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If your definition of “spring plans” involves screaming on a roller coaster, here’s your cue: Six Flags Great America will reopen for the 2026 season on April 25.
The Gurnee theme park’s return is always a sign that warmer days are (finally) here, but 2026 comes with a little extra fanfare. This year marks the park’s 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades since it first opened in 1976 as Marriott’s Great America—and it’s planning to make the most of it.
Opening day will bring back the usual lineup of rides, attractions and snack stands, but the bigger celebration kicks off later in the summer. From June 20 through August 9, the park will host a season-long anniversary event packed with special entertainment, nostalgic throwbacks and limited-time food offerings inspired by its history.
That includes an all-new nighttime spectacular, a nightly drone show and a “legacy museum” filled with artifacts from the park’s past. There will also be themed experiences designed to walk guests through 50 years of thrills, along with exclusive merchandise and an anniversary brick program for superfans who want to leave a literal mark.
“Opening day is always exciting, but kicking off our 50th anniversary season makes this year truly special,” said park manager Hardeep Lall in a statement. “For decades, Six Flags Great America has been a place where families, friends and communities come together.”
One more perk: the park is running a spring promotion through April 26, offering a 2026 Gold Pass for the price of a Silver Pass, which includes access to other regional parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island. Your summer plans just found their opening act.