SANTA CLAUS — Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is kicking off its milestone 80th anniversary season with a wave of national recognition. The family-owned park has secured nine nominations across six categories in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the most in its history.
The nominations, selected by a panel of industry experts and editors, highlight the park’s dual identity as both a world-class roller coaster destination and a premier water park.
National Award Categories
Voting is currently open to the public and will continue through Monday, April 20, at 11:59 a.m. EDT. The park is competing for the top spot in several key areas:
- Best Theme Park: Holiday World
- Best Outdoor Water Park: Splashin’ Safari
- Best Water Coaster: A dominant three-way nomination for Cheetah Chase, Mammoth, and Wildebeest.
- Best Roller Coaster: The Voyage, a consistent top-tier wooden coaster worldwide.
- Best Lazy River: Bahari River
- Best Wave Pool: Bahari Wave Pool and The Wave
Matt Eckert, president and CEO, said the team is honored to be nominated in so many categories again this year. The recognition from industry experts is nice, but Holiday World exists because of our guests who visit and love the park, he added.
A Milestone 80th Season
The nominations coincide with the park’s 80th year of operation, which began as Santa Claus Land in 1946. To celebrate, officials have announced the longest operating calendar in park history, totaling 134 days of fun in 2026.
What’s New and Returning for 2026:
- Platinum Perk: For the first time, Platinum Season Passholders will receive 45 minutes of early access to Splashin’ Safari daily from June 1 through July 31.
- Prehistoric Return: Due to “overwhelming guest enthusiasm,” the Dino Corn Maze Adventure and the “Dinos Soar in the Sky” drone show will return with new designs and updated performances.
- Anniversary Merchandise: The park recently won “Best New Merchandise” at the Indiana Tourism Awards for its commemorative “25 Years of Free Unlimited Soft Drinks” cup set, designed through a regional kids’ art contest.
- Holidays in the Sky: The summer drone and fireworks spectacular returns from June 20 to August 3, featuring 500 drones—some equipped with onboard pyrotechnics.
While the park prepares for its 2026 opening, rumors are already swirling about the future. President Matt Eckert teased “something really big” coming in 2027, with a formal announcement expected this July.
The 2026 season officially begins with Season Passholder Preview Days on May 2 and 3, with the general public opening scheduled shortly thereafter. Winners of the USA TODAY 10Best awards will be announced on Wednesday, April 29.
