Huge thank you to the folks at Six Flags for the invite!
Six Flags Magic Mountain, known as the thrill capital of the world, is leaning into its DC-themed area like never before with the DC Heroes and Villains Fest, running through July 26th. The best part is that no extra ticket is required. That means you can enjoy the entire park during the day and stick around for the festivities starting at 5 PM. Season pass holders can even swing by just for the event, perfect for a spontaneous superhero-filled evening.
The event clearly caters to a younger audience, which is an interesting choice for a park known for more intense, adult-oriented rides. Still, I don’t see it as a negative. Using the DC theming in this way is smart, and personally, I love events like this that give performers a chance to show their actual faces. You get to see genuine expression, and the actors seem to be having as much fun as the guests.
Most of the action happens in the DC Universe section of the park, near the entrances to the Wonder Woman and Batman rides. However, the event officially kicks off with a lively parade that begins in the Looney Tunes area and travels all the way to the super-powered side of the park.
Opening Ceremony
Right at 5 PM, the opening parade begins. You can either catch it in motion or head straight to the DC Universe area and wait by the Batman statue. I'd recommend getting a spot near the statue around 4:50–4:55 for the best view. That’s where the real show starts. Once the parade arrives, the heroes and even the mayor gather to commemorate the unveiling of a new Batman statue, until some not-so-welcome guests crash the party.
Villain & Hero Hi-Jinx
Throughout the evening, the Batman statue area becomes the central hub for all the action: speeches from the heroes, fun games hosted by an energetic DJ, and even a musical performance from Harley Quinn and the Hyenas.
Unlike something like Fright Fest, which has set attractions like haunted houses, this event depends heavily on guest interaction. And from what I saw, the crowd delivered. Families, especially with young kids, were getting into it, some even embracing their inner villains.
Let me just say this, and I know I sound like a broken record, but the performers really gave it their all. The main cast of heroes was fantastic. Superman had that perfect, super hero smile you'd expect from the Man of Steel. Batman nailed the scowl and stoic presence. Wonder Woman stood tall and proud, radiating strength and hope—frankly, more than some DC movies manage.
Joker and Harley Quinn were pulled straight from the comic book pages. Their voices, mannerisms, everything was spot on. Catwoman was an exact replica and owned the role like she’s done it before. Robin deserves a shout-out too, especially for the grand finale (more on that later).
But the real MVPs of the night? The henchpeople.
I wish I could name each and every one of them. I spent most of the day exploring the park, but once the event kicked off, aside from a quick ride on West Coast Racers, I stayed in the DC area just to watch these interactions.
Two Joker henchmen in particular stood out: one lugging around a sledgehammer, the other wielding a smoke machine to spray “laughing gas.” The sledgehammer guy was hilarious, totally embodying a cartoonish henchman vibe. But the smoke machine guy? ELECTRIC. He never stopped moving and brought a contagious energy that made the whole area come alive.
One of Harley Quinn’s sidekicks had attitude for days and cracked us up with a mock shake-down for a necklace, only to toss it back and yell, “Girl, this gold is fake!” An unforgettable moment that won’t soon be forgotten.
I’m not sure whose crew the folks in bird masks belonged to (maybe Penguin?), but they were comedy gold without ever saying a word, especially the taller one, whose silent antics had everyone watching.
One of the biggest surprises of the night came from the musical performances by Harley Quinn and the Hyenas. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in, but they absolutely delivered. The set featured a high-energy mix of song and dance numbers, complete with punk-infused covers of some well-known pop hits. The fusion of punk and glam created a chaotic but fun vibe that perfectly matched Harley's personality. The crowd was definitely into it, people were clapping, dancing, and even jumping along with the beat. It felt more like a mini concert than a theme park performance, which made it all the more memorable. I was genuinely impressed by the vocal performances and the choreography, which had just the right mix of chaos and control (my favorite was the Missy Elliot cover).
Food, Snacks, & Drinks
No event is complete without food and drink to match the atmosphere, and DC Heroes & Villains Fest definitely delivers on that front. Centered around the Batman statue, you’ll find four themed pop-up booths offering a variety of bites, sweets, and drinks to keep you fueled for the evening.
The Heroic Booth features a shrimp salad sandwich, chicken wings, and a lemonade called Hero in Training. The Villains Booth offers teriyaki-style chicken with rice, meatless meatballs, and a pear and cranberry soda cleverly named Villain in Training. For those with a sweet tooth, the Sidekick Sweets Booth has plenty of sugar-filled treats to enjoy. And rounding things out is the Ivy Bar, where guests 21 and over can enjoy Gotham-inspired cocktails.
If you're not sure what to try first, the park offers a tasting card for $34.99 that allows you to choose six items from the food booths (alcohol not included). Considering that most menu items are priced at $8 or more, the tasting card is a solid deal. With three booths offering non-alcoholic options, it’s an easy way to try two items from each and get a full sampling of what the event has to offer.
Surprisingly, my favorite booth turned out to be Sidekick Sweets, which caught me off guard, since I’m usually not much of a dessert person. But something about the offerings that day just hit right. I skipped the spicy mix with Hot Cheetos, but I did try the marshmallow treat, the Dippin’ Dots, and the candied apple. The marshmallow treat was soft, sugary, and topped with a frosting that was more flavorful than I expected, though be warned, the frosting can stain your mouth. The Dippin’ Dots were exactly what you’d expect if you’ve had them before, refreshing and nostalgic. As for the candied apple, it was coated in a hard candy shell with a tangy blend of lime, chamoy, and Tajín over a juicy green apple. It was delicious, but definitely not something I’d recommend eating on the spot, better to grab it on your way out and enjoy it at home.
