Kennywood debuts new spring event and coaster upgrades
Kennywood is about to reopen for 2026, kicking off its 128th season on April 18 with a mix of new experiences, seasonal food offerings, and updates to one of its most popular coasters.
The park’s latest additions blend nostalgic favorites with fresh reasons to visit, especially during the early spring weeks leading into peak summer.
New at Kennywood for 2026: events, food, and coaster upgrades
“Opening Day at Kennywood is one of those moments Pittsburgh looks forward to all year,” said Kennywood General Manager, Ricky Spicuzza. “With Celebrate Kennywood Weekends, new food experiences, and milestone anniversaries for some of our most beloved rides, we’re giving guests even more reasons to make new memories while reliving the classics.”
Phantom’s Revenge receives 25th anniversary updates
Kennywood is marking the coaster’s 25th anniversary with a series of enhancements completed during the off-season. Updates include newly arranged trains alternating between green and purple, a refreshed station, and the return of the ride’s original audio, re-recorded and added back into the queue.
The changes reflect a broader industry trend of updating existing attractions through visual and audio improvements, allowing parks to refresh guest-favorite rides while maintaining their original layouts.
Provided by Kennywood Park
Celebrate Kennywood Weekends
Celebrate Kennywood Weekends will run Saturdays and Sundays from April 18 through May 10, introducing a new springtime event centered around classic park traditions and themed food offerings.
The event leans into one of Kennywood’s most iconic menu items, Potato Patch fries, with a lineup of potato-inspired dishes including loaded cheesesteak fries, rosemary truffle fries, and maple cinnamon sweet potato waffle fries. Guests can also expect a mix of rides, nostalgic experiences around the lagoon, and social-friendly moments designed to celebrate the start of the season.
Provided by Kennywood Park
New dining locations and seasonal events
The park is also introducing two new food locations for the season. Centennial Grill, located in Lost Kennywood, will serve cheesesteaks, tater tots, and other theme park staples. A new Big Dipper ice cream stand pays tribute to the historic coaster that operated at the park from 1948 to 1984, offering hand-dipped ice cream and classic treats.
Provided by Kennywood Park
Additional seasonal events returning throughout the year include Bites and Pints Food and Drink Festival, All-American Summer with fireworks and drone shows, Fall Fantasy Parades, Phantom Fall Fest, and Holiday Lights, continuing Kennywood’s lineup of events that extend beyond the peak summer months.
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