HERE WE GO — The return of the Steel Curtain roller coaster is among the highlights of the coming season for Kennywood Park. -- Contributed

PITTSBURGH — Kennywood is gearing up for opening day, which is right around the corner, kicking off the season with an all-new Easter event.

Opening the park gates on Pittsburgh’s beloved 412 Day, Kennywood will hop into the 2025 season with the new Eggcellent Easter Celebration. The start of the event and the re-opening of the park gates marks the official start of the park’s longest season. Sister parks Idlewild and SoakZone and Sandcastle Water Park will open May 17 and May 24, respectively.

The 2025 season at Kennywood begins egg-stra early and promises to be jam-packed with even more reasons to visit throughout the year. The fun all begins as the park’s newest costumed character, Tuft the Kennywood Easter Bunny, makes his official debut for the Eggcellent Easter Celebration running weekends April 12 through April 27. Visitors will be able to enjoy their favorite Kennywood rides and attractions, exclusive meet-and-greets with Tuft, an Easter egg scavenger hunt, seasonal food and drink options and more. Plus, Kennywood will host brunch on select days throughout the event, offering an unlimited buffet and exclusive photo opportunities with Tuft.

In addition to the park’s first Easter event, 2025 will bring Kennywood’s best event lineup ever, featuring:

• Bites and Pints Food and Drink Festival: Beginning May 23 and running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June 29, Bites and Pints will feature food and drink booths offering unique bites and drinks from around the world;

• Celebrate Pittsburgh: The park’s annual celebration of all things Steel City will begin July 4 by honoring America and will continue weekends through July 27 to celebrate the Steel City;

• Fall Fantasy Parades: Celebrating 75 years in 2025, the annual entertainment extravaganza boasts more than 130 bands from local high schools, colleges and universities, daily from Aug. 2 through Aug. 17;

• Phantom Fall Fest: This September the fear kicks into gear with Kennywood’s longest and most terrifying Halloween event, featuring a new haunt in 2025. The frights begin Sept. 12 and will run select days through Nov. 1; and

• Holiday Lights: Pittsburgh’s Home for the Holidays will close out the park’s 2025 season offering more than 3 million lights, spectacular light shows, meet-and-greets with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends and more, select days from Nov. 14 through Jan. 4.

“We’re going big in 2025 with the park’s longest season in its 127-year history and the debut of our best and most robust event lineup ever,” said General Manager Ricky Spicuzza. “Plus, 2025 brings even more surprises to Kennywood as the Steel Curtain makes its grand return and we unveil an all-new re-themed area debuting at the park this spring.”

Kennywood’s sister park, Idlewild & SoakZone located in Ligonier, Pa., will open for the season May 17 and will offer a full season of family friendly events including Kids Fest, Neighbor Days, Celebrate America and the beloved HALLOWBOO! from mid-September through the end of October. Sandcastle Water Park will open for its 36th season May 24, marking the unofficial start to summer in Pittsburgh.

Season passes are available for as low as five payments under $20 for a limited time. For information about the upcoming seasons or to purchase tickets or season passes, visit Kennywood.com, SandcastleWaterpark.com and Idlewild.com.