Fall Fun

Fall Weekend at Hersheypark

Nov. 7-8; 12 to 8 p.m.

Hersheypark amusement park celebrates autumn with a Fall Weekend on Nov. 7-8, 2026. Scheduled between the Halloween and Christmas operating seasons, the weekend features 40 rides, weather and maintenance permitting, plus a seal and sea lion show and admission to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park (open until 4:30 p.m.) when entering from the bridge inside Hersheypark.

Wild Game & Mushroom Menus at Hershey Lodge

Nov. 7-23; Reservations highly recommended

The culinary team at Hershey Lodge is excited to offer limited-time Wild Game & Mushroom menus at two of its restaurants to celebrate hunting season in Pennsylvania. Guests who visit Revelry Chophouse, Bar + Patio or Fire & Grain can experience a variety of unique seasonal flavors with appetizers like Duck Sausage or Woodland Mushroom Toast, to entrees like the Cocoa Espresso Rubbed Elk Loin or Roasted Squab, plus a variety of seasonal desserts and recommended wine pairings. Regular restaurant menus will also be available.

Pumpkin Spice Spa Day

Available through Nov. 30; Appointments highly encouraged

November is the final month to experience pumpkin-scented spa treatments in Hershey! Unwind at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa with treatments like the Pumpkin Spice Massage, Great Pumpkin Facial or Fall Pumpkin Package. Or, try the Pumpkin Spice Collection at MeltSpa by Hershey, featuring treatments such as the Pumpkin Spice Body Wrap and Pumpkin Whip Perfecting Facial.

Seasonal Eats, Sips and Events at The Chocolatier

Open daily; Hours vary

The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio is open daily for lunch and dinner. In addition to the regular Fun-To-Table menu, diners can order from a seasonal menu of fall-inspired shareables, entrées, desserts and cocktails for guests 21 and older.

Later this month, Breakfast With Santa returns to The Chocolatier! The family-friendly event is offered on Saturdays and Sundays, plus select Fridays from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24, from 8-10:45 a.m. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and tons of holiday family fun. Tickets must be bought in advance and can be purchased online.

Holiday Happenings

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Select dates starting Nov. 13; Times vary

The holiday season in Hershey kicks off this month as Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens to the public on select dates starting Nov. 13! A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, the seasonal event features the following only-in-Hershey experiences included with a ticket:

• More than five million lights (the most in Pennsylvania) across the 121-acre amusement park
• Holiday thrills on select rides (weather permitting) and special holiday overlays on Twin Turnpike and Holly Jolly Laff Trakk
• Santa and all nine of his reindeer for guests to see up close in the Mary N. Bright Airfield
• Enhanced HERSHEY’s TREEville trail with candy-themed trees and treat stops
• NEW Fire & Ice Experience with icy lights and blazing flames that illuminate the night (launching Nov. 27)
• NEW Estate Of Evil Holiday Open House with a terrifying holiday flair
• “Twinkling Thru Time” holiday show in the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre
• Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel

Great ticket deals are available on Hersheypark.com. Current 2026 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2027 Season Passes are on sale now and include the rest of 2026 for free, so guests can buy now and visit during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens

Daily starting Nov. 20; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day)

Hershey Gardens signature holiday event returns to the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory this month! The Christmas Tree Showcase features many holiday trees, each decorated by a different local designer, 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia trees, plus the historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car! The Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays as well. The Christmas Tree Showcase is included in general admission.

Crafty Christmas Creations at Hershey Gardens

Nov. 21 & Nov. 28; 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Perfect for kids of all ages! Youngsters can create their own holiday craft, inspired by nature at Hershey Gardens. Located in the Education Center in The Children's Garden, this event is included in general admission.

Live Events and Shows

Jim Gaffigan at Hershey Theatre

Nov. 6; 7 p.m.

Jim Gaffigan, an eight-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer and producer, brings his “Everything is Wonderful!” tour to Hershey Theatre. He is best known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life. The comedian can currently be seen opposite co-stars Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, James Marsden and Hugh Grant in Netflix’s “Unfrosted,” which debuted as the No. 1 movie in the world on Netflix.

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Hershey Theatre

Nov. 10-15; Times vary

Celebrating 20 years of holiday magic, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is the record-setting Broadway sensation that has delighted more than 3 million theatergoers across 83 cities and 1,700 performances. The production broke box office records during its Broadway engagements and continues to be a beloved holiday tradition for audiences of all ages.

Featuring the hit songs “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated special, this heartwarming musical brings Dr. Seuss’ classic story to life on stage. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the cheerful, holiday-loving Whos—only to discover there’s more to the season than he ever bargained for. With magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations, the show transports audiences into the whimsical world of Whoville and breathes new life into this timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas.

Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Third Day at GIANT Center

Nov. 12; 7 p.m.

Three names. One tour. And a fall lineup that’s almost too impressive to believe. When TOBYMAC, CHRIS TOMLIN, and THIRD DAY tour together, it’s a night big enough to make people book flights, text friends, and clear the calendar! The set list is full of endless #1 hits and award-winning music to make this an unforgettable show. Three headliners. No filler. You’ll pay for the seat, but you’re bound to spend the night on your feet!

John Crist, Henry Cho, Dusty Slay, Dustin Nickerson at GIANT Center

Nov. 14; 7 p.m.

Comedians John Crist, Dusty Slay, Henry Cho and Dustin Nickerson will join forces for One GIANT Night of Comedy at GIANT Center.

Arabesque Charity Ballet Event: Fighting Childhood Cancer at Hershey Theatre

Nov. 22; 2 p.m.

To mark 50 years in the professional world of dance, Viktor brings together local dance schools and professional artists from across the Northeast for Arabesque: an evening showcasing ballet and a variety of dance styles, benefiting the Four Diamonds Foundation at Penn State Health Children's Hospital. Proceeds will support childhood cancer care and research.

This is the first presentation of Arabesque in Hershey, bringing together inspiring students and accomplished professional artists for a moving, high-caliber performance featuring both classical and contemporary works, along with a diverse range of dance styles. Designed for audiences who appreciate outstanding performances, it promises an elegant and meaningful evening of artistry.

Donations to the Four Diamonds Association can be made online.

Christmas Together with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and CeCe Winans at GIANT Center

Nov. 28; 7 p.m.

What began as an intimate theater tour has quickly grown into a must-see holiday tradition, drawing fans eager to experience the unique chemistry and shared legacy of these iconic artists. This year’s move to arenas nationwide, including the GIANT Center, allows even more audiences to take part in an unforgettable evening of music, worship and celebration.

Blending timeless Christmas classics with career-defining hits and moments of heartfelt worship, “Christmas Together” captures the true spirit and joy of the season. With decades of influence and a deep-rooted message of faith, Grant, Smith, and Winans bring a powerful and unifying presence to the stage, creating a concert experience that resonates across generations.

Hershey Bears Hockey at GIANT Center

Dates and times vary

The Hershey Bears continue their 2026-27 season – their 89th season of play as the oldest continuously operating team in the American Hockey League – with seven home games at GIANT Center in November. Promo nights this month include the Hometown Heroes game on Nov. 11 with military-themed activities and recognition throughout the evening, as well as Hersheypark Pass Night on Nov. 20, where all fans will receive a 2027 Hersheypark ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2027.

Around Town

New Movie Exhibit at The Hershey Story Museum

Opens Nov. 6; Hours vary

Ahead of the anticipated release of the HERSHEY movie by Angel Studios, The Hershey Story Museum is launching its new exhibit, The Making of the Hershey Movie, to take guests behind the scenes of the making of the film. Through original costumes, authentic movie props and interactive experiences, the exhibit explores the many creative elements of motion picture production. Guests can step into Joseph Royer’s candy shop to “run lines” from the film, try their hand as a Foley artist by creating sound effects and watch exclusive interviews with the cast and crew. The exhibit is included with regular admission.

Dine with Coco the Bear at The Chocolatier and Hershey Social

Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5-7 p.m.

Celebrate hockey season by dining with Coco the Bear of the Hershey Bears! Available at Hershey Social on Tuesdays and The Chocolatier on Thursdays, Coco will visit from 5-7 p.m. for photo ops, laughs and delicious dishes. In addition, kids can eat for free at Hershey Social with the purchase of an adult entree. Don't forget to bring your Hershey Bears ticket to The Chocolatier and get a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of an entree!

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park

Open daily in November; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day)

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 otter and Canada Lynx, are more active when the temperature drops.

Tickets are available for purchase online. Regular admission for guests ages 9-61 is $16.50 plus taxes and fees. Admission for juniors (ages 3-8) and seniors (ages 62 and above) is $14.50 plus taxes and fees. Children 2 and under are free.

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 Hersheypark Christmas Candylane ticket is required to view them.

Founders Hall Visitors Center at Milton Hershey School

Open Monday - Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Milton Hershey School (MHS) Founders Hall Visitors Center is open for visitors to explore more than 110 years of MHS history. The free tour explores the story of the School's past, present and future. It is located at 801 Spartan Lane, Hershey, PA 17003, near the intersection of Meadow Lane and East Governor Road (Rte. 322).

Overnight Getaways

Book A Stay At An Official Resort 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! Those looking to visit during Fall Weekend at Hersheypark can book the Fall Weekend Package at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge or Hershey Inn & Suites Nov. 6-8. This package includes deluxe accommodations, breakfast and a 1-Day Hersheypark ticket for each guest.

On select dates starting Nov. 13, guests can book holiday resort packages to ring in the season. The Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Night and 2-Night packages at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hershey Inn & Suites include deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets, breakfast and more. Or, head to Hersheypark Camping Resort and book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Camping Package featuring Park tickets and accommodations. All guests receive Free Resort Benefits like free front gate shuttle service and preview hours at Hersheypark.

If you are a current 2026 Season Pass Holder or considering becoming a new 2027 Season Pass Holder, now is the time to buy and save the most on more summer days.

Learn more about the 2027 Season Pass options below and renew or purchase yours today for a year of Hersheypark Happy at the guaranteed best price!

An Overview of Season Pass Tiers

All 2027 Season Passes include unlimited visits throughout the 2027 operating year for all four seasons at Hersheypark, including Spring Weekends, Summer, Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Depending on the Pass type, Season Pass Holders can also enjoy free parking, a free Pre-K Pass, other sweet perks, exclusive Season Pass Holder events and great discounts around town. For the first time, new 2027 Full, King or Giant Season Pass holders will also receive unlimited visits and free parking to 2026 Hersheypark Halloween and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

Below is an overview of each Season Pass tier to help you decide which one is right for you.

Please note that Hersheypark does not offer family, military, junior or senior Season Passes, as they are already a discounted product. Military ticket offers may be available seasonally on ID.me. Each guest, age three and older, must have their own ticket or Season Pass to enter Hersheypark.

