Theme park news today is dominated by the fallout from a fatal incident on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, which pushed Six Flags to close nine roller coasters across six of its parks as investigators work to determine what caused the ejection.
Beyond that lead theme park news story, this roundup also covers the return of a Harry Potter walk-through experience in New York and a new in-house AI system for theme park photo booths, plus live music news including Matchbox Twenty’s 30th anniversary tour, John Mayer’s expanded Sphere residency, Dom Dolla’s new record label, and the High Water Festival’s 2027 lineup.
The TLDR
- Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: Six Flags Closes Nine Roller Coasters After Fatal Goliath Incident
- Live Music & Venues: Matchbox Twenty Books 52-Date 30th Anniversary Tour
- More Fun & Attractions: High Water Festival Reveals 2027 Lineup Led by Jack Johnson and Mt. Joy
Theme Parks & Roller Coasters
Six Flags Closes Nine Roller Coasters After Fatal Goliath Incident
On Monday, October 12, a man died and four others were injured after he was ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia and struck other riders before falling, according to Attractions Magazine. Cobb County police and Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are still investigating what caused the ejection. As a precaution, Six Flags closed nine roller coasters across six of its parks, eight of them Bolliger & Mabillard models like Goliath plus one built by Giovanola, per blooloop. Goliath itself opened in 2006 and stands 200 feet tall with a 170-foot drop and a top speed of 70 mph.
Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience Returns to New York
The Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience returns to Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, about an hour north of Manhattan, starting October 16, according to Screamscape. The walk-through event features an illuminated forest trail with displays themed to the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. It’s one of several seasonal draws this month, alongside Halloween staples like the Headless Horseman Hayrides in the Hudson Valley.
Digital Centre Debuts In-House AI for Theme Park Photo Booths
Rounding out today’s theme park news, photo booth manufacturer Digital Centre unveiled a proprietary AI system that processes photo transformations in about three seconds entirely offline, without added per-photo AI service fees, according to Park World. The technology is aimed at park operators who want AI photo effects without relying on cloud processing or per-image surcharges.
Live Music & Venues
Matchbox Twenty Books 52-Date 30th Anniversary Tour
Matchbox Twenty will launch a 52-date North American tour on May 15, 2027, promoted by Live Nation to mark the band’s 30th anniversary, according to Pollstar. The run hits amphitheaters and arenas including Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, with support acts such as the All-American Rejects and The Wallflowers joining select dates.
John Mayer Adds Three Dates to His Sphere Residency
John Mayer added three more performances, on June 9, 11, and 12, 2027, to his “Live At Sphere” residency in Las Vegas, citing strong demand, according to Pollstar. An artist presale begins today, October 14, with general tickets going on sale October 16 through Ticketmaster — timely theme park news-adjacent live entertainment for Sphere visitors.
Dom Dolla Launches Good Fortune Records
Australian DJ and producer Dom Dolla is launching his own label, Good Fortune Records, with the imprint’s first release landing October 16: “DANCE” by Torren Foot and rhys from the sticks, according to Billboard.
More Fun & Attractions
High Water Festival Reveals 2027 Lineup Led by Jack Johnson and Mt. Joy
High Water Festival announced its 2027 lineup, set for April 17-18 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, South Carolina, headlined by Jack Johnson and Mt. Joy, according to the Post and Courier. The bill also includes Death Cab for Cutie, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, The Revivalists, and The Head and the Heart across the festival’s two alternating stages.
Explore more: Six Flags Over Texas’ Batman: The Ride, Six Flags Over Texas’ Mini Mine Train, Headless Horseman Hayrides.
Theme Park News FAQs
When does the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience return to New York?
The walk-through event returns to Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park on October 16, about an hour north of Manhattan.
When does Matchbox Twenty’s 30th anniversary tour start?
The 52-date North American tour, promoted by Live Nation, kicks off May 15, 2027, with stops including Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
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Photo: hagerman / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.