Actors Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt) & Oompa Loompa Rusty Goffe to Headline this Sweet Event!
The Chocolate Expo, one of America’s largest chocolate festivals, makes its debut at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo Center for a two-day celebration of all things chocolate and all things “Wonka” with the stars of that classic 1971 movie on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 10:00am – 6:00pm, with VIP Early Entry beginning at 9:00am.
A Chocolate Lover’s Dream
The Chocolate Expo will feature tastings & sales from more than 100 vendors offering an extraordinary array of artisan chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, chocolate-themed craft beverages and a variety of other delicious treats.
Celebrity guests from the iconic Willy Wonka movie include:
• Peter Ostrum – “Charlie Bucket”
• Julie Dawn Cole – “Veruca Salt”
• Rusty Goffe – The Most Recognizable of the Oompa Loompas
A special Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Anniversary Panel Discussion with the stars, followed by audience Q&A, will take place each day at 2:00pm and is included with admission. Additionally, the famous actors will be available throughout the day to
sign autographs and take selfies with fans for an additional fee set by the actors (see website for details). VIP ticket holders will have first access for autographs & selfies beginning at 9 AM and will receive a VIP souvenir lanyard upon entry.
Contributing to the Wonka magic of the weekend will be a mind-blowing display of balloon sculptures depicting characters and scenes from the movie by internationally-renown balloon artist Robbie Furman. Fans of the movie are especially welcome to come dressed in Wonka-themed costumes, T-shirts and sweaters to add to the festivities.
Educational showcases and delicious demonstrations will be scheduled throughout the event, adding fun, flavor and interaction. Children of all ages can also take advantage of face painting and balloon twisting activities in The Chocolate Expo’s poplar “Kidz Zone.”
Additional event announcements are expected in Spring 2026. General Admission, VIP and Late-Day Special tickets are available online at TheChocolateExpo.com with prices starting at just $10/person for the Late-Day Special tickets.
Guests are encouraged to buy tickets online in advance due to the expected high demand, as only ticket holders can be guaranteed admission to this event.
ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE EXPO: The Chocolate Expo is a Baum Image Group event. Prior creations include The Official Woodstock35th Anniversary Celebration in 2004 under license from Woodstock Ventures, creators of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
A limited number of advance interviews with the Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory stars– Peter Ostrum, Julie Dawn Cole and Rusty Goffe – are available upon request.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
This Thanksgiving, Mohegan Sun invites guests to skip cooking and indulge in an array of festive dining experiences across its award-winning restaurants. On Thursday, November 27th, guests can savor holiday favorites at Beauty & Essex, The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House, Michael Jordan’s Steak House, MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill, TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge, and more. Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook is also celebrating Thanksgiving with their 1st and 10 beer and wings special. Guests can also take advantage of upcoming Black Friday + Cyber Monday Mohegan deals.
Guests can start their meal with Shrimp Cocktail ($17) served with cocktail sauce and lemon, a Gem Salad ($13) featuring romaine, focaccia crisp, herbs, and Grana dressing, or Meatball ($16) baked with mozzarella, pomodoro, and basil.
For entrées, enjoy an 8oz. Filet Mignon ($57) accompanied by spinach, garlic oil, and house steak sauce, or Salmon ($34) prepared with Espelette chili, roasted peppers, artichoke, and spinach. Finish with a slice of Apple or Pumpkin Pie ($15), topped with whipped cream and caramel. Dessert options also include Tiramisu, or Gelato/Sorbet for $15.
Michael Jordan’s Steak House Begin with Squash Soup ($15), garnished with fried squash, sour cream, and Thai basil. The main course features a Classic Turkey Dinner ($42) with slow-roasted turkey, haricot verts, stuffing, gravy, red bliss mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Add a side of Lobster Mac & Cheese ($22), topped with a bacon Cheez-It crust and smoked gouda. For dessert, indulge in Pumpkin Custard Pie ($15) with vanilla bean ganache and marshmallow fluff.