Giant Size Season Pass
A Giant Size Season Pass is the biggest, most perk-packed Hersheypark Season Pass tier and includes the following benefits:

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2027 public operating season
• Free parking and access to a Season Pass Holder parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis
• One free Single-Use, Single-Ride Fast Track each visit to skip the line on one participating Fast Track attraction, excluding Boardwalk attractions and Dark Nights haunted houses
• Two free Pre-K Passes valid for children born on or after January 1, 2022
• Three free 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets valid for the 2027 public operating year
• The All-Year Drink Plan with one Season Pass Holder Souvenir Cup
• Three free Single-Use Snack Vouchers
• Hersheypark Sweet Start 1-hour early access from May 27 through Sept. 6
• Access to the Exclusive Giant Size Pass Holder Lounge
• 45% off the full gate price on up to twenty 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets for friends and family during the 2027 operating year when purchased through the Season Pass Portal
• Up to 50% off Unlimited All-Day Fast Track the day of the visit, excluding Boardwalk attractions and Dark Nights haunted houses
• $150 off All-Season Fast Track
• 15% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark
• 15% off games with a Hersheypark Games Card
• 2027 Giant Size Season Pass Holder Bag
• Special monthly discounts, exclusive offers and sweet rewards with the Monthly Rewards Program in 2027
• Access to all exclusive Season Pass Holder events in 2027

King Size Season Pass
Hersheypark wrapped up everything Pass Holders love about Full Size Season Passes and added some King Size perks, including the following benefits:

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2027 public operating season
• Free parking and access to a Season Pass Holder parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis
• One free Pre-K Pass valid for children born on or after January 1, 2022
• Two free 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets valid for the 2027 public operating year
• The All-Year Drink Plan with one Season Pass Holder Souvenir Cup
• Hersheypark Sweet Start 1-hour early access from May 27 through Sept. 6
• 35% off the full gate price on up to twenty 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets for friends and family during the 2027 operating year when purchased through the Season Pass Portal
• 15% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark
• 15% off games with a Hersheypark Games Card
• 2027 King Size Season Pass Holder Bag
• Special monthly discounts, exclusive offers and sweet rewards with the Monthly Rewards Program in 2027
• Access to all exclusive Season Pass Holder events in 2027

Full Size Season Pass
The Full Size Season Pass is packed full of perks, sweet discounts, a monthly rewards calendar and more, as noted below.

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2027 public operating season
• Free parking and access to a Season Pass Holder parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis
• One free Pre-K Pass valid for children born on or after January 1, 2022
• Hersheypark Sweet Start 1-hour early access from May 27 through Sept. 6
• 25% off the full gate price on up to twenty 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets for friends and family during the 2027 operating year when purchased through the Season Pass Portal
• 15% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark
• 15% off games with a Hersheypark Games Card
• Special monthly discounts, exclusive offers and sweet rewards with the Monthly Rewards Program in 2027
• Access to all exclusive Season Pass Holder events in 2027

Bite Size Season Pass
Bite Size Season Passes offer an introduction to the Hersheypark Season Pass program with unlimited admission. Please note that Bite Size Season Pass Holders DO NOT receive 1-hour early access with Hersheypark Sweet Start or access to Season Pass Holder events, even when accompanied by a Full Size, King Size or Giant Size Pass Holder. No exceptions.

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2027 public operating season
• 50% off general parking when purchased in advance online through the Season Pass Portal
• 5% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark

Pre-K Pass Perk
Full Size and King Size Season Pass Holders receive one free Pre-K Pass, and Giant Size Season Pass Holders receive two free Pre-K Passes as part of their perks. The free Pre-K Pass is available for a child who is under five years old and born on or after January 1, 2022. The qualifying child will receive unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2027 public operating season, plus 1-hour early Sweet Start access during the summer season.

The Pre-K Pass activation vouchers will be loaded into the Season Pass Portal in early 2027. Pre-K Passes must be redeemed by August 31, 2027. Children 2 and under are eligible to redeem a Pre-K Pass but are not required to have an admission ticket for entry. Any guest wanting to use the Pre-K Pass to enter ZooAmerica prior to Pass redemption must show their confirmation email.

Unlimited Visits In 2026 Too!
New this year, guests who do not already have a 2026 Season Pass but want to enjoy the rest of 2026 and all of 2027 can purchase a 2027 Full, King or Giant Season Pass, which includes unlimited visits to Hersheypark Halloween, Dark Nights and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane in 2026 AND all public operating days in 2027. It's also a great option for 2026 Summer Fun Card Holders!

For the remainder of 2026, new 2027 Full, King and Giant Season Pass Holders can enjoy all the perks of a Full Size Pass, like free parking, discounts and access to exclusive Season Pass Holder events. Please note that any other perks based on the Season Pass tier selected, such as Hersheypark tickets, welcome bags and Drink Plans and cups, and a free Pre-K Pass, are not available until next year.

New 2027 Season Pass Purchases

2027 Season Passes are available for purchase now, starting at 10 monthly payments of just $10 after initial $49 down payment

Season Pass Payment Plan
Buying a Season Pass is even more affordable with a monthly payment plan. Guests must simply select their Payment Plan at checkout, and after an initial down payment, the monthly payment will be automatically deducted each month.

2027 Season Pass Renewals

2026 Hersheypark Season Passes are valid through Jan. 3, 2027. Current 2026 Season Pass Holders can renew now at their same Pass tier for the lowest price on 2027 Season Passes.

2027 Season Pass Add-Ons

Select Dining, Drink and Fast Track plans are now available to add to a Season Pass, depending on the tier, when purchased simultaneously.

Please note that Season Pass Add-on(s) will only auto-renew if they were purchased together with a 2026 Season Pass. Any Dining Plan or Drink Plan purchased separately from the original 2026 contract will not be auto-renewed for 2027. Season Pass Holders can purchase them as separate add-ons in early 2027.

Season Pass Dining Plans
Hersheypark will offer two 2027 Summer Dining Plans: the Season Pass All-Summer Twice-A-Day Dining Plan and the Season Pass All-Summer Once-A-Day Dining Plan. Full Size, King Size and Giant Size Season Pass Holders can add them to their Season Pass purchase or renewal now.

The Season Pass Twice-A-Day Dining Plan is valid for two meals per day, three hours apart, at 21 dining locations. These locations include Dispatch Pizzeria Express, Nathan’s Famous in Founder’s Way, 1906 Grill, Dispatch in The Hollow, Flying Fare, Overlook Food Court, Kissing Tower Snacks, Chickie’s and Pete’s in Pioneer Frontier, Subway in Pioneer Frontier, Berks, Nathan's Famous Truck, 8-Cut Crust, Keepin' It Kosher, Nathan’s Famous in The Boardwalk, Shoreline Grill, Walking Taco Food Truck, Spring Creek Smokehouse, East Coast Burger Works, Philly Cheesesteak Co., Subway in Midway America and Chickie's and Pete's in Midway America. Locations are subject to change without notice and by season.

The Season Pass All-Summer Once-A-Day Dining Plan allows guests to purchase a lower-priced Summer Dining Plan valid for one meal per day at 14 locations throughout Hersheypark. These locations include Dispatch Pizzeria Express, Nathan’s Famous in Founder’s Way, 1906 Grill, Dispatch in The Hollow, Flying Fare, Overlook Food Court, Kissing Tower Snacks, Berks, 8-Cut Crust, Keepin' It Kosher, Nathan’s Famous in The Boardwalk, Shoreline Grill and Walking Taco Food Truck. Locations are subject to change without notice and by season.

Season Pass Drink Plans
Hersheypark will offer a Season Pass All-Year Drink Plan to enjoy free refills in an exclusive 2027 souvenir cup on fountain drinks and Slush. The 2027 All-Year Drink Plan is included as a perk for King Size and Giant Size Season Pass Holders. This add-on will be available for Full Size and Bite Size Season Pass Holders to purchase separately closer to the start of the 2027 season.

Season Pass All-Season Fast Track and Photo Pass
The Season Pass All-Season Fast Track and All-Year Photo Pass will go on sale in early 2027. Program details, including pricing, will be available at that time.

As a perk, 2027 Giant Size Season Pass Holders may purchase the 2027 All-Season Fast Track for $150 off the regular rate at Ticketing Services on-property only starting in 2027.

Season Pass Next Steps

Hersheypark Season Pass Holders are encouraged to create a Season Pass Portal Account to access important information, purchase add-ons, link their family's passes, manage their payment method and more.

Please note that as of 2027, all Season Passes are digital, including Pre-K Passes, as printed cards will no longer be offered. Season Pass Holders have the option of printing a screenshot of the QR code from their digital Pass as a physical option.

New 2027 Season Pass Holders can upload their account profile picture using the link delivered via email shortly after completing your purchase. Be sure to take your profile picture in a well-lit area and that the photo is of yourself without anyone else in frame, centered on your head and shoulders. Please note that you must remove any hats or sunglasses and that photos of other photos are not acceptable. Once you've successfully uploaded a photo, your digital card can be added to your HPGO account in the Hersheypark App. Pre-K Passes are the only Season Pass type which will require in-person activation.

2026 Season Pass Holders who renew for 2027 into the same tier do not need to get a new Season Pass ID and can continue to use their physical Season Pass card from 2026.

We look forward to a sweet 2027 with our Season Pass Holder family!

Based on height (age is not a factor), guests are assigned a Hershey’s brand category that identifies the set of rides they can experience during a visit to Hersheypark. Continue reading to discover your candy-themed ride height category and get a sneak peek at some of the rides you’ll be able to enjoy. You can even print your own height chart! 

Hershey's Miniatures Height Category

The Hershey's Miniatures height category at Hersheypark is for any guests under 36”. There are 28 kiddie rides and family attractions in this category for the youngest thrill-seekers at the amusement park. Some favorites include:

• Carrousel: One of the most historic rides in the Park sits in an illustrious home in Hershey’s Chocolatetown! Every member of the family can experience a ride on a moving horse, a stationary horse or a chariot on the 107-year old Carrousel.

• Convoy: This caravan of trucks moves at a low speed to ensure the precious cargo is delivered safely and sweetly to the Kissing Tower Hill area.

• Minty Bees: Originally known as Bizzy Bees, this buzzing attraction was rethemed in 2019 to complement the opening of the nearby interactive dark ride, Reese's Cupfusion, adding a refreshing minty twist for riders of Hershey’s Miniatures height (0-36”) through Hershey's Chocolate height (48-54 inches).

• Tiny Tracks: This mini train chugs along a track in the Midway America region. Riders can choose to relax in the caboose or ring the bell in the engine!

• Traffic Jam: Beep, beep! Children can ride motorcycles, cars and buses around the circle at a slow speed in the Founder's Way region of Hersheypark.

