Kennywood Preps For Upcoming Season: New Events, Eateries Added

PITTSBURGH, PA — After being nominated twice for USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, Kennywood is prepping for the opening of the 2026 season.

This year’s Opening Day begins with the debut of the park’s newest event, Celebrate Kennywood Weekends, the unveiling of two all-new food locations, and the return of the West Mifflin amusement park’s iconic rides and attractions.

Gates open on April 18 at 11 a.m.

“Opening Day at Kennywood is always a big deal for Pittsburgh. This year we’re adding Celebrate Kennywood Weekends, which honors our iconic brand, the Potato Patch through a variety of potato-inspired menu items,” said Kennywood general manager Ricky Spicuzza, General Manager.

“With milestone anniversaries for rides like The Whip and Phantom’s Revenge, we’re proud to see families continuing to enjoy generations of memories on the same rides that have made Kennywood special for nearly 130 years.”

Here's what to expect:

Celebrate Kennywood Weekends – Saturdays and Sundays from April 18 through May 10, everyone is invited to celebrate Pittsburgh’s beloved amusement park. Grab your best spud, break out the matching Kennywood outfits, and get ready to celebrate with exclusive Potato Patch®-inspired food items, nostalgic photo opportunities, and more.

Centennial Grill – An all-new food location brings back a beloved Kennywood menu item. Cheesesteaks make their reappearance at the park once again beginning on Opening Day in the Centennial Grill, located near The Whip in Lost Kennywood.

Big Dipper – A tribute to the Dipper roller coaster that entertained guests from 1948 until 1984, this new ice cream stand will serve a variety of flavors throughout the season and is located next to Noah’s Ark.

Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival – Bites and Pints is back with drinks, tasty food, and two new countries, France and Germany, making a re-debut in 2026. Patrons can thrill their taste buds every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May 22 through June 28, plus Monday, May 25.

All American Summer – Kennywood celebrates America’s 250^th Birthday, Pittsburgh style, with its largest fireworks show ever presented by Zambelli on Saturday, July 4, special activities, and high-energy entertainment. Then, more than 300 drones take to the night sky every Saturday and Sunday from July 11 through July 26.

The 2026 season also marks two major ride anniversaries at Kennywood. The Whip turns turns 100 years old and the Phantom's Revenge coaster turns 25.

To celebrate the award-winning coaster, the park team will debut a 25^th anniversary edition logo, add new details to the station, mix and match the iconic green and purple coaster cars, and bring back the original sounds from the station.