Six Flags is dressed in its holiday best this season

Dec. 8, 2017 | Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com

Six Flags has launched its first Christmas promotion.
Reminder Publications photo by Debbie Gardner

AGAWAM – What do you get when you mix millions of twinkling lights, memorable songs and carols, acrobats, elves, a host of strolling characters, cookies, hot cocoa and the Big Man himself?

Holiday in the Park – this year’s newest celebration at Six Flags New England.

This festive reimagining of the region’s largest amusement park is a treat for all the senses – from the scent of peppermint, Christmas trees, holiday cookies and “Christmas” that waft through the air as you make your way among the beautifully decorated (and renamed) sections of the park to the dazzling lights and special shows, festive music, and tempting arrays of seasonal treats – including do-it-yourself s’mores that you can roast over crackling wood fires.

All this is wrapped around some of a thrill-lover’s favorite rides – including the Mind Eraser, Batman –The Dark Knight, Joker 4-D and the iconic Thunderbolt wooden roller coaster.

Holiday in the Park does encompass a reduced version of the Six Flags campus (some rides such as the Wicked Cyclone, Goliath, Star Screamer and the Justice League area are closed for the season) but it still includes all the young one’s favorite rides in the seasonally themed Sugar Plum Place and Polar Playland. There’s also plenty of new characters for the kids to interact with –including Princess Krystal & Jack Frost, Holiday Fairy Sprinkle & Gumdrop, Queen Lumenessa & Tinsel, the Chestnut & Cole Reindeer Wranglers and a pair of stilt-walking Toy Soldiers – as well as Looney Tunes favorites like Bugs and Daffy, dressed in holiday finery.

And of course, there’s a chance to see Santa in his workshop (reservations and photo package purchase required) as well as a special show, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Eve, on stage in the Polar Playland, that’s designed just for the kids.

But this extravaganza isn’t just for the little ones. Not-to miss events for the whole family include the Tree Lighting spectacular – complete with music by the Jingle Jammers and dancing with costumed characters – at 5 p.m. in Goliath Plaza, Frost – a Holiday Cirque Extravaganza of acrobatics, singing and dancing in the Rockville Theater (show times vary Friday nights and weekends, check schedule), the Holiday Magic music and light show every 15 minutes in Wonderland Way, and the musically timed “snow” that falls in Snowflake Falls every 30 minutes.

For those who need a few minutes escape from the holiday hustle and bustle, a stop at  Celebration Station – located just past the Kringle Lane Tree – offers an opportunity for quiet reflection as you walk through displays celebrating the winter season and religions from across the world.

Dining options include the traditional Six Flags fare, as well as Santa’s cookies and ice cream, the afore mentioned do-it-yourself s’mores, full ham or turkey dinners at the indoor Take Six Café, and hot cocoa – which can be served up in a signature Holiday in the Park insulated mug for $8.99 (with $1.99 refills for the rest of that day’s visit).

To help visitors chase the chill as the season progresses, the park has also installed dozens of gas-fired warming stations. The indoor show at the Rockville Theater, and enclosed restaurants at the Take Six Café and JB’s Smokehouse also offer a chance to warm up for a bit.

Holiday in the Park will be open Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 17. Hours are then Dec. 22, 4 to 10 p.m.; Dec. 23, 2 to 9 p.m.; and  Dec. 26 to Jan 1, 2018, 2 to 9 p.m.

Discount tickets (good through Dec. 23) are available if you pre-order online at www.sixflags.com/newengland by Dec. 10.

Note that the Holiday in the Park map indicates all shows are weather permitting, and some rides, including coasters, may close due to cold temperatures, wind, ice or other circumstances.

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