Early opening for Kennywood Park

Under new ownership, the West Mifflin amusement park is celebrating its “longest season yet.”

Today marks the opening of a Greater Pittsburgh staple, Kennywood Park, and visitors will be treated to many new features.

On the first day of the park’s 127th season — April 12, also known as 412 day, is a nod to the region’s area code — visitors will be able to experience the re-themed “Thomas Town” for the first time, and the Eggcellent Celebration event, which runs through April 27.

The West Mifflin based park hasn’t opened this early since 1931. In 2024, the park opened April 20.

“2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in Kennywood history,” General Manager Ricky Spicuzza stated. “This will be our longest season yet, and we can’t wait to welcome guests for a year packed with unforgettable thrills, family fun and new traditions.”

In March, Herschend, the world’s largest family-run theme park operator, acquired all of Pittsburgh-based Palace Entertainment’s U.S. amusement parks, including Kennywood. Parques Reunidos, the Madrid-based parent company of Palace Entertainment, announced the deal in a joint statement with Herschend.

Palace Entertainment operated Kennywood for more than 15 years after its parent company acquired the park in 2007. Herschend doesn’t plan to immediately alter daily operations at any of the parks.

Modeled after a small steel-town neighborhood, Kennywood Junction, once “Thomas Town,” features five newly themed rides, a celebration room and a new retail store. It will serve as the centerpiece for the Eggcellent Celebration.

The Mon Valley Independent got a sneak peak at what’s in store for visitors during a media tour Friday.

Like its predecessor, Kennywood Junction is geared toward families, with Thomas Town’s five rides re-themed with inspiration from Kennywood’s “rich history” and its “connection to the Steel City,” Kennywood stated in a press release.

The new Eggcellent Celebration features more than 150 giant eggs, more than 75 giant chocolate bunnies, more than 2,000 feet of spring grass and one 6-foot tall bunny. There will be meet and greets with Tuft the Kennywood Easter bunny, Brunch with Tuft and a variety of Easter desserts and decorations around the park.

Tuft resides in Kennywood Junction’s Celebration Station, which is lined with carrots, flowers and a cottage-like home for the character, which was created by the Kennywood events team. The area can be rented out for birthday parties and more.

Lynsey Winters, communications director for Palace Entertainment, said Kennywood Junction is the “heart” of the Eggcellent Celebration, with signs and decorations all over the park for scavenger hunts.

“This is our first year doing the Eggcellent event,” Winters said. “Our sister park, Dutch Wonderland, started this around two years ago, and it was a big hit there. So, we brought it to Kennywood to test it out and see how it goes. It’s a fun reason to let people into the park early, get the park ready for the season earlier and it’s something cute to do.”

The Olde Kennywood Railroad, Kenny’s Cargo Drop, Parker’s Cloud Cruisers, Fire Bustin’ Brigade and Coal Haulin’ Convoy are in the former Thomas the Tank Engine area.

The Fire Bustin’ Brigade incorporates various Pittsburgh fire stations, while Coal Haulin’ Convoy uses pieces of old track from Phantom’s Revenge and Olde Kennywood Railroad includes narration of the park’s history dating back to 1898. That ride features views of the Monongahela River and the U.S. Steel Edgar Thomson Works.

Winters said Kennywood Junction is modeled after a small steel-town neighborhood, offering a tribute to Kennywood, Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.

“The Gimbels Flyer is back on the Old Kennywood railroad,” Winters said. “It debuted at the 1939 (New York) World’s Fair. The Kenny’s Express also runs on it. Along the train route, there are throwbacks to Kennywood’s past. So there are old Log Jammer pieces, the Turnpike cars and there is going to be a whole overview of the history of Kennywood that will be played as the train is going.”

The park has added two bonus operating days — April 18 and April 21— and will be open on Easter. Rides will be open to guests, depending on weather conditions, starting today and the Phantom’s Revenge is in the running for best roller coaster in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

There will also be debuts of All-American Summer, plus the long-awaited return of the Steel Curtain and a possible new haunted location for Phantom Fall Fest this year.

Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival makes a grand return with the addition of Cuba and Spain. It is available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 23 through June 29, and Winters said it is a big hit with guests.

Kennywood lights up the sky with fireworks July 4 and 5 and nine nights of drone shows July 11-19, plus more for the new All-American Summer festival.

Fall Fantasy Parades get a Mardi Gras twist daily Aug. 2-17 with parade floats, live music and other entertainment on the midways, plus specialty food and drinks for a decked-out French Quarter block party.

The longest Phantom Fall Fest in park history begins Sept. 12 with the debut of an all-new haunted house. Kennywood closes out the longest season ever with Rudolph and friends during Holiday Lights Nov. 14 to Jan. 4, 2026.

Winters said she’s excited for the event lineup this year, noting that there’s something for everyone to visit every month.

“We moved the opening day to be ahead of Easter, and people get so excited about the Kennywood opening,” Winters said. “We are trying to start spring earlier in Pittsburgh.”

To view the park’s full event lineup, learn more about the Eggcellent Celebration, get a calendar and purchase tickets and season passes, visit Kennywood. com.