Sweet and sinister additions to Hersheypark Halloween

The Pennsylvania park’s sweet and sinister Halloween events will take place over seven weekends from Sept. 15 through Oct. 29, 2023. Plus, new this season, every Hersheypark Halloween ticket includes entrance to all five Dark Nights haunted houses and three Scare Zones in addition to 50 family-friendly and thrilling attractions (with lights-out rides on the new Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid and other select coasters).

Hersheypark Halloween

Hersheypark Halloween offers park guests the opportunity to “play by day and fright by night” with the following seasonal experiences:

• Lights-Out Coaster Rides – Laff Trakk will be “lights-out” all day long, but during the last hour of operation, favorites like Candymonium, Comet, Lightning Racer, and the all-new hybrid Wildcat’s Revenge (with one-of-a-kind inversions) will also go dark.
• Hershey Characters Glow Dance Party – Dance along with Hershey Characters dressed up in their trick-or-treating finest inside Music Box Theatre.
• Creatures Of The Night Attraction – Starting Oct. 13, 2023, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is joining the Halloween festivities with a special nighttime flashlight tour that allows guests to see the animal activity that only happens after the sun sets (included with admission to Hersheypark Halloween when accessing the Zoo from inside the park during posted operating hours).
• Hershey’s Trick-Or-Treat Trail – Each operating evening until 8 p.m., kids 12 and younger can make 13 sweet stops from Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction to Treatville trick-or-treat trail at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark area, where they’ll find Halloween candy, festive decorations, and autumn surprises.

Dark Nights

The faint of heart will want to skedaddle after dark because, for the second year, Dark Nights takes over Hersheypark nightly at 6 p.m. with frights lurking in every corner.

The terrifying tales include:

• Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir (all-new for 2023) – Ethel Mortem (AKA Auntie) is a second-generation meat processor running the family business with the help of her sinister nieces and nephews, and “farm-to-table has never been more gruesome than when Auntie is planning the menu.”
• Haunted Coal Mine: Curse Of The Tommyknockers – It’s not only past miners who haunt the abandoned mineshafts but also evil Tommyknockers who’ll do anything to protect their gold.
• Creatures Uncaged – Beware of Professor Darkstone’s prized possessions as you make your way through their lair – the creatures lurking in the shadows are also hungry for a new audience.
• The Descent: Catacombs Of Decay – Venture into the catacombs to reveal their secrets, but be careful that you don’t become part of the collection.
• Twisted Carnevil – The tent’s darkness hides a never-ending “carnevil” of nightmares, with twists and turns that hypnotize some and paralyze others.

During Dark Nights, midways will transform into three Scare Zones each evening:

• Fallout Zone (all-new for 2023) – Rogue radioactive material emits an eerie green fog, and while crews scrub the midway to contain any threats, you may be unable to avoid the madness from those trapped within.
• Midway Of Misery – The Decayed Brigade welcomes new sliders from the underworld, so you never know who (or what) is lurking beyond the arch.
• Darkstone’s Hollow – Ousted from his own show, Darkstone is now caged for all to see, and the showman that once hawked his traveling collection now seeks shelter from the creatures who’ve claimed The Hollow as their own.

Hersheypark Halloween Bites and Sips

More than 55 limited-time cocktails, eats, and Halloween treats will be offered during the seasonal event. Guests can taste the frightfully delicious food offerings with the Dark Nights Tasting Pass, which includes a choice of up to five specialty menu items from more than 35 food and beverage options at more than 15 locations, including Toxic Mac & Cheese, Pulled Pork Sliders, Blood Orange Lemonade, Black Velvet Cake, and more.

Hersheypark is “rolling out the dead carpet” for the RIP Dinner Buffet at Great Scare Catering, which includes entrées and desserts “to die for” and a Single-Use Fast Track accepted at any of the five Dark Nights haunted houses and a Buy One Get One Hyperdeck Coupon, valid on the new Zombie-themed virtual reality game.

The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio in Hershey’s Chocolatetown region will offer the exclusive Spirit’s Rooftop Bar during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights (starting at 5 p.m. on Fridays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Guests who dare to explore the haunted rooftop bar will find spirits (both real and imagined), from fiery cocktails and octopus-inspired Bloody Marys to absinthe creations and libations that literally pop.

Guests can purchase event-exclusive branded merchandise at Dark Nights Emporium, Halloween BOOtique, and Hersheypark Supply Co.

Hersheypark’s I Scream Week

To celebrate the Halloween announcement, Hersheypark is offering a dark and twisted week-long celebration of all things sweet and scary from July 24-30, 2023, with frightening foods, lights-out rides, limited-time retail, and a photo op with a scare actor. Click here for more information.

Plan Your Visit for Hersheypark Halloween

Hersheypark Halloween with Dark Nights will be open more days and hours than ever this Halloween season from Sept. 15 through Oct. 29, 2023. Event hours are 5-10 p.m. on Fridays, 12-10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12-9 p.m. on Sundays. Dark Nights immersive haunt experience begins each night at 6 p.m. and extends one hour after the park close (on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m. and on Sundays until 10 p.m.)

New this year, Dark Nights is included with admission to Hersheypark Halloween, with Hersheypark Halloween tickets starting at $49.99 plus taxes and fees. Guests can save up to 40% on dated one-day tickets by selecting the date of their visit. Plus, the Dark Nights Fast Track program allows guests to “get to the fear faster” for the five haunted houses on the date of their visit.

Current 2023 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, with haunted house access included as a new perk.

Click here for more information.