Hershey's Kisses Height Category

The Hershey's Kisses height category is for guests between 36" and 42" tall. There are 41 rides that fall into this category, including all of the Hershey’s Miniatures attractions, plus a few more moderate thrill rides and two roller coasters! 

• Frog Hopper: If a little one is not quite ready for the thrill level of Hershey Triple Tower, Frog Hopper is the perfect stepping stone. This ride lifts passengers, then "hops" them back down in the Kissing Tower Hill area.

• Cocoa Cruiser: The perfect first steel coaster, Cocoa Cruiser races around a bright yellow track for two fun-filled minutes.

• Reese's Cupfusion: Mint the Merciless has breached the Reese’s factory and come for the Crystal Cup. Do you have what it takes to stop him and The League of Misfit Candy during this interactive gaming ride?

• Swing Thing: This swing ride is the perfect way to introduce young guests to the feeling of flying through the air!

• Trailblazer: The second-oldest coaster at Hersheypark, Trailblazer features a helix that circles four times through Pioneer Country.

Reese's Height Category

The Reese’s height category is for guests 42” to 48” tall. This height category is the entry point for ridership on some high-thrill roller coasters, such as Comet and sooperdooperLooper. Guests measuring at the Reese’s height category can enjoy 56 attractions, which include most rides in the lower height categories. 

• Comet: Celebrating 80 years in 2026, the oldest coaster at Hersheypark is best known for delighting generations of families with several airtime-producing bunny hills.

• Laff Trakk: The first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster in the United States takes riders on an exciting adventure of sights and sounds, complete with glimpses of colorful characters, a dizzying hall of mirrors and more.

• Mix’d Flavored By Jolly Rancher: This ride begins by spinning 360 degrees, then shifts into gear and mixes in lifts, drops and never-before-seen views while dodging the other riders.

• sooperdooperLooper: Visitors of Reese's height category and above can experience the first-ever modern looping coaster on the East Coast! After a ride, don't forget to pick up an "I survived the sooperdooperLooper" shirt.

• Whitecap Racer: Located in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park, this mat racing slide features an industry-first of double looping tunnels with a Rally Point where neighboring competitors can be seen and heard. It is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.

Hershey's Height Category

At the Hershey’s height category of 48” to 54”, guests can enjoy 65 attractions, including more iconic coasters and thrill rides! 

• Hershey Triple Tower: The first choose-your-thrill triple tower in the United States drops guests from various heights. 

• Jolly Rancher Remix: This reimagined coaster takes riders and their senses forward and back on the same flavorful track, as they blast through a flavor tunnel, invert six times in 90 seconds and jam to sweet tunes.

• Lightning Racer: This double-track wooden roller coaster features two staggered lifts and a thrilling element of competition.

• Twizzlers Twisted Gravity: Opened in 2025, the world's tallest Screamin' Swing ascends 137 feet and swings at speeds reaching 68 mph over Spring Creek in The Hollow region.

• Wildcat's Revenge: The wood and steel hybrid coaster climbs a 140-foot hill, hits a max speed of 62 mph, dives into an 82-degree drop, inverts four times, and stalks prey through the World's Largest Underflip on three custom trains.

Twizzlers and Jolly Rancher Height Categories

The final height categories are Twizzlers and Jolly Rancher. Twizzlers is for guests measuring 54-60", while Jolly Rancher is for guests over 60". At these measurements, guests can enjoy more than 50 must-do rides and coasters.

• Candymonium: The tallest, longest, fastest and sweetest coaster at Hersheypark spans seven acres in Hershey's Chocolatetown.

• Fahrenheit: Riders climb a steep, 121-foot lift hill before plummeting down the signature 97-degree drop.

• Great Bear: This inverted steel coaster leaves riders' feet dangling as it lifts 90 feet off the ground and launches into a thrilling, yet graceful course of drops, loops, corkscrews and a zero-g roll.

• Skyrush: This roller coaster takes a First Class flight 200 feet into the air before flying downhill at 75 mph. Riders experience four high-speed turns and five zero-G airtime hills - all from an upgraded, winged-seat coaster train!

• Storm Runner: The East Coast's only remaining hydraulic launch coaster launches riders from 0-72 mph in two seconds flat.

Additional Ride Information for Guests

Please read through the following ride information to help you plan your visit to Hersheypark.

Guests with a cast or brace: Casts are not permitted on Wildcat's Revenge, Candymonium, Hershey Triple Tower, Skyrush, sooperdooperLooper and Twizzlers Twisted Gravity. There are signs posted at each ride indicating its restrictions. In most cases, your own discretion is suitable for whether or not you wish to ride a certain ride.

Guests accompanied by service animals: Service animals are welcome at Hersheypark and ZooAmerica. Service animals are limited to dogs and miniature horses that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability. Although service animals are discouraged from riding any attraction, service animals will be permitted on the Monorail, Carrousel (chariots only), Kissing Tower, Dry Gulch Railroad, Ferris Wheel, Sunoco Classic Cars, and they will be permitted to enter The Boardwalk attractions up to the water’s edge. 

Hand-held infants: Guests should check the entrance to every Hersheypark attraction or the additional restrictions and accessibility section under each ride listed online for information. Each ride will indicate whether hand-held infants are allowed. Select rides include Monorail, Carrousel (chariots only), Dry Gulch Railroad, Ferris Wheel, Shoreline Sprayground and others based on restrictions. A hand-held infant is a child who is unable to walk to the attraction independently or maintain independent seated postural control.

Guests with medical conditions or expectant mothers: Guests can explore eligibility in the Attraction Accessibility Program at Accessibility Services, located outside the front gate, or at any in-park Guest Services location, where guests will be asked to complete and sign an Attraction Accessibility Questionnaire. Based on the questionnaire responses, guests may receive an Attraction Boarding Pass listing attractions they may enjoy. 
 

Whether you're the ultimate coaster conqueror or a gentle thrill seeker, Hersheypark has the perfect ride lineup for guests of all ages, heights and thrill levels with something for everyone to enjoy!

Save big on Hersheypark tickets now when you purchase online and get ready to find your Hersheypark Happy! 

As we gear up for a sweet 2026, let's pause to look back at our top 10 moments in The Sweetest Place On Earth this year.

January 2025: The Hershey Bears Hosted Record-Breaking Teddy Bear Toss

We kicked off the year with sweet, cuddly mayhem in Hershey, Pa. The Hershey Bears, the oldest and most decorated team in the AHL, established a new hockey world record during its annual GIANT Teddy Bear Toss on Jan. 5, 2025. The Bears collected 102,343 teddy bears and stuffed animals, surpassing the club's previous hockey world record of 74,599, which was set in 2024.

April 2025: 1933 Restaurant & Tavern Opened at The Hotel Hershey

On Apr. 17, 2025, The Hotel Hershey, one of the finest Historic Hotels in America, opened its newest dining experience, 1933 Restaurant & Tavern. The full-service restaurant and tavern combines culinary classics with modern comfort and pays tribute to the unique history of The Hotel Hershey. 

Expanding the former Harvest Restaurant, the menu features an approachable steakhouse menu, elevated pub fare, signature cocktails, and curated draught beer and wine selections. The first new restaurant at The Hotel in 15 years is open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch.

May 2025: Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Opened at Hersheypark

Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, the world's tallest Screamin' Swing, officially opened to the public at Hersheypark on May 24, 2025. The high-thrill pendulum attraction manufactured by S&S Worldwide features the newest candy to join the skyline at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. 

Riders ascend 137 adrenaline-pumping feet, defy gravity at speeds reaching 68 miles per hour and experience multiple mind-bending zero G moments as they swing high above Spring Creek in The Hollow region of Hersheypark. 

Following its summer debut, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity was open for Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane for its first holiday season. The record-breaking attraction continues to receive rave reviews. 

Summer 2025: Hersheypark Stadium Hosted Record-Breaking Summer Concert Series

From classic rockers to country hitmakers, boy bands to the halftime performer at the Big Game, summer 2025 marked another unforgettable season of live music under the stars in Hershey, Pa. Hersheypark Stadium hosted 16 concerts, its most ever in a series, with something for all musical tastes. 

The 2025 Hersheypark Stadium Summer Concert Series kicked off on May 28 with a return visit from superstar Post Malone, followed by an impressive lineup that featured Avril Lavigne, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Luke Bryan, Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake, and more! The lineup ended on a high note with a performance from Twenty One Pilots on Sept. 27. It was the first time the band returned to Hershey in almost a decade. 

August 2025: The Hotel Hershey Opened 19 New Villas

The Villas at The Hotel Hershey expansion was officially completed in August 2025! Driven by consumer demand, The Villas doubled in size this year to 19 Villas, introducing nine new Villas and 50 additional sleeping rooms. This expansion follows the 2024 reimagining of the original 10 cottages with 48 rooms as The Villas. 

Representing the second-largest investment in the historic Hotel Hershey’s 90-year history, The Villas At The Hotel Hershey offers even more luxury as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and the most premium Hersheypark experiences. The sweet perks include Hersheypark admission for each day of stay, One-Day Fast Track pass per person allowing guests to skip the line once on each participating attraction, and a dedicated shuttle stop for front gate transportation - a tremendous value! Guests of The Villas also enjoy personalized service and luxury through the Villas Lounge, which includes daily continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beer and wine, and more.

August 2025: Hershey Bears Named a New Head Coach

The Hershey Bears announced that Derek King was named the 29th head coach in franchise history on Aug. 4, 2025. King brings a wealth of coaching experience in both the American Hockey League (AHL) and the National Hockey League (NHL) to Hershey. The native of Hamilton, Ontario, joined the Hershey Bears after spending the last four seasons with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.

September 2025: Hersheypark Opened New Haunted House and Scare Zone at Dark Nights

Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights Presented by Reese’s and Kit Kat® returned to Hersheypark for eight weekends from Sept. 12 through Nov. 2, 2025. The popular Halloween event featured five haunted houses, including the all-new Kill ‘N Fill Garage, and four scare zones (more than ever before) with the new Path of Shadows: Coven’s Curse. Guests brave enough to explore these offerings experienced haunting special effects and unique set designs that brought the only-in-Hershey storyline to life.

Tickets also included 50 attractions and dark coaster rides, Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, a Monster Ball with the Hershey Characters and other entertainment in the Avenue Of The Afterlife. 

September 2025: Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk Debuted for Hersheypark Halloween

In Sept. 2025, fans of Laff Trakk indoor coaster experienced the ride like never before as it evolved into Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk for the Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights Presented by Reese’s and Kit Kat® season. This unique partnership between Hersheypark and The Hershey Company's Shaq-A-Licious brand featured glowing visuals, amped-up audio and immersive graphic displays that capture the candy’s playful spirit. 

The fun continued into Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. A special holiday overlay combined the Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk visuals with signature holiday Laff Trakk elements, like the iconic Christmas Tree in the center. 

