Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights 2026 Now Open
New Haunts, Dark Coaster Rides and Family-Friendly Entertainment
Halloween in Hershey is officially here! Hersheypark Halloween seasonal event and Dark Nights presented by Reese's and Kit Kat® immersive haunt experience are now open at Hersheypark amusement park each weekend through Nov. 1, 2026.
For nearly 25 days, including Halloween night, guests can experience five haunted houses and five scare zones, featuring the new Reese's Depot Of Doom, 50 attractions and dark coaster rides, Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail and more. All of these family thrills by day and fright experiences at night are included with a Hersheypark Halloween ticket - a great value for getting into the Halloween spirit!
The eight-weekend event will also feature exclusive culinary creations, including the return of the popular Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass, plus the Avenue Of The Afterlife path where guests will find a DJ Dance Party featuring the Hershey Characters, street performers and exclusive food and drink offerings.
When is Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights Open?
Hersheypark Halloween is open for eight weekends from Sept. 12 through Nov. 1, 2026. Event hours are as follows:
- 5-10 p.m. on Fridays
- 12-10 p.m. on Saturdays
- 12-9 p.m. on Sundays
- Dark Nights begins each night at 6 p.m. and extends one hour after the Park closes, running Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m. and Sundays until 10 p.m.
What to Expect at Dark Nights?
The fifth chapter of Dark Nights presented by Reese's and Kit Kat® at Hersheypark Halloween begins nightly at 6 p.m. In celebration of its fifth year of terror, Dark Nights features a new fifth scare zone, Reese's Depot Of Doom. The remaining haunted houses and scare zones feature evolved stories containing more creatures, chaos and intensity.
- Kill 'N Fill Garage (in Midway America near Laff Trakk and Wild Mouse): The lights are back on at the Kill ‘N Fill Garage, but it’s not for a tune-up. The group of killers has returned, trading grease for blood and bringing reinforcements. Navigate the wreckage of the body shop and a gore-soaked car wash as the cries of bending metal drown out the screams. They aren't fixing cars anymore; they're stripping you for parts.
- Estate of Evil (in Tidal Force Catering): A long-forgotten room has been discovered, and there’s a reason it has been sealed away for generations. Enter with caution; a collection of never-before-seen horrors awaits you, and it will leave you questioning what monster would curate these malevolent mementos.
- Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir (The Whip): Auntie Mortem has a new partner and now features prime beef, but the secret to the specialty sausage is how it blends old family flavors with the fresh stock entering the back room. The blades are sharper, the floor is slicker, and the meat is fresher than ever.
- Twisted Carnevil (In the tent in Midway America near Laff Trakk and Wild Mouse): The Hypnotist presides over the never-ending hall of illusions where greasepaint drips like blood. Punchlines echo through the dark, but with a jagged edge as he stitches together his most sinister act yet.
- Haunted Coal Mine (Trailblazer Catering): Drip… drip… drip. Something dark is flooding the mine. Something new is crawling out of the black water. The mud is moving, and the mine is hungry for more than just oxygen. Escape before the murky waters drag you further down.
Also, as part of Dark Nights, midways will transform into five scare zones each evening, more than ever in celebration of the fifth year of the iconic haunt experience.
- NEW Reese’s Depot Of Doom (In The Boardwalk Water Park): Follow the fractured tracks of the Reese’s Depot Of Doom, but beware. The freight yard may look abandoned, but it comes alive at night with shadowy trespassers starving for company. Navigate the fog-drenched boxcars with caution. Will you escape the Depot, or will you be doomed forever?
- Path of Shadows: Coven's Curse (Behind the Cheverolet Music Box Theatre): The whispers have come to a roaring bubble. It’s true: the coven has grown. Prepare for all-new rituals and spells, but heed this warning: the newest converts hold an unimaginable darkness.
- Fallout Zone (Near Tidal Force): The green fog has yet to be contained. Chaos continues to rise, and the peak of destruction is still on the hazy horizon. Fight through the dense smog to unearth the souls that were left to survive the wreckage.
- Midway Of Misery (In Midway America):The Midway Of Misery remains under The Decayed Brigade’s regime. Escape beyond the fiery arches but stay alert, the creatures that lurk within are faster, fiercer and each spark and scrape brings louder screams.
- Slider Showcase: Guests can see the viral Decayed Brigade, including Fryboy and Gas Can, slide through the night during their showcase of skills located in Midway Of Misery at 9:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 8:45 p.m. on Sundays.
- Darkstone’s Hollow (In The Hollow across the bridge): Darkstone’s victory was a delusion. Jezebeth has returned to reclaim her throne, igniting a brutal battle in the shadows. Traitorous secrets are spilling, and the creatures are clashing. Choose your side wisely. The real war begins now.
What's Included with Hersheypark Halloween?
