Hersheypark Halloween 2022 – What You Need to Know

If you know my family, you know how much we love Halloween. And we love Hersheypark. So when they offer a Halloween party at Hersheypark, that’s the perfect combination. Previously the Halloween party was called Hersheypark in the Dark. However, now Hersheypark Halloween is included with your price of Hersheypark admission. Your guide to Hersheypark Halloween 2022.

What is Hersheypark Halloween?

In years past, Hershey had an extra ticketed event called Hersheypark in the Dark during September and October. Now when Hersheypark refers to Hersheypark Halloween, it is essentially Hersheypark at Halloween time. So it’s like purchasing a regular ticket to Hersheypark theme park and getting the Halloween decor, rides, and characters now included in your park admission. 

However, Dark Nights, the spookier Halloween aspect, is an additional cost.

Hersheypark Halloween Dates and Hours

Hersheypark has really invested money into turning it into a fabulous destination for Halloween. Hersheypark Halloween will be open more weekends than ever before! 

Hersheypark Halloween Hours from Sept. 17 through Oct. 30, 2022: 

• Starting Sept. 17, hours for Hersheypark Halloween are 2-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 2-9 p.m. on Sundays.
• Hersheypark Halloween is also open on Fridays from 5-10 p.m. beginning Oct. 14.

How Much Do Hersheypark Halloween Tickets Cost?

All the additions of Hersheypark Halloween are included with your Hersheypark admission! Dark Nights is an additional cost and starts at $25 for the scary Haunted Houses. You can also add on different ticket bundles like Fastrack bundles. The cost varies on each day.

The most budget friendly ticket tends to be a multi-day Hersheypark ticket or an Annual Pass if you want more bang for your Halloween buck. 

Tickets can be found starting at around $50 on Hersheypark’s website!

Special Rides During Halloween

Over 50 attractions are open (weather permitting)! Lines weren’t bad, so the kids were able to ride everything they wanted. Something exclusive to Hersheypark Halloween is riding Laff Trakk with the lights off from open to close and lights out coaster rides during the last hour of operation on Candymonium, Comet, and Lightning Racer.

It’s fun to wear glow-in-the-dark outfits for Laff Trakk.

Trick-or-Treating at Hersheypark Halloween

Hersheypark Halloween has a path in the back of the park called Treatville trick-or-treat trail. If kids (12 and under) dress in costume, they can pick up treats along the path! In our experience, we received a hand stamp at the beginning of the trail to show we had been through. 

Some trick or treat stations have candy with peanuts, but they do have allergy-friendly options that you can ask for.

I still think they could be a bit more generous with their candy since it’s Hershey. 

Characters at Hersheypark Halloween

I love a good character photo op, and so do my kids, especially the little ones. You can meet rare Hershey characters around the park dressed in costume, plus join a variety of Hershey’s Characters for dancing and fun at Hershey’s Character Glow Dance Party by Founder’s Way. 

Is Hersheypark Halloween Kid Friendly?

Hersheypark Halloween is kid friendly with fun characters, costumes, rides, and candy. Is Hersheypark Halloween worth the price? Hersheypark Halloween is worth it if you love Halloween and love theme park rides. It’s a fabulous way to ride your favorites when the weather is cooler and the park is decked out for a spooktacular celebration! Plus it’s a lot less expensive than Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

You get extras like photos with characters in costumes and dance parties, and your admission includes ZooAmerica Creatures of the Night, starting at 6 p.m., a nighttime tour. I like things that I can’t get during another time or season, and this Halloween party fits the bill. It’s especially worth it if you do a preview the night before, and then come back the next day. We got so much accomplished in 3 hours at Hersheypark in October.

Hersheypark Halloween isn’t frightening for small children, but watch out for Dark Night Scare Zones. Hersheypark has added Dark Nights haunted house attractions and they contain loud sounds, low lighting, special effects and sudden movements. Some aspects of Dark Nights at Hersheypark may be too intense for children younger than 13. Parental discretion and guidance are advised.

I don’t think Dark Nights are as intense as Halloween Horror Nights, but it’s a fun addition for tweens and teens looking for a little more scare.

If you want to make it a staycation or vacation, don’t forget to check out all of the lodging at Hershey including Hersheypark Camping Resort,  The Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Lodge.