Crisp air, golden leaves, and the smell of cider—fall in Pennsylvania is a magical time to head to an amusement park. Many of the state’s top parks transform into seasonal wonderlands filled with pumpkins, parades, and spooky thrills. The best part? Families with kids of all ages can find something fun, from toddler-friendly trick-or-treating to adrenaline-pumping haunted houses for teens.
Here’s your guide to Pennsylvania amusement parks offering the best autumn fun this year. Want to turn an amusement park visit into a long weekend? Reach out and let’s talk!
Hersheypark – Sweet and Scary Halloween Fun
Practical Stuff:
- Location: Hershey, PA
- Visit the Halloween at Hershey website
- Visit the Dark Nights website
- Pricing: $54.99 for one-day tickets; $79.99 if you want to go Friday-Sunday (3 days)
- One ticket gets you into both Hershey Park and Dark Nights
Younger Kids (Halloween at Hershey Park):
- Treatville Trick-or-Treat Trail – safe candy stations for little ones
- Note: Trick-or-Treat Trail only open 5:00-8:30 PM Fri-Sun
- Character meet-and-greets in costumes.
- Family rides like the Ferris wheel and carousel are open.
- Most of the rides towards the entrance of the park are open and all are separate from the Dark Nights area
- Halloween family-friendly shows.
Older Kids & Teens (Dark Nights):
- Dark Nights Haunted Houses – 5 immersive haunted experiences after dark.
- Scare Zones – 4 themed ‘scare zones’ designed to make you jump.
- Coasters like Candymonium and Fahrenheit run into the night for a thrill under the fall sky.
- For parents – Spirit’s Rooftop Bar has some epic glow-in-the-dark drinks.
Practical Notes: Hersheypark Halloween typically runs Friday-Sunday from late September through early November. During daylight, scares are toned down; after 6 p.m., haunted attractions kick in. This year, the hours look like:
- Fridays:
- Hershey Park: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Dark Nights: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Saturdays:
- Hershey Park: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Dark Nights: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sundays:
- Hershey Park: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Dark Nights: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Bundle your day with a visit to ZooAmerica, included with admission.
Kennywood – Phantom Fall Fest
Practical Stuff:
- Location: West Mifflin (near Pittsburgh), PA
- Visit the Kennywood Phantom Fall Fest website
- Pricing: $37.49 if you pick the date you visit, $59.99 for an any-date ticket
Younger Kids:
- Daytime fun includes festive fall decorations, family rides, and games.
- Gentle favorites like Kiddieland and the new Kennywood Junction rides will be open for younger guests.
- Parents – the bottom of the Kennywood website has a complete list of which rides are open all day and night, and which rides close at 6:00 PM when the Phantom arrives.
Older Kids & Teens:
- Once the sun sets, the park transforms into one of Pennsylvania’s spookiest Halloween destinations. Six haunted houses and four scare zones take over.
- Big thrill rides like Phantom’s Revenge and Steel Curtain add nighttime chills.
Practical Notes: Families can split the day—arrive early for family-friendly fun and let teens stay later if they’re up for the scares. September – November 1 hours this year look like:
- Fridays: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday, October 23 Kennywood is open from 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Saturdays: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sundays: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Dutch Wonderland – Happy Hauntings
Practical Stuff:
- Location: Lancaster, PA
- Visit the Happy Hauntings Website
- Pricing: $39.99 for pick-a-day tickets (they run Flash Sales regularly though!)
Real Talk, Parents – this is one of the BEST theme parks for tinier humans. The focus is on younger kids and their caregivers being able to ride with them. And the dive show, especially the Halloween one, is not to be missed!
Younger Kids:
- The event is designed with small children in mind. Trick-or-treating, costume contests, and themed shows fill the park.
- Parents – costumes are highly encouraged at Dutch Wonderland!
- Kid-friendly rides like the Wonder Whip and Joust Family Coaster run all season.
Older Kids & Teens:
- While geared toward younger guests, older siblings will still enjoy riding classics together or getting to ride more rides with their younger siblings. The event is way more sweet than spooky.
Practical Notes: Runs weekends in October. Families with a wide age gap may want to pair this with a day trip to Lancaster for older kids. Runs from September 13 – October 26:
- Saturdays: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Sundays: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Monday, October 13 only: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Knoebels – Hallo-Fun Weekends
Practical Stuff:
- Location: Elysburg, PA
- Visit the Knoebels Hallo-Fun Website
- Pricing: Free entry; you can buy a ticket book OR
- Adults: $30-$58 for wristbands, Under 48″: $24-$40 for wristbands
- Pricing depends on the date selected
Younger Kids:
- Monstrous Morning activities for kiddos before the park opens (Saturday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
- These are separate craft-specific tickets ranging from $2.00-$7.00 each or $15 for all the crafts.
- Historic carousels, gentle rides, and classic midway games keep little ones entertained. Lots of rides have been decked out for Halloween.
- Picnic groves and wide-open grounds are perfect for a relaxed outing.
Older Kids & Teens:
- Knoebels’ award-winning coasters like Phoenix and Twister provide plenty of thrills.
- Haunted and seasonal rides sometimes pop up during fall weekends.
Practical Notes: Knoebels is free to enter, with pay-per-ride tickets or wristbands—perfect for families who want flexibility (little ones may ride less, while big kids can go nonstop). Hallo-Fun is scheduled for weekends in October.
