Holiday in the Park 2023 is in full swing at Six Flags over Texas, so we visited the park the day after Thanksgiving to see what’s new, what’s back, and what’s gone compared to prior years’ events. While visitors to the park reported light crowds at park opening, this was not the case by the time we arrived around 5pm (apparently after people were done shopping deals).
Holiday in the Park attendance has steadily increased throughout the years, and the crowds were definitely there during our visit. Lines were present for all rides and dining locations, with queue times for many attractions being reported as 90-100 minutes.
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The giant Christmas tree before nightfall
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Buy a $5 S'mores pack to roast marshmallows over the wood-burning fires throughout the park
Returning are several of the Holiday in the Park staples. Tons of Christmas lights and displays are scattered around the park. Warm wood-burning fires double as a spot to roast marshmallows for s’mores (kits are $5 at select retailers).
Getting a picture in front of the Christmas tree and sign is a must-do for many families
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Mini Christmas trees fill the planters around the Carousel
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The huge Tree of Lights show at the park entry
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Christmas lights and displays give you something to look at on the Antique Car Ride
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An antique car passes through the Christmas light tunnel over the bridge
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Judge is down for seasonal maintenance during Holiday in the Park
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The Gotham City stage is home to this special holiday show
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The singing reindeer are back at the old blacksmith shed
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A snowman band silently jamming in the Old South & France section
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Home of the "Christmas at the Southern Palace" show
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One of several holiday photo ops throughout the park
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Lights and a giant snow globe occupy the Runaway Mountain queue
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Sneak a kiss under the mistletoe hung by the Johnson Creek Schoolhouse
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The iconic columns decorated for Holiday in the Park
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Take a turn singing Christmas tunes on the Texas Courthouse Stage
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Tall characters from the Nutcracker can be seen roaming the park
Aquaman Power Wave Changes
Now closed for the season, crews at Aquaman Power Wave are building an enclosure for the operator booth.
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An enclosed operator booth being built on the Aquaman platform
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Close-up of the enclosed booth being built
Harley Quinn Spinsanity
The reliability-challenged Harley Quinn Spinsanity is officially no more, with the park completing its removal in the far corner of Gotham City. The ride was briefly listed for sale on used ride websites, but it appears there were no takers with the park hastily cutting the ride’s structure into sections to expedite its removal.
Harley Quinn Spinsanity is no more with the park completing its removal
Critter Corral
Back for 2023, the Johnson Creek Critter Corral is a small petting zoo in the Texas section.
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Check out some live critters at the Johnson Creek Critter Corral
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Other furry things
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A goat munching on some hay
Holiday in the Park 2023 Specialty Foods
Unlike past years where 3rd party food vendors would line pathways throughout the park, offering specialty foods in a fun, food festival-like atmosphere, this year there are next to none (with the kettle corn and mac-and-cheese food stands in the Old South section being the exception from what we saw). Instead, most park dining locations have modified menus offering a few special food or drink options.
Our photos below showing a selection of the holiday offerings is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
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A variety of cheesy carbs can be yours at this food stand in the Old South & France section
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Take home a bag (or 3) of a variety of kettle corns in the Old South & France section
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Variety of soups served in bread bowls and a variety of baked potatoes
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Cookies & Cream Churro
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It wouldn't be a Texas Christmas without tamales
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Special cranberry-chili glazed chicken wings and a special Santa shake
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A large ham and sausage platter, chicken and waffle on a stick, and turtle beignets
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Enter a sugar coma with the Seven Layer Bar Sundae
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Located in the gazebo across from Pirates of Speelunker Cave
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Some of the specialty cocktails served throughout the park
While its nice to see the park’s dining locations have holiday-themed offerings, it pales in comparison to the variety and quality of food guests could get in past Holiday in the Park events from the external vendors. We hope Six Flags over Texas will consider a reprise in food offerings for future events.
Crazy Horse Saloon
The Crazy Horse Saloon is decorated for the holidays and offers a variety of activities for the whole family. Kids can color, write letters to Santa, and listen to Mrs. Claus read classic stories at set times. Adults can grab a holiday cocktail from the bar and watch live sports games.
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Cozy up in the warm Crazy Horse Saloon to get a drink and catch the game
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Get a holiday cocktail at the bar
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Mrs. Claus reads classic stories to children at various times here
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Kids can color and do puzzles while adults take a break
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Kids can write letters to Santa and drop them in the special mail box for delivery to the North Pole
Santa’s Outpost
Now located in the Old South & France section, families can visit Santa at his Christmas cabin for an additional fee.
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Visit Santa in his Cabin located in the Old South & France section
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Take a visit with Santa and get a professional photo taken
RIP Snow Hill
On a disappointing note, one of the most popular Holiday in the Park attractions has not returned. Snow Hill, the giant sledding hill made of real ice/snow, was not present and is not listed on any 2023 park maps or guides. Though the park hasn’t commented on why, it’s likely that Snow Hill wasn’t continued due to cost reasons, as the attraction took significant effort to set up and maintain (especially during the warm winters).
No More Light Show
Another big Holiday in the Park attraction, the huge light show synchronized to holiday music in the plaza by Pirates of Speelunker Cave, is also a goner. It has been replaced with a much less impressive set of static candy cane-themed lights. Visitors wanting a light show will now have to settle for the entry’s Christmas tree.
Candy Cane light display by Speelunker Cave
Holiday House of Horrors
New for 2023, the Piggy’s Bloodshed haunted house from Fright Fest has been turned into the Holiday House of Horrors. The spooky walk-through attraction in the Texas section focuses on the legend of Krampus, and is definitely not recommended for young children.
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Krampus is on the lookout for naughty children at the scary attraction (new for 2023)
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The queue line for the House of Horrors attraction
Closing Thoughts
While much of the Holiday in the Park experience has returned for the 2023 event, there are some very obvious things gone, such as Snow Hill, all the external food vendors, and the synchronized light show. In our humble opinion, the limited number of new attractions (namely the Holiday House of Horrors attraction) don’t make up for things missing, leading to a somewhat disappointing experience.
Don’t get us wrong, Holiday in the Park is still a special event worth seeing (especially if you’ve never been), and there is still plenty to do. Just be prepared for a relatively underwhelming experience compared to Holiday in the Parks of years past.
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