Something big is taking shape at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, and visitors heading to the southern Indiana theme park for one last weekend of Halloween fun can get a glimpse of what’s coming in 2027.

Construction is moving quickly on Cannonball!, the park’s $22 million water roller coaster that promises to deliver a new level of thrills when it opens next May.

The latest milestone came Friday afternoon when crews completed the top of the attraction’s 90-foot lift hill, a construction achievement known as “crowning.” Work on the station building is also underway.

When completed, Cannonball! will become the Midwest’s first water roller coaster, combining the excitement of a traditional roller coaster with the splashes and water elements of a water park attraction.

Its 75-foot drop will be the tallest of any water roller coaster in North America, giving thrill-seekers something new to look forward to during their next summer visit.

“It’s all downhill from here,” joked Holiday World President and CEO Matt Eckert.

“In all seriousness, it’s exciting to see the ride come together so quickly. There’s 1,000 feet of roller coaster track, so there’s plenty of work ahead, but this is an exciting milestone.”

Construction remains on schedule for a May 2027 opening.

One Last Weekend of Halloween Fun

While attention is turning toward next year’s newest attraction, Holiday World isn’t finished entertaining guests in 2026.

The park has five operating days remaining this season, including Halloween, with Saturday and Sunday marking the final weekend of Happy Halloween Weekends.

For families looking to squeeze in one more fall adventure, the seasonal celebration offers a different kind of excitement from the towering water coaster taking shape nearby.

The 12-acre Dino Corn Maze Adventure brings prehistoric creatures into the Halloween experience, while the Dinos Soar in the Sky drone show lights up the sky on Saturday nights.

Younger visitors can enjoy free trick-or-treating for children ages 12 and under, while Halloween-themed entertainment and seasonal food add to the festive atmosphere throughout the park.

“If you haven’t made it this year, you don’t want to miss your last chance,” Eckert said. “We’re excited for Guests to experience Cannonball! next year, but don’t want anyone to forget there’s still time for fun this year.”

A Family Getaway Worth the Drive

Located in Santa Claus, Indiana, Holiday World has long been a popular destination for families seeking a theme park getaway without traveling across the country.

Its location puts it within a few hours of Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Nashville and Columbus. Families from Chicago, Atlanta and Kansas City also make the trip for longer multi-day visits.

For visitors making one last trip to Holiday World this fall, the growing silhouette of Cannonball! offers a preview of what’s ahead. Halloween may be wrapping up, but there’s already a compelling reason to put Santa Claus, Indiana, on next summer’s travel calendar.

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(Photo and video courtesy Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari)