A Wintertime Trip to Kennywood Lights Is One of My Favorite Holiday Traditions

Growing up in the Pittsburgh area meant we all shared one tradition – our school’s Kennywood picnic. Every school district had (and still has) a day at Kennywood each summer, and everyone went. It was such a big deal that we went to the mall with our friends beforehand to buy matching Kennywood outfits. Kennywood and summer were synonymous but time has passed and traditions have evolved. While the Kennywood picnic is still a beloved tradition, many of us have now added a wintertime visit to Kennywood Lights in Pennsylvania, a relatively new event that began in 2011.

Hearing the sounds of summer – the Jack Rabbit racing along wooden tracks, delighted screams as the Kangaroo dips, and popcorn popping at the refreshment stands – in the winter adds a magical aura to every visit to Holiday Lights at Kennywood at Christmastime. Instead of the hot sun on us as we wait in line for the Racer, a gentle snow tumbles down, and, as darkness falls, three million twinkling lights turn on, transforming Kennywood Park in West Mifflin into a Christmas wonderland. One of the highlights of the displays is the 100-foot Christmas tree, perfect for holiday photos, that sits near Kiddieland.  

Light displays illuminate the path that leads from the entrance, through the pedestrian tunnel, and into the park, where you will likely be greeted by Rudolph and other seasonal characters, who pose for photos and accept hugs from little ones. The park opens in the afternoon on the weekends, and my daughter, our friends, and I were fortunate enough to visit on a spring-like day in early December. One of our first stops is always the former Penny Arcade to see the massive model train display and to watch the trains chug along the tracks past such familiar scenery as a miniature McDonald's.

Several rides typically open, weather-permitting, during Holiday Lights. The Jack Rabbit, the Merry-Go-Round, the Musik Express, Noah’s Ark, and the Aero 360 are among those rides scheduled to run throughout the winter season. Little ones can climb aboard such favorite Kiddieland rides as the Wacky Wheel, the Lil’ Phantom, and the Turtle Chase. Be prepared for long lines and sometimes bitter temperatures after the sun goes down. (The temperature dipped into the 30s during our visit.)

Even if you’re not a big rider (I’m not), you’ll find plenty to do during Holiday Lights, from strolling around to look at all of the lights and displays to watching light shows and live entertainment. Santa’s waiting to listen to Christmas wishes in Lost Kennywood, and you can even make a stuffed animal at the Bear Factory.

One of my favorite parts of a visit to Holiday Lights in Pittsburgh is the food. From Auntie Anne’s pretzels to old-fashioned hot chocolate, the park has something for everyone and every taste. We always eat at the Parkside Café, a spacious restaurant that’s perfect for warming up on a cold winter evening. The restaurant is cafeteria-style, so the line tends to move quickly, and seats fill up fast. The café serves a traditional Christmas dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese as well as cold hoagies, pasta, fries, and desserts. I come here for one dish: The mashed potatoes are divine.

Avoid the potentially long lines at the turnstile by buying your Kennywood Lights tickets online. Online tickets are sometimes discounted. You can also purchase a Speedy Pass that allows you to make reservations for as many as nine rides during your visit. Wait times can be as long as an hour or more, so keep that in mind if you want to save time. (The wait time for the Racer was 55 minutes during our visit.)  

Check out a full menu of events and activities and purchase your tickets to Holiday Lights on the official website of Kennywood Park. Or, stop by the Facebook page of this popular amusement park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition like Kennywood Lights in Pennsylvania? Nominate it, and we might feature your suggestion in an upcoming article.

If you’re on the hunt for more wintertime fun near Pittsburgh, slip on comfy shoes, grab a snack, and take a short hike to Buttermilk Falls, a majestic waterfall in New Florence, Pennsylvania. With so much to do in the Pittsburgh area around the holidays, turn your daytrip into a weekend getaway (or longer) by booking a local Vrbo.