Noah’s Ark Waterpark is running its new Neon Nights event every Friday and Saturday through August 22, 2026. The separately ticketed program keeps part of the Wisconsin Dells park operating after dark with illuminated attractions, live entertainment, foam parties, special food, and entry options for guests who want only the evening or a full day plus night.
The event has already opened, so this is now a ticket and timing decision rather than an announcement to watch. Ten Neon Nights dates remain after July 19, giving travelers time to compare the event only ticket, the day and night combination, or the benefit included with certain season passes.
- Remaining window: Neon Nights continues on Fridays and Saturdays through August 22, 2026.
- Event hours: The nighttime program runs from 7 PM to 10:30 PM.
- Early entry: Event only ticket holders may enter at 5 PM, two hours before Neon Nights begins.
- Ticket choices: Published online prices start at $32.99 for the event only and $64.99 for the day and night combination.
- Pass treatment: Gold and Platinum passholders receive admission, while Bronze and Silver passholders can buy a discounted event ticket.
- Night lineup: The park lists 10 illuminated attractions, seven food locations, two retail locations, live performers, foam parties, and glow giveaways.
Which Neon Nights Dates Remain
The official Neon Nights event page schedules the program for Friday and Saturday nights from July 10 through August 22. After the July 17 and 18 weekend, the remaining dates are July 24, 25, and 31, followed by August 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22.
Each listed night runs from 7 PM to 10:30 PM, but event only guests may enter at 5 PM. That earlier access is valuable because it creates two hours to use the wider park before the nighttime program officially starts, rather than limiting the visit to three and a half hours after sunset.
An independent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report republished by Yahoo Travel also identifies Neon Nights as a new Wisconsin Dells attraction for 2026. It confirms the July 10 through August 22 window and the published prices for event only and combined admission.
Event Only or Day and Night Tickets
Noah’s Ark presents two main ticket paths. The event only ticket starts at an online price of $32.99 and allows entry beginning at 5 p.m., while the combination ticket starts at $64.99 and covers both the normal park day and Neon Nights.
The better value depends on how much water park time the group wants and whether it can handle a long operating day. A traveler focused on nighttime slides, music, and special effects may prefer the shorter event only visit, while a family building Noah’s Ark into a full Wisconsin Dells day may get more use from the combination.
Guests who already hold a regular day ticket can add Neon Nights inside the park. The park says they should visit a retail location to buy event admission and receive the required wristband, which avoids an unnecessary exit and reentry when the standard day ends.
How Season Pass Benefits Work
Gold and Platinum season passholders receive Neon Nights admission, but they still need an event ticket and wristband for entry. Passholders attending only the evening should visit the ticket windows before entering, while passholders already inside the park can collect the wristband at a retail location.
Bronze and Silver passholders can buy discounted Neon Nights admission for $15 at a gate or retail location, subject to capacity. Free friend tickets and discounted bring a friend products do not cover Neon Nights, so every companion needs valid event admission even if a daytime visit used a pass benefit.
This distinction matters for a group with mixed pass types. Confirm each person’s evening access before arrival, because one included Gold benefit does not automatically extend to the rest of the party and the park recommends advance purchase for guests who need tickets.
What Operates After Dark
The park’s July 7 opening release identifies 10 attractions for the event, including Kahuna Wave Pool, Chameleon, Time Warp, Congo Bongo, Paradise Lagoon, Bermuda Triangle, and Tadpole Bay. Attractions remain subject to change, so a ticket should be valued as access to the event lineup rather than a guarantee that one particular slide will operate all night.
Live entertainment includes a neon dressed stilt walker, a juggler, and an interactive host. The park also advertises foam parties, glow giveaways, special effects, and surprise moments, making the event a broader nighttime program rather than regular operating hours with only colored lights added.
