Carowinds announces bold changes and new events for 2025

Carowinds is pushing forward with bold changes for 2025, blending tradition and new experiences. The park made tough choices by retiring legacy rides like Scream Weaver, Nighthawk and Drop Tower to clear space for fresh attractions.

Next year brings the opening of the adults-only swim-up bar, Paul Metto’s Boathouse Bar and new family rides at Camp Snoopy, such as Snoopy’s Racing Railway and Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast. Festivals like Summerbration, Viva La Fiesta and reintroduced concerts at the revitalized Paladium create new draws for diverse crowds. These efforts, fueled by Six Flags' major investment after its merger with Cedar Fair, show Carowinds' steady commitment to evolving guest experiences.

The Scream Weaver ride at Carowinds is one of three attractions that will close as the amusement park plans new construction in its children’s area.

NO. 1: CHARLOTTE LANDS NEW HEADQUARTERS AS $8B MERGER OF CEDAR FAIR AND SIX FLAGS WRAPS UP

Cedar Fair is the parent company of Carowinds amusement park. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Riders begin to make the initial 325-foot tall drop on Fury 325 at Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday, April 8, 2022. Fury 325 was unveiled in 2015 and currently remains one of the tallest, fastest and longest roller coasters in the world. By Alex Slitz

NO. 2: 3 NC ATTRACTIONS RANK AMONG THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE US, ACCORDING TO TRIPADVISOR

Here’s which North Carolina experiences and attractions are among the top-rated activities across the country. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Poison lead singer Bret Michaels leaps into the air during one the band’s songs at The Stadium Tour 2022 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, June 28, 202. The concert featured Classless Act, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Motley Crue and Def Leppard. By JEFF SINER

NO. 3: AFTER A LONG HIATUS, CAROWINDS IS GETTING BACK INTO THE CONCERT BUSINESS. WILL IT SUCCEED?

The Paladium once had a rich tradition as a concert venue. Nine years after its last “mainstream” show flopped, the park is attempting a big comeback. | Published July 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Théoden Janes

NO. 4: CAROWINDS MAKES ‘TOUGH DECISIONS’ TO END 3 RIDES TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW ATTRACTIONS

One of those rides has been a staple of the amusement park since its earliest days. | Published December 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by John Marks

Carowinds amusement park straddles the border of South Carolina and North Carolina.

NO. 5: CAROWINDS REVEALS 2025 SEASON REOPENING DATE, PLUS NEW EVENT CELEBRATIONS

This will be the Carolina amusement park’s first season under Six Flags Entertainment Corp., headquartered in Charlotte. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

The Fury 325 rollercoaster at Carowinds can reach speeds of up to 95 mph during its 81-degree plunge. By Alex Slitz

NO. 6: CAROWINDS LAYS OFF WORKERS AHEAD OF SEASON OPENING, SIMILAR TO ANOTHER SIX FLAGS PARK

The cuts come six months after the mega-merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

The adults-only section of Carowinds waterpark features a 27,280-square-foot retreat area with a swim-up bar.

NO. 7: CAROWINDS SWIM-UP BAR OPENING IN ADULTS-ONLY ‘OASIS.’ AND KIDS GET NEW RIDES

The 27,280-square-foot retreat area with a swim-up bar opens Saturday. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.