Six Flags Great America 50th Anniversary: New Rides, Drone Shows & 2026 Guide
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it’s shaping up to be one of the best summers ever to visit. Between a record-breaking new coaster, a nightly drone show, the return of a classic ride feature that hasn’t happened in nearly a decade, and a brand-new museum dedicated to the park’s history, there’s a lot happening right now if you’re within driving distance of Chicago.
We’ve been season pass holders for years, and honestly, even on the days we’re not chasing a specific ride, just walking around the park is worth it for us. This is our guide to everything going on at Six Flags Great America in 2026: the 50th anniversary celebration, what’s new, what’s returning, and how to plan your visit.
Six Flags Great America’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
Six Flags Great America first opened its gates back in 1976 as Marriott’s Great America, and 2026 marks 50 years of the park welcoming families through northern Illinois. The official 50th Anniversary Celebration runs from June 20 through August 9, and it’s easily the biggest seasonal event the park has put on in years.
Here’s what’s part of it:
All-new Nighttime Spectacular. Described by the park as the most ambitious nighttime entertainment experience in its history, this combines a high-energy stage show with a brand-new parade featuring all-new floats alongside fan-favorite ones.
A drone show every night. The sky above the park lights up nightly with a drone show celebrating 50 years of Six Flags Great America, complete with effects the park says haven’t been seen there before.
Extended hours. During the celebration, the park stays open until 10pm, giving guests more time to enjoy rides, shows, and the nighttime entertainment after the sun goes down.
The Legacy Museum. Located inside the Emporium, this new immersive exhibit features artifacts, archival photography, retired signage, and memorabilia tracing the park’s history from its Marriott’s Great America days to today, including pieces from former employees and longtime guests.
The Anniversary Brick Program. Guests can purchase a personalized brick to be installed along the Great America Legacy Path in Carousel Plaza, a nice way to mark a visit, an anniversary, or a first ride on something. We did this! You can find our brick on the Legacy Path!
Nostalgic food and merchandise. Expect specialty food and beverage offerings inspired by five decades of park history, plus an exclusive 50th anniversary merchandise shop.
If you’re a longtime visitor or grew up coming to the park, this season is built for you. And if you’ve never been, it’s a genuinely great year to start.
American Eagle Is Racing Again
One of the most exciting pieces of news this season for longtime fans: American Eagle, the park’s massive dual-track wooden coaster, is racing side-by-side again for the first time in nearly a decade. The red and blue trains will once again launch together, restoring the ride to its original side-by-side operation as part of the 50th anniversary celebration.
American Eagle has been a centerpiece of the park for more than four decades, and for anyone who remembers racing the other train as a kid, this is a genuinely emotional throwback. If you haven’t ridden it in years, this season is the time to go back.
Wrath of Rakshasa: The Park’s Newest Coaster
If you haven’t visited recently, the biggest permanent addition to the park is Wrath of Rakshasa, a Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster in the County Fair section. It’s the park’s second dive coaster alongside Goliath, and the numbers are wild:
- 180-foot lift hill
- 171-foot first drop at a beyond-vertical 96-degree angle
- Five inversions
- Speeds approaching 67 mph
- Over 3,200 feet of track
The signature moment is the hang time at the very top of that first drop, suspended and facing straight down before the release. It’s become one of the most talked-about additions to the park in years and joins an already deep coaster lineup that includes Raging Bull, Goliath, X-Flight, and Maxx Force.
Tickets, Passes, and Pricing
For the 2026 season, daily tickets start at $45 and season passes start at $75. Season passes include benefits like free parking, and 2026 also introduced a redesigned Season Pass program with Pass Perks, which automatically gives passholders ongoing rewards like food and merchandise discounts and bring-a-friend offers without needing to hit visit minimums.
If you’re planning to visit more than two or three times this season, whether for the anniversary celebration, a regular summer day, or Fright Fest in the fall, a season pass is almost always the better value.
Check current ticket prices and buy tickets on the official Six Flags Great America site →
Why We Keep Coming Back
We’ve had season passes for years, and the 50th anniversary season is honestly one of the more exciting reasons to renew. A few things that keep us coming back:
It works for a quick visit or a full day. With a season pass, there’s no pressure to “do everything” in one trip. Some of our best visits have been a couple of hours, a show, dinner, and a ride or two.
The dining pass changes the experience. We added the dining plan a while back, and not having to think about food costs during a visit makes a real difference, especially with a family.
Even just walking around is worth it. The park is well-landscaped, there’s always something new to see, and with the Legacy Museum and anniversary decor this season, there’s more to take in than ever.
The events change throughout the year. Summer at Six Flags Great America feels completely different from Fright Fest in the fall, which is its own experience worth planning for separately. If you want the full breakdown of that event, we’ve got a complete guide to Fright Fest.
Tips for Visiting This Season
Go on weekdays if you can. With the 50th anniversary drawing extra crowds, weekends in June, July, and August will be busier than usual. Tuesday through Thursday visits are noticeably calmer.
Arrive early. The park typically opens around 10:30am. Arriving 30-45 minutes before opening helps with parking and getting through the gates ahead of the rush.
Stay for the nighttime spectacular. With extended hours until 10pm during the celebration, it’s worth planning your day so you’re still in the park for the nighttime show, parade, and drone display.
Check Hurricane Harbor separately. The water park next door runs its own schedule, so if you’re planning to combine both, double check hours before you go.
Don’t skip the Legacy Museum. It’s a quick stop inside the Emporium, but it’s one of the most unique additions this season, especially if you’ve been visiting the park for years.
Plan Your Visit
The 50th Anniversary Celebration runs June 20 through August 9, 2026, so there’s still plenty of time to plan a trip. Whether you’re coming for the new coaster, the nostalgia of American Eagle racing again, or just a fun summer day with the family, this is shaping up to be one of the best seasons in the park’s history.
Get tickets, hours, and the latest park information directly from Six Flags Great America →
If you’re planning ahead for fall, don’t miss our guide to Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America, one of the best Halloween events near Chicago. And if you’re mapping out a bigger summer of day trips around the Midwest, check out our guide to the best day trips from Chicago.
Six Flags Great America FAQ
When does the 50th anniversary celebration end?
The official 50th Anniversary Celebration runs from June 20 through August 9, 2026. The park remains open beyond that date for the rest of the regular season and into Fright Fest, but the special nighttime spectacular, drone show, and extended hours are tied to the anniversary celebration window.
Is American Eagle racing again permanently?
American Eagle’s return to side-by-side racing is being highlighted as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. Whether the racing format continues beyond this season hasn’t been confirmed, so if it’s on your list, this season is the safest bet to experience it.
How much are tickets and season passes?
For the 2026 season, daily tickets start at $45 and season passes start at $75. Prices vary by date and demand, so check the official Six Flags site for current pricing before you go.
Is the drone show every night?
During the 50th Anniversary Celebration (June 20 through August 9), the park features a nightly drone show as part of the new Nighttime Spectacular. Outside of that window, nighttime entertainment may vary, so check the park’s daily schedule.
Is the Legacy Museum free to visit?
The Legacy Museum is included with park admission and located inside the Emporium. There’s no separate ticket required to walk through it.
Is Six Flags Great America worth a season pass?
If you think you’ll visit more than two or three times in a season, including the regular summer months and Fright Fest in the fall, a season pass typically pays for itself. It also comes with perks like free parking and ongoing discounts through the Pass Perks program.
Have you been to Six Flags Great America this season? Let us know what you thought of American Eagle racing or the new drone show in the comments, and check out more Midwest day trip ideas here.
