Dutch Winter Wonderland turns Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania into a holiday light show for families with younger kids. The park’s official event page lists 2026 dates of November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, and the event runs on select days rather than every day. The park has not announced a specific new attraction for 2026 in the sources we could verify, so the returning lineup is the story for now.
The event suits families with children roughly ages 2 to 12, since Dutch Wonderland is built around a younger crowd. The park promotes more than one million lights, light shows, festive food and more than 20 rides. Admission is sold separately from regular park admission and varies by date, and select season passes include the event. Check the park calendar before you plan your day.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Dates: November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027
- Event nights: Select days only, check the park calendar
- Highlights: Over one million lights, Merlin’s Magical Forest, Illumination Lane
- New for 2026: not announced
- Ticket: Separate Dutch Winter Wonderland admission; included with select season passes
What’s new for 2026
The park has not announced a specific new attraction for 2026 in the sources we could verify. Its official page invites guests to make royal family memories and lists more than one million lights, spectacular light shows, festive food and more than 20 rides.
Local tourism listings for 2026 name the returning entertainment: Merlin’s Magical Forest, Illumination Lane, Duke’s Blizzard Bash, the puppet show A Chris-Mouse Carol, the Dutch WonderBand, a Magically Christmas Magic Show, Visit with Santa and Cookies with Santa. Several of these were on the 2025 schedule, so treat them as returning favorites and confirm the 2026 schedule on the park site.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
Lights are the main draw once the sun goes down. Merlin’s Magical Forest is an immersive light show, and Illumination Lane is a light-filled stroll near the castle entrance. Dutch Wonderland also promotes the Royal Light Show, a display of twinkling lights set to music.
Indoor and stage entertainment includes A Chris-Mouse Carol, a puppet show, and Duke’s Blizzard Bash, a dance party for kids. In 2025 the park also added storytime with Mrs. Claus. Show times vary by day, so check the schedule when you arrive.
Rides and attractions open
The park advertises more than 20 rides during the event. Last year’s guide from Discover Lancaster listed 22 open rides, including Merlin’s Mayhem, Joust Family Coaster, Sky Ride, Merry Go Round, Twister, Bumper Cars, Duke’s Dozers and Topsy Turvy Tea Party. The 2026 list may differ, so confirm on the park’s ride page before you go.
Coasters and some other rides may close in particularly cold temperatures, so the lineup on any given day depends on the weather.
Holiday food and treats
The park promotes festive food and warm holiday drinks throughout the event. Cookies with Santa is an add-on with an extra cost, and in 2025 the park offered holiday character dining with Duke, Santa and friends. Check whether it returns in 2026 and whether you need a reservation. We could not verify a specific menu or a cocoa or cookie pass for 2026.
Tickets, passes and upgrades
Dutch Winter Wonderland uses its own admission, and prices vary by date and ticket type, so buy online through dutchwonderland.com before you go. Select season passes include admission to the event, and the park has run season pass sales that mention this, so check which pass level you hold. Add-ons such as Cookies with Santa cost extra.
In 2025, general parking cost $22 and preferred parking cost $27.50, and Gold and Platinum passholders parked free. Confirm the current rates before you visit.
Tips for your visit
Plan around the calendar, since the event runs on select days. In 2025, most operating days ran from about 3 PM to 8 PM, with a daytime schedule on December 31. The 2026 hours are not confirmed, so check the park calendar, especially for the final days around New Year’s and January 3.
Arrive early enough to ride and see a show before it gets dark, then finish with the lights. Dress in warm layers, bring gloves for the ride queues, and check the weather on the day. Some rides can close in the cold, and the park may adjust the schedule for weather.
Explore more: every theme park holiday event for 2026, by state.
Dutch Winter Wonderland 2026 at Dutch Wonderland FAQs
When does Dutch Winter Wonderland 2026 start and end?
The park’s official event page lists November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027. The event runs on select days, so check the park calendar for the exact operating dates and hours.
Is Dutch Winter Wonderland included with park admission?
It uses its own admission ticket, and prices vary by date. Select season passes include the event. Add-ons such as Cookies with Santa cost extra.
Do rides run during Dutch Winter Wonderland?
Yes. The park advertises more than 20 rides, and 22 were open in 2025. Coasters and some other rides may close in cold weather, so the lineup varies by day.
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Photo: Smallbones / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.