Seven food locations and two retail shops are scheduled to open. The release names limited menu items such as hot honey chicken pizza, firecracker fries, churro nachos, and neon pink lemonade, while the event page lists participating locations that guests can review before committing to a meal plan.
Plan the Transition From Day to Night
Noah’s Ark uses wristbands to separate Neon Nights guests from visitors whose daytime access has ended. Announcements are scheduled before normal closing, and guests without a Neon Nights wristband will be directed toward the exit unless they add an event ticket.
Day guests who plan to stay should obtain the wristband before the transition begins. That reduces the risk of using the final part of regular park time in a ticket line and makes it easier to choose a first nighttime attraction before demand shifts toward the illuminated slides.
A full day and evening also increases the need for dry clothing, water, sun protection, and secure storage. Deep Arrival’s theme park daypack comparison can help groups think through carrying comfort, though Noah’s Ark rules and locker guidance remain the authority for what can enter the park.
Meals, Cabanas, and Weather Need Separate Checks
A same day meal deal that remains unused can carry into Neon Nights, but the park limits evening redemption to Kahuna Grill, Pizza Mia, and Kluck’s Tin Coop. Guests should not assume that every daytime dining location or every menu item remains available after the transition.
Limited cabanas are available in the Kahuna and Paradise areas on a first come basis. Guests with a daytime cabana may remain in it without another charge, while an upgrade to a themed cabana can cost $50 if inventory remains when Neon Nights begins.
Weather can affect a water park night even when a trip is already underway. Noah’s Ark says a canceled Neon Nights ticket is covered by its Rainy Day Guarantee, but a weather compensation ticket from regular park hours cannot be used as Neon Nights admission.
| Visit plan | Main constraint | Best first move |
|---|---|---|
| Evening event only | The useful window begins with 5 p.m. entry. | Arrive before 5 p.m. with the event ticket ready. |
| Full day plus Neon Nights | A long water park day can create fatigue. | Schedule a meal, dry clothing change, and quieter break before 7 p.m. |
| Gold or Platinum pass visit | Included admission still requires a ticket and wristband. | Collect the event credential before the daytime transition. |
| Mixed passholder group | Friend benefits do not cover the event. | Confirm paid admission for every companion in advance. |
| One must ride attraction | The event lineup can change. | Check current operations on arrival and protect the first priority early. |
Choose the visit length first. Event only admission gives a focused evening with 5 PM entry, while the combination demands enough energy for a complete day and night.
Secure the wristband early. Anyone staying past the daytime close needs valid Neon Nights admission and the correct wristband before the park transition.
Protect one nighttime priority. Attraction availability can change, so use the first part of the event for the slide, pool, or entertainment feature that matters most.
What to Verify Before the Drive
Recheck the selected date, current event hours, ticket inventory, and the benefit attached to each pass in the group. Then review the park’s operating information for attraction changes and weather guidance, especially if Neon Nights is the main reason for traveling to Wisconsin Dells.
Bring the ticket confirmation, plan where the wristband will be collected, and decide whether dinner happens before or during the event. A clear transition plan will matter more than trying to use every attraction, restaurant, and special feature in one night.
When does Noah’s Ark Waterpark Neon Nights run?
The event runs on Fridays and Saturdays through August 22, 2026, from 7 PM to 10:30 PM. Event only ticket holders may enter beginning at 5 PM.
Is Neon Nights included with regular admission?
No. Neon Nights requires separate event admission unless the guest has an eligible Gold or Platinum season pass benefit.
Can a daytime guest stay for Neon Nights?
Yes, but the guest must add Neon Nights admission and obtain the event wristband at a participating retail location before the daytime transition.
Do passholder friend tickets work for Neon Nights?
No. The park says free friend and discounted bring a friend products apply to normal operating hours, not the special nighttime event.
What happens if weather cancels Neon Nights?
Noah’s Ark says a canceled event ticket is covered by its Rainy Day Guarantee. Regular daytime weather compensation does not serve as Neon Nights admission.
