Dark Nights Hersheypark – 2023 Event Guide

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Dark Nights is back at Hersheypark-and this year it has more houses, more scares and admission is included in your park ticket!

Offering five houses, enhanced scare zones, themed food and beverages as well as merchandise, the team continues to take Dark Nights to the next level with storytelling and effects.

Dark Nights Hersheypark 2023

Dark Nights will begin on September 15 and run through October 29, 2023. Event hours are 5-10 p.m. on Fridays, 12-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 12-9 p.m. on Sundays. Dark Nights immersive haunt experience begins each night at 6 p.m. and extends one hour after Park close – Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m. and Sundays until 10 p.m.

New this year, every Hersheypark Halloween ticket now includes entrance to all five Dark Nights haunted houses and three Scare Zones featuring all-new and evolved stories, as well as 50 family-friendly attractions and thrilling coasters, with lights-out rides on the new Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid and other coasters. And get ready for 55 limited-time cocktails, treats and savory eats exclusive to Halloween.

2023 Haunted Houses

The nightmare continues for Dark Nights in its second year, as darkness is sweeping over Hersheypark with new, blood-curdling frights lurking about.

• Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir (ALL-NEW FOR 2023) – Ethel Mortem, known as Auntie to the community, is a second-generation meat processor running the family business with the help of her sinister nieces and nephews. Trucks keep coming to feed the machine, but the bones tell a more sinister story. Farm to table has never been more gruesome when Auntie is planning the menu.

• Haunted Coal Mine: Curse Of The Tommyknockers – It’s not only the past miners that haunt these shafts but the evil Tommyknockers who must protect their gold by any means necessary. You escaped their mines once before, but will you be so lucky this time? The fear doesn’t come from where you’re trapped but who you’re trapped with.

• Creatures Uncaged – Professor Darkstone’s prized possessions now run the show. Retrace your steps through their lair but beware, more creatures are lurking in the shadows, and they are hungry for a new audience.

• The Descent: Catacombs Of Decay – The tunnels she once prowled are now hers to dwell in forever. Venture into the catacombs of decay to reveal what secrets remain buried in her past, present and future. But, be careful that you don’t become part of her collection.

• Twisted Carnevil – The darkness of the tent was truly a never-ending carnevil of nightmares. The nightmare continues with venomous twists and turns that will hypnotize some and paralyze others.

Dark Nights Haunted House Accessibility

An Accessibility Program is available for Dark Nights as detailed here. Guests utilizing an electric mobility device must transfer to a manual wheelchair (provided by the Park prior to entering the queue line) for the following Dark Nights attractions: Haunted Coal Mine, The Descent and Twisted Darkness.

Guests using the designated accessible entrances for the Dark Nights haunted house attractions will need to show the attendant their Boarding Pass. The guest will be provided the Dark Nights Accessibility Information and Reservation Tracker and receive an assigned Reservation time for the attraction that corresponds to the current wait time of the standard entrance/queue line at the attraction. Guests may only obtain one Reservation at a time.

2023 Scare Zones

The midways will transform into three Scare Zones each evening.

• Fallout Zone (ALL-NEW FOR 2023) – Rogue radioactive material has begun to emit an eerie green fog. Crews are scrubbing the midway to isolate, contain, and neutralize any threats. You may avoid the fallout, but can you escape the madness from those within? 

• Midway Of Misery – Misery loves company…the Decayed Brigade welcomes new sliders from the underworld with more corners to lurk in and ground to cover. Beware to those who flock to the flames: you never know who (or what) is waiting beyond the arch.

• Darkstone’s Hollow – Ousted from his own show, Darkstone is now caged for all to see and the showmen that hawked his traveling mythical collection now frantically seek shelter from the creatures that have claimed The Hollow as their own.

Food & Beverages

Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights will feature an elevated food and beverage scene with more than 55 eats and spell-binding drinks. Fan favorites like King Shakes

Guests can get a taste of some of the frightfully delicious food offerings available during Dark Nights with the Dark Nights Tasting Pass. The Pass includes a choice of up to five specialty menu items from more than 35 food and beverage options at more than 15 locations throughout the Park, such as Toxic Mac & Cheese, Pulled Pork Sliders, Blood Orange Lemonade, Black Velvet Cake and more. 

New This Year– The RIP Dinner Buffet at Great Scare Catering. The dreadfully delicious dinner buffet includes eerie entrées, desserts to die for and more, while some of the monsters lurk about. RIP Dinner Buffet guests will also receive a Single-Use Fast Track accepted at any of the five Dark Nights haunted houses and a Buy One Get One Hyperdeck Coupon, valid on the new Zombie-themed virtual reality game.

New This Year- Located in Hershey’s Chocolatetown region, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio will offer Spirit’s Rooftop Bar, a rooftop rendezvous available during all Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights operating days starting at 5 p.m. on Fridays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests who dare to explore the haunted rooftop bar will find spirits both real and imagined – from fiery cocktails and octopus-inspired Bloody Marys to absinthe creations and libations that literally pop tableside. 

Dark Nights Merchandise

Exclusive Merchandise available at Hersheypark Supply Co., Dark Nights Emporium and BOOtique starting September 15.

Hersheypark Halloween

If scares aren’t for your family you can still enjoy Hersheypark Halloween all season long.

• Lights-Out Coaster Rides – Feel the rush on thrilling coasters, including the all-new Wildcat’s Revenge with one-of-a-kind inversions. During the last hour of operation, the lights will go dark for rides on some favorites, like Candymonium, Comet and Lightning Racer. Plus, Laff Trakk will be lights-out all day long.

• Hershey’s Trick-Or-Treat Trail – Children 12 and younger will be delighted by 13 sweet stops from Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction to Treatville trick-or-treat trail at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark, where they will find their favorite Halloween candy, plus festive decorations and autumn surprises each operating evening until 8 p.m.

• Hershey Characters Glow Dance Party – Dance along with various Hershey Characters for several performances. The Characters are all dressed up in their trick-or-treating finest, partying to the season’s classics inside Music Box Theatre. 
• Creatures Of The Night – Starting Oct. 13, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is getting in on the action, with a special nighttime flashlight tour included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark Halloween when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. Guests can see the wild and fascinating animal activity that only happens after the sun sets.

13 Tips for Dark Nights

Tickets

New This Year- Dark Nights is included with admission to Hersheypark Halloween. Tickets for the seasonal event are on sale now, with various ticket options available. You save up to 40 percent on dated one-day tickets by selecting the date of your visit, starting at $49.99 plus taxes and fees.

Current 2023 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, with haunted house access included as a new perk based directly on guest feedback. 

Guests can get to the fear faster with the Dark Nights Fast Track program for the five haunted houses on the date of visit. 

Dark Nights and Hersheypark Halloween have become our favorite time of year to experience the park. The expansion of spooky season has amplified the park in a big way. Stay tuned for our reviews once it begins on September 15!