50 years of Europa-Park – that means half a century of thrills, family fun, and theme park history in Rust. What began in 1975 with just a handful of rides has grown into Germany’s largest amusement park – featuring themed worlds from across Europe, award-winning attractions, and millions of visitors each year. For the 2025 anniversary, guests can look forward to special highlights: new shows, exclusive events, and a celebratory program to mark the occasion.
A Half-Century of Fun and Adventure
The Europa-Park will celebrate 50 years of courage, creativity, and family legacy in 2025. What began in 1975 as a visionary project by Franz and Roland Mack has grown into one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations – with over 150 million visitors since its opening.
The idea was born in 1972 during a trip through the USA: a theme park that would offer entertainment for all ages and serve as a showcase for the family business Mack Rides. After an extensive location search, they found the perfect spot in Rust, centered around an old castle park and a small fairytale forest. Despite initial skepticism, the park opened its gates on July 12, 1975. In the very first summer, 250,000 guests visited, and just three years later, the park welcomed its first million visitors.
Starting with 16 hectares and 15 attractions – including the Western Railway (now Panorama Railway) and the Monza Track (now Silverstone Track) – Europa-Park continued to grow. A major milestone came in 1982 with the opening of the "Italy" themed area, laying the foundation for today's concept of European country worlds. Others followed, including France, Greece, and Scandinavia.
In 1995, the first themed hotel transformed the park into a short vacation destination, and with the launch of the Rulantica water park in 2019, the resort reached another major milestone. Today, the Europa-Park Resort includes over 100 attractions, 20 themed areas, and six themed hotels.
Europa-Park: The Anniversary Program
In the anniversary year 2025, Europa-Park in Rust is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special program that puts the diversity of Europe and the park’s history center stage. Under the motto "Europe. Together. Experience." guests can look forward to a whole year filled with special moments – from new attractions and creative events to extended opening hours and artistic installations.
Celebrate Until Midnight
Two summer nights will be highlights in the anniversary calendar: on July 12, the park’s official birthday, and on August 23, marking the 10th anniversary of the JUNIOR CLUB, Europa-Park will stay open until midnight for the first time. Visitors can expect a completely new nighttime experience under the stars – with shows, music, and a special atmosphere.
A Year of Artful Celebration
The anniversary year will be accompanied by several artistic highlights: starting in June, the ART BOULEVARD 2025 exhibition in the blue fire Dome will present imaginative works created by fans as part of an art contest – creative, colorful, and emotionally charged with memories of five decades of Europa-Park.
The interactive anniversary exhibition in the Silver Star Hall invites visitors on a journey through time: it showcases key milestones from five decades of park history and offers an exclusive preview of the new Monaco themed area, set to open in 2026. Those who prefer to marvel outdoors will enjoy the Garden of Stars in Balthasar Castle Park: conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl has created an installation of 100 golden stars – a quiet, shimmering tribute to five decades of unforgettable experiences.
Europa-Park Celebrates – with Shows, Parades, and Festivals
Alongside art and history, the daily program also has plenty to offer. A variety of festivals bring Europe’s cultural diversity to the park – featuring music, cuisine, and traditional customs from Italy to Scandinavia. A brand-new anniversary parade winds its way through the themed areas: more than 80 dancers, acrobats, and creatively designed floats bring vibrant images, music, and a festive atmosphere to life.
The show program also gets a special anniversary upgrade: in “The Legend of Zorro”, guests can enjoy spectacular stunts and equestrian performances in the Spanish Arena, while “Big Moments – The Celebration Show” delivers emotional highlights and sweeping retrospectives from 50 years of park history.
Above the Clouds: With Ed & Edda in the Zeppelin
To mark the 50th anniversary, Europa-Park is literally taking off – from July 11 to 14, 2025, a dedicated Zeppelin will soar above the resort. But those hoping to join one of the exclusive flights will need luck: tickets aren’t for sale but will be raffled off exclusively through the park’s social media channels.
“GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE” – The Racing Adventure
To mark its 50th anniversary, Europa-Park is shifting into high gear with a thrilling new racing adventure: Ed and Edda, the park’s beloved mascots, take the spotlight in their first-ever feature film, GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE. Hitting theaters worldwide on July 24, 2025, this animated adventure promises action, humor, and family-friendly fun as the duo races across Europe.
New Attraction: "GRAND PRIX EDventure"
Tied to the film, a brand-new family attraction is set to open in the Luxembourg themed area: GRAND PRIX EDventure. This interactive 3D dark ride invites guests to join Ed & Edda’s racing crew and dive into ten dynamic scenes filled with movement, games, and animation. As the centerpiece of the anniversary season, the attraction blends cutting-edge technology with intricate design. True fans can also look forward to an official video game – bringing the racing excitement home.