Celebration of Iconic Movie’s 55th Anniversary to Feature Original Cast Members, 165+ Vendor Booths, International Chocolatiers, Interactive Experiences & Thousands of Chocolate Lovers
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 19, 2026) – The Chocolate Expo, one of America’s largest chocolate festivals, will make its debut at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo Center for a two-day celebration of all things chocolate and all things Wonka, featuring stars of the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. The event will take place Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday, May 31st, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with VIP early admission beginning at 9:00am.
The Chocolate Lover’s Dream Becomes an International Showcase
The Chocolate Expo will feature tastings & sales from 165+ vendor booths, highlighting an extraordinary selection of artisan chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, and other gourmet creations. With participating vendors from across the U.S., plus Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, Sweden, Lebanon, and Ecuador, this truly international culinary experience has something for everyone.
Guests 21+ can enjoy specially curated chocolate cocktails and drink offerings at Mohegan Sun’s “Chocolate Bar,” along with chocolate‑inspired desserts and drinks available at select restaurants throughout the property. Highlights include chocolate cannoli and cookies at Todd English’s Tuscany, a decadent chocolate cake and chocolate peanut butter martini at dinner, a chocolate flourless fudge torte and mint chocolate martini at novelle, and a rich chocolate fudge cupcake from TheCrafty Stir Café. Together, these offerings create an all‑around experience no chocolate lover will want to miss.
Celebrity Guests & Wonka Magic
Stars from the iconic Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory appearing at The Chocolate Expo include:
• Peter Ostrum – “Charlie Bucket” • Julie Dawn Cole – “Veruca Salt” • Paris Themmen – “Mike Teevee” • Oompa Loompa Rusty Goffe
A Panel Discussion followed by audience Q&A with the stars will take place each day at 1:00pm and is included with admission. In addition, the 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 and selfies beginning at 9:00am and will receive a VIP souvenir lanyard upon entry.
An Immersive, Interactive Experience for All Ages
Adding to the magic of the weekend, guests can explore an immersive Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory-inspired balloon sculpture display, featuring iconic scenes brought to life by renowned balloon artist Robbie Furman. The Kidz Zone will delight younger visitors with face painters and balloon artists, with a special balloon‑popping finale at 5:00pm on Sunday.
Chocolate-themed presentations will take place throughout the event, offering interactive fun for all ages. Guests are also encouraged to join in the theme by dressing in Wonka-inspired costumes, with daily costume contests held at Noon and 3:00pm for prizes and bragging rights.
Tickets & Event Information
VIP, General Admission, and Late-Day Special tickets are available online at:
The Chocolate Expo is a Baum Image Group event. Prior productions include The Official Woodstock 35th Anniversary Celebration in 2004 under license from Woodstock Ventures, creators of the original 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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 also operates an iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ontario, CA providing cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base. 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.
Celebrity Interview Opportunities
A very limited number of advance interviews with the cast of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory are available. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Global Pop Trailblazer performs live in Uncasville on
Saturday, July 18th
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 19, 2026) ––Mohegan Sun Arena is set to welcome GRAMMY-nominated global superstar Adam Lambert for an unforgettable live performance on Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 8:00pm
Tickets to see Adam Lambert at Mohegan Sun Arena go on sale Friday, May 22nd at 10:00am via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning Saturday, May 23rd, subject to availability.
Adam Lambert is a GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and LGBTQ+ trailblazer who rose to global fame on American Idol in 2009. He has since built an international career defined by powerhouse vocals and bold artistry, earning multiple Top 10 albums including For Your Entertainment, Trespassing, and The Original High, along with hit singles like “Whatya Want From Me” and “Ghost Town.” His album Trespassing made history as the first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 by an openly gay male artist, and beyond his solo work, Lambert has captivated audiences worldwide as the frontman for Queen, performing sold-out stadium shows across the globe.
His creative reach spans film, television, and stage, with standout roles in Glee and his acclaimed Broadway debut as the Emcee in Cabaret. In 2025, he starred as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Cynthia Erivo, earning rave reviews. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, he founded the Feel Something Foundation to support global human rights initiatives. Constantly evolving, Lambert continues to push artistic boundaries as he prepares to release his highly-anticipated sixth studio album, ADAM.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena, one of the busiest sports and entertainment venues in the world, was awarded the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice award for “Best Casino with Live Entertainment in America.” In 2021, the 10,000-seat Arena also received its first worldwide “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its size from both Pollstar and VenuesNow. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been named the “World’s Best Casino Venue,” by Hartford Magazine, and is an eight-time national award winner for “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music Awards and one from G2E Las Vegas. Mohegan Sun Arena was also named “Best Casino/Resort Venue of the Year” at the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards in 2026. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit the Mohegan Sun website. For this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711. Complimentary self-parking is available in three convenient garages.