Beauty & Essex Celebrate Thanksgiving with The Tuscan Table, available from 11:00am to 2:30pm. Guest can enjoy Classic Roasted Free-Range Turkey with cranberry sauce and turkey gravy for $42.
For a sweet start or finish, try Apple Cider Donuts ($16) served with spiced salted caramel and vanilla ice cream.
The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House Warm up with Sweet Potato Casserole ($10), a creamy blend topped with toasted marshmallows. Savor Turkey Sliders ($15) with house-roasted turkey breast, cheddar cheese, and horseradish cranberry sauce on a brioche bun.
The Roast Turkey Dinner ($32) includes mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, sautéed peas, green beans, cauliflower, and apple stuffing. Finish with a Specialty Dessert: Pecan Pie served with ice cream for $12.
MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill Start with Bacon-Wrapped Apples ($15), paired with Cherrywood smoked bacon, cranberry chili glaze and Boursin dip.
Enjoy a Classic Turkey Dinner ($42) with slow-roasted turkey, haricot verts, stuffing, gravy, red bliss mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Dessert features a Pecan Pie Brownie topped with salted caramel ice cream for $15.
TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge Enjoy Roasted Duck Dumplings ($25) served with Szechuan garlic gravy, spiced fig, and plum chutney.
Tom’s Watch Bar From November 27th through December 1st, guests can enjoy $2 off 22oz draft beers.
Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook, home to the largest video wall on the East Coast, celebrates Thanksgiving with their 1st and 10 Special, offering guests a 16oz draft beer and 10 wings for just $10. The wings feature Mohegan Sun FanDuel’s exclusive Thanksgiving Cranberry Apple Butter wing sauce! Current draft beers on rotation at the Sportsbook include Samuel Adams, Blue Moon, Two Roads Brewing, Kona, Down East Cider and more. More information is available HERE.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday
With a booking window between November 18th and December 3rd, Mohegan Sun’s Black Friday Hotel Flash Sale will be available for guests, offering 30% off stays. This promotion allows for travel dates between November 18th and December 31st!
For more information on Mohegan Sun’s award-winning hotel experience, visit mohegansun.com/hotel-spa-and-golf.html 12 Days of Hoops & Holly-Deals will also soon arrive on the Connecticut Sun Official Team App. Each day will have something new with deals varying from merch offerings, ticket packages, and enter to win opportunities for the 2026 season! For more information and to download the app, click HERE.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
The Connecticut International Auto Show comes to the Earth Expo and Convention Center at Mohegan Sun on November 15-16. From the hottest new cars, tricked-out custom rides, sleek EVs, and jaw-dropping classics, this show has it all. See new cars, custom rides, EVs, and classics, talk to experts, and test drive vehicles—all in one hands-on event.
Guests can compare hybrids, plug-in hybrids, EVs, and traditional gas engines to discover what best suits their lifestyle. Attendees can get an up-close look at must-see new model vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Ineos Grenadier, Infinity, Jaguar, Kia, Lotus, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Volvo. New this year, Ineos Grenadier will join the lineup of featured brands.
“It’s all about choices this year,” said Kelley Blue Book Executive Editor Brian Moody. “Consumers can pick from fast, powerful gas vehicles like the Nissan Armada and Subaru Forester, or explore hybrids that are growing in popularity, including the Kia Carnival, Toyota Camry, and new Jeep Cherokee Hybrid, the brand’s first pure hybrid in North America. The Connecticut Auto Show offers a pressure-free environment to gather information, compare options and test drive vehicles available today.”
Guests can also get behind the wheel and take some of the latest Chevrolet vehicles for a test drive around the center, courtesy of the Chevrolet dealers of Connecticut. The EV Showcase is a great place to check out some of the latest all-electric vehicles from a variety of brands—Cadillac, Chevrolet, Genesis, GMC, Hyundai, and more. Also, don’t miss furry friends from Pack Leaders Rescue of Connecticutlooking for forever homes in the Subaru Loves Pets display.
