Guide to Thanksgiving Week 2026 in Hershey, PA

The town built on chocolate is bustling with activities to get into the holiday spirit over Thanksgiving week. From coaster rides and light attractions to live entertainment and sporting events, check out our guide of top things to do in Hershey, Pa., from Nov. 24-30, 2026. 

1. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Open Nov. 26-27 from 5-9 p.m., Nov. 28-29 from 12-9 p.m. and Nov. 30 from 12-8 p.m.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane will be open for extended hours over the holiday weekend, including on Thanksgiving, offering the sweetest way to get into the spirit of the season. 

The USA TODAY 10Best-nominated event 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 for guests to see up close in the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield, a NEW holiday stage show inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre, and Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel—all included with a ticket. 

Additionally, starting Nov. 26, guests can stroll through TREEville Trail, located around East Coast Waterworks attraction in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark, to see more than 20 uniquely decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth.

Great Christmas Candylane ticket offers, including a Black Friday Holiday Deal, are available on Hersheypark.com. Tickets include a sweet sneak peek with a Preview Plan, which allows guests to present their tickets at the main entrance 1.5 hours before closing on the night before their full-day visit to enjoy a fun-filled evening during public operating hours. Preview for resort guests is 2.5 hours before the Park closes.

2. Hershey Sweet Lights Presented by PPL

Open Nightly (including Thanksgiving); Times Vary 

Families who prefer to see lights from the comfort of their cars can visit Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL, located up the road from Hersheypark. The separately ticketed drive-through attraction features 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. ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park

Nov. 24-26 and 28-30 (closed on Thanksgiving Day); 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

It’s a sweet month to visit ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, as many North American animals in the outdoor habitats, such as the gray wolves, river otters and Canada Lynx, are more active when the temperature drops. ZooAmerica is included with a Hersheypark ticket only when accessed through the Hersheypark bridge during posted Park hours. Please note that the Zoo naturalists care for the reindeer at Hersheypark, so a Christmas Candylane ticket is required to view them.

4. Hershey Bears Hockey Games

Nov. 26 at 7 p.m., Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.

Join in on the family fun and the excitement of Hershey Bears hockey at GIANT Center for the holiday weekend. The 13-time Calder Cup Champions are at home for three games over Thanksgiving week, including the team’s annual Thanksgiving Eve game on Wednesday, Nov. 26, versus the rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7 p.m. After the game, all fans are welcome to take part in the Canteen Vending Turkey Shoot for a chance to win great prizes! 

The game on Nov. 30 is also a special one as it is Hockey Fights Cancer Night. All fans will receive a Hockey Fights Cancer light-up bracelet, courtesy of Penn State Health.

A sweet holiday offer: Buy two tickets and receive the original Take Home Coco plush (available while supplies last). 

5. Matt Rife at GIANT Center

Nov. 28; 8 p.m.

Hugely popular comedian Matt Rife brings his “Stay Golden Tour” to GIANT Center for a show on Black Friday. Produced by Live Nation, the brand-new tour follows Rife’s wildly successful “ProbleMATTic World Tour,” which saw the comedian sell over 600,000 tickets across 250+ shows in less than 48 hours following the announcement in June 2023. The multi-year tour included shows across North America, Europe, the U.K. and Australia.

Please note that this show is sold out. 

6. Breakfast With Santa at The Chocolatier

Nov. 28-30 (closed on Thanksgiving Day); Reservation times vary between 8-10:45 a.m.

Santa Claus has come to Hershey's Chocolatetown and is stopping for breakfast at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio! Families can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet with hints of chocolate, kids' activities and lots of holiday fun alongside Santa. Reservations are required. 

7. Seasonal Spa Treatments

Select dates and times (open on Thanksgiving Day)

What better way to enjoy the holiday weekend than with some rest and relaxation? The Spa At The Hotel Hershey has availability on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, it's the last chance to book seasonal pumpkin-inspired treatments before peppermint and mocha returns in December. 

8. The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens

Nov. 24-26 and 28-30 (closed on Thanksgiving Day); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hershey Gardens welcomes the holiday season with a festive exhibit of beautifully decorated Christmas trees at its annual Christmas Tree Showcase. The seasonal event will feature even decorated trees on display in an indoor winter landscape, each tree decorated by a local artist. Guests can also enjoy sparkling lights and a 14-foot white poinsettia tree, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, children's crafts and more throughout Thanksgiving weekend. 

9. Special Events at Hershey's Chocolate World

Nov. 24-26 and 28-30 (closed on Thanksgiving Day); Times vary

Guests can celebrate the season at Hershey's Chocolate World with their new Holiday Savings Bundle, available Nov. 24 through Jan. 4. For $44.95, guests can enjoy five attractions, receive a bakery voucher and get free parking—a value of over $100. It’s the perfect way for families to experience holiday fun and create sweet memories.

Adding even more magic, the HERSHEY’S Chocolate Tour Ride has its first holiday makeover in nearly a decade, featuring more than 2,000 twinkling lights, a festive soundtrack and 11 cheerful animatronic elves inspired by nostalgic Hershey Characters. Guests can also indulge in new and exclusive Toffee Truffles and the limited-time Toffee Truffle Milkshake for a decadent seasonal treat.

Plus, visitors can create memories with their favorite Hershey Characters, dressed up in their festive best, as well as Dr. Seuss's The Grinch and Max, on select dates! 

Book a Holiday Stay at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark

With all of these things to do, you'll want to book an overnight getaway at one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark to experience it all. Whether in deluxe accommodations at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge or in a cozy cabin or RV at Hersheypark Camping Resort, a stay at a Hershey resort will put guests in the holiday spirit this Thanksgiving. Guests can take in the beauty of the resorts’ stunning holiday decor, enjoy Thanksgiving buffets and menu specials at restaurants on property (advance reservations highly recommended), and participate in family-friendly resort activities such as Hershey Character appearances, chocolate bingo and s’mores roasts at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge and Thanksgiving crafts and coloring pages at Hersheypark Camping Resort. 

Guests staying at The Hotel Hershey can also look forward to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Harvest Plaza from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. The event includes hot cocoa and cookies, live music, holiday carnival games and a lighting of the tree with the Hershey Characters at 8 p.m. 

Holiday packages featuring deluxe accommodations, daily Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast are available at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge. Alternatively, guests can book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane camping package, which includes accommodations and Park tickets at Hersheypark Camping Resort. All resort guests receive Free Resort Benefits, including free front gate shuttle service to and from the Park and preview hours.