Fan‑Favorite Comedian Takes The Stage Saturday, April 10, 2027
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 18, 2026) –– Stand-up comedian and musician Matt Mathews is set to bring his highly anticipated Not What I Ordered World Tour to Mohegan Sun Arena for one night only on Saturday, April 10, 2027 at 8:00pm.
With a massive social media following spanning more than 15 million fans, Mathews brings his unfiltered, wildly relatable storytelling to the stage. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 21st at 10:00am via Ticketmaster, with Box Office sales beginning the following day.
Matt Mathews is a comedian, singer/songwriter, and unapologetic trailblazer whose raw honesty, razor-sharp wit, and unmistakable Southern charm have made him one of comedy’s fastest-rising stars. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Mathews first captured national attention during the pandemic with his viral “farm chore” videos, turning everyday chaos, unfiltered storytelling, and authentic humor into a social media phenomenon. Today, he has built a devoted audience of more than 15 million followers and generated over a billion views across platforms.
What started as a playful escape from his full-time career as a boudoir photographer quickly evolved into a breakout comedy career. After performing stand-up for the first time in 2022, Mathews rapidly went from small clubs to sold-out theaters and arenas across the country. His wildly successful Boujee On A Budget Tour sold more than 250,000 tickets and included multiple performances at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium as well as his first-ever arena show in his hometown of Birmingham.
Now, Mathews returns to the stage with his newest tour, Not What I Ordered — a hilarious and deeply personal look at life not going according to plan. Through stories about relationships, family, fame, farm life, mental health, and the chaos of everyday living, Mathews delivers the kind of brutally honest comedy that has made fans feel like they’ve known him forever. Equal parts outrageous, heartfelt, and wildly relatable, the tour showcases his unique ability to turn life’s messiest moments into unforgettable comedy.
Mathews’ work is rooted in his real-life experiences as a farmer, barrel racer, entrepreneur, proud Alabamian, and openly gay entertainer navigating the industry with authenticity and humor. His perspective has earned him recognition from Deadline, which named him among the “Future of Comedy,” as well as praise from The Advocate for the path he continues to carve in entertainment.
Whether performing stand-up, recording music, or filming from the farm, Matt Mathews continues to build a career entirely on his own terms — proving that sometimes life may be not what you ordered, but it might turn out even better. For tour dates, music updates, and more, visit mattmathews.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena, one of the busiest sports and entertainment venues in the world, was awarded the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice award for “Best Casino with Live Entertainment in America.” Mohegan Sun Arena was also named “Best Casino/Resort Venue of the Year” at the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards. In 2021, the 10,000-seat Arena also received its first worldwide “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its size from both Pollstar and VenuesNow. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been named the “World’s Best Casino Venue,” by Hartford Magazine, and is an eight-time national award winner for “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music Awards and one from G2E Las Vegas. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit the Mohegan Sun website. For this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711. Complimentary self-parking is available in three convenient garages.
Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter To Perform Sunday, September 13th, Tickets on sale, Friday May 15th
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 12, 2026) ––Mohegan Sun Arena welcomes acclaimed worship leader Brandon Lake for a powerful live performance on Sunday, September 13th at 7:30pm.
Tickets go on sale Friday, May 15th at 10:00am via Ticketmaster, and the Mohegan Sun Box Office, with tickets also available at the Box Office beginning Saturday, May 16th.
Brandon Lake is a Multi-GRAMMY®, K-Love, ASCAP and GMA Dove Award-winning artist and songwriter. The 6X GRAMMY® winner’s highly anticipated album King Of Hearts debuted in the top 10 (#7) of Billboard’s Hot 200 chart, ushering in his latest career milestone for the Charleston based singer/songwriter at the forefront of “changing the face and the sound of CCM” (The Tennessean) and “fueling the genre’s explosion” (Billboard). King of Hearts earned Lake his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums and his first No. 1 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums chart, as well as his first Top 10 on the Billboard 200 (#7). Selected in Billboard’s 50 Best Albums of 2025, Lake’s album King of Hearts earned a 2026 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and featured his Grammy award-winning, Platinum-selling 23+ week #1 song “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for more than 16 weeks.
