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Writer's pictureSonya Feeser
Dec 10, 20214 min read

Get Your Holiday Cheer On At Kings Dominion's Fourth Annual WinterFest

Updated: Dec 16, 2021

Looking for weekend plans?! ☃️🎢🎄 WinterFest at Kings Dominion is the ONE place in central VA where you can check off ALL your holiday bucket list activities: ⛸ ice skating, 🍪 cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, 🌟 light displays, 🎅🏼 pictures with Santa, 💃🏽 live holiday shows, and more! Surprisingly, this was the first year I’ve ever been to WinterFest since they began in 2018. I was so blown away by how KD outdid themselves with the festive lights and decor, snow machines, all sorts of fun activities, local vendors, and even holiday themed prizes for the games! ❄️


Here's an estimate of my itinerary for anyone who wants to plan a visit to the park this weekend:


5:15-5:20pm:

The night started at 5:15pm with the transformation of the iconic Eiffel Tower into a 315ft tall Christmas tree; the light show was dazzling and I enjoyed the live singing and dancing. 🎤




5:30-6:00pm:

Afterwards, we went ice skating* on Snow Flake Lake which is the largest ice rink in the Greater Richmond area at a whopping 21,000 sq ft...it was perfect for social distancing and admiring the Eiffel Tower tree from afar. 🎄


*BTW ice skating is an additional $15 but was totally worth it for the views! Plus the price is comparable to other outdoor rinks.




6:00-6:10pm:

Watched another exciting performance of singing, dancing, and delight!



6:15-6:45pm:

We couldn't forget to ride Dominator to get that upside down view of the park and its over 10 MILLION Christmas lights...so cool! Rode it twice as well as the Berserker because there were no lines.


7:00-8:30pm:

Once we got hungry, we headed over to International Street to try the Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread (you know me...dessert first!). Chef Denis, KD's executive chef, says the bread is a Cedar Fair Amusement Park signature item, but he switches things up by flipping it upside down and adding more sugar at the end...ok, culinary genius! 🤤🍞 You can find this item at Prancer's Pizza or Blitzen's Nook or Gobblers to Go or Kettle Corn. YEP, this item is SO popular that they serve it at 4 different dining locations! $8.99



We also tried some of the other new festive flavors brought to WinterFest this year including the Donut Burger, Loaded Cheese Curds, Loaded Baked Potato, Apple Butter Turkey Leg, Sliced Turkey Dinner, and Fried Cheecake (pictured in order). 🍩🍔🧀🥔 Essentially, everything is large enough to share so I say pick your favorites and divide them among your group...unless you're like me and refuse to share because it is so good lol 🤣



Food Item Details:

  1. Donut Burger - Made with fresh local meat and combines sweet and savory into one. I appreciate that Chef Denis likes each menu item to have a momento that ties it to the dining place (ex. Juke Box Diner). Can find at Blitzen's Burgers (Juke Box Diner).

  2. Loaded Cheese Curds - Topped with caramelized onions, coleslaw, green onions, and a BBQ drizzle. Definitely one of my favorites of the bunch...would 100% order again! Can find at Dasher's Diner (Dogwood Cafe). $14.99

  3. Loaded Baked Potato - Topped with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon bits, and sour cream. This thing weighed like 5 POUNDS and was plenty to share! Pair this with #4 below. Can find at Dancer's Snack Shack (The Pit). $9.99

  4. Apple Butter Turkey Leg - The jumbo smoked turkey legs were a big menu item hit! They are seasoned with 2 month aged wood and are freshly slow smoked daily. Also comes in a Cranberry-Orange flavor as well. Can find at Dancer's Snack Shack (The Pit) or Gobblers to Go. $15.99

  5. Sliced Turkey Dinner - For the traditional one. Comes with sliced turkey (or ham), mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Makes me feel at home. Can find at the Classic Christmas Cafe (Country Kitchen). $16.99

  6. Fried Cheesecake - Super rich and chocolate-y! Can find at Prancer's Festive Funnel Cakes. $6.79


Kings Dominion WinterFest Food and Beverage Guide:

(for a comprehensive list of all the dining and dessert options with locations and prices)


Kings Dominion Food Blog:

(reference this for further descriptions and pictures of the menu items)


WinterFest Map Link:

(use to find the above food item locations OR download the Kings Dominion app)


8:30-9:00pm:

Walked around and looked at more lights!



9:00-9:25pm:

Before leaving, be sure to check out the NEW and larger-than-life WinterFest Wonderland Parade with holiday floats featuring a gingerbread house, Jack Frost, Santa’s workshop, Santa’s sleigh, and more! 🛷🥶 The parade begins at 9pm and can be viewed from all over the park. The acting and costumes were all spectacular and my cheeks hurt by the end of it from smiling so much! 😁






9:30-10:00pm:

Picked up a cookie decorating kit* from Mrs. Claus' Kitchen on Internation Street. You can either decorate in-person where they have extra toppings like sprinkles, or if you are feeling tired, you can take your kit to go and save it for another day like I did. It was SO fun to decorate!


*BTW the cookie decorating kit is an additional $18.99


10:00pm:

Said see ya later to Kings Dominion...until next year!



KD never fails to disappoint me and I really can't recommend a better way to spend the holiday season and make memories with your friends and loved ones. 🥰 WinterFest is going on now through Jan. 9 on select dates so buy your tickets in advance and don't miss out! But to really immerse yourself in this holiday experience, “yule” just have to come and see for yourself! 😉


P.S. Did you know these FUN FACTS about the 2021 WinterFest at Kings Dominion?



📍: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047

Instagram: @kingsdominionva


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