SANDUSKY, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Cedar Point welcomed more than 1,000 fans Saturday for its annual “Winter Chill Out” event, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the park’s winter operations while unveiling a suite of new experiences for the 2026 season.
The sold-out walking tour serves as a major fundraiser for A Kid Again – Northern Ohio, an organization supporting families of children with life-threatening illnesses. Since fundraising through the event began in 2012, the park has raised nearly $1 million for family-focused charities.
“Their amazing donation through ticket sales allows us to help families… take the focus off illness and on to family and living life,” said Christine Bucknell, executive director of the Northern Ohio Chapter of A Kid Again.
Park officials used the event to announce several new initiatives for 2026, including:
- Star-Spangled Celebration: A patriotic event running June 29 through July 4 to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial, featuring skydiving demonstrations and a massive fireworks display.
- Veterans VIP Parking: New dedicated parking spaces near the Main Gate reserved specifically for military veterans.
- Regional Gold Pass: A new season pass tier offering admission to Cedar Point and 11 sister parks across the Midwest and beyond, including Kings Island and Six Flags Great America.
- Starbucks® Renovations: Comprehensive redesigns of the park’s two Starbucks locations, featuring updated layouts and historical park decor.
The 2026 season will also see the return of the “Siren’s Curse” tilt coaster and “Top Thrill 2” triple-launch coaster. Signature events like “Boardwalk Nights” and “HalloWeekends” remain on the schedule.
Cedar Point officially opens for the season on Saturday, May 9.