CarMax Park to host 39-day WinterWorld holiday events
804Live, the Richmond Flying Squirrels' events company, announced WinterWorld, a 39-day holiday festival at CarMax Park running Nov. 18, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. The multimillion-dollar attraction adds ice skating, a Ferris wheel, and Richmond's tallest live Christmas tree as organizers push the ballpark toward year-round events.
Owner Lou DiBella appeared in a Santa suit at Wednesday's news conference to unveil the Squirrels' biggest non-baseball activation since CarMax Park opened in April. The festival marks a major bet that the Diamond District venue can draw families downtown long after baseball season ends.
Key Takeaways
- WinterWorld runs Nov. 18, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027, transforming CarMax Park into a holiday festival for 39 days.
- Attractions include a skating pond, six-lane ice slide, 60-foot Ferris wheel, Santa's workshop, and more than a million lights.
- Organizers expect 75,000-plus visitors and plan a ticket presale in August with public sales in September.
- 804Live will distribute 5,000 complimentary tickets through local nonprofits.
- Navigators Baseball is investing more than $3 million, with SERVPRO as a presenting sponsor.
What Is WinterWorld at CarMax Park?
WinterWorld is the inaugural holiday festival managed by 804Live, the events arm of Navigators Baseball. Chris Yancey, 804Live president and a veteran of Lincoln Center's Big Apple Circus and Caesars Entertainment, called it the biggest event yet at a ballpark that has already hosted more than 40 non-baseball events since April.
Organizers pitched the festival as Richmond's answer to marquee holiday destinations like New York's Rockefeller Center. DiBella, who once worked near that plaza, said he wanted to bring that energy to RVA while thanking fans who helped build the new stadium.
What Attractions Will WinterWorld Include?
Renderings shared at the announcement show CarMax Park wrapped in more than a million lights, with a roughly 13,000-square-foot skating pond, a 100-foot six-lane ice slide, and a 60-foot Ferris wheel. Guests can also explore a Christmas tree maze, snowball speed pitch, Santa's workshop, a holiday retail village, and a 21-and-older lounge.
Performances from area schools and community groups are planned, along with seasonal food and drinks. The outfield will host what organizers describe as the largest live Christmas tree in Richmond. Installing the attractions requires removing and later re-sodding the ballpark field, DiBella said.
When Do WinterWorld Tickets Go on Sale?
Ticket pricing, themed programming, entertainment, and New Year's Eve plans will roll out through summer and fall. A presale is set for August, with public ticket sales expected to open in September.
804Live is partnering with nonprofits to provide 5,000 complimentary tickets so cost is less likely to keep families away. DiBella said organizers hope to welcome about 100,000 guests and need roughly 65,000 to 70,000 visitors for the debut season to break even.
Why Does WinterWorld Matter for Richmond Events?
The festival is part of a broader push to make CarMax Park a year-round anchor inside the 63-acre Diamond District redevelopment. Squirrels senior adviser Todd "Parney" Parnell said Richmond deserves a signature holiday destination, and WinterWorld is designed to become an annual tradition with room to expand.
SERVPRO signed on as a partner, and organizers expect visitors from across Virginia and neighboring states during a stretch when the stadium would otherwise sit quiet. For more on how live events are reshaping entertainment calendars, browse our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage. Full details are posted by Richmond BizSense.