Hersheypark Dark Nights 2024 review: A must-see sweet and spooky treat
Hersheypark’s Dark Nights is back for 2024, and it’s astounding that this high-quality event is included with regular park admission. It measures up against other theme parks’ separately ticketed Halloween events, and Hersheypark’s Dark Nights just keeps getting better each year.
By Ricky Brigante
This year’s Dark Nights at Hersheypark in Hershey, Penn. strikes a great balance between family-friendly trick-or-treating and thrilling scares for teens and adults. It’s designed to give you just enough fright for a fun night out, without pushing you into a full-blown horror show.
Navigating Hersheypark during Dark Nights
The layout this year is a big upgrade, making it much easier to navigate. Almost all the haunted houses and scare zones are tucked into one area, meaning no more trekking all over the park to find them. Four out of the five haunted houses and two of the three scare zones are conveniently close together, all within a short walk of each other.
Even better, the haunts are right near Wildcat’s Revenge, which, after dark, turns into one of the most exhilarating coasters around — increasingly one of my favorites in any park, anywhere.
Haunted houses at Hersheypark Dark Nights 2024
New for 2024: ‘Estate of Evil’
While “Estate of Evil” doesn’t quite match the elaborate grandeur of last year’s newcomer, “Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir,” it’s still a solid haunt. It’s more traditional in style, but it has some standout moments, particularly in the portrait hallway, funeral parlor, and the winding boudoir. It’s spooky, just not quite as over-the-top.
‘Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir’
Speaking of Auntie Mortem, this one still delivers the most scares per minute. This haunt is packed with thrills, laughter, surprises, and some of the most inventive details you’ll find at Dark Nights. It’s clever and fun as it is grotesque. While it’s essentially unchanged from last year, there’s no need to fix what isn’t slaughtered.
‘The Descent: Catacombs of Decay’
“The Descent” has been subtitled “Catacombs of Decay,” with an unexpected tone shift. Largely free of jump scares, it now leans into a dreamlike vibe. You’ll find yourself wandering through an eerie underworld, spirits gliding past with chilling glares that draw you in. It’s more atmospheric than terrifying, but a good choice if you prefer something immersive and mesmerizing.
‘Twisted Carnevil’
This bizarre mashup of carnival chaos and disorienting visuals lets a few actors take center stage with speaking roles, which really makes it shine. The scares are a bit light, but the surreal atmosphere is so mind-bending, you may want to leave home to join the carnival with them.
‘Haunted Coal Mine’
This one feels like it’s running out of steam. If you’ve never been through it, the darkness and clever effects might impress you, but for repeat visitors, it’s the weakest of the bunch — lots of shadows, but more than a bit repetitive. If there’s a house that deserves a replacement next year, this is it.
Scare zones at Hersheypark Dark Nights 2024
Hersheypark Dark Nights continues to improve its scare zones little by little each year. The park’s scare zones offer a nice, creepy vibe as you move from house to house, though they’re more about ambiance than actual frights.
“Darkstone’s Hollow,” new this year, is packed with entertaining actors who aim to engage as much as spook. “Midway of Misery,” while impressive in the event’s first year, has felt watered down in recent seasons. Meanwhile, “Fallout Zone” boasts nearby fire blasts that’ll impress any pyromaniac, but the zone itself is too spread out for consistent scares. That said, it’s a great spot for eerie photos.
Dark Nights Tasting Pass
The event’s Tasting Pass returns for 2024, and with a hefty price tag of $38, it’s important to know what’s really going to fill you up.
The KILLbasa Bowl (kielbasa, peppers, onions) is hearty and delicious. The Voodoo Legs (black chicken legs with a tangy, spicy glaze) gives a good amount of food together with a bit of a kick. The cheese curds with smoked olive ranch are much improved over last year and sure to delight any cheese fiend. Absolutely skippable are the “All Eyes on Meat” (sweet and tangy meatballs with black pasta, pictured above), “Cinnamon Bread Intestines,” “Hot Dog Burnt Ends,” and the pulled pork sliders. But don’t pass up the dragonfruit punch to quench your thirst.
