Two new rides and a Brazilian food festival, as well as the return of long weekend fireworks, Celebration Canada and KidZFest, mark the 2023 season at Canada’s Wonderland, opening May 5.
Thrill-seekers will marvel at the new Tundra Twister, a giant 360-degree spinning swing ride coming to Frontier Canada. The only one of its kind in the world, Tundra Twister will have guests spinning, twisting and twirling upside-down at heights of 47 metres (154 feet) and speeds of 75 km/h.
Families will enjoy Snoopy’s Racing Railway, a launch coaster coming to Planet Snoopy. Snoopy’s Racing Railway is the park’s 18th roller coaster and will accelerate from zero to 50 km/h in a matter of seconds before taking guests through the dips and turns of a wild railway adventure.
“We’re proud to offer such a diversity of experiences to our guests,” said Norm Pirtovshek, general manager. “Through four seasons we have more than 200 attractions at the park, rides for guests of all ages and world-class events and entertainment that can’t be missed.”
The 2023 event lineup includes:
- Fireworks (May 21, July 1, Aug. 6, Sept. 3) – Witness spectacular fireworks display choreographed to a lively soundtrack. New this year, guests will be able to purchase VIP fireworks viewing and dining packages at Lazy Bear Lodge, where they’ll have the best seats in the house for the big show. Limited availability.
- Splash Works (opening May 27) – Spend the summer poolside in the 20-acre water park, featuring 17 slides, cliff jumping, water playgrounds, and the Lazy River.
- Celebration Canada (July 1-9) – Enjoy live music, street entertainment, cultural performances, family games and authentic Canadian foods from across the country like beef sliders, poutine, and Halifax donair.
- KidZfest (July 15-30) – Presented in partnership with Treehouse, enjoy special guest appearances from TV characters like Bluey, get moving at a dance party, enjoy interactive games, activities and live entertainment.
- Taste of Portugal (Aug. 12-13) – Returning for its second year, this festival celebrates the charm of Portugal, with lively street entertainment and traditional foods, including succulent roast chicken and the sweet, rich and perfectly crisp Portuguese custard tarts.
- Taste of Brazil (Aug. 19-20) – New for 2023, this food festival features the lively and fresh Latin American flavours of Brazil, including grilled meats and chimichurri, bolinho de bacalhau (salt cod fritters), crispy pastel de carne (meat-filled pastries) and feijoada (Brazilian black bean stew). As you peruse the food stalls for your next dish or drink, enjoy the styles, colours and music of traditional Brazilian performers.
- Taste of the Caribbean (Aug. 26-27) – Back for its second year, enjoy island flavours at this festival from jerk chicken to specialty seafood, rum cake and coconut sweets, plus fruity summer drinks while the sounds of steel drum music fill the air.
- Oktoberfest (Sept. 9-10, 16-17) – For two weekends, guests will be treated to German-themed food, drink specials and traditional festival bands in Medieval Faire. Enjoy classic sausage, schnitzel, Bavarian pretzels, and a tall stein of refreshing lager.
- Camp Spooky (weekends Sept. 23-Oct. 29) – This family-friendly Halloween event returns with trick-or-treating, mazes, costume parades, live shows with The Peanuts gang, interactive games, rides and more.
In addition to these events, Canada’s Wonderland will also feature live entertainment through the summer, including the return of the daring Ultimate Thrills Circus, the stunt dive show Fall Out, the Victoria Falls High Divers, Woofjocks and performances with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. The cirque-style show, Cirque Ambiente, returns after first debuting 10 years ago.
All events and shows noted above are included with park admission.
Halloween Haunt returns on select nights Sept. 22 to Oct. 29 with eight mazes, expanded immersive areas, hundreds of monsters and amazing live entertainment, including the return of the Day of the Dead Festival. There will be four new mazes, including Dark Ride, where guests must face the horrors waiting for them in an abandoned carnival attraction.
The park transforms into a world of holiday magic for WinterFest, running select nights Nov. 17 to Dec. 31.
Guests can get unlimited access to all four seasons of fun with a gold pass for $125 or seven payments of $17.85. For more information on events or hours of operation, click here.