Families can experience Hersheypark Halloween like never before as they play by day and fright by night! Each ticket includes thrills on 50 rides and attractions (weather and maintenance permitting), lights-out rides on select coasters, trick-or-treating, the Avenue Of The Afterlife scare-free zone featuring a DJ Dance Party with the Hershey Characters and the original Creatures Of The Night flashlight tour at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park (starting Oct. 16).
Coasters and Rides
Weather and maintenance permitting, 50 rides are open during Hersheypark Halloween, with options for all Hershey height categories—from kiddie rides for the youngest guests to light-out coaster rides for thrill seekers. During the last hour of Park operation, the lights will go out for dark rides on some favorites, including Wildcat’s Revenge, Candymonium, Comet and Lightning Racer coasters. As an extra treat, Laff Trakk will offer lights-out rides in total darkness during the entirety of each Hersheypark Halloween operating date.
Please note that select kiddie and family rides may close by 5 p.m. before the start of Dark Nights. These attractions include Granny Bugs, Monorail, Music Express, Pony Parade, Red Baron, Sweet Swing, Tea Cups and Trailblazer. Guests can download the Hersheypark app for a map and real-time ride availability.
Trick-or-Treating Experience
There’s no sweeter place to trick-or-treat than Hersheypark! Children 12 and younger are invited to collect their favorite candy at 14 sweet stops on the Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail. The Trail winds from Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction with four locations to Treatville in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark region with 10 stops. Guests can enter Treatville across from Fahrenheit and experience fun photo backdrops, a hay maze and light displays at night.
Treatville is available beginning on Fridays at 6 PM and on Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM, concluding on each operating evening at 8:30 PM.
Avenue Of The Afterlife
For guests who want to avoid any scares, there is the Avenue Of The Afterlife path in the water park to skip the Dark Nights chills while enjoying the season's thrills. New in 2026, the scare-free zone features a DJ dance party with the Hershey Characters along with the return of wicked-fun street performers like the Acro Duo jugglers and stilt walkers. Avenue of The Afterlife is also home to exclusive food and beverage offerings.
Hershey Character Photo Opportunities
Hersheypark is the only place where guests can snap selfies with Hershey Characters dressed in Halloween costumes. In addition to the DJ dance party at night in the Avenue of The Afterlife, photo opportunities are available during the day at Hersh’s Hangout and Reese's Cup House. Characters and show times are listed in the Hersheypark app.
Please note that character availability, location and appearance times are subject to change.
Our Friends From The Sea Show
Guests can see California sea lions, Atlantic harbor seals and a grey seal during the Our Friends From The Sea show in the Aquatheatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Please note there are no shows on Fridays.
Creatures Of The Night begins Oct. 16
Creatures of the Night returns to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park! The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this fall, with the Creatures Of The Night attraction running Friday through Sunday from Oct. 16 through Nov. 1 from 6-9 p.m. The Halloween-themed experience 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 the 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.
What Food and Beverage Options are Available during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights?
Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights will feature an elevated food and beverage lineup with more than 50 scary good eats and spell-binding drinks.
Back by popular demand, the Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass allows guests to taste items from more than 30 specialty options available at multiple locations throughout Hersheypark.
The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio hosts Spirit’s Rooftop Bar, a rooftop rendezvous available during all Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights operating days starting at 4:30 p.m. Located on the patio, guests can experience the haunted rooftop high above Hershey's Chocolatetown as they brave their way to the Dark Nights haunted houses or calm their nerves on the way out of Hersheypark with a nocturnal nightcap. The exclusive menu features 19 all-new limited-time spell-binding cocktails on a rotating schedule throughout Hersheypark Halloween, sinful shareables and dreadfully delicious desserts to enjoy as spirits haunt the scarred.
Guests can also take home a piece of Dark Nights with event-exclusive branded merchandise at Dark Nights Emporium, Boo-tique store and Hersheypark Supply Co. The No-Boo Necklaces featuring a Reese’s bat make a great light-up souvenir for kids with a Hershey twist!
Where can I get Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights Tickets?
Hersheypark Halloween admission includes access to all five of the Dark Nights haunted houses and five scare zones. Tickets are available for purchase online in advance. Current 2026 Season Pass Holders and 2027 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights.
Guests can get to the fear faster with the Dark Nights Fast Track Unlimited program for the five haunted houses on the date of their visit.
The Official Resorts of Hersheypark
During the Halloween season, guests can extend their stay in Hershey, Pa., at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark: The Hotel Hershey luxury accommodation including the The Villas at The Hotel Hershey experience, Hershey Lodge resort, Hersheypark Camping Resort campground and the all-new Hershey Inn & Suites.
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hershey Inn & Suites offers several Halloween packages, including a Dark Nights package featuring two nights of deluxe accommodations, a two-day Hersheypark ticket, breakfast each day, a Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass and Dark Nights Haunted House Fast Track Passes for each guest.
All guests receive Free Resort Benefits like free front gate shuttle service and preview hours.
