A Guide to Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend 2025 in Hershey

Date: October 5, 2025

October weekends in Hershey, Pa., are bustling with festive events and sweet happenings. Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend marks a long weekend in The Sweetest Place On Earth, which means there is extra time for visitors to experience all that the town built on chocolate has to offer in the fall. 

We've got you covered with the can't miss activities! Check out this guide of things to do from Oct. 10-13, 2025, in Hershey, Pa.

Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights

Hersheypark is open Friday through Sunday for Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights presented by Reese's and Kit Kat® immersive haunt experience. The USA TODAY Top 10Best Theme Park Halloween Event features family-friendly offerings and frights - all included in the one-price admission. 

Guests can enjoy five haunted houses, four scare zones, thrills on 50 rides and attractions (weather and maintenance permitting), lights-out rides on select coasters during the last hour of Hersheypark Halloween operation, trick-or-treating along the Hershey's Trick Or Treat Trail for children 12 and under, a Monster Ball with the Hershey Characters, wicked-fun street performances and exclusive food along the Avenue of the Afterlife, and more. 

Event Hours

• Friday, Oct. 10, from 5-10 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 11, from 12-10 p.m. 

• Sunday, Oct. 12, from 12-9 p.m. 

• Dark Nights begins each night at 6 p.m. and extends one hour after Hersheypark Halloween closes - Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m. and Sundays until 10 p.m.

Tickets

Great ticket offers are available on Hersheypark.com. Check out our Family-Friendly Guide to Hersheypark Halloween and the Guide to Dark Nights for tips and tricks.

Creatures Of The Night at ZooAmerica 

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is open daily over the long holiday weekend to explore the wild of North America.  It's also the second weekend of the popular Creatures Of The Night event, which is the only time of year the Zoo is open after dark to observe the nighttime habits of the nocturnal North American animals. Visitors are encouraged to bring flashlights to see black bears, Canada lynx, gray wolves, river otters and more during a walk around the 11-acre zoo in the heart of Hershey.

In celebration of the event's 45th anniversary, ZooAmerica debuted new activities included with admission, such as a history-themed scavenger hunt and a creature kitchen where visitors can learn about animal diets. Decorating a luminary, a creepy crawler display, animal enrichments and other guest-favorite, Halloween-themed activities are also offered during the event.

Event Hours

• ZooAmerica is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Creatures Of The Night runs from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11 (not offered on Sundays)

Tickets

Creatures Of The Night is included with admission to ZooAmerica, as well as Hersheypark Halloween only when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark. Separate admission, starting at $14.50 plus taxes and fees, is also available online or at the ZooAmerica Admissions Building for guests who plan to attend just Creatures Of The Night. 

Spirit's Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier

Guests who dare to explore Spirit’s Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio can order from a specially curated menu featuring a dozen limited-time spell-binding cocktails, sinful shareables and dreadfully delicious desserts to enjoy as spirits haunt the scarred. Seating is first-come, first-served. Reservations are not accepted. 

Event Hours

• Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11, from 4:30-11 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 12, from 4:30-10 p.m.

Hershey Bears vs. Syracuse Crunch

Join Bear Nation at GIANT Center as the Hershey Bears open the 2025-26 season, presented by Penn State Health, against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. The team will be back on the ice on Sunday, Oct. 12, for a second home game.

Game Times

• Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 12, at 5 p.m.

Tickets

Hockey fans who purchase tickets to any October game online by Oct. 10 will receive a 2025 Hersheypark ticket to use this Halloween or Christmas!  

Spa Treatments at MeltSpa by Hershey

The long weekend offers a sweet opportunity for a reprieve at the spa. MeltSpa by Hershey day spa in downtown Hershey has facial and/or massage availability over the long weekend. To make an appointment, call 855-500-2366 or visit Meltspa.com. 

Extend Your Stay at the Official Resorts of Hersheypark

Guests can turn their visit into a weekend getaway at one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark. Throughout the long weekend at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge, guests can enjoy seasonal dining on property, splashes at the heated indoor pool complexes and family-friendly resort activities, like s'mores roasts, chocolate bingo, Hershey Character appearances and Halloween-themed fun. Or, head to Hersheypark Camping Resort for a sweet camping trip and activities like Kids' Check-In, face painting, fall crafts, s'mores roasts and more. 

Plus, save with Halloween packages like the Dark Nights 2-Night Package, which includes two nights of deluxe accommodations, 2-day Hersheypark Halloween tickets, breakfast each day, a Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass and Dark Nights Houses Fast Track for each guest. Resort guests also receive FREE Resort Benefits, including extra hours at Hersheypark with Preview Plan and free front-gate shuttle service to and from the Park.