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Coney Island to reopen with ‘egg cream christening’ next weekend
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Mar 22, 2025
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By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Mar 22, 2025
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What is an Egg Cream?
A traditional egg cream
Lkapit
- The recipe includes 1 part milk, 1 part seltzer and a healthy amount of flavored syrup such as chocolate or vanilla. (Purists will insist the syrup be the Fox’s U-bet variety).
- It was allegedly invented in a Brooklyn candy shop in the late 19th Century, though there is some dispute on the egg cream’s origin story. Candyman Louis Auster is often credited with its invention, as he sold thousands of the beverages in his prime.
- There are no eggs and no cream in an egg cream. Some say the name derives from the Yiddish “echt keem”or “pure sweetness”. Others think the name is French in origin translated into Brooklynese.
- Former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz declared the concoction Brooklyn’s “official elixir”
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.
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new york city
tourism
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Hannah Frishberg
Hannah Frishberg covers New York City arts and culture. Got a tip? Email Hannah at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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