Halloween season is a great time for a family day trip, and amusement parks throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey get into the spirit with everything from pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating to hayrides, fall festivals and spooky rides. Whether your family is looking for not-too-scary Halloween fun for younger children or nighttime thrills for older kids and teens, there are plenty of seasonal events to choose from this fall. Here are some of the Halloween and fall events happening at amusement parks within driving distance of the Philadelphia suburbs.
Pennsylvania Amusement Parks
Dutch Wonderland – Lancaster, PA
Happy Hauntings: September 19–October 31, 2026
Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park transforms into a family-friendly Halloween destination during Happy Hauntings, with Halloween-themed entertainment, decorations, seasonal treats and rides. The event is designed to keep the “happy” in Halloween, making it a good option for families with younger children who want festive fun without the scares. Select dates run on weekends through October 31.
Website: Dutch Wonderland
Storybook Land – Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Fall Into Fun Festival & Trick-or-Treat Weekends: September 19–October 25, 2026
Storybook Land celebrates fall with pumpkins, hay bales, mums, Elmer’s Hay-Mazin’ Maze, Happy Hayrides and a Pumpkin Patch. The park then hosts its family-friendly Trick-or-Treat Weekends on October 17, 18, 24 and 25, with 12 trick-or-treat stops throughout the park. Children receive a treat bag with paid admission and are encouraged to wear costumes.
Website: Storybook Land
Dorney Park – Allentown, PA
Tricks & Treats: September 19–November 1, 2026
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom offers Tricks & Treats, a daytime Halloween celebration designed specifically for families. Activities include trick-or-treating, a costume contest, seasonal entertainment, pumpkin decorating, Halloween games and rides throughout the park. The event takes place before the scarier nighttime Halloween activities begin, making it a good choice for families looking for Halloween fun without the fright.
Also: Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt runs select nights from September 18 through October 31 for guests looking for a much scarier Halloween experience.
Website: Dorney Park
Hersheypark – Hershey, PA
Hersheypark Halloween & Dark Nights: September 12–November 1, 2026
Hersheypark combines daytime family Halloween activities with nighttime thrills during Hersheypark Halloween. Families can enjoy rides, trick-or-treating, Halloween entertainment and the Hershey characters in costume. Beginning at 6 p.m., Dark Nights adds five haunted houses and five scare zones for guests looking for a more intense Halloween experience.
The event runs select weekends through November 1, including Halloween night.
Website: Hersheypark
Knoebels Amusement Resort – Elysburg, PA
Hallo-Fun: October 9–November 1, 2026
Knoebels Amusement Resort gets into the Halloween spirit with Hallo-Fun, featuring fall decorations, seasonal food, live entertainment and more than 50 rides. Specially themed attractions include the Haunted Antique Cars and the Halloween Express on the Pioneer Train.
2026 dates: Fridays, October 9, 16, 23 and 30; Saturdays, October 10, 17, 24 and 31; and Sundays, October 11, 18, 25 and November 1.
Website: Knoebels
Sesame Place Philadelphia – Langhorne, PA
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular:| September 19–November 1, 2026
Sesame Place is one of the best-known options for families with younger children. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular features trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed shows, the Sesame Street Halloween Parade, dance parties, a Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, rides and opportunities to meet Sesame Street characters in costume.
The event is specifically designed as silly, not-too-spooky Halloween fun, making it a good choice for preschool and elementary-age children.
Website: Sesame Place Philadelphia
New Jersey Amusement Parks
Diggerland USA – West Berlin, NJ
Diggerfest | September 26–November 15, 2026
Diggerland USA puts a construction-themed spin on fall with Diggerfest, its annual fall festival. Families can enjoy hayrides, fire truck rides, pumpkin decorating, games, hay mazes, a parade of machines and seasonal entertainment. Trick-or-treating and a costume parade are also offered on select Diggerfest weekends.
Diggerfest is included with general admission, although individual activities and schedules can vary by date.
Website: Diggerland USA
The Funplex – Mount Laurel, NJ
Funtober: September 26–October 11, 2026
The Funplex celebrates the fall season with Funtober, a family-friendly event taking place September 26–27, October 3–4 and October 10–11. Families can pick and decorate pumpkins, play seasonal games including pumpkin bowling, explore a family-friendly hay maze and enjoy kiddie tractor rides and Funplex attractions.
Funtober runs from 12–6 p.m., and activities are included with admission.
Website: The Funplex Mount Laurel
Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson, NJ
Kids Boo Fest & Fright Fest: September 12–November 1, 2026
Six Flags Great Adventure offers two very different Halloween experiences. Kids Boo Fest provides daytime Halloween fun for families, while Fright Fest brings Halloween thrills and scares on select nights.
Both events run on select dates from September 12 through November 1, giving families plenty of opportunities to plan a fall visit.
Website: Six Flags Great Adventure
Morey’s Piers – Wildwood, NJ
Oktoberfest: September 18–October 11, 2026
Morey’s Piers offers a different kind of fall amusement park outing during Oktoberfest. Held on weekends at Mariner’s Pier, the event features live music, seasonal food, games and rides. Families are welcome, although beer is available only to guests 21 and older.
While this isn’t a traditional Halloween event, it’s another seasonal opportunity to enjoy amusement park rides and fall entertainment at the Jersey Shore.
Website: Morey’s Piers
Choose Your Level of Spooky Fun
Not Too Spooky: Best for Younger Kids
Looking for Halloween fun without the scares? Sesame Place, Dutch Wonderland, Storybook Land, Diggerland USA and The Funplex focus on daytime fall activities, costumes, trick-or-treating, seasonal entertainment and kid-friendly Halloween fun.
A Little Spooky: Halloween Fun for the Whole Family
For families who want a little more Halloween atmosphere, Knoebels’ Hallo-Fun and Dorney Park’s Tricks & Treats combine fall decorations, seasonal activities and amusement park rides without making the entire experience a haunted attraction.
Definitely Spooky: For Older Kids & Teens
Ready for bigger thrills and scares? Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt, Hersheypark’s Dark Nights and Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest feature haunted attractions, scare zones and nighttime Halloween entertainment. These events can be intense, so parents should check the individual park’s age recommendations and event details before visiting.
Tips for Parents: Even parks with family-friendly Halloween events may offer separate nighttime haunt experiences. Check the schedule carefully when purchasing tickets so you know whether you’re attending the daytime family event or the more intense evening Halloween attractions.
Photo of carousel courtesy of Hersheypark.