Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
For the last several years, ACE Western Pennsylvania has held ACE Holiday Magic on Thanksgiving weekend, which is a good choice because many people come home for the holidays and are looking for opportunities to meet up with friends at a fun, attractive place. Kennywood is all that and more during its annual Holiday Lights, which this season, ran from mid-November 2025 through January 4, 2026. ACE Holiday Magic combines the best of what Kennywood has to offer plus perks specifically for attendees at the event.
The unpredictable element in the event is the weather. It is western Pennsylvania, after all, so temperatures at this time can range from the 50s to the teens. Although Kennywood advertises that 25 rides will run during Holiday Lights, that number can change depending on the temperature. Some rides (including the coasters) won’t operate if it drops below 40 degrees — and it did for ACE Holiday Magic. So the sad news was that there would be no ERT as planned on the 105-year-old Jack Rabbit, an ACE Coaster Classic and ACE Roller Coaster Landmark wood coaster, but Kennywood generously offered some worthy substitutes.
Attendees checked out Noah’s Ark during ERT.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
It was too cold to ride Jack Rabbit, but its lights were beautiful.
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The weather didn’t deter the high spirits of the 122 attendees who checked in on November 29 at the West Mifflin park’s main gate, beginning at 1 p.m., to get their wristbands and special event buttons. When the park opened only for attendees at 1:45, it was around 34 degrees. First up was a group photo in front of Noah’s Ark, followed by an hour of ERT on the interactive trackless dark ride Ghostwood Estate and the last-remaining Noah’s Ark walkthrough dark ride.
The gingerbread theme was carried out in the fence lights surrounding Gingerbread Junction.
During the regular season, Kennywood Junction is home to the Olde Kennywood Railroad and assorted kiddie rides, but for Holiday Lights, the area is transformed into Gingerbread Junction, with new theming and a new name for the train: the Gingerbread Express. New for 2025 was Santa’s arrival on the train to officially open the park shortly after the gates open at 3 p.m.
The ACE regional rep team rode behind Santa and his helpers to officially open the park.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
Attendees lined up early for an informal takeover time (ITOT) to be the first to ride the Gingerbread Express after Santa’s arrival. A special treat was that ACE’s regional rep team was invited to ride with Santa on the train’s first run of the day to open the park.
Gingerbread characters greeted riders on the Olde Kennywood Railroad.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
And the ride isn’t called the Gingerbread Express for nothing. Throughout the ride and along the tracks, riders saw scenes of happy gingerbread characters in Gingerbread Village. Also at Celebration Station in Gingerbread Junction was a meet and greet with Santa for those who brought their wish lists.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Attendees were ready to greet the characters from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Photo: Rick Davis. View full-sized image.
Two ITOTs were scheduled in the afternoon, on the Turtle and Merry Go Round, but in addition to the open rides, other activities could be enjoyed. Back again this year was Christmastown, an interactive walkthrough experience where visitors could meet and be photographed with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friends Clarice, Bumble and Sam the Snowman — all characters from the 1964 television movie.
Garrett Sauers and ACE helpers were eager to light the huge Christmas tree.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Shortly before 5:45 p.m. attendees gathered for the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree. ACE member and Kennywood employee Garrett Sauers was the master of ceremonies, and some young ACE Holiday Magic attendees were given the honor of pushing the button to light the largest Christmas tree in Pennsylvania.
The view after walking through the tunnel to enter the park was even more spectacular during Holiday Lights.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
The show by the lagoon combined Christmas music and dancing lights.
Photos: Dave Hahner. View full-sized image.
Attendees wished they could be where Santa and his reindeer were perched, near the top of The Phantom’s Revenge lift hill..
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And speaking of lights, after dark the park was transformed into a magic land of light displays of all kinds. Kennywood’s three million lights (who’s counting?) outlined rides and park structures throughout the park and dazzled in a choreographed light show around the lagoon. Trees wrapped with multicolored lights lined pathways along with other freestanding light displays.
A special light display spelled out “ACE.”
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
ACE was recognized in a special light display as part of the Gingerbread Junction Lightshow. Thanks to ACE member and Kennywood employee Tim Michalak and his crew for the spectacular light displays throughout the park.
Kenny Kangaroo greeted attendees during the Dinner with Santa.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
At 6:30, hungry, cold attendees met at the End Zone Café for a buffet Dinner with Santa (and Kenny Kangaroo). The food choices were many, including turkey, ham, chicken, lots of sides and various baked goods for desserts, along with soft drinks. It was a great opportunity to get out of the cold and catch up with friends. Santa and Mrs. Claus strolled through the dining area greeting attendees.
Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III welcomed everyone and thanked his regional rep team and event volunteers.
The Pennsylvania Independent Hi-Railers model railroad display took over what during the regular season is the arcade.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
The park closed at 9 p.m., but the last official ITOT for the day was in the arcade to check out the extensive model railroad display sponsored by the Pennsylvania Independent Hi-Railers. Train tracks carrying several different kinds of trains filled the room and wandered through scenes from the present, past and outer space! The display included miniature versions of all sorts of things, including local attractions, amusement park rides and businesses plus natural areas filled with animated characters, including aliens checking out life on earth.
One visit to Kennywood during Holiday Lights is hardly enough, but ACE Holiday Magic attendees made the most of their time at the park and were grateful to Kennywood and the Western Pennsylvania regional rep team for an end-of-year opportunity to appreciate their organization, a local park and one another.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE News Editor
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
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