Additional special features at the auto show include:
Luxury Vehicle Display – Over-the-top luxury vehicles from Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, and more.
401 Jeep Wave – Custom tricked-out off-road vehicles from local enthusiasts.
New England Supercar Club – See a collection of privately owned tricked-out exotics.
Valenti’s Classics — Classic cars from the Valenti family of dealerships private collection.
Enter to Win a New Bike – All attendees are invited to enter to win a n+ Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team ebike on site at the show ($3,250 value), courtesy of the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association.
The Connecticut International Auto Show is owned by the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association and produced by Steve Freeman Events. The show will be open to the public Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun. (1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, CT 06382.) Plenty of free parking is available onsite in the Winger Garage, adjacent to the Expo Center.Tickets are $14 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, and $6 for children 6-12. Children 6 and under are admitted free. Purchase tickets here. Members of the military are free with ID. For more information visit ctautoshow.com and follow Facebook.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Guests can Enjoy $50 in Free Slot Play and a new Slot Tournament Zone episode of Back of House too!
Located near the Cabaret Theatre in Casino of the Sky, Mohegan Sun is thrilled to unveil the Sky Slot Tournament Zone, the first of its kind at Mohegan Sun. This vibrant new slot zone is exclusive to IGT games – and features games like Wheel of Fortune, Hex Breaker, Cleopatra and Stinkin’ Rich, all of which seamlessly switch between tournament mode and regular play. With the popularity in slot tournaments on the rise, the new Sky Slot Tournament Zone at Mohegan Sun delivers a fun and exciting tournament space for Momentum guests. Additionally, Mohegan Sun is rolling out a special hotel package celebrating the new tournament zone, and it comes equipped with $50 in Free Slot Play!
“This new slot lounge in Casino of the Sky featuring 40+ IGT games and featured currently on BackofHouse.TV is now the central hub for our popular slot tournaments held year-round,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & GM of Mohegan Sun. “Mohegan Sun is an industry leader when it comes to loyalty perks — and our frequent, high-energy slot tournaments certainly help take the Momentum experience to the next level.”
Available for guests 21+, the “Lights, Slots, Action Hotel Package” includes a $50 Free Slot Play voucher as part of an overnight stay, subject to availability. The hotel package is also inspired by Mohegan Sun’s hit Reality Web Series, “Back of House” of which episode two explores the launch of this reimagined tournament zone. For more details and for booking, guests can click HERE. Travel dates for this package are available now through January 31, 2026.
*A Momentum account is required for this hotel package and guests can sign-up for free at any Player’s Club booth at Mohegan Sun.
Slot tournaments at Mohegan Sun often feature prize pools of up to $50,000, with advantageous grand prizes! On-site registration is required for Momentum guests at the Sky Slot Tournament Zone or Tournament Zone kiosks during the tournament. The next tournament in the Sky Slot Tournament Zone arrives at 4:00pm on Tuesday, November 11th as part of the $15k Veteran’s Day Slot Tournament. For more information on this tournament, and to stay tuned for all upcoming tournaments, guests can also visit: mohegansun.com/slottournaments
Mohegan Sun’s Momentum program is free to join for guests 21+ at any Player’s Club booth. Members earn Momentum Dollars and Status Points through in-person and online play at MoheganSunCasino.com. Benefits include exclusive event invites, hotel discounts or comps, concert tickets, Mandara Spa savings, complimentary golf rounds, dining specials, priority seating, Momentum Partner deals, personalized travel service, and more.
ABOUT BACK OF HOUSE
“Back of House” swings the doors of hospitality and entertainment wide open. It is a trailblazing all-access pass to the action behind the action at one of the world’s largest integrated casino resortdestinations, Mohegan Sun. Enjoy following fun, dedicated resort employees as they navigate obstacles and challenges in their quests to make each guest’s stay a perfect getaway experience. For more information, visit backofhouse.tv where you can also book a room, buy show tickets, gift cards, Mohegan Sun merchandise, and even check out careers with Mohegan Sun.
