For 2025, Hersheypark Halloween and its signature haunt overlay, Dark Nights, returned bigger than ever. Running eight weekends from September 12 through November 2, this year’s event featured five haunted houses, four scare zones, and more entertainment than ever before—all included with a single Hersheypark Halloween ticket.
The Haunted Attraction Network worked closely with the Hersheypark team to produce an extended behind-the-scenes feature exploring how Dark Nights continues to evolve as both an immersive haunted event and a family destination. The full video, available on the Hersheypark YouTube channel, offers a rare look at the storytelling, design, and creativity that define the experience.
Kill ’n Fill Garage: A Haunt Fueled by History
The new haunted house, Kill ’n Fill Garage, expands Hersheypark’s growing catalog of original attractions while paying homage to the park’s local history. “The classic service station is part of Hershey Estates’ history,” said Chris Brown, Director of Planning and Design for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. “We wanted to understand what it would look like if one of those was abandoned on the edge of the Hersheypark campus—and what secrets might be hidden inside.”
Inside, guests weave through mechanics bays, twisted wreckage, and a blood-slicked car wash, confronting killers who’ve turned the garage into their hideout. “We wanted this to be our most ambitious house yet,” Brown said. “You’ll even pass under a working car lift—it lets us play with height, sightlines, and tension in ways we haven’t before.”
Lighting designer John Kaufman of Illuminated Integration helped bring that vision to life with a balance of realism and theatricality. “It’s set in the 1970s, so we hunted down fixtures from that era—everything from antique signage to a Mountain Dew clock we rewired with LEDs,” Kaufman explained. “That’s what makes it feel real; it’s grounded in time and place.”
Path of Shadows: Coven’s Curse
Dark Nights 2025 also introduced Path of Shadows: Coven’s Curse, a new scare zone where three witches use the elements to ensnare guests. “We wanted to bring the magic of technology and storytelling together,” said Brewer Lister, Communications Specialist for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. “The show evolves over the evening—come early, then return later to see how the story changes.”
The result is a living narrative that shifts with the night, blending special effects, sound design, and live performance into a dynamic experience that rewards repeat visits.
Balancing Fear and Family
While Dark Nights dominates after sundown, Hersheypark Halloween continues to deliver family-friendly thrills by day with 50 rides, lights-out coaster experiences, and the new Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk overlay celebrating the coaster’s 10th anniversary.
Entertainment remains a major focus. “Our Shake, Rattle, and Glow: Monster Ball is back inside the Music Box Theatre,” said Amanda Polyak, Entertainment Manager for Hersheypark. “Guests can join the Hershey Characters for dancing, singing, and photo opportunities. It’s the perfect break between coasters and haunted houses.”
Elsewhere, the Avenue of the Afterlife scare-free zone offers fire performers, live DJs, and themed food and drink, while younger visitors can enjoy 14 candy stops along the Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail. “The goal is to create a space where every guest—from thrill-seeker to first-time visitor—can find their version of Halloween fun,” Polyak said. “Whether you want to scream in a haunted house or laugh with the Hershey Characters, your ticket includes it all.”
A Signature Blend of Story and Value
With five haunted houses, four scare zones, and a robust entertainment lineup, Dark Nights continues to distinguish itself in the regional haunt landscape. “We pride ourselves on offering incredible value,” Polyak emphasized. “Your one ticket includes 50 rides, all haunted houses, and our entertainment lineup. It’s about giving guests freedom to choose their thrill.”
That blend of quality, accessibility, and storytelling has solidified Dark Nights as one of the most ambitious seasonal events in the country. By merging Hershey’s legacy with evolving guest expectations, Dark Nights shows that the sweetest scares come from creativity—and a touch of chocolate.
