Kings Island 2026: A Full Year of Fun

Love riding the Beast at night? Can’t wait to grab your first blue ice cream cone of the year? Do you happen to be a fan of live entertainment? Fawn over fall fun? Adore the awe of holiday lights? Go ahead and grab your wallet and splurge on a GOLD season pass to Kings Island this year. I am doing it for my family of five, because there is so much to enjoy at KI in 2026. 

EVENTS + ENTERTAINMENT

This amusement park definitely has tons to offer in terms of amusing it’s guests. Beyond the 65+ rides(!), there is so much fun to be had that you could spend time at the park, having the best day and never get on an actual ride (though we do recommend it!). So what is there to do?

Food & Wine Festival
Fri-Sat-Sun, May 29-June 21
Families can browse the park and sample tasty bites (and elevated drinks for the grown-ups)

International Star Illusionist Brad Ross
May 30-June 21

Part comedy show, part magic show, don’t miss this jaw-dropping experience of fantasy and imagination

Star-Spangled Night

July 4
Enjoy live music and lots of red, white, and blue fun. Presented by M&M’s, stick around to see the night sky absolutely illuminated with a patriotic firework show

Grand Carnivale 

July 18-August 2
This celebration of international cultures brings lots of exciting activities to the park. The music will be pumping, flavorful food will be available for purchase, and each night will end with a party featuring fireworks, lasers, lights and drones! 

FOOD

If you think theme park food means carnival style deep-fried junk, I have to tell you… you are deeply misinformed. Kings Island has some elevated food that is worthy of a visit in and of itself (especially if you have a meal plan, which is a smart move if you visit often!).

New options include BREAKFAST options at Grain & Grill. They will have a crowaffle (croissant waffle), bacon, egg, cheese sandwich with potato casserole and a yummy yogurt parfait. Additional new options available throughout the park include alfredo pasta, rice pilaf, roasted pork, smoked wings with spicy garlic sauce, and a slew of yummy treats inspired by the Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare over at the Sweet Spot. The thing the kiddos may be most excited about is the Blue Ice Cream Puppy chow, available over at Pig Pen’s Mess Hall. This delicious treat is made with the same ingredients that go into our beloved hometown face blue ice cream, and will be served in easy to carry containers for all day snacking. 


SHOPPING

KI Essentials will open in 2026 at the main gate. The refreshed storefront serves a clean and modern look, with a stylish vibe. Be sure to check it out for some Kings Island-branded merch and super cute Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare goodies, too.

RIDES

Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare

Back and better than ever, this reimagined family dark ride will open for member preview night on Friday, April 17th (noon-9 p.m.) and to the general public for opening day on Saturday, April 18th. Paying homage to the original Phantom Theatre, which made KI its home from 1992-2002, this ride truly tells a story…
The Maestro is preparing for opening night at the Phantom Theater. But a storm is brewing… After lightning strikes, a slew of ghost notes are released and wreck havoc, turning opening night at the opera into an opening nightmare! Families can help the Maestro and No Legs Larry by taking their seat in their “enchanted opera box” and capturing the notes with a magical flashlight to return them to the organ, so the show can go on. There are plenty of fun character friends to meet along the way, multi-sensory effects like wind, lightning and more. 

The storytelling and ambiance of the immersive ride really draw guests into this experience, and it is great for all ages. The new flashlight “blasters” are rider-friendly—you only have to hold the button down and point your flashlight to collect notes, not pew-pew press the button again and again. Also, with the blasters being flashlights—each with its own color—it is easy to see if you are “getting” the notes, so you can wrack up points and WIN! We mean, help the Maestro. 

Want some rides stats? The ride is approximately 6 min., 30 sec. Long, features 26 show scenes with 33 characters such as Hilda Bovine, The Great Garbanzo, Houdelini, Sir Pretzel and more. 

 

Grab your Gold Pass ASAP, and secure tickets to Member Preview day on Friday, April 17th, or celebrate opening day for the general public on Saturday, April 18th! 

Kings Island 
6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH
Head to visitkingsisland.com for details