- Fridays: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturdays: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sundays: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Idlewild & Soak Zone – HallowBoo!
Practical Stuff:
- Location: Ligonier, PA
- Visit the HallowBoo website
- Pricing: Select-a-date tickets are $34.99 each (they run a lot of specials, too!)
Younger Kids:
- Trick-or-treating along Storybook Forest.
- More than 30 rides and attractions are open for all ages.
- Meet Spookley the Square Pumpkin.
- 3-unique seasonal mazes.
- Gentle Halloween shows and costumed characters keep the experience festive, not frightening.
Older Kids & Teens:
- While most of the attractions are family-oriented, classic rides like the Rollo Coaster still add excitement for older siblings.
Practical Notes: Runs select weekends in October. Best suited for families with younger children but still has nostalgic charm for all ages. Runs from September through October:
- Saturdays: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sundays: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Dorney Park – Tricks and Treats by Day, Halloween Haunt by Night
Practical Stuff:
- Location: Allentown, PA
- Dorney Park Halloween Website
- Pricing: Daytime BOO Tickets (enter before 2:00 PM) ranges from $39-$55 each; Ticket + Haunted Attractions Pass ranges from $49-$89 each
Younger Kids:
- Tricks and Treats daytime event includes games, pumpkin decorating, a Trick-or-Treat Trail and themed shows in addition to rides.
- Costume contests are popular with little ones!
Older Kids & Teens:
- Once evening hits, Halloween Haunt takes over with mazes, scare zones, and nighttime coaster rides.
- Halloween-themed shows!
- Thrill rides like Talon and Steel Force are extra spooky under the night sky.
Practical Notes: Families should plan their visit carefully. Bring younger kids during the day, but be aware the park becomes much scarier in the evening. Halloween Haunt is an intensely scary Halloween event and is not recommended for children younger than 13.
Runs weekends in September and October:
- Fridays: Halloween Haunt only from 6:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturdays: Tricks and Treats from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Halloween Haunt from 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sundays: Tricks and Treats only from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sesame Place – The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Practical Stuff:
- Location: Langhorne, PA (near Philadelphia)
- Visit the Sesame Place Website
- Pricing: Family 4-Pack is $185 to visit any day; single one-day date-specific tickets range from $46.99-$59.99 each
Younger Kids:
- Trick-or-treat stations, themed dance parties, and four shows with Elmo, Cookie Monster, and The Count. Halloween parade!
- Spookley the Square Pumpkin photo opportunities
- Costume parades for kids are a highlight.
- Scarecrow scavenger hunt; the NEW Count-A-Long Castle Maze
Older Kids & Teens:
- Sesame Place is primarily designed for younger children, though older siblings may enjoy taking their younger family members on the rides!
Practical Notes: The Halloween Spooktacular runs from mid-September through early November. Best for preschool and early elementary ages. Sesame Place offers travel agents really good pricing for packages – which usually include walking distance hotel accommodations, 2-day park tickets, discounts on food/merchandise, and some Sesame Cash!
- Fridays: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Parents of Sunflower Kiddos – Sesame Place participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Additionally, Sesame Place is a Certified Autism Center and they have a ton of resources available to families who may need a little extra accommodation including a low sensory room and free noise cancelling headphones for kids. If that may be your crew – check out there Accessibility Page here.
Bonus: Camelback Resort Fall Happenings
Practical Stuff:
- Location: Tannersville, PA
- Visit the Camelback Resort Fall Happenings Website
Younger Kids:
- Pumpkin painting, fall crafts, and family movie nights on the mountain.
- Mini-golf and indoor waterpark fun at Aquatopia!
Older Kids & Teens:
- Mountain coaster, ziplines, and ropes courses offer adventurous thrills.
- Fall festivals add festive outdoor fun including hanging out fireside with a s’more, trying pumpkin bowling, getting lost in the mini maze, goat snuggling on Sundays, and so much more!
Practical Notes: Perfect for families who want more variety beyond traditional rides. Great weekend getaway spot in the Poconos. And Aquatopia is open year round for those who love the water! Travel agents get GREAT pricing at Camelback – make sure to reach out to see how much I can save your crew!
- October 4-5: Apple themed weekend
- October 11: Halloween Movie on the Mountain showing of Ghostbusters starting at dusk
- October 18: 5th Annual Howl O’Ween Doggie Parade
- October 25-26: Halloween Weekend Fun, enjoy our fall activities, and mountain adventures
- Nightime adventures starting October 3 through November 1 from 6pm to 10pm so you can experience the mountain coaster, 1000ft zipline and sunbowl tubing at night.
Final Thoughts
From chocolate-covered thrills in Hershey to gentle storybook strolls at Idlewild, Pennsylvania’s amusement parks offer something magical for every family this fall. Younger children will love trick-or-treating with their favorite characters, while older kids and teens can chase thrills on haunted rides and roller coasters. No matter which park you choose, you’ll find crisp autumn air, festive decorations, and plenty of family memories waiting to be made.
So grab your costumes, pack some cozy layers, and make this fall one to remember at Pennsylvania’s amusement parks! Reach out today and let’s plan your family an epic fall weekend at a Pennsylvania amusement park!
EWK Travel 