Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights Named Top 10 Best Theme Park Halloween Event

Date: October 1, 2025

The results are in! For the third consecutive year, Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights presented by Reese's and Kit Kat® was named one of the top 10 best theme park Halloween events in the country. The seasonal event at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania ranked #6 overall - up two spots from last year - in the USA TODAY 10Best 2025 Readers' Choice Awards.

Twenty nominees across the country were chosen by a panel of relevant experts, including editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The contest gave voters four weeks to vote for their preferred theme park event. 

Thank you to everyone who voted for us!

All-in-One Ticket for Family Fun and Frights

Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights is just getting started - there are still five weekends left to get into the Halloween spirit in Hershey. The one-price admission includes the following family-friendly offerings during the day and frights at night.

• Five haunted houses, including the all-new Kill 'N Fill Garage (beginning nightly at 6 p.m.)
• Four scare zones - more than ever - with the all-new Path of Shadows: Coven's Curse (beginning nightly at 6 p.m.)
• Thrills on 50 rides and attractions, weather and maintenance permitting
• Lights-out rides on select coasters like Wildcat's Revenge and Candymonium during the last hour of Hersheypark Halloween operations
• Trick-or-treating for children 12 and under along the Hershey’s Trick Or Treat Trail with 14 candy stops
• Shake, Rattle and Glow: Monster Ball with the Hershey Characters dressed up in their Halloween finest and ready to party to the season's classics
• The Avenue of the Afterlife scare-free zone featuring acrobats, jugglers and firebreathers
• Other shows and Character appearances
• Creatures Of The Night at ZooAmerica starting Oct. 3 - included when entering the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark

Guests can get a taste of the season with more than 50 limited-time treats, savory eats and cocktails available for purchase throughout Hersheypark. Spirit's Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier is also open with a dozen limited-time spell-binding cocktails, sinful shareables and dreadfully delicious desserts.

Event hours are as follows:

• Fridays: Hersheypark Halloween from 5-10 p.m. with Dark Nights from 6-11 p.m.
• Saturdays: Hersheypark Halloween from 12-10 p.m. with Dark Nights from 6-11 p.m.
• Sundays: Hersheypark Halloween from 12-9 p.m. with Dark Nights from 6-10 p.m.

Great ticket offers are available on Hersheypark.com. We hope to see you there!