When the sun sets, Hersheypark transforms into Dark Nights, an unforgettable Halloween experience that blends thrills, chills, and sweet seasonal fun. From haunted houses and roaming scare zones to eerie lighting and spine-tingling special effects, Dark Nights offers something for every Halloween fan — whether you’re seeking family-friendly frights or full-on scare experiences. With dozens of rides, attractions, and entertainment options included in your ticket, it’s the ultimate way to spend an autumn evening. Read on as we discover Dark Nights at Hersheypark.
Hersheypark Dark Nights Ticketing: What’s Included
Dark Nights operates Friday – Sunday, and include all park attractions, including 14 coasters, over 40 family rides, five haunted houses, four scare zones, and the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Your daytime Hersheypark ticket includes Dark Nights. Can’t make it during the day? Purchase the After Dark ticket that gives you access to the entire park starting at 5 PM. Guests can also add Hersheypark Tasting Passes or reserve seats at exclusive dining locations for a complete holiday outing.
Dark Nights: Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
Dark Nights features five immersive haunted houses: the eerie Haunted Coal Mine, chilling The Descent, grotesque Kill ‘N Fill Garage, twisted Twisted CarnEvil, and the mysterious Estate of Eve. Each haunted house is designed to deliver a unique theme, atmosphere, and level of fright for thrill-seekers.
The scare zones are walk-through haunted areas within the park, and are just as thrilling. The zones offer roaming characters, fire effects, and interactive scenes that heighten the spooky ambiance. Guests will encounter zones such as Midway of Misery, Valley of Fear, and Coven’s Curse, with characters darting through the crowd and fires flickering amid the fog for dramatic effect. These zones provide constant surprises and photo-worthy moments as performers interact with visitors in immersive, themed environments.
Dark Nights: Decayed Brigade
During Dark Nights you’ll also encounter a performance group called Sliders in the Midway of Misery area. These performers wear knee and elbow pads and specialized gloves equipped with metal plates, allowing them to slide across the pavement with remarkable speed and precision. Their sudden movements—often accompanied by sparks and eerie sound effects—are designed to startle and engage guests, creating an intense and immersive experience. The Decayed Brigade, a renowned group of sliders, is known for their performances that high-energy stunts and has become a fan favorite during the event. They often perform scheduled showcases, be sure to check the schedule for times.
Not a fan of the boos? Pick up a “No Boos” necklace in the gift shop, a popular accessory designed to help guests navigate the park’s Halloween-themed Dark Nights event. This light-up necklace, featuring a playful Reese’s bat design, serves as a signal to scare actors and other visitors that the wearer prefers to avoid scares.
Dark Nights: Experience the Rides at Night
More than haunted houses – During the last hour of operation of Hersheypark’s Dark Nights, the lights are turned off on some of the park’s most popular rides for the ultimate spooky thrill. The dark rides include Wildcat’s Revenge, Candymonium, Comet, and Lightning Racer. The rides are dark for the last hour of the evening, and offer a thrill to rollercoaster fanatics. Other rides, such as the swings, light up at night in illuminated color.
Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail
Perfect for families and younger guests, the Treatville Trick-or-Treat Trail features 14 candy stations through a walking trail that wraps through the waterpark. Children 12 and under can safely collect treats while enjoying themed decorations and playful characters. The trail offers a lighter, candy-filled alternative to the haunted houses, making it ideal for families who want a mix of spooky fun and sweet treats.
Hershey’s Monster Ball Stage Show
The Shake, Rattle and Glow: Monster Ball stage show is a lively, family-friendly performance at the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre. Guests can dance with Hersheypark’s ghosts and ghouls, participate in interactive routines, and enjoy the crowning of the “Monster of the Year.” The show runs multiple times on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, making it easy for visitors to fit in a high-energy Halloween performance during their visit.
Hershey’s Halloween Foods and Treats
Hersheypark offers a wide variety of seasonal and novelty foods to enhance the Halloween experience. From devilishly good Lucifer Mozzarella Sticks to the loaded Fall Out Fries smothered in chili carnitas and cheese, Hersheypark’s Dark Nights menu is full of frightful flavor. Sink your teeth into the Swamp Dog topped with spicy pickles and bacon, or dig into the eerie-sweet Cherry Cheesecake Jar crowned with a gummy skull. And don’t miss the crunchy, craveable Terror Tots — the perfect spooky snack between screams!
Head up to Spirit’s Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier patio for a frightfully fun time. Sip limited-time, spine-chilling cocktails like the Graveyard Sunrise, or fuel pump–served Transmission Fluid, then sink your teeth into wicked-good eats like smoky-dusted Spare Tire onion rings, Chop Shop Sliders, and Tombstone Taquitos.
Hersheypark Dark Nights
Dark Nights at Hersheypark runs September 12 – November 2, 2025
100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA
More information on the experience HERE.
Little Kid Big City is proud to be a member of the 2025 Sweet Insiders with Hersheypark. As always, all opinions and reviews are our own.
