Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-9444
Entity Registrant Name	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	34-1560655
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Cedar Point Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Sandusky
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44870-5259
City Area Code	419
Local Phone Number	626-0830
Title of 12(b) Security	Units RepresentingLimited Partner Interests
Trading Symbol	FUN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		56,663,821
Entity Central Index Key	0000811532
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31