In celebration of the first-of-its-kind ride overlay for Hersheypark, Shaquille O’Neal made a sweet stop in Hershey on Oct. 6, 2025. The basketball legend brought his larger-than-life energy—and his Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies—to Hershey for a day filled with inspiration and fun, surprising students at Milton Hershey School (MHS) and recording his podcast at his gummy-inspired ride inside Hersheypark. 

October 2025: ZooAmerica Celebrated 45th Anniversary of Creatures of the Night 

The popular Creatures Of The Night event returned to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park for its 45th anniversary starting on Oct. 3, 2025. The Halloween-themed, after-hours experience ran on more dates than ever through Nov. 1, 2025.

In celebration of the event's anniversary, ZooAmerica offered a special nighttime flashlight tour and new themed activities, including a history-themed scavenger hunt and a creature kitchen where visitors could learn about animal diets. Decorating a luminary, a creepy crawler display, animal enrichments and other guest-favorite activities were also offered during the event.

November 2025: Hersheypark Debuted New Holiday Stage Show for Christmas Candylane

For the first time since 2019, guests of Hersheypark Christmas Candylane enjoyed a holiday stage show inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre on select dates in November and December. Twinkling Thru Time made its debut as a bright and heartwarming celebration of laughter, love and the magic of Christmas. The show featured iconic holiday hits to add to the sweet storyline.

Also new during the seasonal event was the location of the iconic Kissmas Tree within the Hershey’s Chocolatetown region of the Park. Guests could view the Kissmas Tree as soon as they passed through the main Park gates, or from aboard the Candymonium roller coaster.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane has been a holiday tradition for more than 40 years. 

BONUS: Looking Ahead to 2026

There is no doubt that Hershey, Pennsylvania, will be a must-visit destination in 2026. The Sweetest Place On Earth is centrally located within easy driving distance of five of the largest metropolitan areas in the Northeast, making it an accessible and attractive getaway for travelers of all ages.

The centerpiece of any visit is, of course, Hersheypark, which offers a unique blend of thrilling rides, family-friendly attractions and the sweet atmosphere that only Hershey can provide. The largest amusement park in Pennsylvania will kick off its 120th season on April 3, 2026.

New lodging and dining options will also debut across the destination in spring 2026. 

Hershey Inn & Suites

Hershey Inn & Suites, the first select service property as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, is slated to open in spring 2026. Located at 1300 West End Avenue in Hummelstown, just minutes from Hersheypark, Hershey Inn & Suites will feature 130 rooms with seven suites, each space combining comfort and convenience with signature Hershey hospitality. Reservations are now open with rates starting at $149.

Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar

Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar will also open in spring 2026, located near the iconic corner of Cocoa and Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey. Hershey Social will bring bold flavors, signature cocktails and over-the-top desserts inspired by Hershey’s chocolate roots to the vibrant downtown area. The reimagined space will feature a casual setting and an expanded bar, perfect for families and friends to sip, savor and socialize. Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar will join Hershey Entertainment & Resorts’ 14 other restaurants throughout Hershey.

Stay tuned for more details on what’s new across our sweet destination! 

“This time of year is filled with the magic and spirit of the holidays,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Pennsylvanians near and far can nestle snug in their beds knowing the reindeer are healthy and ready to take flight tomorrow night.”

Santa’s nine reindeer — Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (the Pennsylvania Dutch spelling of Donner) Blitzen, and Rudolph — received the all-clear approval from Dr. Sarah Coburn, Alaska’s state veterinarian to fly to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg and Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Erin Luley reviewed Alaska’s Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and declared the team healthy, allowing them to fly from rooftop to rooftop for the purposes of toy delivery to the well-behaved children of Pennsylvania. These certificates are required as an assurance that contagious diseases are not carried across state lines.

“Despite the team’s long journey and sleigh full of packages,” Dr. Hamberg said, “Santa’s reindeer have received excellent care from Santa’s herd manager at the North Pole, and from Hersheypark’s team during their stay here, and they are all clear to spread joy across Pennsylvania.”

“After a full safety check and a little extra cocoa, I’m happy to report that Santa’s reindeer are officially cleared for flight,” said Executive Director Kaitie Burger. “Pennsylvania truly shines during the holidays, and there’s no better place to feel the magic of Christmas than right here in the Keystone State. From cozy small towns to the sparkle of Hersheypark, this is where festive traditions, sweet treats, and unforgettable holiday memories take flight.” 

See All Nine Reindeer at Hersheypark Through Jan. 4

"For more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane has provided only-in-Hershey experiences that have become beloved holiday traditions," said Quinn Bryner, Director of Public Relations for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. "As the only amusement park to have five million lights, family rides and coasters, and all nine reindeer, we invite all Pennsylvanians to enjoy the holiday season at Hersheypark through Jan. 4, 2026.”

But what sets this USA TODAY 10Best Holiday Theme Park Event apart is that Santa has come to the town built on chocolate—and he brought Rudolph and his friends along with him to the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield. 

Hersheypark is one of the only places in the Northeast where guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa’s reindeer. Since 1996, Santa has entrusted the ZooAmerica team to take special care of his reindeer during the holiday season by providing them with a healthy diet, exercise and spacious, clean stables to call home.

We wish Santa and his reindeer a safe and magical flight on Christmas Eve and look forward to welcoming the reindeer back to Hershey, Pa., for some much-deserved rest and relaxation. 

Guests can see Rudolph and his friends during all hours of operation through Jan. 4, 2026.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Day Any Day Tickets are currently $50.99 plus taxes and fees online. The tickets purchased during the offer are valid through Jan. 4, 2026. Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2026 Season Passes are on sale now - a great last-minute gift idea, too! 

Top 5 Reindeer Facts

Beyond their famous names and sleigh-pulling skills, reindeer are fascinating animals. Did you know these facts?

1. The largest herds of reindeer are found in Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia, also known as Lapland. But, the most famous reindeer live at the North Pole.
2. Reindeer are well-equipped for the cold weather. They have two coats of fur on their bodies, plus fur on their noses, lips, and under their hooves.
3. In the wild, reindeer like to eat Lichens, the moss that grows on rocks and trees. The ZooAmerica team feeds the reindeer a pellet diet and plenty of their favorite snack called Beet Feed. The reindeer also love apples, so children can put out nine slices of apples for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve instead of carrots.
4. Both male and female reindeer have antlers, which makes them different from deer. In general, they lose their antlers every year.
5. If you listen closely, you will hear the reindeer making a clicking noise when they walk. The tendons in their feet make a snapping sound that they use in the wild to keep in line. This noise is where “Up on the rooftop, click, click, click” originates.

Read on for more details on four of the most popular Hersheypark Christmas gift options (still available to buy online for last-minute shoppers).

2026 Hersheypark Season Pass

A 2026 Season Pass offers a full year of fun with more than 70 rides including 15 thrilling coasters (the largest collection in the Northeast), The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park (open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend), and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo, only by entering through the Hersheypark bridge during public operating hours. 

The 2026 Hersheypark Season Pass program features four tiers and allows for unlimited visits throughout the 2026 operating year, including Spring Weekends, Summer, Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Depending on the Pass type, Season Pass Holders can also enjoy free parking, a free Pre-K Pass, other sweet perks, exclusive Season Pass Holder events and great discounts around town - all for less than the cost of three visits. 

2026 Season Passes are available for purchase now with the best price before 2026! 

Gifting Season Passes

Follow these simple steps to ensure your gift of a 2026 Season Pass remains a sweet holiday surprise:

• Select the Season Pass tier you think is best for the recipient
• Enter the recipient's name, phone number and home address
• Use your own email address to receive the confirmation (to indeed keep it a surprise)
• Print off the confirmation email and add a card (we have one below to use)
• When the recipient comes to take their photo and receive their physical pass, they can update the email address on file

Free Printables

If you are also looking for a way to brighten up your gifts, our free holiday printables add a sweet touch to any present. You can download and print a gift tag and three versions of wrapping paper to let your recipient know they have a year of happiness ahead. 

2026 Hersheypark Summer Tickets

Are you planning a visit to Hersheypark next summer? 2026 Summer tickets are available for purchase this 2025 holiday season to cross off of your list early. Summer tickets are valid starting Apr. 3, 2026, through Sept. 7, 2026. These tickets include access to all rides and attractions (weather and maintenance permitting), seasonal entertainment, The Boardwalk water park (open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend) and ZooAmerica by entering through the Hersheypark bridge during public operating hours. 

The Sweetest Hersheypark Merchandise

If your family member, friend or coworker is a Hershey enthusiast, Hersheypark has got you covered for gift-giving with Hershey plush, winter apparel to deck any parkgoer from head to toe, exclusive drinkware, coaster collectibles and everything in between. The Hersheypark online store offers Christmas shipping and free in-store pick-up is also available at Hersheypark Supply Co., the premier, 10,000-square-foot flagship store in the Hershey's Chocolatetown region. 

For those who prefer to shop in person, Hersheypark is home to more than one dozen retail locations featuring the perfect blend of new collections and vintage designs for fantastic gift options. Take a look at some of the unique shopping opportunities during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, which is open daily starting Dec. 18.

• Hersheypark Supply Co. (outside of the Hersheypark front gate and open even when the Park is closed): The largest collection of apparel, gifts, toys and more exclusive to Hersheypark
• HP Collections (inside the front gate): A collection of curated premier brands and styles, including johnnie-O, Vuori, Adidas, Corkcicle and more
• Prancer's Presents (across from the Mary N. Bright Airfield): Features exclusive Hersheypark Puppie Love merchandise
• Candylane Emporium (outside The Boardwalk): Seasonal retail experience for unique Christmas-themed apparel and gifts
• Christmas Memories (in Founder's Way next to Kettle Corn): Full of Hersheypark and chocolate-themed holiday décor

Hersheypark Gift Card

A Hersheypark gift card is a great way to let the recipient choose their own gift. Gift cards for Hersheypark, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio, restaurants, resorts and more can be purchased in-store or online. E-gift card purchases are delivered either digitally or via a physical gift card in the mail.

Now is the perfect time to get a gift card for the foodies on your holiday list. Now through Dec. 24, buy $50 or more in gift cards, and get a $10 dining voucher toward your next meal at The Chocolatier. For an extra serving of fun-to-table, from Dec. 15-17, you will receive two $10 vouchers when you purchase $50 in gift cards from The Chocolatier in-person only.

Please note that Hersheypark gift cards cannot be used to purchase tickets or Season Passes online. The gift card recipient can call the Guest Experience team at 717-534-3900 for assistance. 

Looking for other great gift ideas in The Sweetest Place On Earth? From concert and hocket tickets to holiday spa treatments, dining and more, there's something for everyone on your list. Happy holidays!

For more than 40 years, the merriest event of the year at Hersheypark has delighted guests with a unique blend of only-in-Hershey holiday experiences, including the most lights in Pennsylvania, all nine of Santa’s reindeer, unique seasonal rides and coasters, festive eats and signature hot chocolate.

