Carowinds Set to Open 2026 Season With New Rides, Haunted Spring Break Experience, and Mystery Announcement Tease
carowinds will open for its 2026 season this weekend, launching Saturday, March 14, with new rides, updated shopping space near the entrance, expanded landscaping, and a haunted attraction that will be available during the park’s spring break schedule. Park officials also teased a major announcement expected later this summer.
Carowinds Opening Day: What’s New for the 2026 Season
The amusement park, located along the North Carolina–South Carolina border in the Charlotte area, is rolling into its 2026 season with multiple changes guests will notice immediately. more than 60 rides and attractions will be available when the gates open Saturday.
New additions include two new rides in Camp Snoopy, aimed at younger visitors. The park is also finishing up a revamped retail area near the front entrance that will sell park merchandise and sweets. Construction and Facilities Manager James Sidler said the project is meant to make the space more inviting by consolidating what had been three separate areas into two combined spaces.
Landscaping is also being expanded as part of the seasonal refresh. Park more than 100 trees are being planted throughout the property, along with numerous plants, with the majority grown in the park’s greenhouse.
Haunted Attraction Added to Spring Break Schedule
For the first time, the park’s spring break lineup will include a haunted experience—an unusual move for a theme park that typically reserves such attractions for the fall. Guests during spring break will be able to experience a haunted attraction called The Conjuring Beyond Fear ahead of Halloween.
The spring break addition was framed as a “scream break” option for visitors looking for something different alongside the park’s traditional mix of rides and attractions.
Ticket Prices, Season Pass Offer, and What’s Next
The opening comes at a time when inflation is pushing many families to reconsider travel spending, and the park is emphasizing its role as a closer-to-home option. Carowinds Communications Manager Chris Foshee said the park is positioned as an affordable entertainment alternative for the Carolinas.
Foshee said the season pass is on sale for $89 and includes free parking and access to events and the Carolina Harbor Water Park. A single-day gate ticket is priced at $80, not including parking.
Behind the scenes, the park said crews spent months on ride inspections and safety checks leading into opening day. Beyond this weekend’s kickoff, visitors may also be watching for what comes next: Foshee hinted at a larger announcement expected later this summer, though no additional details were provided.
