Hersheypark Halloween 2022 Guide for Families

Coasters, candy and creatures, oh my! 

The countdown is on to Halloween in Hershey. This weekend, the USA TODAY 10Best-nominated Best Theme Park Halloween Event, Hersheypark Halloween, returns with the family fun and sweet treats that guests know and love about the Halloween spin on the season. The fall festivities kick off on September 17, 2022, and run for more weekends than ever, with seven weekends through October 30, 2022. 

As an expansion of Hersheypark Halloween, the all-new  Dark Nights frightfully immersive haunt experience will spread its shadows over the Hersheypark landscape every evening. at 6 p.m. The four-acre enhancement of Dark Nights represents the largest investment to date for a seasonal event with four spine-tingling haunted houses and three scare zones as part of integrated thrill experiences guests can only find in Hersheypark.

But if haunted houses aren’t your thing, no worries! Check out this guide to all the sweets, treats and front row coaster seats calling your name at Hersheypark amusement park this Halloween.

Lights-out rides on roller coasters are back

Hersheypark Halloween features thrills on 50 rides and attractions, weather permitting. Coaster fans will enjoy the return of night rides on roller coasters, with exclusive lights-out rides on Candymonium hypercoaster, Comet roller coaster and Lightning Racer racing coaster during the last hour of operation. Laff Trakk indoor spinning coaster will be dark throughout operations. Plus, thrill-seekers are in for a treat with a new seasonal flavor for Jolly Rancher Remix reimagined boomerang coaster.

Insider tip - download the Hersheypark app for a list of real-time ride availability and wait times. 

Please note that Skyview and Whip will be closed for the entirety of the Halloween season. Select attractions like Trailblazer, Monorail, Sweet Swing, Tea Cups, Granny Bugs, Pony Parade and Tiny Tracks will close around 5 p.m. each operating evening before the start of Dark Nights at 6 p.m. 

Chocolatey trick-or-treat adventures await young ghosts and goblins

There’s no sweeter place to trick-or-treat than Hersheypark! Children 12 and under are invited to don a Halloween costume* and enjoy 13 sweet stops on the Hershey's Trick Or Treat Trail winding from Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction with three stops to Treatville in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park with 10 candy stops. Treatville is open daily during Hersheypark Halloween until 8 p.m.

*For all guests, costumes that may cause confusion between the Dark Nights actors and guests are not permitted. Failure to adhere to the Hersheypark Costume Policy may result in the costume not being permitted or removal from the Park.

• For Guests ages 12 and Under: Costumes and costume masks that provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen may be worn. Costume masks are not allowed to be worn on any attractions. Having a fully painted face is permitted. This applies to guests who come to Hersheypark in makeup and also for guests who have their face painted by the Park’s face painters.
• For Guests 13 and Older: Costumes may be worn but must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, revealing, objectionable, violent, or otherwise disrupt the general safety of guests or employees. Costumes may not contain any props or accessories that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon. Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another guest. Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening and may not be permitted on certain attractions if they prevent guests from properly using the seating and safety restraints. Costumes may not drag on the ground as they could be a trip hazard. Costume masks are not permitted, but guests may have up to half of their face painted provided that it does not alter their identity.

Hershey  Characters are ready to party

The Hershey Characters are dressed up in their Halloween finest and ready to party to the season's classics under the spooky glowing Founder’s Way area lights. Guests can put their rhythm to the test and dance the night away with a variety of the most beloved Hershey Characters each operating night at 8:30 p.m. Characters in costume are also available for selfies with times and locations noted in the Hersheypark app. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos using #HersheyparkHappy!

Guests can also see California sea lions, Atlantic harbor seals and a gray seal during Our Friends From The Sea show in the 50-year-old Aquatheatre at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from September 17 through October 30. 

Festive eats and irresistible treats offer a taste of fall

Guests often come for the rides but stay for the sweets at Hersheypark, and Halloween is no different. The Hersheypark Food and Beverage team goes all out for the seasonal event in September and October with Instagram-worthy offerings throughout the Park like a Pumpkin King Size Shake and a fall-themed King Size Donut. But, the new and exclusive savory items, dark chocolate creations and glowing cocktails may take the cake this year. Check out our comprehensive fall food guide to quench frights and feed fears. 

The zoo creatures come out at night starting October 14

Guests should bring their flashlight and curiosity because ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is getting in on the Halloween action. The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this fall, with the Creatures Of The Night attraction beginning October 14. The guest-favorite event is the only time of year that ZooAmerica is open after dark for visitors to explore the Zoo by flashlight to see their favorite nocturnal animals under cover of nightfall and enjoy educational activities. 

ZooAmerica is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark Halloween when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours.  Guests interested in visiting ZooAmerica before Hersheypark opens will have to purchase separate Zoo admission here.

Three new scare zones are included with a Hersheypark Halloween  ticket

This is not a trick! Fear is near with Dark Nights immersive haunt experience boasting four spine-tingling haunted houses and three scare zones. A general Hersheypark Halloween admission ticket grants guests access to the three scare zones - Darkstone’s Hollow, Valley of Fear and Midway of Misery. The scare zones are the perfect prelude to the four haunted houses - Haunted Coal Mine, The Descent, Twisted Darkness and Creature Chaos. 

But, fret not! Younger ghosts and goblins can easily bypass these areas as desired. For example, guests can get to sooperdooperLooper avoiding Darkstone’s Hollow via the Skyrush path, and enjoy the attractions in the Kissing Tower Hill area by using the high bridge past the Aquatheatre. Wild Mouse and Laff Trakk are accessible without entering Midway of Misery, but please note that attractions like Ferris Wheel, Music Express and Lightning Racer can only be accessed by walking through that scare zone after 6 p.m.

Treat the family to a Halloween weekend

Visitors looking to extend their stay in The Sweetest Place On Earth can book the perfect fall getaway at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, with overnight packages available, including the Hersheypark Halloween 2-Night Package and the Hersheypark Halloween Camping Package. 

All guests of The Hotel Hershey luxury accommodation, Hershey Lodge resort or Hersheypark Camping Resort campground receive FREE Resort Benefits, including the best price on Hersheypark tickets, extra hours at the Park with Preview Plan, and free front-gate shuttle service to the all-new exclusive resort drop-off location.