Park invests $5.5 million in 2019 SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Holiday World’s iconic Kringle’s Kafe will serve its final customers on October 28, as construction of the new Santa’s Merry Marketplace begins in November. “We’re ramping up the theming and the menus for next season,” says park president Matt Eckert. “Santa’s Merry Marketplace is nearly 50 percent…
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Park History: From Santa Claus Land to Holiday World
74 Years of Family Fun SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–The history of the nation’s first theme park is the story of a family which has, for seven decades, dedicated itself to providing millions of guests with good, old-fashioned family fun. Santa Claus Land Evansville, Ind., industrialist Louis J. Koch created the world’s first theme park as a…
Read More »Happy Halloween Weekends include new SCAREbnb funhouse
‘Come Alive!’ show features performers from Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana SANTA CLAUS, IND—– Holiday World’s four holiday-themed sections will merge into a single theme starting this weekend, as the park opens its Happy Halloween Weekends on September 22. “Holiday World is all about family fun and making memories – and certainly that includes the…
Read More »Wildebeest named Top Water Park Ride
Holiday World voted Cleanest Park SANTA CLAUS, IND.—– Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Wildebeest water coaster took top honors once again during the 2018 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony, held this weekend at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. For the ninth year in a row, Holiday World’s Wildebeest water coaster was named the World’s #1…
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TripAdvisor names park among Top 1%
TripAdvisor Reviews Place Splashin’ Safari among Top 1% SANTA CLAUS, IND—–According to the world’s largest travel site – TripAdvisor.com – Splashin’ Safari is one of the world’s best water parks. The 40-acre water park, among the largest in the world, was named the #5 park in the nation and #15 in the world, following only Florida parks…
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Fireworks start Friday, plus a TripAdvisor honor
TripAdvisor Honors Parks with Top 10% Award SANTA CLAUS, IND—–Visitors to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari on the next five Fridays, plus the 4th and 5th of July, will end their day with a patriotic fireworks celebration. The fireworks displays will begin shortly after Holiday World closes for the evening at 9:00 pm CDT (10:00 pm…
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Park’s ‘JDRF One Walk’ fundraising tops $4 million
SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari hosted the park’s 13th annual “JDRF One Walk” today, raising more than $320,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Holiday World donated tickets to JDRF for today’s event; those tickets were “earned” by individuals, families, and teams who raised donations for the Walk. Holiday World has helped raise $4.1 million…
Read More »Park opens May 5
SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Holiday World opens for the season on Saturday, with $3.5 million in additions and improvements. This weekend, Holiday World’s visitors will experience: Track improvements and new control system for The Voyage, the world’s second-longest wooden roller coaster Newly restored Scarecrow Scrambler, a classic ride added to the park in 1975 Electric Car Charging…
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Multiple Grammy Winner to headline Rock the World
E-Auditions underway for Regional Bands SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Multiple Grammy Award-winning Christian rock band For King & Country will headline Holiday World’s “Rock the World” concert in August. This is the seventh year for Holiday World’s Christian music fest, which includes a day at the park, plus an evening concert. In addition to For King & Country,…
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Park celebrates 130 years of Service
SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Eleven employees at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari were recently honored for their years of service at the world’s first theme park. “Each year, we present Service Awards to employees who have been with our park family for multiples of five years,” says Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari president Matt Eckert. “It’s this…
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New slides, wave pool, more for 2018
Holiday World to add Tembo Falls, Tembo Tides, and more SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Christmas comes early in the town of Santa Claus as Holiday World announces a package full of goodies for their 2018 season. “We’re adding a fun elephant-themed water-play area for younger children,” says park president Matt Eckert. “When we discovered the Swahili word…
Read More »‘Happy Halloween Weekends’ Return Saturday
‘Lights Out!’ show features performers from Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana SANTA CLAUS, IND—– Holiday World’s four holiday-themed sections will merge into a single theme starting this weekend, as the park opens its Happy Halloween Weekends on September 23. “Holiday World is all about family fun and making memories – even during the Halloween season,”…
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Water Coasters Featured on ‘Travel Channel’ Sunday
SANTA CLAUS, IND—–Holiday World’s two water coasters will be featured on the Travel Channel’s Xtreme Waterparks show this weekend. “The Travel Channel contacted us, wanting to explore the Linear Induction Motor technology used to propel boats up the hills on Mammoth and Wildebeest,” says the park’s president, Matt Eckert. “Mammoth is featured in the Guinness…
Read More »Auditions set for Halloween Show
Park to Hire 200 More Seasonals for Fall SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Local auditions for Holiday World’s 2017 Halloween musical show are scheduled for Saturday morning at the theme park. The “Lights Out!” musical show will be performed during Happy Halloween Weekends by family-friendly Halloween characters singing and dancing to popular hits, with lyrics altered to suit…
Read More »Consumers Digest Names Holiday World ‘Top Value Park’
TripAdvisor Awards Park Certificate of Excellence SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–A leading consumer magazine has named Holiday World the Nation’s Top Value Park. In its June issue, Consumers Digest states Holiday World earned the top “bang for the buck” ranking with its “charming retro holiday theme” along with free soft drinks, free parking and free sunscreen. The…
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