Carowinds 50th anniversary wows with drones, fireworks, and more
Have you ever seen drones in the shape of Snoopy? This summer, you can. As part of the Carowinds 50th anniversary celebration, a nighttime spectacular with drones and fireworks is just the beginning. Come along as we check out all the birthday fun!
50 Years of Carolina Fun
2023 marks 50 years since Carowinds first opened on the state line of North and South Carolina. Today the park is home to renowned coasters like Fury 325, The Intimidator, and Copperhead Strike. On June 16, 2023, we gathered for the park’s rededication as Manny Gonzalez, general manager of Carowinds, addressed guests old and new.
“For 50 years, you have made Carowinds your home,” Gonzalez said, “seeking happiness and creating lifelong memories with us. Each day, you bring new life into the dream of Carowinds.”
This year, there’s a lot of “new life” to celebrate and the park has pulled out all the stops for its 50th birthday bash. Whether you love a good show or prefer thrilling rides, Carowinds’ roster of new additions for 2023 runs deep.
As the sun sets, the park becomes a vibrant showcase of unique experiences, which along with the park-wide décor, photo ops, and specialty food, make an evening spent celebrating Carowinds’ 50th feel like a special event no matter when you visit.
Gonzalez concluded his rededication by saying, “May Carowinds always be the place where happiness thrives, where the Carolinas truly come together.” With that spirit in mind, let’s explore!
50 Nights of Fire
50 Nights of Fire is the showstopper of the Carowinds 50th anniversary celebration. The nighttime spectacular uses fireworks and drones to celebrate 50 years of Carolina fun (similar to Epcot Forever or Disneyland Forever, but with its own Carowinds spin).
50 Nights of Fire spotlights some of Carowinds’ signature seasonal events, like Scarowinds.
The show also honors the park’s storied history. We won’t give everything away, but the tribute to Top Gun is an amazing touch.
For a bit of context: the roller coaster now known as Afterburn began its life as Top Gun: The Jet Coaster, back when Paramount owned Carowinds. Seeing drones form the shape of Maverick’s plane and hearing the movie’s iconic score swell through Carowinds again is a real treat, and it’s one of many examples throughout 50 Nights of Fire that demonstrates this show was clearly developed with love by a team of passionate artists.
The spectacle’s most adorable moment comes when the drones form the familiar shape of everyone’s favorite beagle, Snoopy. You’d be forgiven if you assumed the image below was a digital creation, but it’s a real photograph of the night sky during 50 Nights of Fire.
50 Nights of Fire officially debuts June 17, 2023, and performs nightly through Aug. 6, 2023. Carowinds typically only hosts fireworks on major holidays like Independence Day, so having a show like this every single night is a huge deal.
The fireworks and drones launch in areas near Carolina Harbor water park, which closes at sundown. The best view is from the County Fair area, and if you position yourself in front of the Electro-Spin ride, you’ll be set.
Carowinds Street Party
Also viewable from County Fair is Carowinds Street Party. A prime prelude to 50 Nights of Fire. the street party features live vocalists and dancers who arrive to the area on a parade float of birthday gifts before stopping and inviting guests to dance in the street with them. You’ll hear familiar tunes as well as a catchy new theme song for the 50th.
Carowinds Street Party was one of several times we heard “the official Carowinds TikTok dance” mentioned throughout the night. We can’t find the dance on the park’s TikTok page, but hopefully all will be revealed in due time. You can join in Carowinds Street Party select dates now through Aug. 13, 2023.
RetroSpect
The Plaza Stage, located near Carolina Skytower, is home to RetroSpect, a show featuring five decades of radio hits in honor of Carowinds’ five decades of operations. Live singers belt out “Take Me On” by a-ha, “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction, “Problem” by Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea, and everything in between.
After a first set, guests have another chance to learn the Carowinds TikTok dance before the singers return for an entirely different batch of songs, essentially two shows. RetroSpect performs select dates now through Aug. 13, 2023.
International Star Illusionist Brad Ross
When Carowinds opened in 1973, Carowinds Theater was home to a magic show. This summer, the venue returns to its roots as illusionist Brad Ross and his crew mystifies audiences with wonder.
Levitation? Sawing people in half? Putting a person in a box, setting that box on fire, and then opening the box to reveal no person inside? Check, check, and check. Ross also invites kids in the audience to participate in two (less hazardous) segments.
Ross’ residency at Carowinds continues select dates now through Aug. 6, 2023.
Carowinds 50th Anniversary Food
Both sweet and savory items await guests as part of Carowinds’ birthday festivities. Some selections are connected to the park’s attractions, like the Carolina Goldrusher Cheeseburger. Others are punny, like the “50 Years of FUNnel Cake” (pictured below).
A special anniversary cupcake has a surprise (spoiler alert: when you take the first bite, you’ll discover birthday sprinkles inside!)
Carowinds 50th Anniversary Merchandise
An extensive line of 50th anniversary merchandise debuted in the spring. Since then, the collection has grown with even more new items. Midway Memories (near Starbucks toward the front of the park) serves as the park’s headquarters for all the 50th merch.
Look closely on the belt bag pictured below and you may spot artwork from a retro Carowinds map. The same design is features on a number of items.
A variety of magnets mark the occasion, as do a collection of pins celebrating beloved defunct attractions, like Thunder Road and Rip Roarin’ Rapids.
More Summer Fun
Back in April, Carowinds debuted a new area called Aeronautica Landing, themed to the Carolinas’ history with aviation. We got to tour the new land (below) and interviewed some of the team who brought it to life. Since then, Aeronautica Landing has welcomed its final two attractions, Windstar and Gyro Force, bringing its total to six rides.
All summer long, Carowinds’ 50th keeps rolling. There’s so much to see, we couldn’t fit it all into one visit. In addition to the entertainment mentioned above, several other acts include The 325s (a rock band, performing select dates now through Aug. 13 2023), The Swell Tones (vocalists with a vintage style, performing select dates now through Aug. 20, 2023), and The Music Goes ‘Round & ‘Round (a stage show starring Peanuts characters, performing select dates now through Aug. 20, 2023).
Grand Carnivale, an international food and music festival, returns June 24 – July 9, 2023 (except Tuesdays). Meanwhile, Carolina Harbor water park is well into its summertime operations, which continue daily through mid-August and conclude for the water park season on Sept. 10, 2023.
Plan Your Visit to Carowinds’ 50th Anniversary Celebration
Daily admission to Carowinds, which also includes entry into Carolina Harbor, starts at $45. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more, and for military personnel and their families.
A season-long Silver Pass ($115) and includes unlimited admission to Carowinds and Carolina Harbor. A Gold Pass ($135) and adds unlimited visits to Scarowinds and WinterFest. The Platinum Pass ($280) grants entry into all Cedar Fair parks nationwide.
For more info, click here.
