Six Flags Magic Mountain, the “Thrill Capital of the World,” lights up the season even brighter this year during its annual holiday extravaganza, Holiday in the Park®.

With more than one million lights and now six uniquely themed areas — including two brand new sections, the new Gleampunk District and Santa’s Star Spangled Plaza — the park is transformed into a spectacularly-lit winter wonderland for guests to enjoy this holiday season. The event is also extended and will run for 28 nights – beginning daily November 19 through 27, weekends only through December 11 and then daily December 17 through January 1, 2017, with the exception of Christmas Day. Holiday in the Park begins each evening at 5 p.m. with falling snow.

Many areas of the park feature time-honored and unique holiday themes. The visual look of the park takes on the distinct spirit of the holidays and guests will experience quaint and authentic touches that will remind adults of their fondest childhood memories, and create new, exciting moments for children that will last a lifetime.

“We are thrilled to host this magical annual holiday event for all Southern Californians to enjoy,” said Bonnie Sherman Weber, park president. “In its third year, not only are we bringing back the unique Six Flags holiday traditions our guests have come to love, but we extended the run and are adding more holiday themed areas and entertainment they will treasure for years to come. With well over one million lights, snowfall around the park, new and exciting holiday entertainment, and many delicious one-of-a-kind seasonal treats, we’re proud to present our biggest winter spectacular yet!”

One of the highlights of this year’s event is “Santa’s Wild Sleigh Ride,” a new innovative Virtual Reality (VR) experience created in partnership with Hallmark Channel, on The New Revolution. The traditional coaster experience transforms riders into a completely immersive virtual world. The realistic theme puts riders in the middle of the action similar to a video game experience as they ride on a sleigh with Santa and his reindeer to help battle a mischievous Elf trying to foil Santa’s mission to deliver toys on Christmas Eve.

From the moment riders board and don Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus, they engage in interactive gaming throughout the entire ride by launching snowballs at flying targets. Riders will experience high-definition imagery and storytelling which syncs with the unique track configuration and creates a one-of-a-kind seamless “real world” to “virtual world” thrill ride experience. The New Revolution is North America’s first fully-integrated VR roller coaster from Samsung Gear VR. Hallmark Channel is the leading destination for original holiday programming with its signature eight week “Countdown to Christmas” event, which kicks off October 29 and features 24/7 seasonal fare, including 19 new original movies.

In keeping with the patriotic flare of The New Revolution, the new Santa’s Star Spangled Plaza will feature thousands of red, white and blue lights as well as 10-foot tall toy soldiers on stilts, and a beautifully lit Christmas tree. Santa’s wild sleigh along with other elements from the VR movie will be displayed throughout the area for fun photo reminders of your wild sleigh ride and virtual reality journey.

Take a step back in time in the new Gleampunk District: A Steampunk Holiday experience. Thousands of lights will illuminate the tree-lined streets and planters of the newest and largest themed area of Holiday in the Park. Guests will be transformed into the 19th century with the sights and sounds of the industrial revolution. Unique acrobatic artistry with a holiday flair highlights the Kwerkmas show in Gearworks Theater, an exceptional live show featuring trapeze artists, gymnasts and aerial stunts the entire family will enjoy. On the façade of Gearworks Theater, a fantastic journey takes you on a video adventure into the inner workings of the Steampunk Candy and Toy Factory. Entertaining guests on the midway throughout the area are the Streetpunk Holiday Players, and a don’t forget your photo in an iconic steampunk sleigh.

As guests enter Holiday in the Park, the Six Flags Plaza area is transformed into Holiday Square with a kaleidoscope of breath-taking color, featuring hundreds of thousands of lights on trees and buildings throughout the area while snowflakes and carolers delight guests as they enter this magical scene. Snowy Nights, the live holiday show, features contemporary music and themed dancers on the Full Throttle stage.

Crafts, spiced-up holiday treats, falling snow and larger-than-life toy soldiers are the focal point in the Winter Wonderland area, beginning on the midway past the Viper exit and extending up through the Mining Town area of the park. A classic Santa Claus village anchors this picturesque snow-capped setting. DC UNIVERSE comes to life as Rockin’ Universe, featuring three dancing light shows, each customized to contemporary holiday music. As one of the largest programmed light shows on the West coast, each five-minute display includes multiple lighting variations with tens of thousands of lights synchronized to holiday musical favorites.

Park guests can delight in all the wonderful tastes and aromas of the season with a large variety of Holiday in the Park-exclusive culinary treats, handmade candies and holiday-inspired gifts and souvenirs. The event is sure to delight holiday revelers of all ages when they get their photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy hot chocolate and peppermint fudge, watch the visual spectacle at Full Throttle Sports Bar, and experience an enhanced light show with specially-made 3-D glasses.

Six Flags Magic Mountain 2017 Season Passes are on sale. For a limited time, purchase four or more Magic Mountain Passes and you’ll get a free upgrade to a Gold Pass that includes FREE Hurricane Harbor Season Passes, a FREE season parking pass, and visits to all Six Flags theme parks. Additional Season Pass perks include free tickets for friends, park admission to Fright Fest, Holiday in the Park, and more. Season Passes can be purchased at the main gate ticket booths or online at sixflags.com. Online Pass purchases are eligible for low monthly payments through the Membership program.

Season Passholders may also take advantage of our best value in Dining by purchasing a 2017 Season Dining Pass. For one low price you can enjoy a variety of meal options on each visit. Dining passes may be purchased at the park or online at sixflags.com.

Save time and money. Buy and print your tickets at home and go straight to the gate. Plan ahead and save up to $25 on Six Flags Magic Mountain general admission when you purchase your tickets in advance of your visit date. Get more details and buy now at sixflags.com.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, the undisputed thrill capital of the world, is located at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, north of Los Angeles off Interstate 5 at the Magic Mountain Parkway exit. For park days and hours of operation, please call (661) 255-4111 or visit us at www.sixflags.com/magicmountain.