You won't want to miss this USA TODAY 10Best Top 10 Theme Park Holiday Event for 2025! Plan your visit with this guide of the top 12 things to do at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

1. Most Holiday Lights in Pennsylvania

More than five million sparkling lights deck the halls of Hersheypark this year, including the guest-favorite NOEL light show, which features dancing lights choreographed to Christmas music along Spring Creek. NOEL starts nightly at 5 p.m. and runs every 30 minutes in The Hollow region. 

2. Family Attractions and Kiddie Rides

A selection of family-friendly and kiddie rides are open for Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, temperature and maintenance permitting. Dry Gulch Railroad is a must-ride, as the steam-powered train takes riders through areas of Hersheypark completely blanketed with lights. The railroad features a Christmas overlay with various displays that are only viewable from the ride, including the 12 Days of Christmas.  

There are also a few signature rides worth adding to the must-do list that provide dazzling views of the lights from above versus walking all 121 acres:

• Kissing Tower takes guests 250 feet up in the air to the highest point in Hershey for an aerial 360° view of Hersheypark and the town built on chocolate while learning about its history.
• The Ferris Wheel, with its festive light package, is more than just an iconic photo spot during the holidays. The family attraction is also a popular option for guests of every height category to enjoy the beautiful views from nearly 100 feet.
• Twizzlers Twisted Gravity makes its holiday debut in 2025 with a holiday light package and offers stunning new views of the fan-favorite NOEL light show.
• Hershey Triple Tower is ideal for thrill seekers looking to get a unique, bird's-eye view of the holiday lights. The attraction features a light package to add to the holiday spirit in the Kissing Tower Hill region. 

Tip: We recommend downloading the Hersheypark app for a real-time listing of ride availability and wait times. 

3. Holiday Thrills on Select Coasters

Oh, what fun it is to ride on seven roller coasters during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane! Temperature and maintenance permitting, thrill seekers can experience holiday thrills on the following coasters:

• Wildcat’s Revenge featuring a holiday light package
• Candymonium featuring a holiday light package
• sooperdooperLooper featuring a holiday light package
• Jolly Rancher Remix with a holiday overlay and scent
• Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk indoor coaster decorated for the holidays with a large Christmas tree in the center
• Wild Mouse
• Cocoa Cruiser

To add to the Park's merry ambiance, some coasters that are closed for Hersheypark Christmas Candylane boast holiday decorations. Visitors can see holiday light packages on Skryush and a Santa sleigh light display on the lift hill of Comet. 

Tip: Temperature thresholds for the coasters are listed in the website FAQs. Generally, temperatures must be at least 38 degrees and rising to begin the day and stay above 38 degrees at night for select rides to operate. If the weather causes a majority of the seasonally available major rides to close for more than 60 minutes of your visit, head to Guest Services to claim your FREE return visit voucher valid any operating day through June 30, 2026. View our full Winter Weather Promise policy details here.

4. Photos With Santa in the Mary N. Bright Airfield

Don't forget to make your list and check it twice because Santa Claus has come to town! Guests can visit with Santa and all nine of his reindeer in the Mary N. Bright Airfield located in Fahrenheit Catering inside Hersheypark. Santa’s favorite candy-stocking stop before his holiday ride is home to the Yule Lounge, where guests can get a photo with Santa, tell him their list and mingle with his elves through Dec. 24.

Tip: The Mary N. Bright Airfield may experience a high volume of travelers, so guests are encouraged to head there first.

5. All Nine of Santa's Reindeer

Rudolph and his are taking a break before their famous flight inside an old airplane hangar turned stables at Hersheypark! Guests can see the reindeer up close from behind a gated area in Hangar 96. Hersheypark is the only place in Pennsylvania with this magical experience featuring all nine of Santa’s reindeer during all hours of operation through Jan. 4, 2026.

Tip: Reindeer specialists from ZooAmerica are on-site to answer guest questions. 

6. Holly Jolly Hershey Character Sweet Greets

It's not a visit to Hersheypark without snapping a selfie with a Hershey Character! Parkgoers can stop by the Reese's Cup House located next to the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre and meet their favorite Hershey Characters, who are donning their coziest winter apparel. 

Tip: Check the Hersheypark app for appearance times. 

7. TREEville Trail

Guests can enjoy a stroll through TREEville trail in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark region. This festive trail, which wraps around the East Coast Water Works attraction, features over 25 uniquely decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth with unique themes and decor.

Tip: Don't forget to tag @Hersheypark and use #ChristmasCandylane in social media posts!

8. Hot Chocolate and Seasonal Eats

Tis the season to eat, drink and be Hersheypark Happy! Guests can indulge in a variety of seasonal food and beverage offerings, including:

• Get your hands on the Kissmas TREEts Collectible sweets container featuring multiple layered compartments of handmade goodies. This year, there are two tasty variations featuring mixes of snacks and a cookie decorating kit. They are available for $28.99 plus tax online and for redemption at select locations within Hersheypark and Hershey Sweet Lights.
• Guests can warm up with four specialty hot chocolate topped with baked goods at the Simply Chocolate Hot Chocolate Bar or boozy hot chocolate for those 21 and older at The Concourse Cocoa Bar, located inside Terminal C of the Mary N. Bright Airfield.
• For savory options, three specialty Holi-dog hot dogs are available at Berks Hot Dog Stand. Plus, new holiday offerings including Holiday Meal Plates and cookie platters will be available at Overlook Food Court on select dates.
• Perfect for sharing, Simply Chocolate offers three King Size Shakes: Frozen Hot Chocolate, Gingerbread and Reese's Peanut Butter. Milton's Ice Cream Parlor and The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen also have seasonal desserts.

Tip: As a special holiday perk, 2025 King and Giant Size Pass Holders can receive FREE refills on standard hot chocolate and coffee in the form of a paper cup during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

9. All New Holiday Stage Show

For the first time since 2019, guests can enjoy a holiday stage show inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre during Christmas Candylane. Twinkling Thru Time is a bright and heartwarming celebration of laughter, love, and the magic of Christmas featuring your favorite holiday hits.

Tip: Showtimes vary in accordance with the Hersheypark operating schedule. Check the Hersheypark app for showtimes during your visit.

10. Our Friends From The Sea

Weather permitting, guests can see the seals and sea lions during the Our Friends From The Sea show in the Aquatheatre at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. when Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens at 12 p.m.

11. Zoo Visits

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day). The holiday season is a great time to visit the 11-acre Zoo as many North American animals in the outdoor habitats, like the gray wolves, river otters and Canada Lynx, are more active when the temperature drops. 

ZooAmerica is included with a Hersheypark ticket only by accessing the Zoo through the Hersheypark bridge during Park hours. Separate Zoo tickets are available for purchase online or at the ZooAmerica Admissions Building. 

Tip: Please note that the Zoo naturalists care for the reindeer at Hersheypark, so a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane ticket is required to view them.

12. Holiday Shopping

Hersheypark is home to more than one dozen retail locations that feature a blend of new collections and vintage designs for holiday gift-giving. Guests can give the gift of happy or take a piece home as their own souvenir.

• Hersheypark Supply Co. is a premier, 10,000-square-foot flagship store where guests can browse the largest collection of apparel, gifts, toys and more exclusive to Hersheypark. A Hersheypark ticket is not required to visit Hersheypark Supply Co. During Christmas Candylane operating days, the store is open from 10 a.m. until the Park is closed (closed Christmas Day).
• HP Collections is located inside the front gate and features a collection of curated premier brands and styles, including johnnie-O, Vuori, Adidas, Corkcicle and more.
• Prancer's Presents is new this holiday season. Located across from the Mary N. Bright Airfield, the store features exclusive Hersheypark Puppie Love merchandise.
• Candylane Emporium is a seasonal retail experience right outside of The Boardwalk for unique Christmas-themed apparel, gifts and more.
• Christmas Memories in Founder's Way next to Kettle Corn is full of Hersheypark and chocolate-themed holiday décor.

Tip: Interested in giving the gift of experience? An e-gift card or 2026 Season Pass makes a sweet gift!

Buy Online and Save

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Day Any Day Tickets are currently $50.99 plus taxes and fees online. The tickets purchased during the offer are valid through Jan. 4, 2026. 

Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2026 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2025 operating year and all of 2026 - a great gift idea, too! 

During their stay in Hershey, the reindeer are cared for by the ZooAmerica team inside Hersheypark. The Zoo Reindeer Specialists compiled a list of eight fun facts about the reindeer. Beyond their famous names and sleigh-pulling skills, how much do you really know about these fascinating animals? Read on to find out!

Trivia About Santa's Reindeer at Hersheypark

1. Reindeer are native to the Arctic areas of Europe, Asia and North America. 
The largest herds of reindeer are in Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia, also known as Lapland. But, the most famous reindeer live at the North Pole.

2. Reindeer like to eat Lichens, the moss that grows on rocks and trees. 
It's a tough life for reindeer in the wild. Finding food can be difficult in the winter, with snow on the ground and very little vegetation. Reindeer mostly survive on Lichens, also called Reindeer Moss. Lichens are rich in vitamins and give them energy. But Santa's reindeer don't have the same struggles. The reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane eat a pellet diet that is great for antlered animals. They also get plenty of their favorite snack, Beet Feed (dried nutritious and sweet beets). 

On Christmas Eve, Santa feeds them special food that makes them fly called “Magic Dust.” The Reindeer Specialists at Hersheypark are not allowed to feed the herd Magic Dust, or there would be flying reindeer all over Hershey!

3. Reindeer and caribou differ according to where they live. 
People in North America call them caribou, but people in Europe and Asia call them reindeer. Their size also varies depending on their location.

4. Reindeer have distinct personalities. 
Just like people, each reindeer has its own unique personality. Trained reindeer experts are on-site during all hours of Hersheypark Christmas Candylane operations to answer guest questions and talk to guests about the sweet (and sassy) characteristics.

5. Reindeer have antlers. 
Both male and female reindeer have antlers, which makes them different from deer. In general, they lose their antlers every year. Baby reindeer can grow small spike antlers just two months after they are born.

6. Reindeer have two coats of fur. 
The bottom layer of the fur is like lamb’s wool, and it twists around the upper coat, which is long and coarse. Wind and water cannot penetrate it. Reindeer also have fur on their noses, lips and under their hooves on the pad. They are well-equipped for cold weather in Central Pennsylvania. 

7. Reindeer make a clicking noise when they walk. 
The tendons in their feet make a snapping sound that they use in the wild to keep in line. This noise is where “Up on the rooftop, click, click, click” originates.

8. Santa's one reindeer is named Donder, not Donner. 
Santa was speaking Dutch when he named his reindeer. Donder means Thunder and Blitzen means Lightning, which are also the names of our dueling coaster cars on Lightning Racer!

