There are so many events in Hershey during October, it’s hard to keep track of them all! We’ve done some of the research for you, so you can make the most of the next four weeks:
For the first week of October, Hershey will be swarmed by antique vehicles of every variety as the Antique Auto Club of America's Eastern Region Fall Meet comes to town. The meet takes place from October 4 to 7, and consists of more than 9,000 flea market spaces, 1,000 car corral spaces, and approximately 1,500 show cars. Each year the show attracts visitors from all over the United States and many countries throughout the world.
After the Fall Meet traffic leaves town, it's time to celebrate autumn and Halloween with fun events for the young and young at heart!
Hersheypark in the Dark, Hershey’s Trick or Treat Adventure and ZooAmerica’s Creatures Of The Night begin their weekend runs on Friday, October 13 and continue weekends through October 15, October 20-22 and October 27-29. The park is transformed by colorful fall decorations, and special seasonal rates make it easier to take the whole family. Hershey’s Trick or Treat Adventure begins at Hershey’s Chocolate World and continues to a special area inside Hersheypark with a journey of decorated doors and friendly folks offering Hershey’s candy. Live music from spooky bands enhance the experience, and the S’mores treats and hot cider are there to take away the chill!
Included in your admission to Hersheypark In The Dark is ZooAmerica’s Creatures Of Ihe Night. Watch the wolves howl at the moon, see the bears devour pumpkins, and hang out with the bats at their favorite hour! Bring a flashlight and explore ZooAmerica to get a rare glimpse into the nighttime habits of your favorite animals.
On Saturdays in October (Oct. 14, 21 and 28) visit the Hershey Story Museum to create "Monster Mischief." On those days from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., kids who visit the Museum Experience at The Hershey Story can create their very own monster pop using a Hershey bar, decorative icing and edible candy eyes. They’ll also receive a vintage Hershey’s mask to assemble. For a fun Halloween photo opportunity, children are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite costume and pose in front of a vintage Hershey’s advertising backdrop. Included in Museum Experience admission.
October 14 also brings the 3rd annual Choctoberfest on ChocolateTown Square in downtown Hershey from noon–6:00 p.m. This family-friendly fall festival features great live music, local craft beer, chocolate and delicious food from downtown restaurants, and offers an array of family and children’s activities. Choctoberfest is free and open to the public, with food and beverages available for purchase.
This year for the first time, the annual Hershey Partnership Soup Cook-Off will be held the same day as Choctoberfest. On October 24 from 11:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m., sample dozens of soups concocted by local begs and amateur soup aficionados This event takes place at the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, which receives a portion of the event profits. Admission is available at the door: adults are $12, children ages 10 and under, $5.
Also on October 14, and just a mile or two out of town), Indian Echo Caverns hosts its 6th annual Autumn Festival & Old Fashion Days, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with wagon rides, pumpkin patches, face painting, glitter tattoos, geode cracking, a bouncy house, charity bake sale, local artist and craft vendors, and food.
On Saturday evening, October 14, the Hershey Bears face Belleville in the team's home opener at the GIANT Center. The first game against the local rival Lehigh Valley Phantoms will be hosted by the Bears on Sunday, October 15 at the GIANT Center.
Fall also means fitness in Hershey, as runners arrive Sunday, October 15 for the sold-out Hershey Half Marathon. After the finish line (complete with cool collector medal), relaxation is close at hand. Treat yourself to Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice with a Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub, a Great Pumpkin Facial or a Pumpkin Latte Manicure & Pedicure at The Spa at The Hotel Hershey. Stay and dine at any one of the fine restaurants at the Hotel Hershey or the Hershey Lodge, all featuring special fall menu items.
Also on October 15 from 4 to 6 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church (433 E. Main St. Hummelstown) will hold its third annual Trunk-n-Treat in the church parking lot. Please bring an item for the Hummelstown Food Bank. There is no admission fee, but the church asks for a donation to offset event costs.
Have you ever tried a ride on the Hershey Trolley Works? It’s a completely different experience on the Trick or Treat Trolley, a theatrical sightseeing show where two actors bring the story of Hershey to life on the trolley. However, this show focuses more closely on the joy of being a kid (don’t we all want to dress up and go trick or treating?), and the love Mr. and Mrs. Hershey had for children that led them to start Milton Hershey School, the focal point of their amazing legacy. The Trick or Treat Trolley runs in the evenings during Hersheypark In The Dark weekends in October; tickets are available in Hershey’s Chocolate World.
Did you know that Hersheypark Camping Resort has events (for campground guests only) during weekends of Hersheypark In The Dark as well? The campground hosts Halloween contests, including a coloring contest, a Decorate-Your-Campsite contest and a pumpkin carving contest, as well as weekend Halloween crafts, costume contests, Halloween Candy Scrabble, a noon Trick or Treat Adventure on Saturdays and music on Friday evenings.
If you’re in Hershey during the week and need a Halloween diversion, the 70th Annual Hershey Halloween Parade takes place on October 17. This parade is a charmer, with homemade floats and unique costumes, as well as the traditional candy tossing to parade watchers. It’s Americana at its best! Come downtown early and join First United Methodist Church (64 W. Chocolate Ave in Hershey) for Trunk or Treat from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. before the parade.
On October 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m, Hershey Gardens begins two weekends of its popular Pumpkin Glow (October 20 and 21, and October 27 and 28), where guests meander along a mile-long path to see 150+ lighted, carved pumpkins and gourds. New this year: ten unique themed pumpkin areas, including Hero Headquarters, Creative Cartoons, Haunted Happenings, Halloween Zoo, Woodland Creatures, A Pirate's Life, Wicked Fun, Plants & Pollinators and Once Upon a Time.
Also at Pumpkin Glow, chefs will be on hand to demonstrate pumpkin carving techniques. Don't miss the live creature exhibit spotlighting Goliath tarantulas, giant scorpions, a giant centipede, a jack-o-lantern filled with hissing cockroaches and large friendly caterpillars that visitors can hold. The creature exhibit will be on display in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory during Pumpkin Glow. (The Butterfly Atrium will be closed during the event) General admission is $12.50 for visitors ages 13-61, $11.50 for seniors (ages 62 and up), and $9.00 for juniors (ages 3-12); children ages 2 and under are free. Candy distributed at Pumpkin Glow is generously donated by The Hershey Company.
Also on Saturday, October 21, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum will host its popular Trunk or Treat from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors ages 12 and under may participate with museum admission; after creating their own unique “trunk or treat” bags, kids will hunt for a number of trunk or treat spots within the museum, with treats provided by The Hershey Company
After the AACA event, bring your ghouls and goblins to a Shank Park Halloween at one of Derry Township’s largest parks. Shank Park Halloween takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 21, and features pumpkin decorating, inflatable games, face painting, a candy hunt, S’mores by the campfire, and a Drive-In Movie screening of Captain Underpants. Concessions will be available for purchase, and the event is free (although there is a suggested donation of $5.00 per vehicle).
Also on Saturday, October 21, catch the classic Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus at 7:00 p.m. and/or The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 11:59 p.m. at the Hershey Theatre. Tickets are $8.00 per person and are available at the theatre box office or Ticketmaster.
On Sunday, October 22, stop by Fishburn United Methodist Church (1215 Fishburn Rd in Hershey) for Trunk or Treat from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—the church offers easy trick or treating with crafts for the kids, free hot dogs, chips and water.
On Thursday, October 26, keep your eye out for little princesses and Pokémon characters on the sidewalks of Hershey as the town’s Trick or Treat takes place from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
By the time October 31 rolls around, you be ready to relax with your own special Halloween traditions at home!
