Santa Claus, Indiana, is getting a prehistoric twist this fall. Holiday World’s beloved Happy Halloween Weekends return September 20 with a brand-new dinosaur theme, turning the park into a fall family destination where thrills, chills, and towering dinos collide.
The star of the season is the 12-acre Dino Corn Maze Adventure, where guests can wander among two dozen life-sized dinosaurs, some brought to life with animatronics and sound. After dark on Saturdays, the skies light up with “Dinos Soar in the Sky,” a drone show featuring 500 drones, synchronized music, and in-air pyrotechnic effects.
The Halloween spirit spreads beyond the maze. Families will find two themed indoor mazes, a hayride to the corn maze, live entertainment, and a trick-or-treat trail for kids 12 and under—all included with admission. Select October Saturdays bring extended hours so the fun doesn’t have to end early.
“Happy Halloween Weekends is the perfect fall family getaway,” says Leah Koch-Blumhardt, Fourth-Generation Owner & Director of Communications. “Between our rides and all the special Halloween activities and entertainment, there’s more fun than one day can hold. We recommend turning it into a full weekend, starting with Friday Night Live!”
For food lovers, the park has whipped up a seasonal menu with both sweet indulgences and savory bites. Highlights include a funnel cake flight with mini Maple Pecan and S’mores varieties, Goblin Fingers (deep-fried pickle spears), Buffalo Chicken Empanadas, and a Trick or Treat Flurry. Drinks get festive too, with Frozen Caramel Apple Cider, Dubai Chocolate Mocha, and fall-favorite coffee creations. And for the youngest dino fans, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets are served park-wide.
Holiday World is also sweetening the deal with Twilight Tickets, allowing Sunday ticket holders to enter the park at 5 p.m. the night before their visit. It’s the perfect way to get a jumpstart on the weekend, though the “Dinos Soar in the Sky” drone show remains a Saturday-night-only spectacle. And with Happy Halloween Weekends nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Awards for Best Theme Park Halloween Event, it’s an experience earning national recognition.
The event runs Saturdays and Sundays through October 26, with Friday Night Live! continuing each Friday evening through October 24. Holiday World will also stay open the weekend of November 1–2 for those looking to stretch out the season just a little longer.
For guests planning ahead, 2026 Platinum Season Passes are already on sale, offering perks like early access to Splashin’ Safari and free admission on Sundays this fall. Families with little ones can also take advantage of a free Pre-K Pass for kids born between July 1, 2020 and November 1, 2022.
Centrally located in Santa Claus, Indiana—just a short drive from Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Nashville, and Columbus—Holiday World’s Happy Halloween Weekends make for an accessible autumn escape.
Between the giant dinosaurs, the dazzling Saturday-night drones, and the cozy flavors of fall, it’s a seasonal tradition that continues to evolve in the best possible way.
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(Maze photo courtesy Holiday World)
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