Summer at Kennywood is about to get even tastier.

The Pittsburgh-area amusement park is bringing back its popular Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival beginning Memorial Day Weekend, giving guests another reason to pair roller coasters with comfort food, international cuisine, and seasonal entertainment. Running Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May 22 through June 28, plus Memorial Day itself, the event transforms the Lagoon area into a culinary tour featuring dishes and beverages inspired by countries around the world.

This year’s festival expands with the addition of France and Germany, joining returning favorites that include Mexico, Poland, Italy, Greece, Cuba, and South Korea. The event has quietly become one of Kennywood’s standout seasonal offerings, blending the park’s nostalgic atmosphere with the growing trend of theme parks creating destination-worthy food festivals.

France and Germany Bring New Culinary Experiences

The two new additions elevate the festival lineup with a mix of upscale and hearty comfort foods that fit naturally into Kennywood’s old-world charm.

France will showcase Filet of Boeuf en Croute, Croque Monsieur sandwiches, and Profiteroles, paired with regional wines including Presque Isle Chardonnay and Mazza Merlot. Germany leans into Bavarian-inspired dishes such as Currywurst, Schweinebraten, and warm pretzels served with bier cheese, alongside traditional beer selections like Hacker-Pschorr Weissbier and Von Trapp Helles.

The new booths add another layer to an event that already stood out for offering more than standard amusement park fare.

A Food Festival Built Around Variety

One of the strengths of Bites and Pints is the range of flavors represented throughout the Lagoon.

Guests can sample Cubanos and Mojo Shrimp in Cuba, gyros and Chicken Souvlaki in Greece, or comfort-food staples like Pierogies and Haluski at the Poland booth. Italy returns with Caprese Tramezzini and Short Rib Ragu, while South Korea continues to offer some of the festival’s most distinctive options, including pork belly Gua Bao and Japchae-Bap.

Mexico’s booth again looks poised to be one of the crowd favorites with Baja Crab Cakes, Tacos de Carnitas, and Frozen Margaritas adding a summer boardwalk-style feel to the event.

The tasting-card format also makes the festival accessible for guests who want to sample multiple dishes without committing to full meals. Visitors can purchase tasting cards online for either eight or 12 samples and use them throughout the five-week event.

Memorial Day Weekend Adds Free Admission for Military Members

Kennywood is also using the opening weekend of Bites and Pints to honor military personnel.

Veterans, active-duty military members, and retired service members will receive free admission from May 22 through May 25. In addition, up to four friends or family members can purchase discounted tickets for $34.99 each at the park’s Main Gate.

The promotion has become a meaningful tradition for regional parks looking to kick off summer while recognizing military families during Memorial Day Weekend.

Kennywood’s 2026 Event Lineup Continues to Grow

Bites and Pints is only the beginning of a packed summer and fall schedule at Kennywood.

The park’s 2026 season includes All-American Summer celebrations tied to America’s 250th birthday, featuring fireworks on July 4 and patriotic drone shows later in July. The long-running Fall Fantasy Parades return in August before Phantom Fall Fest takes over in September with Halloween-themed daytime and nighttime experiences.

Holiday Lights will once again close out the season beginning in November.

The expanded seasonal calendar reflects how parks like Kennywood are continuing to evolve beyond traditional ride-focused operations. Events, festivals, and limited-time experiences increasingly drive repeat visits and help regional amusement parks compete as full-day entertainment destinations.

Kennywood Memorial Day Sale Offers Discounted Tickets

Guests planning a visit can currently purchase single-day admission tickets for $39.99 during Kennywood’s Memorial Day Sale.

The park is also discounting Gold Season Passes by $40 online. The passes include admission to seasonal events, food and merchandise discounts, free guest tickets, and additional perks that continue to make season passes one of the best values for frequent visitors to regional parks.

For many guests, though, the real attraction this time of year may simply be wandering the Lagoon with a tasting card in hand while the sounds of roller coasters echo in the background — a uniquely Pittsburgh summer tradition that keeps growing every season.

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