Guide to New Year's Eve 2023 in Hershey, PA
Ring in 2024 with Activities, Delicious Eats and an Immersive Downtown Display
The countdown is on to say ‘goodbye’ to 2023 and ‘hello’ to 2024! Hershey The Sweetest Place On Earth will celebrate New Year's Eve with holiday attractions, family-friendly activities, delicious eats and an immersive downtown display.
Check out our guide to New Year's Eve 2023 in Hershey, Pa., to start planning your sweet start to the new year.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hersheypark is open for Christmas Candylane on Dec. 31 from 12-4 p.m. The holiday attraction features more than 5 million twinkling lights, holiday thrills on select rides and coasters, an up-close look at all nine of Santa’s reindeer, TREEville trail with 25 trees that share the stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth, live entertainment offerings, signature hot chocolate and other sweet treats, and more.
Tickets also include entry to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park only when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. ZooAmerica is open on Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those interested in only visiting the Zoo can purchase separate tickets online or in person at the ZooAmerica admissions building.
Hershey Sweet Lights
Celebrating its 20th year of operation in 2023, Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through attraction is open on Dec. 31 from 5-10 p.m. Families can hop in the car and marvel at more than 600 holiday light displays through two miles of fields and wooded trails while listening to holiday music, with a custom music station provided through the iHeartRadio app.
Guests are encouraged to buy early and online to save. Admission for a single car (seats up to 8 people) on Dec. 31 is $32.95 plus taxes and fees when purchased in advance online. Same-day online ticket sales end at 5 p.m. Full-price tickets are available in person at the entrance booth after 5 p.m.
Come From Away at Hershey Theatre
Showgoers can experience Broadway's hit musical “Come From Away” at Hershey Theatre on New Year's Eve at 1 p.m. This New York Times Critic’s Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Experience the best in humankind and the best in all of us at “Come From Away.” Tickets for the show can be purchased online.
SOLD OUT: NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION AT THE HOTEL HERSHEY
Overnight guests of The Hotel Hershey can ring in the New Year with a sweet evening celebration complete with a grand dinner and dessert buffet prepared by the Hotel's expert culinary team. Seatings take place from 7-8:30 p.m. After dinner, guests can take part in a variety of family entertainment leading up to midnight, including karaoke, carnival games, a trivia game show, magic show and, of course, the countdown to 2024 with a DJ-hosted dance party.
The cost is $130 per adult (ages 12 & up) and $75 per child (ages 3 - 11). This event is exclusively for overnight guests of The Hotel Hershey, and reservations are required. Please note, this event is sold out. Call 717-534-8800 to be added to the wait list.
THE HERSHEY STORY MUSEUM
The Hershey Story Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will offer a number of activities for children and families to enjoy throughout the day on Dec. 31.
- Little Elves Workshop
- From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids will journey through a workshop and use chocolate clay, icing and ribbon to fashion an ornament. Children can also try out some vintage toys, and the whole family can pose in front of a snowy Hershey scene for a holiday photo opportunity. The cost is $8 per ornament; adults may accompany children at no charge.
- Holiday-Themed Chocolate Lab Classes
- Guests can enjoy a 45-minute holiday-themed chocolate lab class where they learn about chocolate and make their own chocolate treats. Chocolate Lab tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be purchased at The Hershey Story admissions desk on the day of the visit. Children must be at least 5 years old to enter the Lab. A paying adult must accompany children under the age of 13. The class schedule for Dec. 31 is as follows:
- 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Marshmallow Mischief
Dunk giant marshmallows in melted chocolate, then roll in holiday toppings. Finish by packaging your custom marshmallow treat in a holiday package to take home. You’ll also learn some little-known facts about marshmallows and chocolate! - 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Reindeer Medallions
Use milk chocolate and toppings to create your own edible reindeer trio. Learn the fascinating story behind the chocolate-making process. - 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Candy Cane Bark
Layer milk chocolate with white chocolate chips and chunks of peppermint candy to create your own, fresh candy cane bark. Satisfy your curiosity about the chocolate-making process through live narrative and colorful slides. - 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Very Merry Bar
Mold and customize your own milk chocolate bar using holiday add-ins and edible decorations Learn some delicious geography by finding out more about the many places around the globe where cocoa beans are grown and how they are processed to become the chocolate we all love.
- 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
- Guests can enjoy a 45-minute holiday-themed chocolate lab class where they learn about chocolate and make their own chocolate treats. Chocolate Lab tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be purchased at The Hershey Story admissions desk on the day of the visit. Children must be at least 5 years old to enter the Lab. A paying adult must accompany children under the age of 13. The class schedule for Dec. 31 is as follows:
- New Year's Eve Countdown
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve throughout the day at The Hershey Story! Kids can make some noise with “bubble-wrap stomps” at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World is counting down to a sweet New Year and invites guests to a family-friendly party, complete with a DJ, Hershey Characters and more, on Dec. 31 from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Please note that Chocolate World is open on Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for shopping, the free chocolate tour ride and other paid attractions.
Downtown Hershey New Year’s Eve Celebration
For the 19th year, Downtown Hershey will host a New Year’s Eve celebration with music, food and family-friendly activities. At 8:30 pm, the Hershey Characters join for a bubble wrap stomp and a dance party.
The main stage entertainment will kick off at 9 p.m. with local band Fully Stocked, performing with rock and pop songs from the 1970s to today, along with a show from Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax, an 11-piece, high-energy band from Northeastern Pa. featuring a mix of Motown, disco, R&B, Rock n’ Roll, and Top 40 music.
At midnight, Denny Logan and the Hershey Characters will lead a countdown to help raise the KISS before an immersive laser and pyrotechnics display – even if it’s foggy.
If you attend any of these New Year’s Eve events, snap some photos and tag us on Twitter at @HersheyPA and Instagram at @TheSweetestPlaceOnEarth using #HersheyPA.