Theme Park Announcement: Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg Celebrate 50th Anniversary; Six Flags America Set to Shut Down
## Top Family-Friendly Amusement Parks Near DC: A Summer 2025 Update
As summer approaches, families in the Washington, DC area have a variety of entertainment options within a reasonable driving distance. However, some changes are on the horizon for two popular destinations.
### Closing Announcements
Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor Maryland, located in Bowie, MD, have announced they will be closing after summer 2025. No announcements have been made about what will happen to the rides at these parks after they close.
### Kings Dominion's Golden Summerbration
In contrast, Kings Dominion, located in Doswell, Virginia, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a variety of special events. The park's Golden Summerbration includes a new nighttime spectacle called Light the Night, as well as the return of the Singing Mushrooms with new tunes and high-jinks. The Clown Band also performs fun-filled street performances throughout the park.
One of the highlights of the Golden Summerbration is the Gazillion Bubble Show, which is being performed from July 12 to August 3, 2025. This interactive and visually stunning show is part of Kings Dominion's 50th-anniversary celebrations.
### New Attractions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, another popular destination, has opened a new family-friendly inverted roller coaster called The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge. Riders are taken through an abandoned Bavarian village with the sounds of screams and a howling wolf. To ride, kids must be 42 inches tall.
### Family-Friendly Amusement Parks Near DC
For families seeking major amusement parks with live entertainment, Six Flags America, Dutch Wonderland, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg are the top choices within a reasonable drive from Washington, DC. For free, local, and highly engaging live entertainment, Kids World at Franklin Park in downtown DC is an excellent option.
Kings Dominion offers a limited-time menu celebrating its past, present, and future, and various limited-edition 50th-anniversary merchandise is available.
In summary, while changes are afoot for Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor Maryland, families in the DC area still have plenty of options for fun-filled days out, with Kings Dominion's Golden Summerbration and the new attractions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg adding to the excitement.
[1] [DC Metro Area Attractions Guide](https://www.washington.org/things-to-do/attractions/) [2] [Kids World at Franklin Park](https://franklinparkdc.org/kids-world/) [3] [Fiesta DC](https://fiestadc.org/) [4] [Washington Dulles International Airport](https://www.flydulles.com/) [5] [Busch Gardens Williamsburg](https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/)
After the closure of Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor Maryland in 2025, families seeking alternative amusement parks near Washington, DC might find interest in exploring home-and-garden centers or traveling to new destinations for a different lifestyle experience. On the other hand, Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with various entertainment options, including travel-inspired events such as the Light the Night spectacle, reminiscent of a traveler's nighttime adventures, and the Singing Mushrooms, offering a quirky twist on traditional home entertainment.
