Spooky season arrives at Hersheypark with Dark Nights

As summer gradually gives way to autumn, leaves begin to change, and a different excitement fills the already chocolate-scented air at Hersheypark. Known for its exhilarating roller coasters and family-friendly atmosphere, Hersheypark gets a new identity each fall: a spine-chilling, fright-filled wonderland—for all ages.

The Necromancer welcomes brave guests to Hersheypark Dark Nights. Photo courtesy Hershey Entertainment
The Necromancer welcomes brave guests to Hersheypark Dark Nights. Photo courtesy Hershey Entertainment | h

From September 13 to November 3, the Sweetest Place on Earth transforms into the seasonal Hersheypark Halloween and a thrilling Dark Nights haunt experience. Visitors step into an amusement park transformed into a playground of shadows and screams. For 25 thrilling nights, including the popular Halloween night on October 31, guests can dive into a world of fright and fun.

As Hersheypark Dark Nights, the park showcases five haunted attractions, all included with the price of a ticket! The crown jewel of this year’s terrifying tales is the new Estate of Evil, a haunted house where carefully preserved rooms give way to the chilling fates of their previous owners. As adventurous guests wander through the charming brownstone, they experience a blend of elegance and spookiness that haunts its halls.

Adventurous spirits can visit five haunted houses. In Auntie Mortem's Abattoir, the dastardly secrets of the Mortem family business are unveiled. In the Haunted Coal Mine, visitors come face to face with the eerie Tommyknockers lurking in the dark, desperate to guard their hidden treasures. Enter the Catacombs Of Decay, where a merchant has reopened the antiquities shop and transformed it into a rare bookstore filled with ancient and powerful volumes. And at the Twisted Carnevil, the nightmare-fueled fun threatens to never end.

At dusk, three Scare Zones transform the park's midways into fearsome battlegrounds. Darkstone’s Hollow: Battle for Spring Creek invites visitors to choose sides in a mythical war against creatures of the night. Decay spreads on the Midway of Misery as the underworld takes over. In the Fallout Zone, rogue radioactive material continues to emit an eerie green fog, and crews try desperately to isolate, contain, and neutralize the threats.

For younger guests Hersheypark Halloween invites families to enjoy regular attractions, like thrilling roller coasters amongst the enchanting Halloween-themed décor. Kids under 12 can collect candy from 13 sweet stops throughout the park as part of Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail.

The culinary chills and thrills are not all candy in a bag. Hersheypark Halloween serves up a scrumptious array of themed culinary delights found throughout the park. Scary good eats and spell-binding drinks can be purchased separately or as part of the Dark Nights Tasting Pass, featuring items like Dips of Decay, Terror Tots, and the KILLbasa Bowl. For those looking to relax, The Chocolatier Restaurant offers a rooftop setting where you can bask in the views while enjoying the crisp autumn air. Those 21 and over can partake in some spooky spirits of an alcoholic variety.

Every evening, as the lights dim, the roller coasters turn into dark rides, offering an electrifying twist to your favorite daytime attractions, including Wildcat’s Revenge and Candymonium. The park, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, opens its gates from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Fridays, and Saturdays from noon to 10:00 p.m. Sundays wrap up the weekend fun from noon to 9:00 p.m. Halloween night is a special treat, with extended hours 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.