17 Things To Do In Hershey, PA This December 2025
Top Things To Do in The Sweetest Place On Earth This Month
It's the most wonderful time of the year here in Hershey, Pa.! With the holiday season in full swing, keep reading for 18 of the sweetest things to do this month.
Holiday Fun
1. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Open Select Dates and Times With Daily Operations Beginning Dec. 18 (Closed Christmas Day)
The holiday season kicks into high gear at Hersheypark this month! Hersheypark Christmas Candylane features five million lights decking the 121-acre amusement park, seven coasters and select family rides (weather and maintenance permitting) plus the holiday debut of Twizzlers Twisted Gravity. Santa and all nine of his reindeer are also there for guests to see up close in the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield and a NEW holiday stage show can be found inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre through Dec. 28, plus, Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel—all included with a ticket.
2. Hershey Sweet Lights
Open Nightly; Times Vary
Located up the road from Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL is a separately ticketed drive-through attraction featuring two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with more than 500 illuminated, animated displays. Many displays follow unique themes, such as "The 12 Days of Christmas," an Enchanted Forest, Hersheypark rides and Hershey Bears hockey, as well as a region inspired by the Northern Lights. Guests can download the Hersheypark app to enjoy holiday music, powered by iHeart, while viewing the lights.
Hershey Sweet Lights admission pricing varies depending on the date of visit and the type of vehicle. Please buy online for significant savings. Single cars (seats up to 8 people) range from $29.99 to $34.99 when purchased online. Vans (seats 9-15 people) are $59.15. Please visit Hersheypark.com and select the date you wish to visit to see ticket pricing. On-site pricing without a pre-purchased ticket is also available for a standard car at the full gate price of $54.15.
3. Relax With A Holiday Spa Treatment
Appointments Available Daily; Times Vary
The holidays can be stressful, so treat yourself to a day of relaxation with a holiday-inspired spa treatment! Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Mocha treatments are available at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. In downtown Hershey, MeltSpa by Hershey day spa is offering seasonal Cranberry Spice treatments all month long.
4. Breakfast With Santa at The Chocolatier
Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays through Dec. 24; 8-10:45 a.m.
Back by popular demand, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio hosts Breakfast With Santa! Enjoy a delicious breakfast with hints of chocolate, kids’ activities like scavenger hunts and arts & crafts and lots of family fun alongside the big man and his elves. Availability is filling quickly, so make a reservation now. Guests ages 12 and older are $35.95. Kids ages 3-11 are $22.95. Children 2 and under are free. Prices do not include tax and gratuity.
5. Holiday-Themed Chocolate Lab Classes at The Hershey Story Museum
Offered Daily; Times Vary
Guests can enjoy a 45-minute class where they learn about chocolate and make their own chocolate treat at The Hershey Story Museum in downtown Hershey. Children must be at least five years old to enter the lab. Holiday-themed Chocolate Lab classes include Candy Cane Bark, Let It Snow Chocolate, Make a Very Merry Bar, Marshmallow Mischief and Reindeer Medallions.
6. Holiday Shopping
Daily; Times Vary
From Hersheypark Season Passes to Broadway shows, dining gift cards and spa treatments, there's truly something for everyone on your Christmas list in Hershey, Pa.! A destination-wide gift card to The Sweetest Place On Earth allows your loved ones to experience all our sweet town offers in any way they choose. You can purchase gift cards in person at any of the Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) properties or conveniently purchase an e-gift card online and send it to your recipient now or schedule the perfect date for it to hit their inbox.
Take advantage of sweet spa and dining gift card deals available through Dec. 24.
- Devon Seafood + Steak: Receive a $20 dining certificate when you purchase $100 in gift cards.
- The Chocolatier: Receive a $10 promo card with every $50 gift card purchase.
- The Spa At The Hotel Hershey: Get a $25 voucher when you spend $250 or more in gift cards.
- MeltSpa by Hershey: Get a $15 voucher when you spend $150 or more in gift cards.
7. The Christmas Tree Showcase
Daily; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closing at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day)
Hershey Gardens’ signature holiday event features colorful tree displays with twinkling lights created by a talented local designer. New this year, guests will enjoy a pair of 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia and tropical trees. Plus, the historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car is back for family photo ops, and the Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays! All included general admission.
8. Hershey New Year's Eve Celebration
Wednesday, Dec. 31; 11 a.m. to midnight
Held in the heart of downtown Hershey, Pa. at Chocolate and Cocoa Ave., Hershey New Year’s Eve brings a jam-packed celebration featuring kid-friendly entertainment, main stage music and a unique laser and pyrotechnics display once the clock strikes midnight. This year’s display will feature Americana-themed elements to honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Plus, celebrate New Year’s Eve during the day at The Hershey Story! Kids can make some noise with “bubble-wrap stomps.” Other activities included with admission will take place on the patio (weather permitting).
