Six Flags has announced that 2026 will feature its largest-ever lineup of horror franchises and immersive haunted attractions. This will be a mix of globally recognized horror franchises, blockbuster entertainment brands and immersive original experiences. Anchored by 29 new and returning licensed haunted attractions, the expanded portfolio also includes 196 themed scare zones and live entertainment plus nighttime ride experiences that will transform parks across North America after dark. Coast to coast, Six Flags parks will offer a total of 448 Halloween-themed experiences making it North America’s biggest Halloween party.  At Six Flags this event has normally been known as Fright Fest, but this year will still see the continued use of some of the traditional Cedar Fair names like SCarowinds and Knott’s Scary Farm.

The University of Tennessee football program has announced that a commemorative helmet sticker will be worn to honor Dolly Parton for every game this season. The university is located in Knoxville, near Dollywood and Sevierville where Dolly was born and raised. Dolly actually appeared at Neyland Stadium in 2023, escorted onto the field by Tennessee and NFL legend Peyton Manning to perform the Volunteer football anthem “Rocky Top”.

Dolly has a secret and it’s at the DreamMore Resort at Dollywood. Around 2015 when the hotel was built, Dolly Parton recorded a secret, final song titled “My Place in History”. The song master is on a CD and locked in a wooden “Dream Box” (with a CD player) and is scheduled for release on her 100th birthday on January 19, 2046. The song is stored in a display case in Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort lobby alongside her Dream More book and a piece of wood from her childhood home. There is also a letter in the case with instructions on how to play the master (and maybe more). It’s sort of a transparent time capsule. Dolly did speak about the song in interviews and mentioned she hoped she might be there when it was opened and that it was tough to hide it away, but that she wanted to do something special for the future. So Dolly may be gone, but in 19 years we’ll still have new Dolly Parton music.

Six Flags Darien Lake has a great nighttime show called Laser Light Spectacular. The show takes place on select nights from May 16 to September 6 and starts at 9:15pm on nights the park closes at 9pm. The show takes place in a grass amphitheater near the Boomerang coaster and is nearly 30 minutes long. It uses vibrant lasers, fireworks, fire, water, fog and music transform the night sky into an electrifying experience. This isn’t a formal review, but I walked away impressed as I can’t think of another Six Flags park with a nightly show like this.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay officially opened the all-new Lion & Hyena Ridge on Saturday, July 25th. The new area is massive at 38,000 square feet and houses the largest coalition of lions in an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility. Guests will have the chance to meet lions Pascal, Lou, Hugo, Henri and Herman and hyenas Dazi and Cazi. The exhibit offers incredible 270-degree views of the habitat which mimics an authentic environment with Kopje-style rock formations and naturalistic terrain. Designed to deliver an immersive safari-style experience, Lion & Hyena Ridge features expansive glass viewing areas that offer guests remarkable face-to-face perspectives of the animals. Guests can also explore interactive cave spaces and cross overhead bridges, creating unique vantage points throughout the expansive habitat.

Many people love watching fireworks on the 4th of July. This year is special in that it’s America’s 250th Birthday. Many cities have fireworks displays, but theme parks also offer a great alternative to watch a great show. Theme parks also have the advantage of allowing you to arrive early, have fun while you wait and simply look up when it’s time for the show. My family has really enjoyed the convenience of this and spent several of the last 4th of July holidays at various theme parks.