Other Unique Holiday Experiences at Hersheypark

In addition to the majestic reindeer, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane also features many only-in-Hershey experiences, including:  

• The most lights of any amusement park in Pennsylvania, with five million, including a dazzling NOEL light show synchronized to holiday music
• Select family-friendly rides and seven thrilling coasters, weather permitting, including the first winter for the new Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Screamin' Swing
• NEW Twinkling Thru Time holiday show inside the heated Music Box Theatre (first holiday stage show since 2019)
• Interactive experience and photo opportunity with Santa through Dec. 24
• Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters in their coziest winter apparel
• TREEville Trail, located around East Coast Waterworks in The Boardwalk water park, with more than 25 uniquely decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth
• Limited-time festive eats and seasonal sips, including new variations of fan-favorite King Size Shakes and festive Holi-dogs hot dogs, and various hot chocolate offerings
• Holiday shopping at more than one dozen retail locations 

A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane runs on select dates through Jan. 4, 2026, with daily operations starting Dec. 18 (closed Christmas Day). We hope to see you!

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane was voted #9 overall, securing a coveted spot as one of the top 10 best theme park holiday events in the country. The 121-acre Hersheypark is one of three amusement parks in Pennsylvania to make the list - an honor we've received for several years. 

Twenty nominees across the country were chosen by a panel of relevant experts, including editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors, and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The contest gave voters four weeks to vote for the candidate of their choice. 

Thank you to all who voted for us!

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 

A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane runs on select dates through Jan. 4, 2026, with daily operations starting Dec. 18 (closed Christmas Day). 

The seasonal event is one of the few remaining places in the Northeast to see holiday lights from high-thrill roller coasters! The following only-in-Hershey experiences are included with a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane ticket for guests of all ages:

• Five million lights (the most of any amusement park in the state), including the NOEL light show synchronized to holiday music along Spring Creek
• Seven coasters and select family rides, including the holiday debut of Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Screamin' Swing (weather, temperature and maintenance permitting)
• Santa and all nine of his reindeer for guests to see in the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield
• NEW Twinkling Thru Time holiday show inside the heated Music Box Theatre (first holiday stage show since 2019)
• Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters in their coziest winter apparel
• TREEville Trail, located around East Coast Waterworks in The Boardwalk water park, with more than 25 uniquely decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth

Guests can also warm up with signature hot chocolate, boozy hot chocolate and a hot chocolate bar with dessert toppers. Other limited-time festive eats and seasonal sips, including new variations of fan-favorite King Size Shakes and festive Holi-dogs hot dogs, are also available for purchase.

Create Holiday Memories in Hershey

Guests can save on Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets when purchasing them online. The tickets are valid on any public operating day through Jan. 4, 2026. 

Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2026 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2025 operating year and all of 2026 - a great gift idea, too! 

As a sweet bonus, Preview Plan is offered during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane! Ticketed guests can present their ticket at the main entrance 1.5 hours before closing the night before their visit (note operating hours) and enjoy a fun-filled evening. Resorts Preview is 2.5 hours before closing.

The town built on chocolate offers something for everyone from a 121- acre world-class amusement park to a luxurious chocolate-filled spa day at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, live concerts and shows, over a dozen dining locations and much more. 

Gift cards can be conveniently purchased online and sent straight to your loved one’s inbox, or in person at any of the Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) properties. All HE&R gift cards can be used on-site throughout the destination and do not expire.

Check out this destination gift guide for ideas to delight someone on your Christmas list this holiday season.

Visit the Largest Amusement Park in Pennsylvania

Hersheypark amusement park is a 121-acre theme open for four distinct seasonal events - Spring Weekends in April; summer lasting May through September; Hersheypark Halloween and the Dark Nights immersive haunt experience; and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. A one-price admission includes three sweet experiences, featuring more than 70 rides with 15 thrilling coasters; The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park (open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend); and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo, only by entering through the Hersheypark bridge during public operating hours.

2026 Hersheypark Summer tickets are now on sale, which are valid for admission from April 3 through Sept. 7, 2026. Guests can save more than 45 percent and start planning a 2026 trip to The Sweetest Place On Earth. 

Please note that the Hersheypark website does not currently process gift cards as a payment method. However, gift cards can be processed at the Ticketing Services building during your next visit. 

Enjoy a Year of Hersheypark Happy

Hersheypark 2026 Season Passes are on sale and allow guests to enjoy unlimited year-round visits with discounts, events and special perks based on pass type.

With a Hersheypark Season Pass this holiday season, you’re giving far more than the Northeast's largest coaster collection, thrilling water slides and an 11-acre zoo—you’re giving unlimited access to enjoy it all, anytime you want. Full, King and Giant Size Season Pass Holders can visit Hersheypark as often as they want throughout each operating season and enjoy free parking, 1-hour early access to the Park and a sweet discount on food and retail. Payment plans are available with savings on the Hersheypark website. 

Go Behind the Scenes at ZooAmerica

Do you have an animal lover in your life? Look no further than a Behind-The-Scenes Tour at ZooAmerica for a gift idea! There are various special tours to choose from that guide participants through non-public areas, get them close to the animals and leave them with a deeper understanding of the animal world. A popular option is the all-new premium feeding opportunities as part of a 30-minute feeding encounter.

Another gift idea is a ZooAmerica Pass, which includes unlimited visits to see the North American animals, exclusive events, discounted sign-up rates for Zoo programs and more. Family Passes are also available and admit a family of four living at the same address. Please note the Annual Pass is valid for 12 consecutive months from the date of purchase.

See a Live Show

From Broadway and concerts to comedians and family shows, Hershey, Pa,, is home to world-class entertainment for people of all ages to enjoy. Tickets to a show make a perfect gift idea for a day out for both your gift recipient and yourself, with over 40 different shows and counting to choose from in the coming year. For a complete lineup of shows across each venue, visit our Hershey Entertainment website. Be sure to stay tuned for even more show announcements coming soon!

Destination gift cards can be used to buy show tickets at the GIANT Center, Hersheypark Stadium and Hershey Theatre Box Offices.

Cheer on the Hershey Bears

The 2025-26 Hershey Bears ice hockey season is in full swing with home games happening at the GIANT Center through the spring. For any hockey fanatic on your list, purchase tickets online or at the GIANT Center Box Office and support the Bears as they “Defend the Den!” 

If you want to ensure the gift recipient is game day ready, consider a hockey jersey, t-shirt or other Hershey Bears merchandise. Apparel and souvenirs are available for purchase online or at the Hershey Bears team store, which offers extended hours leading up to Christmas.

Relax with a Spa Treatment

The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and MeltSpa by Hershey offer one-of-a-kind chocolate treatments that ensure nothing but sweet relaxation. Give the gift of signature chocolate treatments like a Cocoa Massage, a Chocolate Fondue Wrap or rotating treatments that change with the scents of the season. This winter, guests can even indulge in Peppermint Hot Chocolate treatments at both spas for a limited time.

For ultimate relaxation, treat someone on your list to year-round spa treatments with a Chocolate Spa Club membership at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. Benefits include a $150 spa credit, a one-night midweek stay at The Hotel Hershey, discounts on spa services and more.

Destination gift cards can be used to purchase treatments and also be used to buy signature spa products along with other spa merchandise. 

Taste the Flavors of Hershey 

Hershey, Pa., is home to more than a dozen unique dining venues that include casual coffee shops, late-night cocktail hangouts, family-friendly dining, four-star cuisine and everything in between. Treat your favorite foodie to a signature, only-in-Hershey meal at any of our dining locations listed here.

Be sure to share your sweet Hershey memories with us by using #HersheyPA on social media! We hope you have a great holiday season! 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open select dates through Jan. 4, 2026, for guests to enjoy twinkling lights, select rides and attractions (weather and maintenance permitting), visits with Santa and all nine of his reindeer, signature hot chocolate and some sweet Christmas tree experiences. 

During the seasonal event, Hersheypark has decked its halls with more than 5 million lights, including a 50-foot Kissmas Tree with a Hershey’s KISS at the top. The tree is located in a brand new spot in Hershey's Chocolatetown where the Kisses Fountain is normally found. You'll get great views of this Christmas icon from the ground and aboard the Candymonium roller coaster.

Admission to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane also includes TREEville, a festive trail of 25 trees that share the stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth. Guests can grab a signature hot chocolate and walk through the path around East Coast Waterworks as they look at trees representing the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, Hershey Bears hockey, Milton Hershey School and more. 

View the TREEville photo guide for more details.

The Official Resorts of Hersheypark

The Official Resorts of Hersheypark - The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hersheypark Camping Resort - have decked the halls for the holidays. Guests staying at any of these properties will see beautiful Christmas trees and festive decorations in the lobbies.

The Hotel Hershey

The Hotel Hershey is beautiful all year, but there’s something extra sweet about seeing the property adorned in lights, garland and Christmas trees during the holidays. As you enter the main lobby, you’ll be greeted by a display of poinsettias and miniature trees decorated with classic ornaments that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. But while on the property, there are two additional trees you’ll want to see. 

Just upstairs from the main lobby, a gorgeous tree decorated in red, green and gold overlooks the historic Fountain Lobby, which was designed like a Spanish courtyard to reflect our founder Milton Hershey's travels. This spot is a favorite holiday photo backdrop and a tradition for many guests to visit year after year. After taking a photo, head outside through the formal gardens to 1933 Restaurant & Tavern Plaza, where you'll find another beautiful Christmas tree that our Hershey Characters helped us light during our annual Tree Lighting ceremony earlier this season.

Hershey Lodge

The lobby of Hershey Lodge is at its coziest with holiday decor, including the Lodge’s beautiful Christmas tree. This year, the tree is decorated with snowflakes and ornaments of chocolate brown and gold making for a sweet photo spot - maybe even with one of the Hershey Characters who roam the lobby on select dates and times. Guests can also admire the tree while enjoying a hot chocolate or a Hershey’s Chocolate Martini by the warm, cozy fireplace. 

Hersheypark Camping Resort

There are many trees across the 55 acres of Hersheypark Camping Resort, but a few have been decorated for the holidays this year. You’ll find a Christmas tree and more holiday decorations at the front desk inside Historic Landis Barn, plus festive wreaths and ornaments on the outside.

The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens

The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens is a merry and bright collection of professionally decorated Christmas trees created by local florists. Each tree features a variety of tree decorating styles and themes, while a stunning 14-foot poinsettia tree takes center stage. The Christmas Tree Showcase is on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, 2026 (closed Christmas day). It is included in admission and free for members.

Plus, guests can see the Student Tree Showcase of holiday trees, decorated with ornaments by local school students. The Welcome Pavilion and Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays, too!

Hershey's Chocolate World

Hershey's Chocolate World added even more magic this holiday season with their decorations! Guests can pose in front of a massive Christmas tree right inside the lobby. Visitors can also create a new holiday tradition by having their photo taken with Santa in front of the HERSHEY'S Holiday Chocolate House in a classic HERSHEY'S Chocolate Tour ride car with smaller Christmas trees lining the space! 

