One Sweet Minute: December 2022 in Hershey, PA
The December Guide of Things to Do In The Sweetest Place on Earth
It's the most wonderful time of the year here in Hershey, PA! With the holiday season in full swing, keep reading to see some of the sweetest things to do this month.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Open Daily Starting Dec. 2
The holiday season kicks into high gear in Hershey with Hersheypark Christmas Candylane open daily from Dec. 2, 2022, through Jan. 1, 2023 (closed Christmas day). The holiday attraction features the most lights in Pennsylvania with 5 million, select rides weather permitting, Santa and all nine of his reindeer, signature hot chocolate and festive eats, and TREEville trail, among other only-in-Hershey experiences.
Guests can buy tickets online and save when purchasing them on Hersheypark.com. A free preview is included with every ticket, so guests can enter from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on a night before their visit by presenting their tickets at the main entrance in the preview lane to enjoy a fun-filled evening. Resorts preview is 2.5 hours before closing. Preview must be used first before the full day.
Hershey Sweet Lights Open Nightly Through Jan. 1, 2023
People who prefer to see the Christmas lights from the comfort and warmth of their car can drive through Hershey Sweet Lights presented by Members 1st Federal Credit Union. The holiday lights attraction, with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays created from about 2 million LED lights, is open nightly at 5 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2023
Pricing is per vehicle and varies per day. Guests are encouraged to buy online to save before their visit, as same-day ticket sales end each night at 5 p.m.
Winter Menu Now Available at The Chocolatier
Cheers to this holiday season at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio! Guests can enjoy selections from a winter menu featuring nine new cocktails, appetizers like Creamy Beet Burrata, entrees such as Mushroom Bolognese and two new milkshakes.
Families can also book a Breakfast With Santa buffet at The Chocolatier every weekend through Dec. 24, with limited availability remaining on Fridays.
See A Holiday Show
‘Tis the season for all things holiday entertainment at GIANT Center and Hershey Theatre! Warm up your vocal cords and ring in the Christmas season with these upcoming concerts and shows.
GIANT Center
Dec. 1: The Gaither Vocal Band: Christmas 2022
Dec. 3: For King & Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas
Dec. 20: Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular
Dec. 21: Trans Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Dec. 29: WWE Holiday Tour
Hershey Theatre
Dec. 1: Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show
Dec. 4: Straight No Chaser: The 25th Anniversary Celebration
Dec. 5: Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour
Dec. 9: Nikki Glaser: One Night With Nikki Glaser
Dec. 17-18: Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Cheer On The Hershey Bears
Ring in the holiday season by attending a Hershey Bears game at GIANT Center! Don’t miss all the excitement and family-friendly fun with one of the club’s seven home games in December. A Bears game is a perfect holiday outing. Games in December feature great promotions like David A. Smith Printing Team Photo Night/Team Autograph Night (Dec. 4), Pepsi Zero Sugar Reusable Swaw Keychain Night/Truly Takeover Tuesday (Dec. 6), AAA Car Magnet Night/Berks Dollar Dog Night (Dec. 28) plus a special 5 p.m. puck drop for a game on New Year’s Eve versus Providence. The Bears have opened the AHL season as one of the league’s best teams, so bring the whole family to cheer the Bears to victory.
Wild Winter Adventure Program Offered at ZooAmerica
ZooAmerica is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this month, except for Christmas. It’s a great time to visit, as many North American animals in outdoor habitats become more active when the temperature drops.
This month marks the return of Wild Winter Adventure, a 3-hour program for children in grades K-5 to learn about the survival skills that North American animals use in the cold winter months.
Participants will explore ZooAmerica, get up close to certain animals with live encounters, help with animal enrichment activities, make a craft, enjoy a snack and see Santa’s reindeer inside Hersheypark. A morning and afternoon session will be held on Dec. 17, 18, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2022. All children must be pre-registered and prepaid to participate.
