Sandcastle Water Park near Pittsburgh opened for the 2026 season on May 23 and is cutting ticket prices through May 31, ahead of expanded daily hours starting mid-June.
Sandcastle Water Park, just outside Pittsburgh in West Homestead, opened its gates for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23—and it’s doing it with a clear pitch to families counting dollars: discounts on tickets through Sunday, May 31.
The park says it will be open every day starting in mid-June, after beginning the season on weekends. For many families, this is the moment the summer calendar finally feels real: the rides are running, the weather is warming, and the bill is slightly less painful.
Discounts apply to multiple ticket and season pass options purchased online at Sandcastle’s website. The park is calling the deal an opening-day promotion, available on all tickets through May 31.
For visitors planning their first trip, there are several discounted options listed for the 2026 season:
Opening Sale (one day admission through July 5) is $29.99 on sale, normally $59.99.
Dated Admission (park admission on a select date) starts at $34.99 on sale, normally $59.99.
Any Day Admission (visit on any operating day through Sept. 7) is $49.99 on sale, normally $59.99.
Season passes are also discounted:
The 2026 Silver Season Pass, which includes Bring a Friend Day discounts, one free 2026 guest ticket, 10% off most food and retail and more, is $59.99 on sale, normally $119.99.
The 2026 Gold Season Pass, which includes free standard parking, a souvenir cup with free refills, 15% off most food and retail, Bring a Friend Day discounts, two free 2026 guest tickets and more, is $99.99 on sale, normally $129.99.
The 2026 Platinum Season Pass includes unlimited admission to Sandcastle. Kennywood. Idlewild & SoakZone and eight other parks; Bring a Friend discounts; free standard parking; 20% off most food and retail; a souvenir cup and free refills; three free guest tickets and more. It is $219.99 on sale, normally $249.99.
Discounts are available online for kids under 46 inches tall, seniors and active and retired military members.
Sandcastle’s seasonal schedule shows how the park transitions from a weekend start into full summer operations. The opening weekends run Saturday, May 23–Monday, May 25; Saturday, May 30–Sunday, May 31; and Saturday, June 6–Sunday, June 7.
The park then shifts to being open every day Thursday, June 11–Monday, Aug. 17, though the hours vary and visitors are directed to check the park website for specifics.
At the back end of summer, weekends return in the later stretch: Saturday, Aug. 22–Sunday, Aug. 23; Saturday, Aug. 29–Sunday, Aug. 30; and Saturday, Sept. 5–Monday, Sept. 7.
As the discounted tickets draw families to the park, Sandcastle also laid out a lineup of summer promotions, theme days and events. Educators get free educator admission every operating day now through Tuesday, June 30, with a valid work ID.
Kennywood Character Takeovers are planned every Friday from June 12 through July 3, with a Kennywood character hosting a foam party at Sandcastle.
On Saturday, June 20, adults can take part in Father’s Day Flop, where participants can show off their belly flops in the wave pool with the chance to win prizes.
The park will celebrate Celebrate America 250 from Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5, with specifics of the festivities coming soon.
Foam Party Wednesdays run near the Boardwalk sign every Wednesday from July 8 through Aug. 12 at 2 p.m.
Sandcastle will also mark Christmas in July from Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, with details coming soon.
For music fans, DJ Decades Weekends are set for every Saturday and Sunday from Aug. 1 through Aug. 16, with DJs playing top hits from the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s at the Sandbar and Mushroom Pool.
Taken together. the discount window through May 31 and the weekend-to-daily expansion by mid-June create a narrow window for families to lock in plans before prices and calendars fully tighten into peak summer demand. The park’s event slate—ranging from foam parties to theme nights—also suggests the early-season push isn’t just about opening day. It’s about pulling forward the first wave of summer crowds, one discounted ticket at a time.
Sandcastle Water Park Pittsburgh ticket discounts Kennywood sister park West Homestead 2026 season opening sale season pass