Six Flags Great America 50th Anniversary Day Bash Details

The anniversary event marks 50 years since the Chicago-area amusement park first opened in 1976. Festivities are scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM local time in Hometown Square, where guests will receive complimentary party hats and themed treats as part of the celebration.

What Visitors Can Expect at the Gurnee Anniversary Event

The Gurnee theme park will bring back its original 1976 barbershop quartet, now known as Four of a Kind, for special one-day performances across the venue.

Vintage Entertainment and Special Performances

The return of Four of a Kind gives the celebration a nostalgic connection to the park’s opening year, making the event appealing for longtime visitors and families interested in the park’s history.

Limited-Edition Anniversary Merchandise

Six Flags Great America will also open a dedicated anniversary shop featuring limited-edition merchandise tied to the milestone celebration.

Legacy Museum to Highlight 50 Years of Park History

A major part of the anniversary celebration will be the new Legacy Museum, which will feature archival photographs, historic signs, memorabilia and exhibits documenting the park’s transformation over five decades.

From Marriott’s Great America to Six Flags Great America

The exhibit will allow guests to explore the attraction’s history from its early years as Marriott’s Great America to its current role as a major regional theme park destination in the Chicago suburbs.

Fireworks to Close the May 29 Celebration

The one-day celebration is scheduled to conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 PM local time on Friday, May 29, 2026.

The event gives families, longtime parkgoers and Chicago-area visitors a chance to revisit the history of Six Flags Great America while marking one of the park’s biggest milestone seasons.