With fall in full swing, Halloween attractions across the Keystone State are beginning to dust off their haunted asylums and hayrides.
From spooky houses to coffin hearse rides, along with some family-friendly festivals, there’s plenty to explore this season across Pennsylvania.
Whether you’re in it for the thrills or the pumpkin spice, here are some fun places to visit, with several attractions starting now.
Field of Screams — Oct. 3 to Nov. 14
Address: 191 College Ave., Mountville
Cost: Tickets start at $40
Hours: Hours of operation vary
The well-known Lancaster County Halloween site features four main attractions alongside other activities, including axe throwing and themed drinks at its 21+ “Chainsaw Bar.” Field of Screams also hosts “extreme blackout” nights on certain October dates, intensifying the spooky atmosphere.
Central Pa. Tattoo and Horror Expo — Oct. 3-5
Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
Cost: Tickets start at $20. Children under 12 are admitted free of charge.
Hours: 2-10 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday
This three-day event will feature tattoo competitions, with over 100 tattoo artists from across the U.S. in attendance. There will also be raffles, giveaways, multiple costume contests, and plenty of vendors selling unique Halloween items. Guests are encouraged to dress up even if they aren’t competing.
Hersheypark Dark Nights — Now through Nov.2
Address: 100 Hersheypark Dr., Hershey
Cost: Tickets start at $45.99
Hours: Hours of operation vary
Hersheypark offers guests the opportunity to walk through five themed haunted houses, taking visitors through places like a haunted coal mine, a not-so-normal carnival, and a brand new “ Kill ‘N Fill Garage.” The park also offers extra “scare zones,” a trick-or-treat area for children, and spooky drinks at the 21+ “Spirits” rooftop bar.
Kim’s Krypt Haunted Mill — Now through Nov. 2
Address: 5932 Colonial Valley Road, Spring Grove
Cost: Tickets start at $20 for single attractions
Hours: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday
The York County haunted attraction has five unique areas, including the “Terror Trail,” “House of Eyes,” and “Dark Despair,” which challenge guests to escape in complete darkness. There is also a Zombie escape room, along with the chance to ride in a hearse or lie in a coffin inside it. Hearse rides are $10.
Dutch Wonderland: Happy Hauntings — Now through Oct. 27
Address: 2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
Cost: Tickets start at $34.99
Hours: Noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
The park is tailored for children, so these “hauntings” don’t feature intense scares. Kids can go trick-or-treating, enjoy a costume parade, and listen to some “not so spooky” stories during the park’s Halloween shows.
Knoebels: Hallo Fun — Oct. 3-26
Address: 391 Knoebels Blvd., Route 487, Elysburg
Hours: Hours vary
Cost: Passes start at $30
Attendees can decorate cookies, play bingo, and paint pumpkins in the mornings, then enjoy the “Scream Machine” puppet show, rides in the dark, or the “Ghosts and Gourds” music and light show. The park also offers Halloween treats and drinks.
Shocktoberfest — Now through Nov. 9
Address: 94 Park Ave., Sinking Spring
Hours: Hours vary
Cost: Tickets start at $30
This attraction in Berks County has been operating for over thirty years, and is celebrating its 35th spooky season this year. Situated in a large field, it offers 11 activities, including an escape room, a “Zombie Safari” hayride, and a festive 21+ bar. There is also a separate, less frightening area designed for children.
Halloween Nights at the Eastern State Penitentiary — Now through Nov. 8
Address: 2027 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia
Hours: Hours vary
Cost: Tickets start at $49
Thought of as one of the most haunted places in Pennsylvania, the Eastern State Penitentiary offers five frightful sections and a new “Dark Tides” which places guests in an abandoned fishing village where “a gruesome secret dredged up from the deep sea,” according to the penitentiary’s site, is lurking about for its next meal. Guests 21+ can also spend time in the beer garden or spice things up in the “Bloodline Lounge,” which is, of course, a vampire-themed cocktail bar.
Jason’s Woods — Oct. 4 to Nov.2
Address: 179 Stehman Road, Lancaster
Hours: Fri-Sat: 7-10 p.m. and Sun: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $25
In addition to the frights at Field of Screams, Lancaster County also features Jason’s Woods, which invites its guests to travel through multiple attractions, including the “Carnival of Fear,” “Chambers of Horrors,” and the “Horrifying Hayride.” The attraction also hosts special events on select nights and features live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pennhurst Asylum — From now through Nov. 2
Address: 601 N. Church St., Spring City
Hours: 6:30- 10:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sundays.
Cost: Tickets start at $55
The asylum features four attractions, like the “Pennhurst Tunnels” and “The Morgue,” and offers daytime tours and overnight paranormal investigations.
Shippensburg Pumpkin Fest — Oct. 11-12
Address: Shippensburg Fairgrounds, 10131 Possum Hollow Road, Shippensburg
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 11 and noon-3 p.m. Oct. 12.
Cost: Free
The event features live pumpkin carving, hayrides, pony rides, inflatables, food trucks, and pumpkin painting.
East Pennsboro Pumpkin Fest — Oct. 11-12
Address: 100 E. Penn Dr., Enola
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.
Cost: Free
This event will feature pony rides and inflatables for the children, live music, food vendors and food trucks, and a car show.
Event organizers note that parking is limited, and attendees are encouraged to park at Highmark, located at 1800 Center St., Camp Hill, to utilize the free shuttle service for the festival.
Lower Paxton Twp Fall Festival — Oct. 4
Address: 300 Nyes Road, Harrisburg
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
This annual event offers pony rides, face painting, inflatables, and a balloon artist, alongside plenty of food from vendors like The Potato Coop, Foltz Pretzels, and Soul Lotta Empanadas.
The festival will be held rain or shine.
Pumpkin Palooza — Oct. 18-19 and 25-26
Address: Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Hershey Road, Hershey
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Regular admission for ages six and under is $17.50. Seniors ages 62+ are $16.50. Juniors ages 3-12 are $13.50. Children aged two and under, as well as Hershey Gardens members, are admitted free of charge.
Kids can come in costume and participate in a fun trick-or-treat at four candy stations, face painting, and a creepy creatures gallery. There will also be food trucks, over 200 painted pumpkins, and a 14-foot pumpkin tree.
National Watch and Clock Museum: Pumpkins and Pendulums — Oct.25
Address: 514 Poplar St., Columbia
Hours: Noon-3 p.m.
Cost: Kids 5 and under are free, and children ages 6-17 are $5. Adults are $15 and seniors are $10. Family packages are available for $30.
This family-friendly event features trick-or-treating in the museum, crafts, games, and more. Families will also have the opportunity to purchase food and decorate pumpkins.
Gretna Theatre: Whispers in the Dark — Oct. 9-18
Address: 106 Chautauqua Dr., Mount Gretna
Hours: Show times vary
Cost: Tickets start at $25
This immersive theater experience allows patrons to hear the tales of “urban legends” in a new way.