Guests can elevate their drinking experience with a curated collection of fine spirits
Mohegan Sun, home to more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges is excited to announce the roll out of the Select Barrel Series featuring renowned top-shelf whiskeys, gin, tequila and rum. Many of Mohegan Sun’s most popular attractions like novelle and TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge will be taking part serving up high-end offerings from Elijah Craig, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Woodford Reserve, Breckenridge, Rittenhouse Jack Daniel’s and more. This Barrel Series rolled out this summer and will be updated regularly at mohegansun.com/selectbarrel
“The Select Barrel Series at Mohegan Sun brings a curated collection of spirits to our more than 40 restaurants across the resort, featuring whiskeys, gin, rum and tequila,” -said Chris Greaney, VP of Food & Beverage at Mohegan Sun. “Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply looking to savor something excellent, this series promises a memorable experience through exceptional quality and craftsmanship.”
Featured Whiskey
When it comes to whiskey, Mohegan Sun’s Select Barrel Series will offer up only the best. Available at Clay Pipe Cigar Bar, novelle and TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge will be highlights like Breckenridge Bourbon, which is an 86-proof bourbon with a deep honey-amber hue and enticing aromas of butterscotch, candied orange and crisp apple. Another sought after whiskey featured as part of the Select Barrel Series is Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select and this famous whiskey provides rich caramel notes intertwined with toasted oak and hints of ripe banana. The palate delivers layers of vanilla and warm baking spices, complemented by notes of roasted nuts. One more popular whiskey featured in the Select Barrel Series is Litchfield Bourbon Whiskey which is crafted in Litchfield, Connecticut. Aged in #4 charred barrels, the 92-proof bourbon gives off a beautiful amber hue and releases inviting aromas of vanilla, butterscotch, and a hint of apple. Rich flavors of caramel and vanilla with subtle notes of pepper and cinnamon lead to a smooth, balanced finish on the palate.
In addition to the top-notch selection of whiskeys, Mohegan Sun’s Select Barrel Series also tees up a phenomenal local gin available at Clay Pipe Cigar Bar and novelle. The gin highlighted in this series is Waypoint Barrel Aged Gin which is crafted in Bloomfield, Connecticut. This gin is a 92-proof spirit that bridges the gap between classic gin and aged whiskey and is distilled with juniper, citrus, and lemon verbena. The gin is then rested in oak barrels to add depth and warmth which results in a fresh juniper and citrus aroma with vanilla, caramel, botanical spice, and a hint of lemon verbena.
Featured Rum
When it comes to rum, the Select Barrel Series stays on point with a Cruzan 5-Year-Old Rum. Available at Bobby’s Burger Palace, Clay Pipe Cigar Bar, and novelle, this highlighted rum is an 80-proof blend of rums, aged a minimum of five years in old oak barrels. Light bakery notes with hints of oak and honey are present to the nose with a harmonious blend of rich vanilla wood tones, cherry, and cinnamon, with a smooth caramel finish to the taste. This rum embodies the laid-back spirit of the Caribbean with its balanced profile.
Featured Tequila
The featured tequila in Mohegan Sun’s Select Barrel Series features a single barrel unique expression available at Clay Pipe Cigar Bar and novelle. The tequila highlighted in this series is Corazón Reposado Tequila, by Casa San Matías and aged in Colonel E.H. Taylor bourbon barrels. It’s a distinctive fusion of tequila tradition and bourbon character that is aged for over 10 months. The aroma is a mix of vanilla, butterscotch, and dried fig, with a hint of black pepper. On the palate, notes of caramel, dark spice, gentle oak, and a touch of salinity, provide a smooth finish.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
