13 Things To Do in Hershey, PA This May 2026

Hello, May! With summer right around the corner, The Sweetest Place On Earth has a ton of exciting things to do this month. Keep reading to see some of the highlights.

Hersheypark

1. Visit Hersheypark

Open Weekends with Daily Operations Starting May 21; Hours Vary
 

Hersheypark amusement park is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this month for Spring Weekends. Daily summer operations begin May 21 with hours varying by day. 

Spring Weekends feature more than 50 rides, including the most coasters in the Northeast, weather and maintenance permitting. Guests can also attend a meet and greet with Hersh and Reese at Hersh’s Hangout in Chocolatetown and enjoy Our Friends From The Sea shows inside the Aquatheatre. Don’t forget to indulge in some of the signature eats found throughout the Park, including the King Size Shake, which celebrates its 10th birthday this year.

Looking ahead to the summer season, Hersheypark will celebrate America’s 250th with events and activations starting Memorial Day Weekend. Visitors can enjoy fireworks presented by HERSHEY’S on May 23, an all-new star-spangled show in the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre starting May 29, limited-time food and drink, select Americana-themed rides and Hershey Characters dressed in their festive best.

Plus, the Hersheypark Summer Fun Card is back for just $99! Now with more flexibility than ever, you can visit whenever you want, as much as you want, all summer long through Labor Day! 

2. Make A Splash At The Boardwalk

Open Daily Starting May 23; Hours Vary

The Boardwalk at Hersheypark water park opens daily for the summer season later this month, with the debut of two new water play areas boasting 45 aquatic elements in the existing Bayside Pier area. 

• A new shade-filled play zone, The Inlet at Bayside Pier, will feature water-spouting dolphins and fish, and whimsical water spray features.
• The Island at Bayside Pier will debut towering 10-foot-tall palm trees that tip buckets of refreshing water.

Both new areas will feature rubberized decking for additional guest comfort, allowing guests to sit and splash under shaded canopies. The new open design will also allow families to seamlessly flow between other water attractions and cool off faster with access to the abundant water features. 

The 11-acre water park with 17 unique attractions is included with the one-price Hersheypark admission through Labor Day. 

Live Events

3. See A Show at Hershey Theatre

Dates and Times Vary

It’s another busy month at the recently renovated Hershey Theatre. From a symphony and an awards ceremony to concerts of various genres, there is something for everyone at the historic venue in downtown Hershey. 

• May 2: Hershey Symphony Presents: Czech, Please!
• May 8: Melissa Etheridge
• May 9: America
• May 17: 2026 Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards
• May 27: Jason Mraz

4. Live Events at GIANT Center

Dates and Times Vary

Spring programming at GIANT Center kicks off in May with four can’t-miss events:

• May 2: Stifel Stars On Ice
• May 16: Nate Bargatze
• May 23: Khalid
• May 31: 5 Seconds Of Summer

Around Town

5. Hershey Bears Vs Scranton Penguins at GIANT Center

Tuesday, May 5; 7 p.m.

The chase for the Calder Cup is on! The Hershey Bears have qualified for the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs, with the first games of the series against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this month. The Bears will take on the Penguins for game 3 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals at GIANT Center in a best-of-five series. This is Hershey's ninth all-time playoff series against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, making the Penguins Hershey's most frequent postseason opponent among active AHL franchises.

6. NEW! The Hershey Story Book Club

Tuesday, May 5; 2 – 3:30 p.m. or 7 – 8:30 p.m.

The Hershey Story Museum invites the public to its inaugural book club discussion. Participants will discuss “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America” by Eric Larson. Due to mature themes, participants must be 18 years of age or older. The book club is free, but seating is limited, so registration is required.

7. Free Admission for Moms at Hershey Gardens

Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Moms receive free admission to Hershey Gardens on Mother’s Day Weekend! On Sunday, May 10, view a variety of rhododendrons and azaleas in the Education Center. For an additional fee, enjoy Sarah’s Creamery on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Noel’s Café on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

8. Visit ZooAmerica 

Open Daily; Hours Vary

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is open daily in May, allowing guests to enjoy the sun and fresh air while seeing North American animals, such as river otters, Canada lynx and a black bear.

Hersheypark tickets include entry to ZooAmerica only by accessing the Zoo through the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. Those interested in visiting ZooAmerica in the morning before Hersheypark opens must purchase separate Zoo admission tickets online or at the Zoo Admissions Building.

9. Try New Spring Dishes at The Chocolatier

Open Daily; Reservations Encouraged

The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio offers a new menu this spring, with updates to many big-plate dishes, decadent desserts and all-new handhelds like Lobster Tacos and a Chicken & Waffle Sandwich. There are two Ferris Wheel Sampler variations, one featuring refreshed appetizer offerings, including the return of the fan-favorite Hershey’s Chocolate BBQ Wings, and one featuring fresh desserts - a first in the history of The Chocolatier, which celebrates five years of fun-to-table meals this month.

10. Visit The Blossom Bar At The Chocolatier

Open Weekends; Hours Vary

Make a stop at the all-new Blossom Bar at The Chocolatier Patio, available during all Hersheypark Spring Weekends operating hours. This decorated space features a selection of exclusive cocktails that you can only enjoy from the comfort of our outdoor patio. Seating at the Blossom Bar is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

11. Treat Yourself To A Spa Day

Appointments Highly Recommended

Get your skin ready for summer with a relaxing spa treatment! Indulge in a full spa day experience at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey with spring treatments like the Milk & Honey Wrap, Herbal Meadow Sea Salt Scrub and Mojito Massage.

If you're looking for a quick pick-me-up in your week, head to MeltSpa by Hershey day spa for a treatment from the Spring Rejuvenation Collection, available through May 31.

To make an appointment at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, please call 844-330-1797. For appointments at MeltSpa by Hershey, call 855-500-2366 or visit their website. 

12. Chocolate Lab Classes at The Hershey Story Museum

Daily; Times Vary

The Chocolate Lab at The Hershey Story Museum offers 45-minute classes where visitors can learn about chocolate’s origin while creating their own chocolate masterpiece. May Chocolate Lab classes include Art of Chocolate, Planet Chocolate and S’mores Galore. Yankee Doodle Bar classes being held on Memorial Day weekend. Children are required to be 5 years of age or older to enter the lab. Chocolate Lab tickets are purchased at admissions on a first come, first served basis on the day of the class. 

13. Make A Getaway to an Official Resort of Hersheypark 

Enjoy a getaway to one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark this month! On select dates in May, guests of The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and the all-new Hershey Inn & Suites can save with summer resort packages such as the popular Kids, Stay, Play & Eat Free. Or, visit Hersheypark Camping Resort and book the Hersheypark Summer Camping Package, which includes accommodations and Hersheypark tickets. Don’t forget, all resort guests also receive FREE Resort Benefits, including the best price on Hersheypark tickets, free front gate shuttle service to and from the Park, extra hours at the Park and more.

Plus, get ready to make a splash when the resorts’ outdoor pools reopen for the season Memorial Day weekend!