Live Events
9. Pentatonix at GIANT Center
Thursday, Dec. 11; 7 p.m.
Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning and Daytime EMMY Award-nominated vocal quintet Pentatonix is hitting the road on what promises to be their boldest, brightest and biggest holiday tour yet. The annual tour is a nationwide phenomenon, selling out arenas year after year. Beloved by fans of all ages, the GRAMMY-winning group has become a staple in holiday celebrations, delighting audiences with their signature harmonies, dazzling production and beloved spirit.
10. Heart at GIANT Center
Sunday, Dec. 14; 7 p.m.
Following electrifying performances this year across the U.S., Heart has announced an additional run of dates as part of their “Royal Flush Tour 2025,” including a show at GIANT Center. Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, will join as support.
With a legendary career spanning over five decades, Heart has cemented its place in music history, selling more than 35 million albums worldwide and delivering 20 electrifying Top 40 singles. The group continues to ignite the stage, performing their beloved, iconic and chart-dominating anthems, including “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You” and “These Dreams.”
11. WWE Monday Night Raw at GIANT Center
Monday, Dec. 15; 6 p.m.
WWE will return to Hershey, Pa., this December with an action-packed Monday Night Raw. The event is set to feature fan-favorite superstars, including CM Punk, Jey Uso, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, The Vision’s Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed, LA Knight, The New Day, Penta, Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer and more. Please note, the card is subject to change.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Pitt Panthers Men’s Basketball Game at GIANT Center
Sunday, Dec. 21; 12 p.m.
Penn State’s men’s basketball team will square off against Pittsburgh’s men's basketball team in a neutral-site battle of the Keystone State at GIANT Center. Pitt and Penn State will meet for the 149th time in program history, with the game being the first meeting between the two teams since 2017 at the Legends Classic in Brooklyn.
Around Town
13. Wild Winter Adventure at ZooAmerica
Adults Only Dec. 13 or 14; K-5 Beginning Dec. 20; Times Vary
This month marks the return of Wild Winter Adventure at ZooAmerica, a 3-hour program that teaches about the survival skills used by North American animals during the cold winter months. Participants will explore ZooAmerica, get up close to certain animals through live encounters, assist with animal enrichment activities, create a craft, enjoy a snack and see Santa’s reindeer inside Hersheypark. All attendees must be pre-registered and prepaid to participate.
14. Cheer On The Hershey Bears
Dates and Times Vary
The Hershey Bears have a franchise-record nine-game homestand in December, featuring great promotions and chances to bring the family to games for the holidays!
Saturday, Dec. 6, Hall of Fame Night: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are coming to town, and The Class of 2025 will be inducted in a special ceremony before the 7 p.m. game that night.
Sunday, Dec. 7, Hersheypark Pass Night: Lehigh Valley visits at 3 p.m., and all fans will receive a 2026 Hersheypark Ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2026, plus the team will wear throwback jerseys that night that will be auctioned off after the game!
- Friday, Dec. 12, Washington Capitals Night: Get ready for a dual bobblehead giveaway of Capitals and Hershey legend John Carlson for all fans courtesy of Members 1st.
15. Whimsical Winter Crafts at The Hershey Story Museum
Saturdays in December; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kids can have fun creating a wintery craft in the museum’s classroom. A different craft will be offered each Saturday. They can try out some vintage toys and snap a unique holiday photo against a snowy Hershey scene. The event is free with admission.
16. Snowball Saturdays at Hershey Story Museum
Saturday, Dec. 13 and 20; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friendly, indoor snowball fights are the centerpiece of this holiday event! Kids can visit with a friendly snowman, as well as create a wintery craft in our classroom.
Overnight Getaways
17. Book A Holiday Getaway
Available Select Dates Through Jan. 4
There’s so much to see and do this month in Hershey that you'll want to stay overnight to experience it all. Book a stay at one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark. All the resorts are decked out for the holidays and offer family-friendly resort activities on holiday weekends like visits from Santa. Plus, all overnight guests receive free resort benefits like the best price on Hersheypark tickets, extra park hours and more.
On select dates through Jan. 4, The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge are offering holiday packages featuring deluxe accommodations, daily Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast each day of your stay. The all-new Cookies and Candylane Packages also includes a special milk and cookie delivery to your room during the first night of your stay. Guests at Hersheypark Camping Resort can enjoy the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Camping Package with accommodations and Park tickets.
Check out our holiday guides to The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hersheypark Camping Resort to help you prepare for a sweet stay.
