Phantom Fall Fest runs select days through November 1 at Kennywood, 4800 Kennywood Blvd. in West Mifflin. The remaining 2026 dates and hours, per kennywood.com: Oct. 16 6–11 PM, Oct. 17 12–11 PM, Oct. 18 12–10 PM, Oct. 23 6–11 PM, Oct. 24 12–11 PM, Oct. 25 12–10 PM, Oct. 30 6–11 PM, Oct. 31 12–11 PM and Nov. 1 12–10 PM. Inside you get 30-plus rides, seven haunts, four scare zones, trick-or-treat for the younger kids and a fall menu. Tickets start at $37.49 when you buy ahead and pick your date.
Pick your weekend carefully. The closing weekend is Halloween itself, and it is the busiest one in the city: Pitt hosts Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 31 and the Steelers host the Browns on Sunday, Nov. 1. If you want the park without the rest of the region in town with you, Oct. 16–18 or Oct. 23–25 is the easier trip — and the easier booking.
Why a home beats a hotel for a park weekend
Phantom Fall Fest is an evening event that runs late, and a day at Kennywood before it is its own kind of tired. A house means everyone sleeps in an actual bedroom instead of sharing one hotel room, there is a kitchen for a real breakfast before you go back, and a washer for whatever the funnel cake and the fog machines did to a jacket. If you are coming in with cousins or another family, one home keeps the whole group together and keeps the cost per person down.
Make a weekend of it
October is the best-looking month here. Pair the park with the Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza at the Pittsburgh Zoo, which runs the same stretch, or the fall show at Phipps for a warm hour indoors. Our Things to Do in Pittsburgh guide and Pittsburgh food guide have the rest. Coming back later in the season? Kennywood Holiday Lights opens Nov. 13.
Where to stay. Rivers & Steel City Homes offers full homes across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area — parking, a kitchen, and room for everyone who came in. 2,700+ guests since 2018; book direct and save 5–15% over Airbnb and VRBO. Find your dates at riversandsteel.com/search.
More to plan your trip: Things to Do in Pittsburgh · Festivals on the Pittsburgh events calendar. Ready to visit? Find your stay »
