[category]
[title]
Apparently, pumpkin funnel cake and a haunted antique car ride can hold their own against some of the biggest Halloween events in the U.S.
Hallo-Fun at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, has claimed the No. 1 spot in USA Today’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Theme Park Halloween Event. The results put the central Pennsylvania park ahead of SeaWorld Orlando’s Howl-O-Scream at No. 2 and Universal Studios Florida’s Halloween Horror Nights at No. 5.
An expert panel nominated the contenders, with readers voting to determine the final ranking. Pennsylvania had an especially strong showing: Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest placed fourth, Hersheypark Halloween eighth and Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt 10th.
At Knoebels, the winning formula covers a broad range of scare tolerances. More than 50 rides will operate during Hallo-Fun, with seasonal makeovers giving several familiar attractions a spooky assignment. The Haunted Antique Cars swap their usual outing for a haunted experience, while the Pioneer Train–Halloween Express takes passengers on a 1.5-mile trip beneath the Twister coaster, through a tunnel and into the woods. Younger visitors get a festive track on the Panther Cars.
RECOMMENDED: The 18 most eerie haunted houses in the U.S.
View this post on Instagram
There’s plenty to do between rides, too: weekend morning activities in the Phoenix Courtyard include cookie decorating, pumpkin painting and decorating your own treat bag. Kids can also pick up a free scavenger-hunt story card from Guest Services, find the answers around the park and return it for a Halloween treat.
The food lineup makes a persuasive case for arriving hungry: pumpkin funnel cakes and ice cream, caramel apple dip, corn chowder, kettle corn and turkey legs. New this year, Kreeper’s Kitchen serves meals, sides and drinks in Pavilion J, with covered seating, music and family activities.
Entertainment includes Halloween music, marionette shows and a dance-theater production featuring the Pumpkin King and his sinister circus. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Ghosts & Gourds music-and-light show runs every half-hour beginning at 7 pm.
Hallo-Fun operates Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through November 1. Friday hours are 6–10pm, Saturdays 2–10pm and Sundays noon–6pm. Individual ride tickets are available for visitors who prefer a few attractions to a full ride marathon. Costumes are welcome, though guests older than 12 must leave costume masks at home.