Hersheypark Dark Nights 2023 - More Scares to Share

In 2022, Hersheypark debuted their first scare-based Halloween event called Dark Nights. This year, the park will increase their spooktacular offerings across the board, adding more thrills to experience over 7 September and October weekends.

Every haunted house and scare zone from 2022 will return with continuations of their stories from last year, inviting us to dive deeper into the lore of their environments. Joining the fray in 2023 is the haunted house is Auntie Mortem’s Abbattoir, occupying the old Whip building next to Laff Track. According to the park, “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.” Joining Auntie Mortem is the new Fallout Zone scare zone in the rather “dead” section of the park between Fahrenheit and Tidal Force. All haunted houses and scare zones are included with a Hersheypark Halloween or Season Pass this year!

New food and drink offerings will join returning favorites scattered throughout the park. RIP Dinner Buffet: Meat the Monsters will provide guests with an all-you-care-to-eat buffet of themed foods and monster experiences, along with a single-use fast lane for any of the houses. The Chocolatier Restaurant outdoor porch is becoming Spirit’s Rooftop Bar with a unique offering of specialty cocktails and mocktails to bolster your (liquid) courage for the evening. A new Dark Nights Tasting Pass will be available for those wanting to indulge in multiple specialty offerings throughout the event.

During the day, Trick-or-Treating, character meets, and other family-friendly attractions will be available. It does seem that most attractions aside from dark coaster rides and Creatures of the Night at ZooAmerica will be closed around 8:00 PM to provide the spooky atmosphere Hersheypark is aiming for. Unlike in years past, this is not a totally family-friendly event.

Hersheypark’s Dark Nights event was a solid first attempt last year and we are very excited to check out the new additions. Catch up with our review from last year and keep an eye out in September as we attempt to brave the brand-new thrills and tasty chills of Dark Nights 2023.