Insider's Guide: Kennywood

Experience everything new and beloved at Kennywood, a USA Today 10Best Theme Park celebrating 126 seasons of fun

Combining modern thrills and classic rides, complete your summer with a trip to Kennywood! Gather your friends and family for unforgettable fun.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or a lifelong fan of the park, follow our guide to what's new, special events and more. For even more foodie fun, check out our other blog on where to eat at Kennywood.

New in 2025

2025 is going to be a fantastic year at Kennywood! In fact, there's so much new to see and do we had to give this part of the blog its own section.

Kennywood Junction

Explore this small steel town neighborhood full of pint-sized thrills on five rides that families can experience together. Practice your firefighting skills with local fire departments, help Kenny transport cargo, take to the skies with Parker on a helicopter tour, and hop aboard the historic Olde Kennywood Railroad!

The Steel Curtain Returns

Soon it'll be time to climb 220 ft. on PA's tallest coaster and go head-over-heels nearly 200ft. above Steelers Country through the highest inversion in North America before rushing 9 thrilling upside-down twists, turns and airtime hills. The Steel Curtain is back this summer!

The Steel Curtain opens Saturday, May 24!

Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival

The Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival is back at Kennywood for another summer of tasteful treats. Join in on the fun for chef-inspired tastings of international cuisine, specialty cocktails, craft beer, and wine. As you travel around the Lagoon, you’ll discover dozens of savory and sweet food and drink offerings to enjoy. Be bold, try something new, grab a Bite Card to mix & match samples and thrill your taste buds!

NEW in 2025: sample the flavors of Cuba and Spain!

2025 Special Events

This year, Kennywood is excited for an exciting lineup of events. With a mix of new and returning events, the park features eight months of unique entertainment.

  • Bites and Pints Festival | May 23-June 29 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays): Taste international cuisine paired with specialty cocktails, craft beer and wine during this returning, fan-favorite festival.
  • The Original Daredevil Circus | May 23-June 29: The Original Daredevil Circus is a heart-pounding spectacle of classic thrill acts. Featuring world-renowned daredevils performing breathtaking acrobatics and motorcycle stunts, this show delivers edge-of-your-seat excitement. Experience the adrenaline of one of the most legendary stunt families in circus history!
  • All-American Summer | July 4-19: Celebrate America explodes onto the scene with fireworks (July 4 and 5 only), the Weiner 100 dachshund races and more patriotic performances. Drone shows will also be nightly from July 11-19.
  • Jetpack Flyer Water Circus | July 4-Aug. 17: The Jetpack Flying Water Circus is an electrifying show featuring world-class acrobats, daring jetpack stunts, and mesmerizing water performances. This high-energy spectacle blends extreme sports with breathtaking aerial tricks, creating an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages. Watch out for the splash zone!
  • Fall Fantasy Mardi Gras Parades | Aug. 2-17: We’re celebrating 75 years of Fall Fantasy Parades at Kennywood by inviting you to join the party! This year ’s Mardi Gras theme extends beyond the parade floats with live music on the midways, specialty food and drinks, and a decked out French Quarter block party.
  • Phantom Fall Fest | Sept. 12-Nov. 1 (Select dates Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays): Phantom Fall Fest returns with festive family fun during the day and frights all night long.
  • Kennywood Holiday Lights | Nov. 14-Jan. 4, 2026 (Select Dates): Experience the magic of Holiday Lights as more than two million lights sparkle and shine throughout the park plus enjoy festive entertainment, food and drinks and Pennsylvania's tallest Christmas Tree during this holiday outing.

First Time Visitors Read This

As I read over this blog, I felt like maybe first-timers would need a little more of an intro to this beloved park, so I made this section specifically for you. Kennywood is Pittsburgh's theme park, with classic rides and a decidedly quirky atmosphere that makes it unlike anywhere else I've ever visited.

The rides are absolutely incredible. The Phantom's Revenge is arguably the greatest coaster on the planet and nothing beats the thrill of popping out of your seat on the dips of the Jackrabbit. There's the last Turtle ride in the world and an interactive Noah's Ark walkthrough experience that delight young and old alike.

But it's also the little things, like taking photos with the Cowboy Joe statue on a park bench or delighting in the kitsch of the pre-ride news broadcast on the Exterminator that makes everyone fall in love with this park over and over again.

There's no right way to do Kennywood and every blogger and influencer is going to have their own great recommendations. But my advice is to slow down and take it all in. Grab a corn dog, look for Laughin' Sal in the arcade, compete against your friends on the Racer, and find the reasons why you love Kennywood just like we do!

Season Passholders

Secure endless summer fun with a Season Pass! Multiple pass holder options are available, including a Gold Pass good for unlimited visits to Kennywood all year (including special events) and the Platinum Pass which allows entry to all three sister parks (Kennywood, Sandcastle and Idlewild) all year, plus additional discounts and incentives.

Plan Your Visit

Kennywood is open on April 12 for the start of the 2025 season. Visit kennywood.com for varying park hours and to purchase tickets online and view the full events calendar.

Insider’s Tips

Avoid Measurements with Height Check

Have your kids grown since last summer? Be sure to stop by one of Kennywood’s Service Centers for a height check! Located near Noah’s Ark and at the Front Gate, kids are measured and provided a color-coded wristband with their “official” height. When entering a ride, show the operator your kid’s wristband to avoid measurements for every ride.

Indulge in Iconic Potato Patch Fries

A trip to Kennywood isn’t complete without a stop at The Potato Patch! The “Patch” serves homemade fries with fresh cut Idaho potatoes. Top off your fries with melted cheddar cheese, bacon, vinegar, gravy, or seasoning salts. Eat like a local with Potato Patch Fries – food you can get Only in Pittsburgh!

Ride One of the Best Coasters on the Planet

Despite record-breaking coasters popping up across the world, the Phantom's Revenge continues to be ranked one of the top roller coasters year after year. You'll travel 85 mph through an incredible 232-ft drop as you crisscross the Thunderbolt and pass right over main areas of the park for this truly unbelievable ride! It's worth the wait for the front seat views, but the back seat provides the wildest ride.

Rain Check

Many visitors will avoid a day calling for rain, which means these days tend to be less busy. Many of the rides still run if the weather isn't too bad. If the weather takes a turn for the worse causing the park to close early, rain checks are issued for guests that present their ticket stubs. This means you can get some riding in when it isn't busy, and come back another day if the park does close!

Pittsburgh is Kidsburgh®!

Pittsburgh is the perfect destination for unforgettable family fun! Featuring many fantastic attractions, Pittsburgh has plenty of entertainment options for kids of all ages. Plan your KidsBURGH® trip today!

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Kennywood's website is the biggest tool in planning your visit. Preview the rides, food options, special events and more before heading to the park. Taking some research of your own along with these tips will ensure a great next visit to Kennywood!

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Jared B.

Author

Jared B.

Enthusiastic Pittsburgher

Always in search of the next great craft beer and arcade. Can be found in the Supporters Section of Pittsburgh Riverhounds games and at whatever festival is happening in the city.

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