Kennywood's Holiday Lights 2025: See What's New This Year

PITTSBURGH, PA — In addition to displaying Pennsylvania's tallest Christmas Tree, Kennywood's Holiday Lights is making several key additions to the annual winter festival.

The West Mifflin amusement park's event once again has been nominated by USA Today 10Best as one of the country's top theme park holiday events. People can cast their votes once per day through December 1; the winner will be announced on December 10.

Beginning with opening night on November 1, the festivities will be headlined by the park's imerive experience where patrons will meet characters from the classic TV special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and get a chance to take photos with Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble and Sam the Snowman"

In addition to the more than three million lights on display, there's also an all-new Gingerbread Junction that includes:

The newly re-themed Celebration Station, whee Santa will available for photos each operating day through December 23.

Gingerbread Express, in which entire families are able to climb aboard and ride through the life size gingerbread village. Each night, Santa and his helpers will arrive on the Gingerbread Express before journeying to the Celebration Station.

A new light show experience at Gingerbread Junction that involves an immersive light show timed to holiday music.

Food and beverage offerings have also expanded this season. Hungry patrons can now enjoy red velvet waffle cones, candied popcorn, flavored hot chocolate, smores lattes, and more. The park’s Dinner with Santa experience will run select days through December 23. Buffet tickets include a photo with Santa and unlimited food and soft drinks starting at $22.99 for season passholders.

Holiday Lights will run from Friday, November 14 through Sunday, January 4, with the park open daily from December 19 through January 4, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Family-friendly and thrill rides will also be open. They include the Jack Rabbit, Kangaroo, Potato Smash, Spinvasion, and more.