Plus, 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 celebrate the season at Hershey’s Chocolate World with their new Holiday Savings Bundle, available through Jan. 4. For $44.95, guests can enjoy five attractions, receive a bakery voucher and get free parking—a value of over $100.

The TREEville path wraps around the East Coast Waterworks attraction in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park. It is included with a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane admission ticket through Jan. 4, 2026. 

Each festive tree features ornaments that represent the sweet attractions found throughout Hershey, Pa., from Hershey Bears hockey pucks to bacon-wrapped goodness paying tribute to a fan-favorite Dark Nights haunted house. Several of the trees were also decorated with the support of community partners. 

Let us know your favorite tree and share your photos with us on social media using #ChristmasCandylane. 

Hurry! The last day to enjoy Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is Jan. 4, 2026. If you are interested in visiting the USA TODAY 10Best seasonal event, we recommend buying tickets now or purchasing a 2026 Season Pass+ to enjoy unlimited visits for the rest of  2025 and all of 2026.

Holiday Fun

1. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Open Select Dates and Times With Daily Operations Beginning Dec. 18 (Closed Christmas Day)

The holiday season kicks into high gear at Hersheypark this month! Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 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 are also there for guests to see up close in the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield and a NEW holiday stage show can be found inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre through Dec. 28, plus, Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel—all included with a ticket. 

2. Hershey Sweet Lights 

Open Nightly; Times Vary

Located up the road from Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL is a separately ticketed drive-through attraction featuring 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. Relax With A Holiday Spa Treatment

Appointments Available Daily; Times Vary

The holidays can be stressful, so treat yourself to a day of relaxation with a holiday-inspired spa treatment! Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Mocha treatments are available at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. In downtown Hershey, MeltSpa by Hershey day spa is offering seasonal Cranberry Spice treatments all month long. 

4. Breakfast With Santa at The Chocolatier

Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays through Dec. 24; 8-10:45 a.m.

Back by popular demand, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio hosts Breakfast With Santa! Enjoy a delicious breakfast with hints of chocolate, kids’ activities like scavenger hunts and arts & crafts and lots of family fun alongside the big man and his elves. Availability is filling quickly, so make a reservation now. Guests ages 12 and older are $35.95. Kids ages 3-11 are $22.95. Children 2 and under are free. Prices do not include tax and gratuity.

5. Holiday-Themed Chocolate Lab Classes at The Hershey Story Museum

Offered Daily; Times Vary

Guests can enjoy a 45-minute class where they learn about chocolate and make their own chocolate treat at The Hershey Story Museum in downtown Hershey. Children must be at least five years old to enter the lab. Holiday-themed Chocolate Lab classes include Candy Cane Bark, Let It Snow Chocolate, Make a Very Merry Bar, Marshmallow Mischief and Reindeer Medallions. 

6. Holiday Shopping

Daily; Times Vary

From Hersheypark Season Passes to Broadway shows, dining gift cards and spa treatments, there's truly something for everyone on your Christmas list in Hershey, Pa.! A destination-wide gift card to The Sweetest Place On Earth allows your loved ones to experience all our sweet town offers in any way they choose. You 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. 

Take advantage of sweet spa and dining gift card deals available through Dec. 24.

• Devon Seafood + Steak: Receive a $20 dining certificate when you purchase $100 in gift cards.
• The Chocolatier: Receive a $10 promo card with every $50 gift card purchase.
• The Spa At The Hotel Hershey: Get a $25 voucher when you spend $250 or more in gift cards.
• MeltSpa by Hershey: Get a $15 voucher when you spend $150 or more in gift cards.

7. The Christmas Tree Showcase

Daily; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closing at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day)

Hershey Gardens’ signature holiday event features colorful tree displays with twinkling lights created by a talented local designer. New this year, guests will enjoy a pair of 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia and tropical trees. Plus, the historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car is back for family photo ops, and the Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays! All included general admission. 

8. Hershey New Year's Eve Celebration

Wednesday, Dec. 31; 11 a.m. to midnight

Held in the heart of downtown Hershey, Pa. at Chocolate and Cocoa Ave., Hershey New Year’s Eve brings a jam-packed celebration featuring kid-friendly entertainment, main stage music and a unique laser and pyrotechnics display once the clock strikes midnight. This year’s display will feature Americana-themed elements to honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Plus, celebrate New Year’s Eve during the day at The Hershey Story! Kids can make some noise with “bubble-wrap stomps.” Other activities included with admission will take place on the patio (weather permitting).

Live Events

9. Pentatonix at GIANT Center

Thursday, Dec. 11; 7 p.m.

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning and Daytime EMMY Award-nominated vocal quintet Pentatonix is hitting the road on what promises to be their boldest, brightest and biggest holiday tour yet. The annual tour is a nationwide phenomenon, selling out arenas year after year. Beloved by fans of all ages, the GRAMMY-winning group has become a staple in holiday celebrations, delighting audiences with their signature harmonies, dazzling production and beloved spirit. 

10. Heart at GIANT Center

Sunday, Dec. 14; 7 p.m.

Following electrifying performances this year across the U.S., Heart has announced an additional run of dates as part of their “Royal Flush Tour 2025,” including a show at GIANT Center. Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, will join as support.

With a legendary career spanning over five decades, Heart has cemented its place in music history, selling more than 35 million albums worldwide and delivering 20 electrifying Top 40 singles. The group continues to ignite the stage, performing their beloved, iconic and chart-dominating anthems, including “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You” and “These Dreams.”

11. WWE Monday Night Raw at GIANT Center

Monday, Dec. 15; 6 p.m.

WWE will return to Hershey, Pa., this December with an action-packed Monday Night Raw. The event is set to feature fan-favorite superstars, including CM Punk, Jey Uso, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, The Vision’s Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed, LA Knight, The New Day, Penta, Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer and more. Please note, the card is subject to change. 

12. Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Pitt Panthers Men’s Basketball Game at GIANT Center

Sunday, Dec. 21; 12 p.m.

Penn State’s men’s basketball team will square off against Pittsburgh’s men's basketball team in a neutral-site battle of the Keystone State at GIANT Center. Pitt and Penn State will meet for the 149th time in program history, with the game being the first meeting between the two teams since 2017 at the Legends Classic in Brooklyn.

Around Town

13. Wild Winter Adventure at ZooAmerica 

Adults Only Dec. 13 or 14; K-5 Beginning Dec. 20; Times Vary

This month marks the return of Wild Winter Adventure at ZooAmerica, a 3-hour program that teaches about the survival skills used by North American animals during the cold winter months. Participants will explore ZooAmerica, get up close to certain animals through live encounters, assist with animal enrichment activities, create a craft, enjoy a snack and see Santa’s reindeer inside Hersheypark. All attendees must be pre-registered and prepaid to participate.

14. Cheer On The Hershey Bears

Dates and Times Vary

The Hershey Bears have a franchise-record nine-game homestand in December, featuring great promotions and chances to bring the family to games for the holidays! 

• Saturday, Dec. 6, Hall of Fame Night: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are coming to town, and The Class of 2025 will be inducted in a special ceremony before the 7 p.m. game that night. 

• Sunday, Dec. 7, Hersheypark Pass Night: Lehigh Valley visits at 3 p.m., and all fans will receive a 2026 Hersheypark Ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2026, plus the team will wear throwback jerseys that night that will be auctioned off after the game! 

• Friday, Dec. 12, Washington Capitals Night: Get ready for a dual bobblehead giveaway of Capitals and Hershey legend John Carlson for all fans courtesy of Members 1st.

15. Whimsical Winter Crafts at The Hershey Story Museum

Saturdays in December; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kids can have fun creating a wintery craft in the museum’s classroom. A different craft will be offered each Saturday. They can try out some vintage toys and snap a unique holiday photo against a snowy Hershey scene. The event is free with admission. 

16. Snowball Saturdays at Hershey Story Museum

Saturday, Dec. 13 and 20; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friendly, indoor snowball fights are the centerpiece of this holiday event! Kids can visit with a friendly snowman, as well as create a wintery craft in our classroom. 

Overnight Getaways

17. Book A Holiday Getaway

Available Select Dates Through Jan. 4

There’s so much to see and do this month in Hershey that you'll want to stay overnight to experience it all. Book a stay at one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark. All the resorts are decked out for the holidays and offer family-friendly resort activities on holiday weekends like visits from Santa. Plus, all overnight guests receive free resort benefits like the best price on Hersheypark tickets, extra park hours and more.

On select dates through Jan. 4, The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge are offering holiday packages featuring deluxe accommodations, daily Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast each day of your stay. The all-new Cookies and Candylane Packages also includes a special milk and cookie delivery to your room during the first night of your stay. 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.

To help gift givers save over the holidays, Black Friday Holiday Deals are now available for Hersheypark amusement park, The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and more through Cyber Monday. Plus, treat yourself with voucher offers when you buy gift cards at our spas and restaurants.

Read on to check out the top 2025 and 2026 early travel savings in The Sweetest Place On Earth! Please note that this article will be updated regularly with additional Black Friday and gift ideas around town. 

Hersheypark Ticket and Season Pass Holiday Deals

If you have an amusement park lover in your life, wrapping up Hersheypark Happy with a bow could win you the best gift-giver award this holiday season. Hersheypark currently offers Holiday Deals on 2025 Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets for a visit yet this year, as well as 2026 Hersheypark spring and summer tickets and 2026 Hersheypark Season Passes to start dreaming of (and saving on) next year’s summer coaster rides and water park splashes. The following Hersheypark Holiday Deals are valid through Cyber Monday.

Christmas Candylane Ticket: From five million lights and all nine of Santa's reindeer to coaster rides and new entertainment, the USA TODAY 10Best-nominated event at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania is a holiday tradition that can't be missed! Through Cyber Monday, guests can save more than 40 percent on Christmas Candylane tickets when purchased online. The tickets are valid through Jan. 4, 2026, which means there is still enough time to gift tickets and then visit after Christmas. 

Early Summer 2026 Hersheypark Ticket: The 2026 Hersheypark operating season will be here before we know it, so it's not too early to start planning a spring or summer visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth. Now through Cyber Monday, guests can save more than 55 percent on Hersheypark tickets valid on any operating day from Apr. 3, 2026, through June 30, 2026.

1-Day Any Day Summer 2026 Hersheypark Ticket: If you are interested in purchasing a 2026 Hersheypark ticket valid for one-time use through the end of the summer season on Sept. 7, 2026, this is an excellent option for you. One-Day Any Day Summer 2026 Tickets are more than 40% off when purchased online through Cyber Monday. 

