As the sun sets over Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, the thrills are just getting started. This month, America’s first theme park is turning up the excitement with extended hours until 10 p.m. CT on Saturdays, October 11, 18, and 25.
For roller coaster fans, these evenings offer something extra special: a chance to ride four top-ranked roller coasters in the dark, when every twist, drop, and airtime hill feels even more intense.
At the top of the Holiday World night rides list is The Voyage, a wooden giant that’s been a legend in the coaster community since 2006. Stretching 1.2 miles, it’s packed with five underground tunnels, three 90-degree banked turns, and a record-breaking 24.2 seconds of airtime. Riding The Voyage at night—when the tunnels and wooded track become pitch black—is a bucket-list experience for thrill-seekers.
Next is The Raven, the ride that first put Holiday World on the map back in 1995. This compact wooden classic, once named the “World’s Best Wooden Coaster,” dives through the trees with sudden drops and tight turns that feel even wilder after dark.
Fans of spooky thrills will love The Legend, inspired by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Since opening in 2000, this wooden coaster has been famous for its relentless speed, surprise elements, and a double helix finale that leaves riders breathless.
And then there’s Thunderbird, Holiday World’s first steel coaster and a powerhouse in its own right. Launched from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, Thunderbird hurls riders through a 14-story loop, barrel rolls, and near-miss moments—all while gliding wing-style through the woods. At night, it’s an entirely new ride as darkness heightens every near miss and inversion.
Of course, the thrills aren’t just for coaster junkies. During the day, Holiday World’s Happy Halloween Weekends—recently voted the nation’s second-best Theme Park Halloween Event by USA Today readers—bring fall fun for the whole family.
This year’s highlights include the brand-new Dino Corn Maze Adventure featuring more than 20 life-size dinosaurs, plus the high-flying Dinos Soar in the Sky Drone Show. Families can also enjoy indoor mazes, hayrides to the corn maze, trick-or-treating for kids, and the park’s signature perk: free soft drinks, sunscreen, and parking.
Located within easy driving distance of Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, St. Louis, and Columbus, Holiday World makes the perfect fall day trip or weekend getaway.
Whether you’re chasing coaster airtime or family-friendly frights, these October weekends deliver the best of both worlds.
Find and follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube for more coverage of theme parks, travel, and roadside attractions.
Leave a Reply