Lake, who has earned more than 270M career streams to date, recently took home all nominated awards at the fan-voted K-LOVE Fan Awards, including Worship Song of the Year for “That’s Who I Praise,” Artist of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year, in addition to Song of the Year for “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” The K-LOVE Fan Award “Song of the Year,” “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” also debuted Top 50 on the Country Aircheck chart and held onto the #1 spot on Christian Radio (Mediabase) for multiple consecutive weeks, as well as #1 on Billboard’s Christian/Gospel Streaming Chart. The 2025 ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year also took home 5 total awards, including Song of the Year for “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” and Songwriter of the year at the 2025 DOVE Awards after being the most nominated artist of the year.
After launching last October, Lake recently wrapped his 50-date headlining King Of Hearts tour this May with performances at venues coast to coast, marking his largest-ever solo headlining tour. Lake has been featured on the Cover of Billboard, American Idol, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Forbes, CBS Mornings, FOX & Friends Summer Concert Series, Artist Friendly With Joel Madden Podcast, Billboard, American Songwriter, GRAMMY, The Tennessean, Christianity Today, and more. To learn more, visit brandonlake.com
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena, one of the busiest sports and entertainment venues in the world, was awarded the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice award for “Best Casino with Live Entertainment in America.” Mohegan Sun Arena was also named “Best Casino/Resort Venue of the Year” at the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards. In 2021, the 10,000-seat Arena also received its first worldwide “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its size from both Pollstar and VenuesNow. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been named the “World’s Best Casino Venue,” by Hartford Magazine, and is an eight-time national award winner for “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music Awards and one from G2E Las Vegas. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit the Mohegan Sun website. For this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711. Complimentary self-parking is available in three convenient garages.
Celebrated chef to lead Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on May 21st in Celebration of National Burger Month as Refreshed Concept Debuts Updated Design, Menu and Service Model
Mohegan Sun will officially unveil its all new Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay with a special re-opening event and ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by renowned chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay on Thursday, May 21st at 1:00pm in celebration of National Burger Month. The restaurant has already begun welcoming guests today as part of a soft opening.
Flay will be joined by Mohegan Sun President & General Manager Jeff Hamilton and Mohegan Tribal Officials to commemorate the next chapter of Bobby’s Burgers, which introduces an updated design, streamlined service model and refreshed guest experience. Following the ceremony, guests will have the opportunity to sample the updated menu and enjoy a limited giveaway, available while supplies last.
“This refreshed Bobby’s Burgers concept reflects everything I love about great dining: bold flavors, high-quality ingredients and an experience that’s both approachable and exciting,” said Bobby Flay. “Mohegan Sun has been an incredible partner, and I’m excited to celebrate this next evolution together.”
The newly redesigned Bobby’s Burgers at Mohegan Sun is one of the brand’s largest locations in the United States and one of the only restaurants to feature an adjacent full-service bar, which has also been updated as part of the renovation. The space showcases enhanced design elements consistent with the brand’s presence in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and many more locations, while introducing a more efficient counter-service model that allows for faster ordering and pickup.
The menu highlights Flay’s signature approach to classic American fare, featuring favorites like the Crunchburger®, the Bobby Blue + Bacon Burger and the Palace Classic Burger, alongside a rotating selection of limited-time burgers and shakes. Each burger is made with Certified Angus Beef™, grilled medium or well done, and served on a brioche bun, with options for grilled chicken or a vegetarian patty available across the menu.
As part of the re-opening celebration, Flay will step behind the counter to work alongside his kitchen team, preparing orders and engaging directly with guests.
Chef Bobby Flay has spent decades shaping some of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants and culinary concepts. The first chef to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Flay is a 16-time cookbook author and five-time Daytime Emmy Award winner. Bobby’s Burgers represents a natural extension of his culinary philosophy, bringing bold, accessible flavors to a fast-casual format.
Standard hours at the new Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay at Mohegan Sun are:
Sunday: 8:00am – Midnight
Monday – Thursday: 11:00am – Midnight
Friday: 11:00am – 3:00am
Saturday: 8:00am – 3:00am
Breakfast hours are Saturday and Sundays: 8:00am – Noon
For more information, visit mohegansun.com. To view the full menu, visit mohegansun.com or 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, 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, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
