When is the best time to go to Six Flags Great America?

Located in the Chicago metropolitan area, the Six Flags theme park features a total of 51 rides, including 13 roller coasters, and the Hurricane Harbor water park open in the summer.

Six Flags Great America is only open six months out of the year (May – October), so just when is it least crowded? Let’s take a look at what the crowds look like throughout the operating season.

May

Opening Day – The first weekend of May is typically opening weekend at Great America, and it gets busy. Try to get there early if you can to avoid the longer lines.

Weekdays – Great America starts opening on weekdays in mid-May, and they are perhaps some of the best days of the year to visit the park. Crowds are usually light.

Weekends – Weekends in May are traditionally crowded and it only gets busier toward the end of the month. Sundays are typically least crowded.

Memorial Day Weekend – Crowds start to pick up for the summer season starting on Memorial Day Weekend. Be prepared for big crowds on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (Memorial Day itself).

June

Summer Season – Six Flags Great America is open everyday in June, as the summer season kicks off. The earlier in June you go, the less crowded it tends to be, as more and more schools get out later in the month. Weekends (especially Saturdays) are packed throughout June, so aim for going on the weekdays if you can.

The summer season crowds are traditionally out in full force by the last week of June.

July

4th of July Weekend – The summer season is in full swing by July. Great America is typically very crowded for the 4th of July holiday.

There’s really not much relief from the summer crowds in all of July, as it’s the busiest time of the year at Six Flags. If you must go, avoid the weekends.

August

Weekdays – The summer season finally starts to wind down in August as schools get back in session. This time around, the later in the month you go the better. The summer crowds are still around for the first two weeks of the month, but start to lighten up by mid-August. Weekdays are least crowded.

September

Labor Day Weekend – The three-day weekend typically draws big crowds to Six Flags Great America. Get there early!

After Labor Day, the park is only open on weekends in September and the crowds are more manageable than in the busy summer months. The park is closed on some Saturdays and Sundays for private events, so be sure to check with SFGAm’s events page.

October

Fright Fest – Fright Fest takes over in October on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select weekdays. The popular Halloween event draws big crowds, so try to get there early.

For crowd predictions of upcoming dates, as well as historical crowd ratings, check out the Six Flags Great America Crowd Calendar.

When do you think is the best time to visit Six Flags Great America? How crowded was it when you went? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: Hendricks Photos

  1. I’d be prepared for it to be a little busy, but I don’t think it will be too packed. Most of the crowds usually arrive over the holiday weekend.

  2. How does it look for tomorrow May 26th 2015?

  3. I’m thinking it won’t be too bad yet since it’s still early in the summer season.

  4. Anyone have an idea how bad it’ll be Friday July 3rd?

  5. The summer season crowds are usually out by then, so I’d be prepared for it to be crowded, I don’t think it will be as bad as the weekend though. Get there early!

  6. What’s worse, a Friday in Mi-July or Sunday Mid-July?

  7. I think a Sunday in mid-July would be more crowded. It tends to get busier later in the summer season. Get there early!

  8. We went this past Friday (July 3rd) and it was the worst possible time I could have ever had at Six Flags. We waiting in line for the XFlight for 2 hours and got there at 11 and only got to ride a total of 6 rides. Our legs and feet hurt so bad by the time 9pm hit that we decided to leave before the fireworks due to waiting in line all day. I have never seen it so busy. I waiting in like 45 minutes to get a slice of pizza! To pay as much money as I did and only get to ride 6 rides, and to have drive 4.5 hours to get there to begin with… I am super disappointed. I didn’t even get to ride the Goliath, god forbid I even tried, the line was so long. I’d like to go back on the 18th but am sure it will be just as busy.

  9. Do you guys think it will be packed on Saturday July 18th? I was looking to buy a platinum flash pass, but only if there are a lot of lines.

  10. The summer season crowds are usually out on Saturday, so I think Flash Pass would be helpful.

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