Pumpkin Glow Returns to Hershey Gardens: Fall 2021

Pumpkin Glow, Hershey Gardens’ popular non-scary Halloween celebration, is returning for another year of Halloween fun. The family-friendly event will be held on Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pumpkin Glow will feature more than 100 carved and painted pumpkins, in addition to fall displays of gourds, hay bales and ornamental grasses. The popular “Glow House” also returns, featuring jack-o-lanterns, black lights and glowing creatures. Jack-o-lanterns featured in the Glow House are being carved by culinary arts students from Lancaster County Career and Technology Center and Lebanon County Career and Technology Center. Food trucks and entertainment are also part of the seasonal event.

On Saturday, Oct. 23 and 30, celebrity pumpkin carver Danny Kissel will be at Pumpkin Glow, carving pumpkins and demonstrating his carving techniques. Last fall Kissel, a self-taught carver known for his intricately carved, over-the-top pumpkin sculptures, won “Outrageous Pumpkin Champion” on Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins.” The central Pennsylvanian was also featured on Food Network’s “Halloween Wars” in 2014 and 2017.

In addition to the offerings listed below, children will receive a pre-filled bag of Hershey’s candy, courtesy of The Hershey Company; kids are encouraged to come dressed in costume. The indoor Butterfly Atrium will be open during Pumpkin Glow.

Saturdays, Oct. 23 and 30

• Danny Kissel Pumpkin Carving, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the conservatory/tent
• Hershey Gardens Bug Cart, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ed Wing
• Susquehanna Storytellers Guild, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in The Children’s Garden Amphitheater
• Food trucks, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sundays, Oct. 24 and 31 

• Puppet Show with Ben Stansbury, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. in The Children's Garden Amphitheater
• Hershey Gardens Bug Cart, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ed Wing
• Cissy and the Man, 1 p.m. in The Children's Garden Amphitheater
• Food trucks, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Saturday, Oct. 31, only

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – singer/songwriter Christian Yeager

Pumpkin Glow is included in admission; members are free. The event requires a general admission ticket, which can be purchased in advance at HersheyGardens.org or in person at the admissions desk upon arrival.

General admission is $13.50 for visitors ages 13-61, $12 for seniors (ages 62 and up), and $9.50 for juniors (ages 3-12); children ages 2 and under are free. For more information about Hershey Gardens, visit HersheyGardens.org.