and caramel)
Southern Palace
- Egg Nog & Hot Chocolate (both available spiked)
Star Mall
Flags Funnel Cakes
- S’mores Funnel Cake
Funnel cake with powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, charred marshmallow, Hershey’s chocolate, graham crackers - Peppermint Bark Funnel Cake
Funnel cake with powdered sugar, whipped topping, peppermint bark, cocoa powder dust, chocolate drizzle, and holiday sprinkles
Texas
E.G. Sugarwater’s Snacks
- Gingerbread Churro – $7.99
Cinnamon-sugar churro topped with gingerbread crumbles and served with vanilla dipping sauce
Tower
Red River Funnel Cakes
- Fried Oreos – $11.99
Oreos dipped in a funnel cake batter and deep fried, topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream, holiday sprinkles and a red-and-green drizzle - Churro Funnel Cake – $15.99
Cinnamon funnel cake coated in cinnamon sugar, topped with mini churros, whipped cream, and caramel sauce
Holiday in the Park Cocktails
Some of the specialty cocktails served throughout the park
Mystic Acres Bar
Located in the gazebo across from Pirates of Speelunker Cave
Macho Nacho Holiday Menu
Cookies & Cream Churro
Casa de las Banderas Holiday Menu
It wouldn’t be a Texas Christmas without tamales
Rancho de Pollo Holiday Menu
Special cranberry-chili glazed chicken wings and a special Santa shake
JB’s Smokehouse Holiday Menu
A large ham and sausage platter, chicken and waffle on a stick, and turtle beignets
Smackin Mac
A variety of cheesy carbs can be yours at this food stand in the Old South & France section
Big D Kettle Corn
Take home a bag (or 3) of a variety of kettle corns in the Old South & France section
Smith St. Ice Cream Parlor Holiday Menu
Enter a sugar coma with the Seven Layer Bar Sundae
Smith St Cafe Holiday Menu
Variety of soups served in bread bowls and a variety of baked potatoes
Holiday in the Park Activities
Tons of family-friendly activities are available during Holiday in the Park, including visits with Santa, a new-for-2023 scary walk-through attraction, campfires for roasting s’mores, and plenty more. Selfie fans which appreciate the photo ops of the Mystic Aces Selfie Wonderland, Gingerbread Lane, and Candy Cane Forest areas throughout the park. The calm Reflections of Peace area (aka Big Bend Walkway) features a serene nativity scene. And for extra entertainment, Merry Mischief with the Elves features chaotic elf fun at Santa’s Outpost (Crazy Horse Saloon).
A Special Visit with Santa Claus
Location: Santa's Christmas Cabin (Old South & France)Spend some time and get a professional photo taken with jolly old Saint Nick himself at Santa’s Outpost. Visits with Santa runs through December 23.
- Reservations recommended
- Additional fee required
Krampus' Holiday House of Horrors
Location: Texas Area near RodeoThe holiday legend of Krampus and his search of misbehaving children comes alive in this scary walk-through attraction.
- Additional fee required
Campfire Holiday S'mores
Location: Scattered Throughout ParkThe wood-burning fires scattered throughout the park are perfect for making s’mores. Buy a kit from various gift shops around the park to roast marshmallows over the open flame, and then finish it with chocolate and a graham cracker for a timeless treat.
- Additional fee required ($5 as of 11/24/2023)
Holiday Express Light Spectactular
Location: Train Stations in Texas and Boomtown AreasA trip aboard the Six Flags Railroad is made extra festive with Christmas light displays.
Holiday in the Park Videos
A collection of our videos filmed during different seasons
Holiday in the Park FAQs
What happened to Snow Hill?
Once the premier attraction of the seasonal event, Snow Hill has quietly disappeared from Holiday in the Park.
The whole family could sled down a real snow hill
Though the park has not released any official information, chances are the cut was cost-related. Snow Hill was rather labor intensive to set up and operate, requiring a crew to initially apply the nearly 2 million pounds of ice/snow (a long process known as snowblowing) and then maintain the sledding lanes throughout the day. Refrigeration lines under the hill kept the ice frozen, but this also became more challenging during warmer winters.
How much does Holiday in the Park cost?
Holiday in the Park is a park-wide event that is included with standard admission to Six Flags over Texas. There are certain activities and experiences within the event that are additional charges.
As the park uses dynamic pricing for admission, you must visit the official Six Flags site and select a day for ticket pricing.
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Can you please bring back the snow hill? It’s always been me and my families favorite traditional each year at holiday in the park. I was so sad to not see it this year… I’ve been coming ever year (except 2020 & 2021) since 1996! So so sad…
Hey Carrie, we’re an unofficial Six Flags fan site that’s not affiliated with the park, but we absolutely share our disappointment over the disappearance of Snow Hill. We were sad to see it not return and hope the park has a change of heart next year!
Do you happen to know what kind of firewood Six Flags uses in their fire pits?