Coney Island to reopen with ‘egg cream christening’ next weekend

A photo of the Brooklyn Cyclone — John Smith/VIEWpress/Getty Images

By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Mar 22, 2025

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Winter is over and Coney Island is ready to kick off its 2025 season.

Brooklyn’s beloved People’s Playground has announced it will begin welcoming back guests next Saturday.

To celebrate, Luna Park is throwing itself a three-day opening weekend party featuring, among other programming, “our traditional egg cream christening of the Coney Island Cyclone,” announced amusement park operator Luna Park.

The christening will take place at noon next Saturday.

In honor of the landmarked Coney Island Cyclone’s 98th year, Luna Park said the first 98 comers will get a free ride and a free egg cream.

Discounted $40 All Day Extraordinary Wristbands will also be available during opening weekend, with a portion of sale proceeds benefiting local charitable organizations. The wristbands provide unlimited access to most rides (and one ride on the Sling Shot) for four hours. Pay-per-ride trips are also available for purchase.

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will open on Palm Sunday, which this year is April 13th, at 10 AM.

To celebrate its 105th season, the slightly older portion of Coney Island will have its 40th annual “Blessing of the Rides” and allow the first 105 guests to ride the also landmarked Deno’s Wonder Wheel for free, though sans egg creams.

The park will only be open on weekends until May 23 through September 3 when it will open every day. Starting September 6 through October 26 it will only be open on weekends again until it closes for the season.

Luna Park’s schedule is similar, but a full calendar of park hours is available online.

Coney Island’s 43rd Mermaid Parade will this year take place on Saturday, June 21. Coney Island USA also operates the Coney Island Museum and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow.

Next weekend is also the 8th annual Coney Island Ritual Cabaret. The three-day event will take place at Coney Island USA's 1208 Surf Ave. building and feature a variety of dance-focused theatrical acts.

"It's sort of a throwback to the old Butoh theater," said Adam Rinn, a sword swallower and area native who is also Coney Island USA's Artistic Director.

Single day tickets for the event start at $25 and are available for purchase online.