Hersheypark Seasonal Events: What to Know Before You Go

The Three Main Seasonal Periods

Hersheypark runs its headline events across three distinct seasons: the fall Halloween period, the Christmas season, and summer specials. Each changes the park experience significantly and draws different crowds.

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Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights (Fall)

Dates

The fall event runs eight fright-filled weekends beginning in mid-September through early November. In 2025, it ran September 12 through November 2. Expect the 2026 edition to follow a similar schedule.

How It Works, Two Events in One

The fall season splits into two co-existing experiences:

Hersheypark Halloween is the family guide daytime event. It includes a trick-or-treat trail specifically for kids 12 and under, regular rides, and the full park experience with light Halloween theming. This runs from park open through the afternoon.

Dark Nights is the adult-oriented haunted experience that activates at 6 p.m. each event night and runs one hour past park close. Dark Nights is included with park admission, no separate haunted attraction fee. Operating hours in 2025: Fridays 5-10 p.m., Saturdays noon-10 p.m., Sundays noon-9 p.m.

Dark Nights Haunted Houses (2025)

Five houses ran in 2025, including one new addition:

• Kill 'N Fill Garage (NEW 2025), abandoned garage setting, car wash finale
• Estate of Evil
• Auntie Mortem's Abattoir
• Haunted Coal Mine
• Twisted Carnevil

Dark Nights Scare Zones (2025)

Four scare zones transformed the midways after 6 p.m.:

• Path of Shadows: Coven's Curse (NEW 2025), witch-themed, replaced a prior zone
• Darkstone's Hollow
• Midway of Misery
• Fallout Zone

Rides During Fall

Most major coasters operate during the fall season, but some close as the season progresses. Hersheypark posts a "last chance" list each fall noting which coasters close before Christmas Candylane. If specific coasters are on your list, check the park blog in September for the final operating schedule.

Tips for Dark Nights

• The haunt experience is genuinely scary, not suitable for young children or guests who are sensitive to startling
• Weekends in October are peak attendance for Dark Nights; early September weekends are notably lighter
• Buy tickets online, gate prices are higher and the event can sell out on October Saturdays

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Hersheypark Christmas Candylane (Winter)

Dates

Christmas Candylane typically opens in mid-November and runs through early January. The 2025-2026 edition ran November 14, 2025 through January 4, 2026. The park operates select dates and all weekends from mid-November through mid-December, then daily from roughly December 18 through January 4, closed Christmas Day.

What's Different at Candylane

• Five million lights throughout the park, including the NOEL light show set to music
• Signature hot chocolate available at food locations
• Seven coasters operate weather permitting, not the full ride lineup
• Family entertainment and holiday character appearances
• The overall atmosphere is calm, festive, and crowd sizes are smaller than peak summer

Coaster Availability

Candylane is not a full-park operation. Seven coasters typically run, but which seven depends on weather and the specific date. Candymonium and Skyrush are generally included. Storm Runner, with its hydraulic launch system, is weather-sensitive and may not run on cold nights. Check the park's official site for the Candylane ride list before your visit.

Who It's For

Candylane draws strong family attendance and couples. It's quieter than summer, the lights are genuinely impressive, and it's a low-pressure way to visit the park. If you have season passes, it's a no-brainer add-on. For single-day ticket buyers, the value comes from the holiday experience rather than ride count.

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Summer Specials

King Size Shake Week

An annual summer promotion at Simply Chocolate featuring specialty topped milkshakes for one week in June. In 2026 it ran June 8-14 with three shake varieties. Not a separate ticketed event, included with park admission.

Star-Spangled Picnic

A July 4th weekend all-you-care-to-eat buffet held at the Fahrenheit catering area. In 2026 it ran July 3 and July 4. Separately ticketed and not part of the dining guide Deal.

New Attractions Rollouts

Major ride additions typically debut with the main summer season. Twizzlers Twisted Gravity opened in 2025 as the world's tallest Screamin' Swing. The Boardwalk water park debuted two new play areas in 2026. New additions tend to arrive at Memorial Day Weekend.

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Crowd Impact by Season

For seasonal events specifically, the best time to attend Dark Nights is a Friday in September or early October. For Candylane, any weekday in December before December 26 will give you a relaxed experience with short waits.