If you’ve visited Kings Island for years as a guest or as a season pass holder, you might feel like you know every inch of the park and have seen it all….until now!
Kings Island Grand Carnivale is transforming the park with a fresh, immersive event you don’t want to miss!
This article is brought to you in partnership with Kings Island and contains affiliate links. As a Kings Island Ambassador, I love sharing insider tips to help you make the most of your visit to the park.
What is Kings Island Grand Carnivale?
Grand Carnivale is an immersive festival celebrating the cultures of China, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain with a larger-than-life party.
The event features special-themed food and drinks, activities, music, games, entertainment, and an extravagant evening parade.
International Street is transformed into a festive colorful celebration with family-friendly Mardi Gras vibes.
When is Grand Carnivale at Kings Island?
The Grand Carnival Celebration event is a limited time, from Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 5-10 PM each day.
International Themed Activities at Grand Carnivale for Kids
There are international-themed activities for kids at Grand Carnivale.
Carnival Crafts are centralized in one craft area near Graeter’s ice cream where kids can make a crown, Carnival mask, or noise maker to bring to the Spectacle of Color parade.
Passport to Adventure
Grab your Passport to Adventure and join our Alligator King, Mardi P. Gras, for a journey around the world.
This is a fun way for kids to learn more about other countries and cultures with hands-on experiences.
Pick up a Passport to Adventure at Carnivale Central to the right of the entrance on International Street and start your journey!
Scan QR codes in each country and take photos with all of Mardi’s friends to learn about their countries, earn stamps, and receive a grand prize!
Grand Carnivale Schedule of Events
Check out the schedule and plan accordingly so you don’t miss any fun during Grand Carnivale!
(Note that the Parade route is different this year from previous years)
Nightly Schedule for Grand Carnivale 2024:
- 5:00 PM Grand Carnivale starts (Food Locations Open)
- 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM Retrospect – Interactive song and dance production
- 9:00 PM Spectacle of Color Parade begins
- 10:00 PM Fireworks Show
Watch the Entertainment on the Main Stage
Check the Kings Island app for the evening live entertainment schedule.
Sample Themed Menu Items From Around the World
Food is always one of the BEST parts of a celebration and Grand Carnivale does not disappoint!
The special food booths open at 5pm each evening and feature themed menu items from each International country.
FYI -Season pass holders get a 10% discount on all Grand Carnivale food items.
Grand Carnivale Food Guide
If you’ve previously attended Grand Carnivale, you’ll find new menu items to experience this year.
*Food Offerings Begin at 5:00 PM.
CHINA
- Smoked Duck Fried Rice – Duck breast, Asian vegetables, wok-fried rice & egg
- Szechuan Beef Bao Bun – Steamed bun, double-cooked beef, pickled cabbage
- Almond Cookies & Fortune Cookies – Traditional sweets from the East
FRANCE
- Raclette – Classic melty French cheese, served on baguette & topped with arugula
- Crêpe Florentine – Spinach, garlic and goat cheese stuffed crêpe
- Grand Marnier Crêpe – Crêpe with orange cream, white chocolate, Chantilly topping & candied orange
GERMANY
- Schnitzel Slider – Breaded chicken & kraut between crispy potato cakes, served with sour cream
- Currywurst – Fried bratwurst, cut i nto pieces and simmered in a curried tomato sauce
- Pretzel Bites – Baked pretzel bites served with a bock-style beer cheese sauce
- Black Forest Trifle – Layered dark chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and local cherries
ITALY
- Lasagna Fritta – Tender pasta and herbed ricotta cheese, breaded and lightly fried. Served with house-made marinara
- Piadina – Grilled flatbread filled with Italian meats, cheese, and sweet pepper spread
- Cannoli – Crispy pastry, filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate chips, and pistachios
SPAIN
- Paella – Classic saffron rice with shrimp, chicken, sausage, garlic, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and peas
- Buñuelos – Pastry dough dusted with cinnamon sugar and topped with chocolate and caramel sauce
SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
*Must be 21+ with valid ID for cocktails.
- Carnivale Cocktail – Tropical flavors paired with passion fruit and cherry combined with spiced and white rum to create this event’s signature cocktail
- Orange Blossom – A thirst-quenching cocktail with an herbal spin featuring gin paired with flavors of orange, lemon, and cherry
- Peach Bellini Spritzer – A refreshing take on this Italian classic with Prosecco sparkling wine, peach puree, and citrus garnished with a Chianti-soaked peach
- Raspberry Beret – Hints of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass combined with French Chambord raspberry liquor and Minute Maid® lemonade and topped with an edible violet bloom
- Sangria – A Spanish classic, sparkling and refreshingly fruity with a red wine base, infused with seasonal fruit
SIGNATURE MOCKTAILS
Very Berry Party Punch – A refreshing blend of summer wild berries and Minute Maid® lemonade topped off with Sprite® and garnished with a fresh strawberry and raspberries
Triple Glitter Jam – A glistening, shimmering combination of wildberry, blueberry, and raspberry flavors with Minute Maid® lemonade and garnished with glittered raspberry jam
Don’t Forget to Save Room for Dessert!
Every country has a dessert option on the menu for enjoyment.
Save on Tickets to Kings Island
For the best value for multiple visits and free parking to Kings Island, the Gold Season Pass is your best option and savings.
You can purchase tickets online with lower pricing than at the gate. There are Grand Carnivale Bundles available for additional savings.
Find the lowest prices for Kings Island tickets here.
The Grand Carnivale Celebration is a great event for families. It can also make a nice date night if your teenagers want to eat and then go on rides instead.
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This looks like such a fun time!!
This would be such an awesome trip, we haven’t been able to make it to Kings Island for several years and I would police to go again before my son is too old to want to hang out with mom and dad!
My kids have not been to Kings Island in FOREVER!!
I would love to take my kids for one last trip before the end of summer! We haven’t had a chance to go at all this year!
This sounds like a blast!
Sounds like fun…I want to try all those delicious foods!
This is the coolest event. My sons favorite thing last year was visiting all the cutouts and getting the pins at the end.
Would love to go with my kids! Sounds like a great time!
My daughter is just starting to get into Kings Island. I would love to take her again and she can experience the carnival and see all the different countries!
I’d love to win because I’ve never been! (My kids have, just not me)
I would love to win the Kings Island tickets because my boyfriend’s two daughters are old enough (and tall enough) now to enjoy the big rides, but taking 4 people to KI nearly breaks the bank anymore.
I didn’t even know King’s Island did this. It sounds so fun and my kids would love it.
This would be a great treat for my family. We have been so busy with work and our kids social lives. This would be amazing for my family and I to attend and just have fun together.
We are going this weekend for my husband’s 40th birthday. We have a lot of kiddos — number 9 joined us in February! We are so excited and cannot wait for this adventure! The younger kids think the Carnivale party and parade are for daddy’s big day lol. I’d love to win some tickets to help with the cost of getting this crazy big family inside. ?
I’d love to take the kids there! Sounds great!
I am all about trying the food especially the Sauerbraten Slider and the pretzel bites!
I would like to take additional family members to enjoy Kings Island.
I love KI is upping their game w festivals and a parade!
This sounds so fun! What a great way to explore kings island!
My kiddos love kings island and would absolutely enjoy seeing the grand carnival
Wow this looks like an amazing event! Would love the opportunity to experience this.
Would love to win these tickets to share the Kings Island Carnivale experience with my my friend’s family!!
I totally want to experience this and try the different foods!