Guide to The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular 2023 at Sesame Place Philadelphia

Opening Weekend at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular: Sept. 16-17, 2023

Count von Count knows how to kick off a party. Guests of the celebration’s opening weekend can enjoy two exclusive happenings.

“The Count’s Hello Halloween Spectacular” (new for 2023) will mark the official launch of the Halloween season at Sesame Place. The one-time-only performance will make its way along the parade route at 11 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2023.

As guests explore the park on opening weekend, they might encounter (sorry) the Count-Around Crew. New for 2023, this bunch of entertainers roams Sesame Place to play games and share their love of counting. They’ll appear only on Sept. 16-17, 2023.

Exclusive Spooktacular Hours for Season Pass Members: Sept. 22, 2023

Sesame Place Philadelphia season pass members will have the park to themselves during a special evening of exclusive operating hours: 4-8 p.m., Sept. 22, 2023.

Plus, during the entire run of Spooktacular, season pass members can visit a special trick-or-treat station just for them.

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular Costume Contest: Oct. 29, 2023

Yes, “c” is for “cookie” … but it’s also for “creative,” “costume,” and “contest!” On Oct 29, 2023, guests attending Sesame Place Philadelphia can compete in the park’s costume contest.

First-, second-, and third-place winners for “best child costume” and “best family costume” will receive prizes. Guests also might be invited to march in the parade later in the day.

To enter the costume contest, visit Sesame Street Theater at 10 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2023.

Character Experiences

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular 2023 will feature numerous opportunities to connect with favorite “Sesame Street” monsters and friends in their Halloween costumes.

In addition to traditional meet & greets, specialized character experiences old and new include:

• Pumpkin Decorating with Abby Cadabby (new) at Abby’s Backyard BBQ: Decorate a pumpkin with stickers (reservations required)
• Halloween Storytime (new) at Sesame Studio: Hear a Halloween tale read aloud and take part in a photo-op with a surprise character
• Furry Friends Halloween Dance Party at Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Stage
• Spookley’s Pumpkin Patch (new) next to Sesame Street Theater: Meet the namesake of the 2004 film “Spookley the Square Pumpkin”
• Spooktacular Halloween Dine at Dine with Elmo & Friends: Attend in costume and enjoy a buffet with “Sesame Street” characters ($44.99 per person, reservations required)

Live Entertainment

The Count will keep families entertained throughout the entire Spooktacular season with returning live entertainment from previous years:

• “Who Said Boo?!” in Sesame Street Theater: Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Telly, and Cookie Monster venture through The Count’s castle
• “The Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show” in Abby’s Paradise Theater: Count von Count hosts a vintage-style radio featuring Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Grover, and Oscar
• “Our Street On Halloween” outdoors in Sesame Street Neighborhood: The street’s residents choose their Halloween costumes in an interactive, playful show
• The Sesame Street Halloween Parade: 10 floats carrying the entire “Sesame Street” crew celebrate spooky season along the parade route

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular Activities

Watching “Sesame Street” at home is not a passive experiences for its young viewers. The characters break the fourth wall and encourage kids to join the fun from their own living room. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular continues (count-tinues?) this spirit with a slate of fun activities:

• Tropical Trick-or-Treat Trail (new) at Big Bird’s Beach: Trick-or-treat in the park’s tropical-themed area that opened earlier this year, using your own bag from home or a reusable bag available for purchase in the park
• Sesame Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt: Park-wide, count the crows (that’s right — not the scarecrows, but the crows on the scarecrows) to win a prize
• Spookley’s Hay Maze (new) at Spookley’s Pumpkin Patch: Navigate your way through a hay maze before or after meeting Spookley

Sesame Place Philadelphia 2024 Season Passes

2024 season passes for Sesame Place Philadelphia are now available. Guests who purchase their 2024 pass during the remainder of 2023 will receive complimentary admission the rest of the year. This includes entry to The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular.

To learn more about The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular, and to purchase daily tickets or season passes, click here.

Later this fall, the park will open the country’s largest “Sesame Street” store, which will be free for anyone to enter.