Silhouette of Shambhala roller coaster at sunset in PortAventura Park, Salou, Tarragona, Spain

© Joaquim F. P./Getty Image

Let's ride! It's Roller Coaster Day

Whether screaming with delight and waving their hands or closing their eyes and praying for this to be over, these riders are on the downslope of one of Europe's biggest and fastest hyper coasters (that's a roller coaster over 200 feet tall). Spain's PortAventura Park is home to seven coasters, but Shambhala dwarfs the others at 249 feet in height, and boasts a max speed of 83 miles per hour (133.5 kilometres per hour).

Roller Coaster Day happens every August 16, encouraging folks to visit their favourite theme parks and strap in for some winding white-knuckle thrills. With theme parks all over the world back open for business this summer, it's a great day to make up for last year's lost rides!