Six Flags Great America to host winter holiday festival this year

For the first time, Six Flags Great America will stay open until the end of the year and invite guests to celebrate the winter holidays while riding roller coasters.

After Fright Fest ends this year, the Gurnee theme park's creepy Halloween vibe will replaced with warm, inviting holiday decorations for a new season dubbed Holiday in the Park.

According to Great America, the event will feature more than one million LED lights, beautifully adorned Christmas trees, delicious seasonal food and dazzling park décor.

“Six Flags is creating a new season of thrills as the park is transformed into a winter wonderland,” Park President Hank Salemi said in a news release. “We are excited to extend our operating calendar and make Gurnee the premier place to spend the holiday season.”

The theme park will feature nightly tree-lighting ceremonies, fire pits for roasting marshmallows and new holiday shows.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand for pictures with children.

The new season will begin on Friday, Nov. 23, and run weekends through Sunday, Dec. 23. It will run daily Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.

Great America spokeswoman Tess Claussen said that their rides and roller coasters will be in operation during Holiday in the Park.

“Everyone in the Chicagoland area is looking to build traditions with their families and Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great America is going to be that new cherished tradition,” Claussen said.

While this year will be the debut of Holiday in the Park for Great America, the event has been held at nine other Six Flags locations in New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Georgia, Texas and California.