Adventureland To Debut 4 New Events and Epic Water Slide Upgrade for 2025
Adventureland (Altoona, Iowa), is gearing up for its most action-packed summer yet with the debut of four brand-new seasonal events and the highly anticipated launch of its cutting-edge Hyperlight water slide experience. As Iowa’s premier theme park celebrates 51 seasons of thrills, it’s clear that the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be one for the books.
Kicking off the fun on Friday, June 6, the park will launch its first-ever Bacon & Brews event. Every Friday in June, guests can dig into savory dishes crafted with locally sourced Berkwood Pork and pair their bites with an array of Iowa craft brews. Set against the backdrop of live music performances at the newly reimagined Oink’s restaurant, this festival promises to blend bold flavors with laid-back vibes. The event runs from 4 p.m. to close every Friday through June 27, with the full entertainment lineup to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Father’s Day weekend brings a splash of fun with the debut of the Father’s Day Flop on Sunday, June 15. Held at Adventure Bay, the park’s water attraction area, this unique belly flop competition invites dads to compete for top honors—and bragging rights. The contest kicks off at noon, with prizes including a $100 Prairie Meadows gift card for the top flopper, and $75 and $50 awards for the runners-up.
In August, Adventureland is bringing beloved PBS KIDS characters to life with Neighbor Days, a month-long celebration in partnership with Fred Rogers Productions. Each weekend, young fans will have the opportunity to meet characters from popular shows like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, and Alma’s Way. The character lineup will rotate weekly, offering something fresh for families each visit.
Then, as the sun sets mid-August, the skies over Adventureland will come alive with the park’s largest drone show to date. On Friday, August 15, Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 , a dazzling 3D performance featuring 300 synchronized drones will illuminate the night with stunning visuals and imagery honoring the park’s rich history. The show will launch just after 9 p.m. each night.
“We challenged ourselves this off-season to come up with even more ways to make every visit memorable, said Mike Lusky, Adventureland’s General Manager. “With these new additions and the continued success of fan-favorite events like Oktoberfest and Phantom Fall Fest, we’ve built a summer schedule that truly offers something for everyone.”
The summer season officially begins on Saturday, May 17, with the grand opening of Hyperlight, an electrifying upgrade to the park’s Typhoon water slide. Featuring iSlide technology, Hyperlight delivers an immersive sensory ride with pulsating lights, laser effects, and surround sound, transforming the traditional water slide into a high-tech aquatic adventure.
After a summer full of celebrations, the fun continues into fall. Oktoberfest returns for one day only on Saturday, September 13, offering thrill rides, live entertainment, authentic food, and plenty of craft beer from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. And starting September 20, Phantom Fall Fest creeps back in for its fourth season. This hauntingly popular event brings family-friendly fun during the day, but as night falls, a cast of creepy characters unleashes screams across the park through October 26.
To sweeten the deal, Adventureland is offering up to $50 off select Season Passes during its Spring Sale. Passholders can enjoy a variety of perks, including free parking, discounted food and merchandise, and bring-a-friend ticket options.
Adventureland Resort, which opened in 1974, has evolved into a Midwest entertainment destination, now encompassing a theme park, water park, campground, and full-service dining at Spectators Sports Bar and Grill. With five decades of memories behind it, the resort continues to innovate and entertain millions of guests each year.
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