2026 Guide to Dark Nights Presented By Reese's and Kit Kat®

Date: September 9, 2026

Celebrating its milestone fifth year, Dark Nights presented by Reese's and Kit Kat® returns to Hersheypark amusement park with spine-tingling haunts from Sept. 12 through Nov. 1, 2026. This fifth-anniversary immersive haunt experience delivers five haunted houses and five scare zones, including the all-new Reese’s Depot Of Doom, as part of the Hersheypark Halloween seasonal event.

The darkness descends upon Hersheypark starting at 6 p.m. each operating night. Providing incredible value, admission to every haunted house and scare zone within Dark Nights is included with both a Hersheypark Halloween ticket and a 2026 Season Pass.

Check out this guide to all of the sinister thrills lurking in the shadows this season at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania.

Scream your way through five haunted houses

Dark Nights features five haunted houses with evolved stories containing more creatures, chaos and intensity.

Kill ‘N Fill Garage

Located in the tent in Midway America near Laff Trakk and Wild Mouse

The lights are back on at the Kill ‘N Fill Garage following its grand opening in 2025, 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

Located in Tidal Force Catering across from Tidal Force and next to the entrance portal for the Fallout Zone scare zone

Estate of Evil debuted at Dark Nights in 2024 as the first proper exploration of a traditional haunted “house” trope at Hersheypark. 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

Located next to Music Express and Laff Trakk in the Midway America region

Auntie Mortem has a new partner at Auntie Mortem's Abattoir 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.

Haunted Coal Mine

Located in the Trailblazer catering space near Spring Creek Smokehouse

Drip… drip… drip. Something dark is flooding the Haunted Coal 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.

Twisted Carnevil

Located in the tent in Midway America near Laff Trakk and Wild Mouse

Step right up to Twisted Carnevil! 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.

Brave Five Scare Zones

As part of Dark Nights, the Hersheypark midways also transform into five scare zones - more than ever before - each evening. Guests can venture through them to come face-to-face with the creatures that haunt their nightmares.

Reese's Depot Of Doom (New for 2026)

Located 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

Located behind Chevrolet 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.

Midway Of Misery

Located outside Laff Trakk

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.

Guests can see the Decayed Brigade slide 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. Built for chaos, this stunt crew is sure to put on quite the spectacle. The Brigade doesn't just perform...they take over.

Fallout Zone

Located 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.

Darkstone’s Hollow

Located 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.

Feel the rush on more than a dozen high-thrill rides

For those guests who crave more than the screams of the haunted houses and scare zones, more than 50 rides from mild-to-wild are available during the Halloween season, weather and maintenance permitting. Sixteen of those Hersheypark Halloween rides are given a high-thrill or aggressive-thrill rating, making for plenty of screams aboard your favorite attractions.

Those looking for the ultimate intensity will find no shortage of high-energy thrills from the World's Largest Screamin' Swing, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, to the award-winning wood and steel hybrid coaster, Wildcat's Revenge. The Hersheypark Halloween season is also the last chance to enjoy rides on Skyrush, Fahrenheit, Great Bear, Storm Runner and the family-friendly Comet and Trailblazer (closes at 5 p.m.) before they close for the holiday season.

Please note that all roller coasters and rides close at the conclusion of Hersheypark Halloween operating hours.

Take a coaster ride in complete darkness

A uniquely Hersheypark experience, the Halloween season is the ONLY time of year when coaster fans can ride some of their favorite roller coasters in total darkness. During the last hour of Hersheypark Halloween operation each evening, the lights go out on Wildcat's Revenge, Candymonium, Comet and Lightning Racer. As an extra special treat, Laff Trakk will provide lights-out ride all day long each Hersheypark Halloween operating date. Nothing matches the intensity of a dark ride on some of the most iconic Hersheypark coasters.

Scare your taste buds with dreadfully delicious eats and treats

No Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights visit would be complete without indulging in the season's exclusive food and beverage offerings including seasonal King Size Shake varieties at Simply Chocolate dessert shop and the return of smoked Turkey Legs at the fan-favorite Spring Creek Smokehouse. Guests can sample the most terrifyingly tasty treats with the Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass, which includes a choice of up to five specialty menu items from more than 30 options throughout the Park. Options include the all-new Brisket Cuban Sandwich, the returning Flamin' Hot Cheetos Corn Dog Nuggets, a refreshing Pumpkin Horchata, fan-favorite Spirellos and more.

The Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass is $39.99 and can be purchased online or in-person at Guest Services locations. New this year, Tasting Passes are digital only for guest convenience. Guests will receive a barcode via email that can be easily scanned five times.

Sip at Spirits Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier

Parkgoers can shift gears for a ghastly good time with spirits both real and imagined at Spirit’s Rooftop Bar on The Chocolatier patio, weather permitting. Guests ages 21 and older can enjoy limited-time-only, theatrically cocktail presentations, such as drinks served through a vintage TV screen, in beakers and syringes and more along with wicked-good eats like the Auntie Mortem's Butcher Block with wagyu brisket pastrami, duck breast prosciutto, smoked chive liver pâté, spicy soppressata, crostini and dips.

The haunted rooftop bar is available during all Hersheypark Halloween operating days starting at 4:30 p.m., weather permitting. Seating is first-come, first-served. Reservations are not accepted.

Stroll through the Avenue Of The Afterlife

For those guests who want to experience Dark Nights thrills without any chills, there's no need to fear! Families can take a walk down the Avenue Of The Afterlife, conveniently located in The Boardwalk. This scare-free zone is the place to dance and dine amongst the soulless who wander through the fog. Guests can purchase exclusive food, join a DJ dance party with the Hershey Characters and watch wicked-fun street performances including the Acro Duo jugglers and stilt walkers - all while skipping the scares!

Save on tickets

Great ticket deals are available on Hersheypark.com, with Hersheypark Halloween pre-sale tickets available now, starting at $36.99 when you pick your day. One-Day Any Day Halloween tickets are also available for $54.99, giving guests the flexibility to visit on any Hersheypark Halloween public operating day. Current 2026 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights.

Hersheypark Halloween tickets include 50 rides (weather and maintenance permitting), five Dark Nights haunted houses, five scare zones, thrilling dark ride opportunities and Halloween entertainment.

Get to the thrills faster

Guests wishing to get to the thrills and fear faster and skip the lines during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights can add a Fast Track program to their admission ticket. Limited quantities are available, so guests are encouraged to buy online today. Please note that Hersheypark admission tickets are sold separately and are required for entry to Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights.

• Hersheypark Fast Track + Dark Nights Haunted Houses Unlimited - Skip the regular line all day long on participating coasters and rides, plus all night long at the five haunted houses after 6 p.m.
• Dark Nights Haunted House Fast Track Unlimited - Skip the regular line all night long at the five haunted houses after 6 p.m.
• Hersheypark Fast Track Unlimited - Skip the regular line for each of the participating attractions all day long.
• Hersheypark Fast Track - Skip the regular line once per day on participating coasters and rides.

Dare to join?