Fun rides and the Long Island Sound’s tides are right around the corner at Playland, in Rye, New York, as the historic amusement park and premier waterfront destination will host a special ribbon cutting opening ceremony at 12 noon, Saturday, May 18, to celebrate the start of the summer season.
— an announcement from Playland Park
Guests can enjoy a full season of entertainment, rides, beach going and more with the 2024 All Access Season Pass.The award-winning amusement park features over 50 rides and attractions including the iconic Dragon Coaster, which will turn 95-years-old this year, and the debut of Playland’s newest ride, Jack the Puppeteer.
Other opening weekend festivities include a celebratory drum roll line up by the Lighting Drumline from the Barack Obama School for Social Justice in Yonkers, a special performance by an electric violinist, strolling entertainers, face painters, airbrush tattoo artists, and more.
Photo by Westchester Drone Ops
Playland Park, as seen from above
“Through our diverse offerings ranging from recreation to leisure, and thrilling entertainment, coupled with our new and robust arts and community programming this year, Playland is committed to not only growing and revitalizing the historic park but to introduce Playland to a new generation of visitors to create lasting memories and traditions for the next 100 years,” said Evonne Keeler, CEO of Playland.
On Sunday, a Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk
On Sunday, May 19, 2024, Playland Park will also host a 2nd Annual Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk event by Soul Ryeders, a nonprofit cancer support organization based in Rye.
The organization provides personalized resources, innovative programs and community support to anyone in the New York Tri-State area who is impacted by any type of cancer. The event starts at 7:30am and finishes at 11:00am at Playland Park.
The course will weave through the streets of Rye and Port Chester with the final breathtaking stretch along the Long Island Sound.
To register, visit https://soulryeders.org/sr-race-info/.
Monday: Beach and Pool Opening, Memorial Day Ceremony, Fireworks
During Memorial Day weekend, Playland will also make a splash into summer with the opening of Playland Beach and Pool and a special ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, to honor military heroes.
Festivities include special performances and the debut of The Playland Hometown Heroes Banner Program, featuring personalized banners that will be displayed along the waterfront through Veterans Day as a living tribute to those who serve and have served our country. Guests will have panoramic views of Playland’s expansive 1.5-mile-long boardwalk. The evening will end with celebratory fireworks.
Planned Events for Summer 2024
Coming up this summer 2024 at Playland, additional news, celebrations, and events will take place throughout the season with highlights below. More details on each event will be announced as the individual dates near.
Taking Center Stage: Variety shows will take place at 7 p.m. on Sundays, starting on May 25. Playland will host a series of live performances by diverse entertainers every Sunday at the amusement park’s Main Stage.
The acts include a mentalist; yo-yo artist; a “Cowboy from the Bronx” for a high-energy Western variety act; a hip hop juggler; circus entertainers who juggle, eat fire and swallow swords; and kid-friendly shows for young audiences with magicians, musical and clown performances who have appeared in New York’s Big Apple Circus, and so much more.
On Saturday, June 22, the Aqualillies synchronized swimming troupe will perform at Playland Pool. Professional swimmers will dive, float and glide like water ballet for all to see, which will be followed by a special performance of a swimmer dancing inside an 8-foot bubble at Playland Lake.
Outdoor Movie Nights Under the Stars on the Sound will be offered every Thursday, starting at 8 p.m. from June 27 to Aug. 20 with family-favorites. (Movie nights in the amusement park are free for season pass holders. Otherwise, the cost is $10 per ticket, in addition to the park’s admission.)
Fireworks take place at 9 p.m. on Saturdays, starting June 29. There will also be holiday fireworks on Memorial Day and July 4th.
ArtsWestchester Programs in the Park take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 2 to 5 p.m., from July 9 to Aug. 27, hosted by local arts and culture nonprofit ArtsWestchester. More details will be announced on the programming in the coming weeks.
The Year of the Dragon: Dragon Coaster Art Contest & Birthday Celebration on July 20 and 21. Playland is honoring the Dragon Coaster’s milestone by calling all local and community artists of all skill levels as part of the #PlaylandArt initiative to share their own creative impressions of the iconic and beloved Dragon Coaster. The submission deadline is June 15, 2024, and the winner will be announced on The Dragon Coaster’s 95th birthday celebration.
Quack Quack! The World’s Largest Rubber Duck Makes Its ‘Grand’ Return (Aug. 16, 17 and 18) – After making her debut at Playland Beach last summer, the 61-foot-high Mama Duck will once again splash onto the shores of the Long Island Sound.
More About Playland
Playland is a historic, award-winning, waterfront destination with panoramic views of Long Island Sound, at 1 Playland Parkway, in Rye, New York, about two miles away from the Greenwich border at I-95’s Exit 19,. That exit leads directly to Playland Parkway, a mile and a half drive to the amusement park.
“Since opening in 1928, Playland has been the destination of lifelong memories for generations of families and visitors across the greater New York region,” said Keeler, the Playland CEO.
The amusement park provides a diverse range of offerings from recreation, leisure, dining, and entertainment, featuring a lively show fountain at the park’s entry plaza, a serene lake with paddle boats, a spacious zero-depth entry pool, beaches, over 1.5 miles of public boardwalk, scenic walking paths, fishing pier, various dining establishments, numerous events and activities year-round — and, of course, its iconic amusement park with more than 50 rides and attractions.