Things To Do in Hershey, PA This October 2026
Best Attractions and Events in Central Pennsylvania This Month
Welcome, October! Hershey, Pa., has a ton of sweet things happening this month. From Hersheypark Halloween to Hershey Bears hockey, keep reading to see what's going on around the destination.
Family-Friendly Attractions and Spooky Thrills
1. Hersheypark Halloween
Fridays through Sundays; Hours vary
Hersheypark Halloween is back at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. The USA TODAY 10Best-nominated seasonal event offers thrills on 50 rides and attractions (weather and maintenance permitting), lights-out rides on select coasters, trick-or-treating for children 12 and under and the Avenue Of The Afterlife scare-free zone with a DJ dance party featuring some Hershey Characters.
New for 2026, guests can come face-to-face with the faces of Dark Nights during the Monster Meet & Shriek inside the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre. Offered every Hersheypark Halloween operating day from 5 to 9 p.m., this family-friendly entertainment experience lets guests of all ages meet and pose for photos with featured monsters from the haunted houses and scare zones.
Prepare for all the spooky fun with our official Hersheypark Halloween family guide.
2. Dark Nights Presented by Reese's and Kit Kat®
Fridays through Sundays starting at 6 p.m.
If you love hair-raising thrills and blood-curdling frights during Halloween, then the fifth-annual Dark Nights presented by Reese's and Kit Kat® has to be at the top of your to-do list this fall. The fan-favorite event features five haunted houses and five scare zones, including the brand-new Reese’s Depot Of Doom scare zone. End your night with the Decayed Brigade in their iconic, high-octane style during a Slider Showcase outside of Laff Trakk at 9:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 8:45 p.m. on Sundays. Access to Dark Nights is included in every Hersheypark admission ticket.
Prepare for your haunting visit with our official Dark Nights 2026 guide.
3. Taste Scary Good Eats With The Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass
Fridays through Sundays during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights
Back by popular demand, the Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass returns for another year to give guests a taste of the ghoulish offerings available during Hersheypark Halloween operating hours only. Parkgoers can choose five frightfully tasty snacks, desserts and drinks from more than 30 specialty options available at 11 different locations throughout Hersheypark.
4. Spirit's Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier
Open at 4:30 p.m. on all Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights operating days
The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio will continue offering Spirit’s Rooftop Bar all month long. Guests who dare to venture to the transformed rooftop will find spirits both real and imagined with new cocktail and mocktail creations, spooky shareables and dreadfully delicious desserts. Seating is first-come, first-served, and reservations are not accepted. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 9 p.m. on Sundays. The patio bar stays open an hour later.
5. Creatures of The Night at ZooAmerica
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting Oct. 16 from 6-9 p.m.
The popular Creatures Of The Night event returns to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park with new themed activities. Guests of all ages can explore the 11-acre zoo in the heart of Hershey by flashlight under the cover of night. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own flashlights for optimal viewing of the outdoor habitats, including a black bear, Canada lynx, gray wolves and a river otter. There is no better way to see the wild and fascinating animal activity that only happens after the sun sets!
Creatures Of The Night is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark Halloween only when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark. Guests can purchase tickets on the official ZooAmerica website.
Hockey, Comedy and Theatre Events
6. Derrick Stroup at Hershey Theatre
Sunday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m.
Alabama native Derrick Stroup delivers high-energy comedy packed with sharp observations of everyday life. He made his late-night debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2023 and returned for a second appearance last year. His first Netflix special, “Nostalgic,” premieres globally March 10 and dives into Stoup’s life as a ’90s kid growing up in rural Alabama.
7. Cinderella by The United European Ballet Company at Hershey Theatre
Sunday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m.
Cinderella is presented in a dynamic, Broadway-style format that blends classical ballet technique with theatrical storytelling, making it engaging for audiences of all ages. Set to the enchanting music of Sergei Prokofiev, the production brings the beloved fairytale to life through expressive choreography, vibrant storytelling and a refined European artistic style.
8. Clue at Hershey Theatre
Friday, Oct. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 1; Hours vary
Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.
