18 Things To Do in Hershey This December 2024
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
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Open Dec. 5-8 and Daily Starting Dec. 12; Times Vary
The holiday season kicks into high gear at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane this month! The seasonal event is open the first weekend of December, with daily operations running from Dec. 12, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025 (closed Christmas Day). Tickets include 5 million lights (the most in Pennsylvania), select rides and coasters weather permitting, Santa and all nine of his reindeer, and TREEville trail starting Dec. 6, among other only-in-Hershey experiences. Guests can also warm up with signature hot chocolate, new boozy hot chocolate and festive eats.
Hershey Sweet Lights
Open Nightly Starting at 5 p.m.; Closing Time Varies
Those who prefer to see the Christmas lights from the comfort and warmth of their car can drive through Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL Electric Utilities. The two-mile, drive-through Christmas light attraction with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays is open nightly at 5 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2025. Guests who have visited Hershey Sweet Lights in past years will notice new displays and theming experiences throughout the attraction.
Pricing is per vehicle and varies per day. Guests are encouraged to buy online to save before their visit, as same-day ticket sales end each night at 5 p.m.
Holiday Spirit's Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier
Open All Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Operating Days from 5-10 p.m.
Guests of all ages can enjoy a holiday wonderland at Holiday Spirit's Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier! It's the sweetest place to cozy up around one of the rooftop firepits, sip on seasonal cocktails or decadent hot chocolates (with or without spirits), try the all-new Hot Chocuterie board and watch classic holiday movies.
Hersheypark tickets are NOT required to attend. Tables are first-come-first-serve, and guests can enter through The Chocolatier or the patio entrance located inside the Park.
Holiday Shows at Hershey Theatre
Dates and Times Vary
Musical fans can warm up their vocal cords and ring in the season with these upcoming holiday concerts and shows at Hershey Theatre.
Relax With A Holiday Spa Treatment
Appointments Available Throughout December; Times Vary
The holidays can be stressful, so why not 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 offers an all-new Cranberry Spice Collection through Feb. 28.
Breakfast With Santa at The Chocolatier
Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays through Dec. 24 from 8-10 a.m.
Back by popular demand, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio hosts Breakfast With Santa on Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays through Dec. 22 plus Dec. 24 from 8 to 10 a.m. Availability is filling up quickly, so those interested in enjoying a delicious breakfast with hints of chocolate, kids’ activities and lots of family fun alongside the big man should 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.
Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens
Daily through Jan. 5 (Closed Christmas Day); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closes at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve)
The annual Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens is a winter dreamscape of 10 beautifully decorated trees with twinkling lights; each tree is created by a talented local designer. Guests can also enjoy the 14-foot poinsettia tree in brilliant solid red and a stunning 8-foot bromeliad tree. Looking for the perfect family photo op? Guests can take a seat in the Comet roller coaster train car from Hersheypark fashioned as Santa's sleigh, pulled by who else but Comet, the reindeer! Plus, the Butterfly Atrium is decorated for the holidays, with hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world flying amongst the tropical setting!
Hershey New Year's Eve Celebration
Tuesday, Dec. 31; 11 a.m. to midnight
Hershey New Year’s Eve celebrates its 20th anniversary with a jam-packed celebration for all to enjoy on Dec. 31, 2024. Held in the heart of downtown Hershey, Pa., the event will feature kid-friendly entertainment, main stage music and a laser and pyrotechnics display once the clock strikes midnight.
Chocolate Lab Classes at The Hershey Story Museum
Daily; Times Vary
Chocoholics can roll up their sleeves for a 45-minute class learning about chocolate and making their own treat in the Chocolate Lab at The Hershey Story Museum! This month, visitors can make sweet treats like candy cane bark, reindeer medallions and let it snow chocolate. The Chocolate Lab is a separately ticketed admission from the museum.
New Year's Eve Countdown at The Hershey Story Museum
Tuesday, Dec. 31; 11 a.m. and 1 p.,m.
