Gurnee residents don’t have to go far for thrills and all-day entertainment. Six Flags Great America offers a full calendar of fun in addition to rides for all ages, dining, shopping, live entertainment and educational events.
Great America’s summer season runs through Labor Day weekend. New this year is Mardi Gras Hangover, the park’s 16th roller coaster and the “world’s largest” loop coaster. Riders sit back-to-back and face-to-face as they travel forward and backward on a 100-foot loop before being suspended upside down for an extended hang time.
In keeping with the Mardi Gras theme, Great America also will debut a Mardi Gras festival in late summer 2018 featuring nightly shows, Mardi Gras-style floats, beads, stilt walkers, unique food offerings and fireworks. Other summer highlights include a July 4 festival and Coasters After Dark.
Once the park closes for the summer, the fun doesn’t end. Fright Fest, on select days from Sept. 15 through Oct. 28, celebrates the spooky season. Great America is family friendly by day, and once the sun goes down, zombies and ghouls roam the park for terrifying thrills. Haunted houses and “scare zones” throughout the park add to the ambience. Entertainment includes a synchronized LED light show, and The Ringmaster’s Cabaret, featuring song, dance, illusions and freaky creatures.
The year wraps up with Holiday in the Park, Great America’s first holiday festival, running on weekends Nov. 23 through Dec. 23 and daily Dec. 26-31. Guests will enjoy rides, holiday-themed shows, seasonal food and dazzling park décor including more than 1 million LED lights and decorated Christmas trees. In addition, Holiday in the Park will feature a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, brilliant light shows and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“Six Flags is creating a new season of thrills as the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with a million dazzling lights and all the magical sights, sounds and tastes of the holidays,” said Park President Hank Salemi. “We are excited to extend our operating calendar and make Gurnee the premier place to spend the holiday season.”
For more details, visit www.sixflags.com.