2025 Guide to Winter Activities and Events in Hershey, PA
Top Picks of Things to Do in The Sweetest Place On Earth This Winter
While winter is considered the off-season at Hersheypark amusement park, the Central Pennsylvania town built on chocolate is still buzzing with family-friendly activities and winter events from January through March. As we mark the first day of winter, take a look at our top picks of things to do during the wintertime 2024-2025 in Hershey, Pa.
Discovery Weekends at ZooAmerica
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this winter. Families can bundle up and walk around the 11-acre Zoo while learning about dozens of animals native to our continent, like gray wolves, black bears and Canada lynx. Despite the colder temperatures, winter is often the best time of year to visit ZooAmerica, as the crowds typically are lighter and the animals are more active.
The Zoo is also hosting Discovery Weekends in January, where kids ages 8 and under can visit for free on Saturdays and Sundays. Each weekend focuses on a different theme with fun activities and learning opportunities. Current ZooAmerica Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited year-round visits to the Zoo, and 2025 Hersheypark Season Pass Holders get into the Zoo for free, too.
Winter Shows and Concerts in Hershey
There are plenty of opportunities to catch some live entertainment in Hershey this winter. The following acts are coming to the historic Hershey Theatre and 10,500-seat GIANT Center arena through March.
- Beyond The Footlights: Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards Celebration Cabaret at Hershey Theatre on Jan. 11 at 8 p.m.
- Paw Patrol Live! “A Mighty Adventure” at GIANT Center on Jan. 11-12 at various times
- Joe Gatto at Hershey Theatre on Jan. 12 at 5 p.m.
- PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL at Hershey Theatre on Jan. 14-19 at various times
- Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party at GIANT Center on Feb. 20-23 at various times
- Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour at GIANT Center on Mar. 9 at 3 p.m.
- Cirque du Soleil: OVO at GIANT Center on Mar. 20-23 at various times
Please note that beginning Jan. 20, 2025, Hershey Theatre will be closed to the public to embark on an important one-year renovation project to update the facility, while preserving its history.
Hershey Bears Hockey Games at GIANT Center
Hockey fans can cheer for the hometown, back-to-back Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears AHL team as they defend their title. The Bears will play 16 games at GIANT Center between now and the end of March.
Key promotional nights include the GIANT Teddy Bear Toss Night on Jan. 5 and Hersheypark Pass Nights on Feb. 11 and Mar. 2. All fans attending the Hersheypark Pass Nights will receive a free 2025 Hersheypark ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2025! Passes will be distributed to all fans upon entry to the game date purchased, valid one pass per game ticket.
The Hershey Bears also offer a Me+3 4-Pack on select December and January games when purchased online by Dec. 31.
Tuesday Trivia Nights at The Chocolatier
Calling all trivia fans! The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio, located just outside of Hersheypark in Hershey's Chocolatetown, hosts Trivia Nights every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. through March 18. Diners can enjoy delicious appetizers and drinks while playing fun trivia games for a chance to win a prize. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Dine With Coco The Bear at The Chocolatier
Kids can enjoy a free kid's dessert with the purchase of a kid's entrée at The Chocolatier on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. during the Hershey Bears hockey season. Plus, all diners can hang out with Coco, The Official Mascot of the Hershey Bears! Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Seasonal Spa Treatments
What better way to beat the winter blues than with a chocolate spa day? MeltSpa by Hershey day spa and The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa offer signature chocolate treatments and seasonal collections to warm up and unwind on a cold winter day. Guests can choose from various services, including massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps, manicures and pedicures, hair services and much more.
This winter, guests can experience treatments from the Cranberry Spice Collection at Meltspa by Hershey or Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Mocha treatments at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey through Feb. 28.
Special Meet & Greets at Hershey's Chocolate World
Hershey's Chocolate World is open daily from January through March; hours vary by day. Guests can unwrap their chocolate adventure by being a kid in a candy store, sipping a milkshake, becoming a chocolatier, taking a delicious chocolate tour ride and so much more.
There are a few winter events at Hershey's Chocolate World to add to the calendar, including special Meet & Greets with Snoopy and the Hershey's Characters. Check the Chocolate World website for dates and times.
Annual Orchid Show & Sale at Hershey Gardens
Hershey Gardens is open daily this winter except Jan. 6-10 for maintenance. Visitors can take a stroll through the 23-acre walk-through botanical display garden, featuring an indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium with 600 butterflies from around the world. The atrium is one of only 25 year-round indoor tropical butterfly atriums in the U.S.
Hershey Gardens will host the Susquehanna Orchid Society (SOS) for their 41st annual orchid show and sale from Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. More than 1,000 orchids representing dozens of varieties, including rare species and unique hybrids, will be on display in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. Daily orchid show tours and informational sessions will take place in the exhibition and Garden Cottage. In addition, vendors will have orchids for sale; various orchid societies will have showy displays that will be judged onsite and presented with national awards.
Chocolate Lab Classes at The Hershey Story
Those looking for a fun indoor activity to beat the winter blues can head to The Hershey Story Museum to learn all about the life and legacy of Milton S. Hershey, the town he created and the lives he touched. Additional paid experiences are also available, including the Chocolate Lab, where guests can learn about the chocolate-making process from "bean to bar" and create their own chocolate treat. Chocolate Lab Classes are offered daily on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be purchased at The Hershey Story admissions desk on the day of the visit.
Public Ice Skating at Hersheypark Arena
Ice skating is a staple on many people's winter bucket lists. Hersheypark Arena is open for public ice skating on select dates in January through March. Children 3 and under are free, with ticket prices ranging from $5-8 for ages 4+.
Winter Getaway
With so much to do in Hershey this winter, you may want to stay overnight to truly experience it all. From a cozy cabin or RV at Hersheypark Camping Resort to deluxe accommodations at Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey, The Official Resorts of Hersheypark make for a sweet winter getaway.
Plus, this is the first opportunity for guests to experience winter at The Villas At The Hotel Hershey - an elevated luxury accommodation that opened in summer 2024 with all-new exclusive amenities, including a concierge lounge with complimentary food, drinks, activities and more.
All resort guests also receive FREE Resort Benefits, including free or discounted admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum, preferred pricing to ZooAmerica, on-site recreation and activities and more.
We hope to see you in The Sweetest Place On Earth this winter!