9. Hershey Bears Home Opener vs Charlotte Checkers
Saturday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m.
The Hershey Bears are gearing up for their home opener against the Charlotte Checkers this month! All fans will receive a magnet schedule, courtesy of PNC Bank, to celebrate the start of the 89th season.
Additional promotional games happening this October include:
- Oct. 4 - Dark Nights Takeover: Select characters from Dark Nights at Hersheypark Halloween will leave the shadows of Hersheypark and prowl the concourse.
- Oct. 10 - B-E-A-R-Sapalooza Country Night: Get ready to have a yee-hockey good time at Country Night! The first 6,000 fans will receive a straw cowboy hat, courtesy of Pepsi.
- Oct. 17 - Penn State Health Pink the Rink Night: All fans are encouraged to light up their phones and join us in the fight against breast cancer, using a Pink the Rink Gel Phone Light Cover, courtesy of Penn State Health.
- Oct. 18 - Reese’s Trick-or-Treat Night: All fans 15 & under will receive a bag upon entry and have the opportunity to trick-or-treat around the concourse during pre-game and the first intermission.
- Oct. 24 - Christmas Candylane Pass Night: All fans will receive a 2026 Hersheypark Christmas Candylane ticket, valid for one-day admission through January 3, 2027.
Activities Around Town
10. Fall In Love With Pumpkin Spice Spa Treatments
Available Daily; Appointments Highly Encouraged
Enjoy a day of fall relaxation with Pumpkin Spice spa treatments at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and MeltSpa by Hershey! The Hershey spas are excited to bring back these guest favorite fall-inspired treatments and packages for a limited time. Treatments include a Pumpkin Spice Massage, Body Wrap, Mani/Pedi and more.
To schedule an appointment at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, visit ChocolateSpa.com or call 844-330-1797. For appointments at MeltSpa, visit MeltSpa.com or call 855-500-2366.
11. Pumpkin Palooza at Hershey Gardens
Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hand-painted pumpkins, creepy creatures, gorgeous mums and unique fall displays return to Hershey Gardens this October for Pumpkin Palooza. Pumpkin Palooza will feature more than 200 hand-painted pumpkins and kids' trick or treat at four Hershey’s candy stations. Guests can also enjoy food trucks and hundreds of mums on display, including a colorful 9-foot mum tree.
12. Trick-Or-Treat Trail at Hershey's Chocolate World
October Weekends; Times Vary
Collect candy at four sweet stops inside Hershey's Chocolate World and stock up on your favorite Halloween treats, with an additional 10 stops at Treatville in Hersheypark! Candy is free for ages 12 and under.
13. Halloween-themed Chocolate Lab Classes at Hershey Story Museum
Daily in October; Hours vary
Create a delicious Halloween-inspired chocolate treat in the Chocolate Lab! Located inside The Hershey Story Museum, the Chocolate Lab explores the distinctive qualities of chocolate through fun, hands-on experiences and interactive educational demonstrations. This month, participants can choose from Batty Bar, Cobweb Creations and Spooky Bark (weekends only). Please visit HersheyStory.org for detailed class descriptions and a complete class schedule. Ticket purchase required; individuals must be at least 5 years old to enter the lab.
14. Explore Founders Hall Visitors Center at Milton Hershey School
Open Monday - Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Milton Hershey School (MHS) Founders Hall Visitors Center is open for visitors to explore more than 110 years of MHS history. The free tour explores the story of the School's past, present and future. It is located at 801 Spartan Lane, Hershey, PA 17003, near the intersection of Meadow Lane and East Governor Road (Rte. 322).
Overnight Getaways
15. Book A Fall Getaway
If you want to experience all the fun in The Sweetest Place On Earth this month, book a stay at one of our Official Resorts of Hersheypark. The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, Hershey Inn & Suites and Hersheypark Camping Resort are offering sweet resort packages perfect for a fall getaway.
All resort guests receive FREE resort benefits, including extra hours at Hersheypark with Preview Plan, free front-gate shuttle service to from, the Park and the best price on Park tickets and much more! Plus, enjoy family-friendly resort activities every weekend including Kids' Check-In, s'mores roasts and more.
