Kentucky Kingdom opens May 9. See hours, dates, ticket costs, holiday events

• Kentucky Kingdom will open for the 2026 season on May 9.
• The Hurricane Bay water park will open on May 23.
• The park will feature a new $14 million roller coaster, the Flying Fox.

Kentucky Kingdom opens for the 2026 season on May 9.

Whether you’re looking to soak up some sun at Hurricane Bay or check out the new $14 million roller coaster, the Flying Fox, it may be time to plan your next visit.

Here’s what to know.

When does Kentucky Kingdom open for the 2026 season?

Kentucky Kingdom will reopen for its 2026 season on May 9.

When does Hurricane Bay at Kentucky Kingdom open?

Hurricane Bay opens for the 2026 season on May 23.

How much is a season pass to Kentucky Kingdom?

Season passes start at $79.99 and go up to $209.99. Pre-K children’s passes are free.

How much is a single-day ticket to Kentucky Kingdom?

Single-day ticket costs vary by day. There is currently an opening sale, with single-day tickets available for $34.99. Tickets are valid for one day admission from May 9 to June 15.

When is Kentucky Kingdom open in May?

Beginning May 9, the park operates on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The park opens on weekdays beginning May 25, which is Memorial Day. Typical weekday hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What are Kentucky Kingdom’s hours during the summer?

During most of June and July, Kentucky Kingdom is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The park stays open longer from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3-4 for its Bluegrass & Booms event.

When is Kentucky Kingdom open in August?

After Aug. 5, Kentucky Kingdom is closed on weekdays. The park will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 8-9, before hours switch to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Aug. 15.

The park will also be open on Sept. 7 for Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

When does the summer season end at Kentucky Kingdom?

Hurricane Bay closes after Sept. 7, and Kentucky Kingdom closes for the season after Sept. 13. Hours will be reduced to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12-13.

When do Halloween hours start at Kentucky Kingdom?

The Halloween-themed Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom event begins on Oct. 2 and operates from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The last day for the event is Nov. 1.

When are Christmas hours at Kentucky Kingdom?

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom opens on Nov. 21. Hours and days of operation vary. Visit kentuckykingdom.com for more details.

Reporter Maggie Menderski contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.