Celebrate the New Year throughout the day at The Hershey Story Museum! Kids can count down the new year and make some noise with “bubble-wrap stomps" at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Live Events
Hershey Theatre and GIANT Center have a sweet line up of live shows and events happening all month long.
Hamilton at Hershey Theatre
Dec. 1 - 8; Times Vary
An award-winning Broadway show, HAMILTON is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation.
Jeff Dunham Artificial Intelligence at GIANT Center
Thursday, Dec. 12; 7 p.m.
Dunham and his characters are back on the road, ready to provide a much-needed dose of absurdity given the times we live in. That is, assuming he can convince his characters that they can no longer simply work from home.
Hershey Bears Home Games at GIANT Center
Dates and Times Vary
Hockey fans ca cheer on the back-to-back Calder Cup Champions, the Hershey Bears, during one of the club’s six home games in December. Promotional games this month include Hersheypark Pass Night on Dec. 8 vs. the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Members 1st Bobblehead Night on Dec. 14 vs. Charlotte, where fans will receive a Calder Cup-themed bobblehead and Kids Night on Dec. 29 vs. Charlotte, which will feature activities just for kids.
Around Town
Wild Winter Adventure at ZooAmerica
Adults Only Dec. 7 or 8; K-5 Beginning Dec. 21; Times Vary
ZooAmerica is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this month (closed Christmas Day). It’s a great time to visit, as many North American animals in outdoor habitats become more active when the temperature drops.
This month marks the return of Wild Winter Adventure, a 3-hour program to learn about the survival skills that North American animals use in the cold winter months. For the first time, this program will be available for adults on Dec. 7 or 8. The program for children in grades K-5 begins on Dec. 21. Participants will explore ZooAmerica, get up close to certain animals with live encounters, help with animal enrichment activities, make a craft, enjoy a snack and see Santa’s reindeer inside Hersheypark. All children must be pre-registered and prepaid to participate.
Snowball Saturdays at The Hershey Story Museum
Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friendly, indoor snowball fights are the centerpiece of this holiday event at The Hershey Story Museum. Kids can visit with a friendly snowman and create a wintery craft in the classroom. As a sweet bonus, Chocolate Lab participants can make special winter-themed creations. Chocolate Lab classes require a ticket purchase; other activities are free with admission.
Holiday Shopping
Daily; Times Vary
From Hersheypark Season Passes to Broadway shows, dining gift cards, spa treatments and more, there's truly something for everyone on your Christmas list this season 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.
- Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar: Spend $50 in gift cards and receive a $10 dining certificate.
- Devon Seafood + Steak: Spend $100 in gift cards and receive a $20 dining certificate.
- The Spa At The Hotel Hershey: Purchase $250 or more in gift cards from The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and receive a $25 voucher to use toward spa services.
- MeltSpa by Hershey: Purchase $150 or more in gift cards from MeltSpa by Hershey and receive a $15 voucher for spa services.
Whimsical Winter Crafts at The Hershey Story Museum
Saturday, Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Children can create a wintery craft in The Hershey Story Museum's classroom with a different craft offered each Saturday. Youngsters can also try out some vintage toys and snap a unique holiday photo against a snowy Hershey scene. These activities are included in Museum Experience admission.
Overnight Getaways
Holiday Packages at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark
Select Dates Through Jan. 1
With all these things to do in Hershey this month, you'll want to stay overnight to experience it all! Book a stay at one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and get sweet perks like best price on Hersheypark tickets, free or preferred pricing on admission to the Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum, preferred pricing to ZooAmerica and more. All the resorts are decked out for the holidays, including a poinsettia-filled Fountain Lobby at The Hotel Hershey, a grand fireplace lined with Christmas Trees at Hershey Lodge, and fun lights and activities at Hersheypark Camping Resort.
On select dates through Jan. 1, 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. 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.
Be sure to share your sweet memories with us using #HersheyPA on social media! We hope you have a great holiday season!