Holiday Lights at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, turns the amusement park into an evening light display. The 2026 season is listed for November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027, on select dates rather than every night. Listed hours are Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m., with extra dates around the holidays. No new attraction has been announced for 2026 yet, so the returning lights, characters and rides are the focus.
The event suits families, with rides that range from kiddie and classic family attractions to, in 2025, Jack Rabbit and other thrill rides when the weather allowed. Expect more than 3 million lights, meet-and-greets with Rudolph and friends, Santa, seasonal food and a tree lighting. Holiday Lights uses its own ticket, priced lower online than at the gate. Check the park calendar before you go, because the event does not run every day.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (select dates)
- Event nights: Select dates: Fridays 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 3 to 9 p.m., plus added dates around the holidays
- Highlights: More than 3 million lights, Rudolph and friends meet-and-greets, Santa and a tree lighting
- New for 2026: not announced
- Ticket: separate Holiday Lights ticket, from $19.99 online
What’s new for 2026
No new houses, zones or shows have been announced for Holiday Lights 2026 as of late September. The 2026 listing describes the headliners: more than 3 million lights, meet-and-greets with Rudolph and his friends Clarice, Bumble and Sam the Snowman, rides and seasonal food. One local listing shows the event dates as November 13 to 23, November 27 to December 31, and January 1 to 3, so check the park calendar for the days that are open.
Holiday Lights 2025 added a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer walk-through experience, a Gingerbread Junction area with a train ride, Santa’s North Pole and a synchronized light show, and a nightly Jingle Bell Jamboree character dance party. Kennywood has not said which of these return, so check the park’s official Holiday Lights page for updates.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
The lights are the main draw. Kennywood lists more than 3 million of them across the park, and they are best seen after dark. The event listing also mentions a tree lighting ceremony featuring what the park describes as the state’s tallest tree. In 2025 the ceremony ran nightly at 5:45 p.m., so check the 2026 schedule before you plan your arrival.
Rudolph and friends greet guests during the event, and Santa is available for photos. Choir groups sing carols and local celebrities give readings on select dates. In 2025, Santa was in Lost Kennywood on event days from mid-November to December 23, so confirm his 2026 location and dates on the calendar.
Rides and attractions open
Only part of the park operates in winter, and the lineup depends on the weather. Kennywood has not published a full 2026 ride list yet. Event listings mention the Merry-Go-Round, Noah’s Ark and Kiddieland, but check the park’s ride status for the current lineup. Thomas Town no longer exists. It was replaced by the Kennywood Junction area in 2025, and we have not confirmed which Kennywood Junction rides run during Holiday Lights.
For comparison, Kennywood said up to 25 family-friendly and thrill rides were open during Holiday Lights 2025, including Jack Rabbit, Kangaroo, Turtle, Aero 360, Spinvasion and the Gingerbread Express, plus select Kiddieland rides. Local coverage of the event has said Jack Rabbit runs only when temperatures stay above about 40 degrees and that other rides can close in the cold. Whether coasters run in 2026 has not been announced, so check the day’s ride status before you leave.
Holiday food and treats
Concession stands sell seasonal treats such as fried cheesecakes, s’mores and doughnuts, and a beer garden area serves drinks.
Dinner with Santa is a separate add-on that includes a Christmas-style buffet. Prices and seating times are set by the park, so check the current listing and reserve ahead if you want it.
Tickets, passes and upgrades
Holiday Lights tickets start at $19.99 per person when bought online. On-site admission is listed at $39.99 per person, so buying ahead saves a good amount. Children ages 3 and under get in free.
Kennywood lists season passes as available, but we could not confirm whether a given pass includes Holiday Lights. Check your pass terms on the park’s site before assuming entry is covered. Tickets are sold on Kennywood’s official website, where you can also see which dates are open for the event.
Tips for your visit
Dress for a Pittsburgh winter. You will spend most of the visit outdoors, so wear layers, gloves and a hat. Weekend afternoons starting at 3 p.m. let you see the park in daylight and stay through lighting time, while Friday visits start at 5 p.m.
Plan to arrive early enough for the tree lighting and any character meet-and-greets, which tend to draw lines. Buy tickets online to avoid the higher gate price, and check the park’s calendar and weather notices on the day. The park is at 4800 Kennywood Boulevard in West Mifflin.
Explore more: every theme park holiday event for 2026, by state.
Holiday Lights 2026 at Kennywood FAQs
When does Holiday Lights 2026 start and end?
Holiday Lights at Kennywood is listed for November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027 on select dates. Regular hours are Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m., with additional dates around the holidays.
Is Holiday Lights included with park admission?
No, it uses a separate Holiday Lights ticket. Online tickets start at $19.99 per person and on-site admission is listed at $39.99, with children ages 3 and under free. Check with the park about whether your season pass covers the event.
Do rides run during Holiday Lights?
Some do. Kennywood has not published a full 2026 ride list, but event listings mention the Merry-Go-Round, Noah’s Ark and Kiddieland. In 2025, up to 25 rides operated, including Jack Rabbit, but some rides close in cold weather. Check the park’s ride status on the day.
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Photo: Detroit Publishing Co. / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.