Live from Holiday World, It’s Friday Night!

We can all agree that Holiday World knows how to put on an event! Of course, any day at the park is a holiday but you need to visit during one of their events for a truly unique experience.

My must-visit Holiday World Events are Friday Night Live! and Happy Halloween Weekends.

We can all agree, anyone who doesn’t like autumn is just saying that for attention, right? The crisp air, the flavorful scents, the changing colors. Now imagine all of that with the addition of a theme park. I’m in love.

I experienced my second “Friday Night Live” event at Holiday World in October. Having visited in the summer to enjoy the first run of FNL, I thought I had an idea of what to expect.

Well, I was wrong.

Yes, there were the classics that we know and love: live music, drink specials, and the Halloween in the Sky drone show, but when you add in the look and feel of Happy Halloween Weekends, everything is taken up a notch.

Maybe it was me, but there was just a cool, dare I say chilling, vibe to everything.

It got darker earlier, the roar of the coasters seemed to be amplified, and the twinkle of the lights had a smoky glow around them. My friends and I knew we were in for a treat from the start. I also have to say, I’ve never been one to enjoy most parks’ take on Halloween events. They seem too intense, too scary, too chaotic. Maybe it’s me getting older but it’s just too much. So it’s nice to see a park take a calmer, more festive approach to the Halloween season.

Going back to the “usual suspects” of Friday Night Live!

The band Happy New Month was once again in the park to set the party atmosphere, and this time, they really leveled up their performance.

No, really! They were literally on a brand-new stage. This really helped elevate their sound and gave it a mini-concert feel. And being a 90’s kid, I always appreciate their throwback jams.

The drink specials may be one of my favorite perks of Friday Night Live.

After a night ride on The Voyage, there is nothing better than sitting under that daunting lift hill and sipping a cold beverage. And at 50% off? Well, ok, fine. I’ll have two!

Plymouth on the Rocks always offers a great variety of beers, seltzers and sours, but this time, they stepped it up with some fun mixed drinks.

Of course, my friends and I had to order one of each to do a little taste test.

The best part? The souvenir light-up cup that came with each cocktail.

Quick sidebar – if you haven’t had a night ride on Voyage, listen to me closely: DROP EVERYTHING AND DO IT NOW!

This coaster is insane with the lights on, and she’s a whole other animal at night.

Being the great friend I am, I took two of my friends on their first ride on Voyage ever on this trip and of course, the first ride had to be at night. They assumed the three hills you see were the extent of the ride. Well, they got a trick and a treat!

Another fun twist to the Halloween episode of Friday Night Live was the amazing drone show.

Now we all know how epic the drone show was in the summer: hundreds of drones, the playful vibe, and the interactive ending.

Let me tell you, the Halloween version was even cooler. Without giving too much away, there’s a full storyline that you follow with a lot of twists and turns. But don’t worry, you’ll sleep well afterward. Or will you? (insert haunting laugh here)

The 2025 Calendar Is Here!

I am ecstatic that Friday Night Live and Happy Halloween Weekends are returning for the 2025 Season! Among many other things, Holiday World just does events right! In 2025 Friday Night Live is even bigger and better with more dates throughout August, September, and October.

Check out the full 2025 Season Calendar to start planning your trip for next year.

See you around the park next Season!

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