Holiday Packages at the Official Resorts of Hersheypark
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 is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit this month. Visitors can take in the beauty of the resorts’ stunning holiday decor while sipping hot cocoa in front of the fireplace at Hershey Lodge or relaxing in the poinsettia-filled Fountain Lobby at The Hotel Hershey. Gorgeous towering trees, often decorated with chocolate-inspired ornaments, make for beautiful backdrops for holiday photos - a tradition for many guests. Guests can also enjoy holiday-themed resort activities and seasonal dining on property.
On select dates through Jan. 1, The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge are offering a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 2-Night Package featuring deluxe accommodations, daily Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast. Guests at Hersheypark Camping Resort can enjoy the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Camping Package with accommodations and Park tickets.
Check out our holiday guides to The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hersheypark Camping Resort to help you prepare for a sweet stay.
Winter Treatments Available at the Spas in Hershey
Beginning, Dec. 1, winter-themed treatments will be offered at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and MeltSpa by Hershey for a limited time! Guests can experience Peppermint Hot Chocolate treatments and Peppermint Mocha treatments at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey as well as the Holiday Season Sampler package, a package consisting of three spa treatments filled with the sweet aromas of the season. Or, visit MeltSpa by Hershey to indulge in seasonal treatments from their Peppermint Hot Chocolate Collection through Jan. 31.
Holiday Shopping in Hershey
From Hersheypark Season Passes to Behind-The-Scenes Tours at ZooAmerica to concert tickets, Broadway shows, Hershey Bears tickets, dining gift cards, spa treatments and more, there's truly something for everyone on your Christmas list this season in Hershey, PA! Guests can purchase gift cards in person at any of the Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) properties or conveniently purchase an e-gift card online and send it to your recipient now or schedule the perfect date for it to hit their inbox.
Plus, be sure to take advantage of sweet spa and dining gift card deals available through Dec. 24.
- The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio: Spend $50 or more on a gift card and receive a $10 dining certificate for your next visit, which can be redeemed from Jan. 2 - March 31, 2023, excluding holidays. Gift cards can be purchased in the restaurant or online.
- Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar: Spend $50 in gift cards in the restaurant or online and receive a $10 dining certificate that can be redeemed from Jan. 2 - March 31, 2023, excluding Valentine’s Day. Plus, purchase $50 or more in gift cards Friday, Dec. 16 - Sunday, Dec. 18, and receive TWO $10 dining certificates.
- Devon Seafood + Steak: Spend $100 in gift cards in the restaurant or online and receive a $20 dining certificate that can be redeemed from Jan. 2 - March 31, 2023, excluding Saturdays and Valentine’s Day weekend. Plus, purchase $100 in gift cards the weekend of Friday, Dec. 16 - Sunday, Dec. 18, and receive TWO $20 dining certificates.
- The Spa At The Hotel Hershey: Purchase $250 or more in gift cards from The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and receive a $25 voucher to use toward spa services. Gift cards can be purchased in the spa or online.
- MeltSpa by Hershey: Purchase $150 or more in gift cards from MeltSpa by Hershey and receive a $15 voucher for spa services. Gift cards are available for purchase in the spa or online.
Hershey Jobs
As the year comes to a close, why not consider a new career path at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R)? Interested in a role at one of our Resorts, restaurants, spas, Hersheypark or Hershey Country Club? We have you covered! Visit HersheyJobs.com for a current list of available positions, including full, part-time and seasonal roles.
HE&R is also hiring interns for summer 2023. From the award-winning Hersheypark Leadership Development Internship, Hospitality Internship Program, culinary and professional internships, we offer an ideal opportunity for all majors of study. Apply today!
Our company is committed to fostering a stronger internal culture of advocacy and inclusion to help team members share their voices and collectively effect change. Learn more about our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts and what it is like working here at our website.
Be sure to share your sweet memories with us using #HersheyPA on social media! We hope you have a great holiday season!