Holiday Fun at Hershey Gardens And The Hershey Story 2023

The Hershey Story Museum and Hershey Gardens welcome the holidays with a variety of family-friendly activities! Families can get in the holiday spirit by experiencing The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens, participating in kids’ crafts and enjoying appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus on select dates. Yuletide festivities continue at The Hershey Story Museum, where children can create an ornament in Little Elves Workshop, take part in friendly indoor snowball fights, and more!

HERSHEY GARDENS

The Christmas Tree Showcase  
Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; closing at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24) 

Guests can enjoy 11 beautifully decorated trees on display in an indoor winter landscape; each tree is decorated by a local artist. A 14-foot white poinsettia tree provides the perfect photo op, too! Included in general admission.

Extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays in December until 6 p.m. 

Enjoy the twinkling lights of the indoor Christmas Tree Showcase until 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in December, with $3 off admission on these days beginning at 4 p.m. Guests can also listen to live holiday music from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. on select evenings. PLEASE NOTE: the outdoor Gardens will close at 5 p.m.

Crafty Christmas Creations 
Nov. 25 and 26; Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31, 2023 
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Stop in at the Education Center, located in The Children’s Garden, for kids’ holiday craft making; included in general admission.

Visit with Santa 
Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Visit with Santa in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory; included in general admission.

Storytime with Mrs. Claus 
Saturday, Dec. 9 and 16, 2023 
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Join Mrs. Claus in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory for story time; included in general admission.

The Butterfly Atrium will also be decorated for the holidays. Please visit HersheyGardens.org for ticketing information, hours of operation and a complete listing 
of events.

THE HERSHEY STORY MUSEUM 

Little Elves Workshop
Nov. 24-26; Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 28-31, 2023 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Kids will journey through "Little Elves 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 op; $8 per ornament; adults may accompany children at no charge.

Holiday-Themed Chocolate Lab Classes
Daily Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Times vary

Enjoy a 45-minute class and learn about chocolate, plus make your own chocolate treat! Please visit HersheyStory.org for a daily class schedule; ticket purchase required; children must be at least 5 years old to enter the lab.

Comfy Cozy Cocoa 
Nov. 27 through Dec. 31, 2023 
Available at Tastings during Tastings hours 

Visit Tastings at The Hershey Story and enjoy a warm and cozy mug of Hershey's Milk Chocolate, topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint. Served with a chocolate-covered pretzel rod for stirring; $9.

Sensory-Friendly Little Elves Workshop 
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 
9 am. to 10 a.m. 

This workshop is designated for guests with autism or other sensory-related sensitivities. To help guests prepare for their visit, a social story is available on HersheyStory.org under the Dec. 2 event calendar listing “Sensory-Friendly Little Elves Workshop.” Activities include rolling, cutting and decorating a holiday ornament made of chocolate clay. 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 op. $8 per ornament; adults may accompany children at no charge.

Snowball Saturday 
Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Friendly indoor snowball fights are the centerpiece of this holiday event. Kids can also visit with the museum’s snowman and listen to stories about wintertime fun; free.

New Year’s Eve Countdown 
Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Celebrate the New Year throughout the day at The Hershey Story Museum! Kids can make some noise with "bubble-wrap stomps," held at 11 a.m., 1.p.m. and 3 p.m. Activities take place on the museum patio, weather permitting; free.

For additional information about The Hershey Story and a complete calendar listing of events, please visit HersheyStory.org.