Guide to New Year's Eve 2024 in Hershey, Pa
Ring in 2025 with Activities, Delicious Eats and an Immersive Downtown Display
The countdown is on to say ‘goodbye’ to 2024 and ‘hello’ to 2025! 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 2024 in Hershey, Pa., to plan your sweet start to the new year.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Open 12-4 p.m.
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, signature hot chocolate and other seasonal treats and more.
Please note that Santa is only available for photos through Dec. 24, but his reindeer will be at the Mary. N Bright Airfield in Hersheypark through Jan. 1.
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
Open 5-9 p.m.
Just outside of Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL Electric Utilities drive-through attraction is open on Dec. 31 from 5-9 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. New for 2024, Hershey Sweet Lights will feature three new Hershey-themed displays depicting Wildcat's Revenge hybrid coaster, Jolly Rancher Remix coaster and Hershey Bears hockey.
Guests are encouraged to buy early and online to save. Admission for a single car (seats up to 8 people) on Dec. 31 is $39.99 plus taxes and fees when purchased in advance online. Same-day online ticket sales end at 5 p.m. Full-price tickets of $49.15 are available in person at the entrance booth after 5 p.m.
Sold Out: New Year's Eve Celebration at The Hotel Hershey
Seatings begin at 6 p.m.
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 begin at 6 p.m. After dinner, guests can take part in a variety of family entertainment leading up to midnight, including karaoke, carnival games, a magic show and, of course, the countdown to 2025 with a DJ-hosted dance party.
The cost is $150 per adult (ages 12 & up) and $95 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 waitlist.
Holiday-Themed Chocolate Lab Classes
Various Times Throughout the Day beginning at 10 a.m.
Guests can enjoy a 45-minute holiday-themed chocolate lab class at The Hershey Story Museum 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 full class schedule for December 31 can be found online.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Hershey’s Chocolate World
Celebration begins at 3 p.m.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is counting down to a sweet New Year and invites guests to a family-friendly party, complete with a DJ, visits from the Hershey Characters and more, on Dec. 31 from 3-8:30 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
Activities begin at 11 a.m. and last through midnight
Celebrating its 20th year, Downtown Hershey will host a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring kid-friendly entertainment, main stage music and a laser and pyrotechnics display once the clock strikes midnight.
Families can look forward to New Years' countdowns and bubble wrap stomps at The Hershey Story Museum throughout the day, beginning at 11 a.m. The formal evening kicks off with a family hour from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for younger guests who may not make it til midnight, featuring local music from children's musician Holly Serio, face painting, vendors and more. At 8:30 p.m., the Hershey Characters join for the final bubble wrap stomp and a dance party.
Music performers will take the main stage beginning at 9 p.m. Headlining this year's event is Pennslyvania quartet and TikTok sensation Burn The Jukebox, performing crowd-pleasing pop and rock hits spanning over five decades along with their original alt-rock songs. Garnering millions of social media followers, more than 1 million sterams, and packing shows nationwide, the group recently embarked on their first headlining national tour, including opening for rock icons The Strusts in Harrisburg, Pa., in October 2024. Opening for Burn the Jukebox is the five-person cover band Fully Stocked, pumping out energy and fun with rock and pop songs from the 1970s to today.
At midnight, Denny Logan and the Hershey Characters will lead a countdown to help raise the Hershey's 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.