The calendar indicates that Winterfest will not open until Thanksgiving weekend and will only run 23 days this year. Carowinds Winterfest is running 31 days, opening two weekends earlier than Kings Island. running through January 4.

I realize that hot is running one weekend later this year, but it would seem that they would start Winterfest at least the weekend before Thanksgiving, given how late Thanksgiving is this year and how much work it takes to put up the lights

The original calendar had them operating the weekend before Thanksgiving, but when they added another weekend to Haunt, they pushed back the start date of Winterfest.

Due to the way the permit is in Ohio, the rides cannot operate after 12/31, so until KI decides to address whatever that would entail, ours will not open after 12/31.

What’s also  interesting is the Carowinds doesn’t even close for a weekend before Winterfest. And they also have a much better light display than Kings Island.   They managed to get all the lights up without closing the park for a weekend.
 

 KI gets a higher attendance than Carowinds.   One would think it would have more operating days for this event.

Sometimes when something has been done a certain way for a few years it's more inconvenient to change it rather than just doing the same thing you've always done. 

I'm excited for winterfest despite it being one weekend shorter this year. I hope they add a few new rides to the lineup if possible. I know people don't always go for the rides but I love riding them in the festive atmosphere 

On 10/24/2024 at 1:25 AM, super7 said:

What’s also  interesting is the Carowinds doesn’t even close for a weekend before Winterfest. And they also have a much better light display than Kings Island.   They managed to get all the lights up without closing the park for a weekend.
 

 KI gets a higher attendance than Carowinds.   One would think it would have more operating days for this event.

I would be curious to see what Kings Island accomplishes in their additional week off compared to Carowinds — such as does it take longer for KI to switch out decorations and winterize coasters that won't be open? Whatever the case, I'm excited for all the pretty sights around the park!

They are starting 2 weeks later than Carowinds.  CW doesn’t take a weekend off.    They are open the weekend in between Scarowinds and Winterfest.  
 

KI has a lot of the lights on the trees already.