Over at the Heroic Booth, I tried the shrimp salad sandwich and the Hero in Training lemonade. The sandwich was a bit of a mixed bag, the shrimp was cold while the bun was heated, which made for an awkward textural combo. Not terrible, but not a highlight either. The lemonade, however, was a winner. Refreshing and bright, it was perfect for the recent SoCal heatwave. Just drink it quickly—the ice melts fast!
At the Villains Booth, I went for the teriyaki chicken on a stick and the Villain in Training soda. I’ll admit, the neon red color of the chicken made me hesitate, but it turned out to be pretty decent, nothing spectacular, but solid for theme park food. The soda, though, was an absolute standout. The blend of pear and cranberry was so good that I went back for a second cup, and I seriously debated going for a third before leaving. If you get the tasting card, do yourself a favor and make sure that drink is on your list.
Overall, the food and drink offerings at DC Heroes & Villains Fest add a fun, flavorful layer to the event. Whether you’re cooling off with a lemonade, grabbing a snack between character meet-and-greets, or indulging your sweet side, there’s something for everyone. Just come hungry—and maybe bring a wet wipe or two.
Grand Finale
One thing I absolutely did not expect from Six Flags was a full-on stage combat performance, and a lengthy one at that. But wow, did they deliver. For this being the first night of the event, it was clear the performers had been rehearsing for quite a while. From start to finish, it felt sharp and well-coordinated. I can’t recall a single moment where someone looked out of place or unsure of what to do.
The show kicked off at 8:45 PM, with all the heroes gathering one last time at the Batman statue, only to be confronted once more by Joker and his gang. Now, I would’ve been happy with just a good old-fashioned fight scene, but this was more than that. The entire cast acted out an elaborate performance with full dialog, punches, kicks, and even weapons and it was completely on beat. It was dramatic, theatrical, and honestly, a blast to watch. Color me impressed, Batman.
The story that had been unfolding throughout the night culminated in this moment. Earlier in the evening, Joker had swapped Superman’s medal with kryptonite, weakening him and setting the stage for a surprise return. And when Superman finally entered the fight, it was a moment. The crowd literally gasped. He flew in for a classic Superman punch. I tried to snap a photo, but it doesn’t do it justice. The air time was jaw-dropping. When you think of Six Flags, your mind probably goes to roller coasters, not live-action theater performances. But this felt natural and well-produced, and it added something genuinely special to the night.
Feedback
Now, just because the event was a ton of fun doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. A few things stood out to me that could make the experience even better.
First off, the food. While there were some fun options, the selection felt limited, and some choices just didn’t quite land. Personally, I’m not a fan of a cold shrimp salad sandwich on a warm bun. It felt a little mismatched. I think the booths would have benefitted from sticking to more universally appealing snack foods and drinks. The Sidekick Sweets booth nailed it. The wings were a hit, and the themed drinks were refreshing and fun. But something like teriyaki chicken skewers didn’t quite match the casual, on-the-go vibe of a theme park event. Maybe the Hero Booth could focus on things like wings and lemonade, while the Villains Booth goes for something like tacos and soda. Just a thought.
Another thing I’ve mentioned before when other theme parks have done tasting cards—and still stand by—is the idea of an alcohol upgrade for the tasting card. I’m not suggesting people down six cocktails at a theme park, obviously. But it would be nice if, for an extra $10–12, guests 21 and over could use two of their six tastings at the Ivy Bar. It’s a small tweak that I think a lot of people would appreciate.
Lastly, the event timing could use a bit of adjustment. I like that things start at 5 PM, but everything happens so quickly that if you miss one thing, you might miss it entirely. Like the character meet & greets with the heroes and villains—those moments can be quick and easy to miss. I managed to grab a picture with Batman and Batgirl, and I saw Superman and I figured the five-minute wait for the Batman ride would give me enough time to circle back, but when I came back out, they were already gone. A slightly more consistent schedule or posted times for appearances could go a long way in making sure guests don’t miss those memorable interactions. While some activities happen more than once, it’s easy to get stuck in a ride line and miss a show or performance. And although the grand finale fight was epic, I wish it didn’t happen right at park closing. Ending on that high was great, but imagine getting to hop on one last ride afterward, with that scene still fresh in your mind. That’s the kind of post-show energy that sparks conversations the whole time you're waiting in line.
Final Verdict
I went into DC Heroes & Villains Fest expecting a fun overlay to the park’s existing DC theming, but I left genuinely surprised by the level of theatrics and performance. From the high-energy musical numbers to the impressive stage combat finale, the event felt far more polished and immersive than I anticipated. What really stood out, though, were the actor interactions. Whether it was the heroes posing for photos or the henchpeople causing chaos in the best way possible, every performer brought their A-game and made the experience feel alive. It’s clear the cast was having just as much fun as the guests—and that energy was contagious.
The DC Heroes & Villains event at Six Flags Magic Mountain is an event that takes place during normal ticketed hours! Running Friday’s and Saturday’s through July 26th, get your tickets before it’s too late!