Spirit’s Rooftop Bar
The real culinary star of Dark Nights is Spirit’s Rooftop Bar. Tucked away at the park’s front, it’s easy to miss, but absolutely worth a stop. The food comes straight from the kitchen of The Chocolatier, so expect top-notch creations with spooky, seasonal flair. They even screen horror movies on a big projector each night.
Among the favorites is the the Graveyard Sunrise cocktail, which arrives with a smoke bubble on top for that classic Halloween flourish. Another standout is the Gold Dust & Greed — a boozy, Crown Royal Apple concoction that’ll have you going back for seconds.
Executive Chef Rick Larsen, who has been running The Chocolatier for four years, clearly takes pride in this limited-time menu. He’s earned the trust of the higher-ups to get playful with his menu, with clever tie-ins to the haunted houses.
The Carnevil Wheel delivers bite-sized treats (SPAM fingers, chicken dip, bacon burnt ends, wings, and more) around a mini Ferris wheel.
But the must-try is Mortem’s Meal, referencing Auntie Mortem’s haunted house. It arrives as a play on a TV dinner and at first glance, it looks like nothing special. As you open the plastic wrap, it even lets out steam, as if it was fresh out of the microwave. But what appears to be a patty of frozen Salisbury Steak is actually tender short rib with a rich mushroom gravy, paired with sweet glazed carrots, buttery mashed potatoes, and a brookie for dessert. It’s a meal hearty enough to keep you going through the night.
Non-drinkers won’t feel left out — there are three Blood Bank Mocktails to try, named after blood types (Type A, B, and O), just for fun.
Tips for Hersheypark Dark Nights 2024
A few tips for making the most of Dark Nights:
1. Go after dark. The haunts don’t hit their full spooky stride until the sun goes down. Be sure to save “Estate of Evil” and “The Descent” for later in the night. A stop at Spirit’s early in the evening isn’t a bad idea while you wait for the moon to emerge.
2. Splurge on Fast Track. The lines can get terrifyingly long, and nothing makes a haunted house less fun than waiting in the dark for an hour. Fast Track Unlimited is pricey but well worth it, ranging from $40 to $95 depending on the night.
3. Season pass holders, take your time. If you’re local, don’t try to cram it all in one night. Spread the fun out over a few evenings and soak it all in casually.
4. Don’t skip the desserts. This is Hershey, after all. Every chance you have to grab a sugary treat, take it. This includes making a pit stop at dessert counter in the store on the way out of the park. Its display case is loaded with incredible themed offerings that you can take home and enjoy for the next few days.
5. Stay at Hotel Hershey. Even better, stay on site at the luxurious Hotel Hershey. If you’re from Philly or Pittsburgh, it’ll save you the long haul back after a long night of frights. The hotel is peaceful, with unbelievably comfortable beds that will give you a much-needed hug after all that walking. And the on-site café has even more delightful fall treats for you to indulge in, not to mention the chocolate-infused spa onsite for even more pampering. The hotel’s grounds are gorgeous and even a single night’s stay there can offer a sense of refreshment that feels like a week’s vacation.
Hersheypark Dark Nights 2024 dates and tickets
Dark Nights takes place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, now through Nov. 3, 2024. Single-day admission, which includes Dark Nights access, is $53 when purchased online. An after-5:30 p.m. ticket is available for $46.
Hersheypark Dark Nights is still a newbie to the incredible array of Pennsylvania Halloween events, but it’s improving year-over-year to stand out as something especially unique. Its blend of just the right amount of spookiness with an undeniably fun atmosphere, together with offering the ability to enjoy all of Hershey’s incredible rides, produces an unbeatable combo.
Whether you’re in it for the scares or the sweets, Hersheypark Dark Nights a must-visit for the Halloween season.
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