Press Release from Kennywood Park:

PITTSBURGH, PA [October 30, 2023] – Kennywood – Pittsburgh’s Home for the Holidays – is decking the halls even earlier this year with the biggest and brightest Holiday Lights ever during the park’s 125th season. The magically merry event will now kick off Saturday, November 18 – one weekend earlier than planned.  Featuring more than two million twinkling lights and the tallest Christmas Tree in Pennsylvania, this year’s event will be highlighted by an all-new Santa experience in Thomas Town™.  

There are many other firsts this year for this family tradition event, including the first time to ever ride Spinvasion, the first multi-action spin ride of its kind in the United States, under the holiday lights. Plus, an all-new Christmas-themed Scavenger Hunt, new seasonal photo opportunities and a create-your-own Christmas Bear activity will all be introduced for the 2023 Holiday Lights season.  

“Holiday Lights at Kennywood offers the most unique and exciting holiday experience in the region – with the millions of lights and thrilling and classic attractions that Pittsburgh residents cannot experience anywhere else,” says Kennywood Assistant General Manager Rick Spicuzza. “This year the park will showcase enhanced special entertainment, an all-new festive food lineup, plus Santa in Thomas Town™, adding even more reasons to visit during this beloved event.” 

To celebrate the culmination of this momentous year, the park has expanded its calendar for the 2023 season of Holiday Lights, with more days and hours for more time with the family-favorite festivities.  The park will welcome guests two hours earlier on most days of Holiday Lights, with 3 p.m. openings in addition to opening the event one weekend earlier than previous seasons.   

In 2023, guests and Season Passholders will enjoy special live nightly entertainment including magic shows, local celebrity readings of “The Night Before Christmas,” a massive model train display, kids’ dance parties and more. A Holiday Lights Kennywood evening isn’t complete without rides. Dash through the midways to ride classics like the Jack Rabbit, Merry Go Round, Kangaroo, plus many more.  

Guests can eat, drink and be merry with an all-new holiday menu from Kennywood-made sweet treats to an all-you-can-eat, magical and immersive experience, Dinner with Santa buffet. The festive food offerings at Holiday Lights will tantalize taste buds and make spirits bright with hot cobbler, freshly made donuts, seasonal beer and much more.  

Visitors can make their season sparkle with Holiday Lights tickets as low as $14.99 for a limited time during the park’s Early Bird Sale to visit any operating day through January 1, 2024. For the best option, visitors can upgrade to a 2024 Gold or Platinum Season Pass and get unlimited visits to Holiday Lights this year for free.  

For more information about Holiday Lights, visit kennywood.com.