Hersheypark Decks The Halls for the Holidays
Christmas Candylane Opens This Friday For Select Days Through Jan. 1, 2020
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas inside Hersheypark! Before Santa Claus comes to town, our team of elves spends weeks decking the halls of the amusement park with more than 4 million bright lights that sparkle during the most festive seasonal event of the year - Christmas Candylane.
It's All Hands On Deck To Make Spirits Bright
Work to bring the holiday spirit to life in Hersheypark begins during Hersheypark In The Dark Halloween attraction, as members of the Hersheypark Maintenance Team string lights in trees and bushes that are out of sight to guests. The day after the Halloween event concludes, the team really kicks into high gear setting up larger light displays, wreaths, garland and other decorations.
In addition to all lighting and electrical needs, the Maintenance Team builds a Candy Cottage, which serves as Santa's residence, and Santa's Stables where nine live reindeer call home during Christmas Candylane. Did you know that Hersheypark is one of the only places in the Northeast where families can get an up-close look at all nine live reindeer, including Rudolph, during all hours of operation?
Other teams also play an integral role in turning Hersheypark into a winter wonderland. The Hershey Nursery staff is responsible for trimming the array of evergreen trees that adorn the paths in the Park. Two crews of two men work for days to install 250,000 dancing lights in the trees and bushes that surround Spring Creek, which runs through Hersheypark. Guests can see these lights as part of the NOEL light show, which begins nightly at 5 p.m. with showtimes every half hour. One of the best views of the spectacular show is from Skyview, a gondola style ride that takes guests over the lights.
Dozens of employees from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, the parent company of Hersheypark, also volunteer their time by helping to string lights and set up decorations inside the Park during the two weeks leading up to opening.
Christmas is in the air
Christmas Candylane opens this Friday, Nov. 15, for select dates through Jan. 1, 2020. We hope you will join us for lights, coaster rides, a visit with Santa, hot chocolate and so much more! Click here to learn more about the sweet holiday celebration.