2026 Hersheypark Season Pass: Black Friday savings are here on 2026 Hersheypark Season Passes, which include unlimited visits to three experiences in one and sweet perks to fit every family’s lifestyle. If you plan to gift someone a Season Pass, you can take advantage of Black Friday savings now, with payments starting at less than $16/month. Plus, if you buy any Season Pass by Dec. 1, you will receive one FREE Bring-A-Friend ticket valid on any Hersheypark operating day from Apr. 3 through June 30, 2026!

2026 Resort Package Holiday Deals

Now is also the time to save big with Hersheypark Holiday Deals on 2026 summer getaways at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark when booked by Cyber Monday. 

Kids Stay, Play & Eat FREE Summer Package: This popular package is exactly as it sounds - kids 17 and younger receive free Hersheypark tickets, free breakfast each day and free accommodations. It is available to book at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge on select 2026 Hersheypark operating dates from April through July, and at Hershey Inn & Suites from May through July 2026. 

2026 Hersheypark 1-Night Package: For a limited time only, those interested in staying overnight in The Sweetest Place On Earth can get Black Friday savings on the 2026 Hersheypark 1-Night Package. It is available to book on select dates from Apr. 3 through July 31, 2026. 

Destination Gift Card Offers

Make someone’s holiday extra sweet when you give the gift of Hershey! Gift cards are perfect for someone who deserves a relaxing spa day, a special evening out at their favorite restaurant or simply an outing to treat themselves at The Sweetest Place On Earth. Plus, when you buy a gift card today, you will get a little extra bonus to treat yourself, too! Gift cards can be purchased online or in person at participating locations across the destination. E-gift card purchases are delivered either digitally or via a physical gift card mailed to the recipient. 

Please note that Hersheypark gift cards cannot be used to purchase tickets or Season Passes online at this time. The gift card recipient can call the Guest Experience team at 717-534-3900 for assistance. 

The following gift card offers end Dec. 24, unless otherwise noted.

The Spa At The Hotel Hershey: Give the gift of spa this holiday season and enjoy a little gift for yourself, too! When you stuff the stockings with $250 in gift cards to The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, enjoy an additional $25 voucher on us. Gift cards can be used toward any treatment, service or retail product - they get to decide!

MeltSpa by Hershey: Put the gift of relaxation under the tree with a gift card to MeltSpa by Hershey! And this season, when you buy $150 in gift cards, enjoy an additional $15 voucher on us. Gift cards can be used toward any treatment, service or retail product.

The Chocolatier: Give the gift of Fun To Table for the foodie in your life with a gift card to The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio! And this holiday season, unwrap something sweet for yourself, too. Through Christmas Eve, receive a $10 dining voucher toward your next meal with every $50 gift card you purchase.

• BONUS DAYS: For every $50 in gift cards purchased between Dec. 15-17, receive two $10 promo cards. This offer is only available with in-person purchases.

Devon Seafood + Steak: Buy $100 in gift cards and receive a $20 Devon Voucher. This offer is available on in-person purchases through Dec. 24.

• BONUS DAYS: Get two $20 vouchers when you purchase valid gift cards from Devon between Nov. 28-30, Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21.

SAVINGS ON TICKETS TO CONCERTS AND SHOWS

Give the gift of live entertainment this holiday season with savings to Broadway shows, sporting events and more at Hershey Theatre and GIANT Center.

Penn State vs. Pitt Men's Basketball at GIANT Center on Dec. 21

• Get four tickets for the price of three
• No code is required to unlock.
• Offer valid Friday, Nov. 28 at 8 a.m. to Friday, Dec. 5 at 10 p.m.

Harlem Globetrotters at GIANT Center on Feb. 22

• Up to 40% off seats
• Use code: THANKS
• Offer valid NOW to Monday, Dec. 1 at 10 p.m.

Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick at GIANT Center on Feb. 24

• 25% off tickets
• Use code: TURKEY
• Offer valid NOW to Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 12:59 a.m.

Jim Jefferies at Hershey Theatre on March 13

• 25% off select seats
• Use code: JJBF25
• Offer valid NOW to Sunday, Dec. 7 at 11:59 p.m.

TINA - The Tina Turner Musical at Hershey Theatre on March 24-29

• Up to 35% off select seats
• Use code: THEBEST
• Offer valid Friday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m.

Disney On Ice: Frozen & Encanto at GIANT Center on March 26-29

• Up to 25% off select seats
• Use code: HER35X
• Offer valid NOW to Sunday, Dec. 7 at 10 p.m.

The Fab Four at Hershey Theatre on April 2

• 30% off select tickets
• Use code: TURKEY
• Offer valid Friday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. to Monday, Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m.

& JULIET at Hershey Theatre on April 14-19

• Get four tickets for the price of three
• No code is required to unlock.
• Offer valid Friday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m.

We wish you a sweet holiday season and hope to see you in Hershey soon!

Santa has once again come to the town built on chocolate for the 2025 holiday season. Here is a guide to the top seven places in The Sweetest Place On Earth to meet Santa, share your wish list and snap a photo with him for a sweet souvenir. 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Select dates through Dec. 24 during all operating hours

Santa's favorite holiday spot at Hersheypark is the Mary N. Bright Airfield, a themed location in Fahrenheit Catering featuring Santa and all nine of his reindeer. Santa is located in the Yule Lounge inside the Mary N. Bright Airfield during all hours of Hersheypark Christmas Candylane operations through Dec. 24, 2025. Guests can see Santa included with admission. 

To get to the Yule Lounge, guests should head to the left-hand side of the Mary N. Bright Airfield, where they will enter a winter wonderland lined with beautifully decorated trees and sweet holiday decorations. Along the way to see Santa, guests might get lucky and see some of his elves! Once guests arrive at the Yule Lounge, they can sit next to Santa or on his lap to share their wish list and take a photo with him. Guests are welcome to capture their own photos using a phone. Professional photos are available for purchase in Terminal C of the Mary N. Bright Airfield.

Right next to the Yule Lounge, guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa’s reindeer, including Rudolph, in Hangar 96 through Jan. 4, 2026. Please note that the line to meet Santa is separate from the line to meet his reindeer.

The Chocolatier for Breakfast with Santa 

Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays through Dec. 24 from 8-10:45 a.m.

Families can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio, featuring hints of chocolate, kids' activities and lots of holiday family fun alongside Santa and a few of his festive elves. Young diners can partake in a scavenger hunt, photo frame decorating and more. 

Please note that limited availability remains, and reservations are required. The cost for guests ages 12 and older is $35.95. Kids ages 3-11 are $22.95. Children 2 and under are free. Prices do not include tax and gratuity.

The Hotel Hershey for Breakfast with Santa - For Overnight Guests Only

Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21 from 9-11 a.m.

Guests staying overnight at The Hotel Hershey can celebrate the holidays with a breakfast buffet in the beautifully decorated Fountain Lobby and enjoy a photo opportunity with Santa. Breakfast with Santa is available exclusively to overnight guests and requires a reservation. The cost is $53 for children and $65 for adults. Please note that limited availability remains. Guests can call 855-338-7126 to book.

Santa will also make a stop at The Villas at The Hotel Hershey Lounge for guests staying in the newest luxury accommodations during the Christmas season. Exclusive visits with Santa are available from 9-10 a.m. on Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 6, 7 and 13-24. Villas guests also receive exclusive holiday perks, including Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets on Park operating days, plus a one-day Fast Track, per person.

Hershey Lodge - For Overnight Guests Only

Saturday, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 from 7-9 p.m.

The Recreation Department at Hershey Lodge will offer photos with Santa for Lodge guests only on select Saturdays in December. Guests are welcome to take their own photos, but a professional photographer will also be on-site with the option to purchase family photos.

Guests can enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and a special arrival from Santa by fire truck near the Cocoa Terrace Patio! Santa festivities will take place following Santa's arrival in the Magnolias. 

Hershey's Chocolate World 

Select dates and times through Dec. 24

Visitors can bring the entire family to Hershey's Chocolate World to create a new holiday tradition by having their photo taken with Santa in front of the HERSHEY'S Holiday Chocolate House in a classic HERSHEY'S Chocolate Tour ride car. Santa is available on select dates through Dec. 24 at various times. 

The HERSHEY'S Characters and Dr. Seuss's The Grinch and Max are often available for photos in the meet-and-greet area in the Food Hall. Visitors are encouraged to check the schedule upon arrival, as dates and times vary per day and are subject to change.

Hershey Gardens

Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hershey Gardens welcomes the holidays with various family-friendly activities, including an appearance by Santa on Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During that time, kids can visit with Santa in the Garden Cottage, included in general admission. 

Also included with a ticket, Mrs. Claus hosts story time in the Cottage Garden on Dec. 20 from 11-11:30 a.m.

While strolling through the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, visitors can enjoy The Christmas Tree Showcase, which features ten beautifully decorated trees in an indoor winter display. Guests can also enjoy a pair of 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia and tropical trees. Plus, the historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car is back for family photo ops, and the Butterfly Atrium is decorated for the holidays!

Holly Jolly Trolley

Select dates and times through Dec. 31

The Holly Jolly Trolley is a joyous family tradition! Guests can take a cozy trip on an old-fashioned trolley with caroling, heartwarming stories from the life of Mr. Hershey and a special visit from a certain jolly old elf. Magical moments fill the trolley as Santa recognizes children in the audience from his “nice list” and offers a gift to one and all. 

Guests riding the Holly Jolly Trolley should check in at the trolley desk in the Hershey's Chocolate World lobby at least 10 minutes before their departure.

Read on to learn about what guests can expect at Hershey Sweet Lights this year, with tips to help plan a visit this 2025 holiday season. 

Location

Hershey Sweet Lights is located just minutes away from Hersheypark amusement park between Route 39 and Sand Beach Road. The address is 1183 Sand Beach Road, Hershey, Pa. 17033. From Hersheypark Drive, go north on Sand Beach Road for approximately 1/2 mile. Follow signs to Boathouse Road to the Hershey Sweet Lights entrance.

Hours 

Hershey Sweet Lights opens nightly at 5 p.m., with the closing time varying by night. Hours can be viewed here. Weekend evenings and holidays tend to be the most popular times to visit, while Monday through Thursday are typically less busy days.

Tip: Guests should consider arriving as close to 5 p.m. as possible to avoid long lines.

Admission

Hershey Sweet Lights is a separately ticketed experience from Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, with a single fee per vehicle. Online prices range depending on the date selected and the type of vehicle. 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.

Tip: Guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets online for significant savings. On-site pricing without a pre-purchased ticket is also available for a standard car at the full gate price of $54.15.

Overview of Hershey Sweet Lights Layout

At Hershey Sweet Lights, guests will experience uniquely-Hershey light displays as soon as they approach the entrance, with a festive arrival experience and the return of the fan-favorite Kissmas TREEts Collectible available for purchase. The exclusive container features multiple layered compartments of handmade goodies, like caramel corn, savory pretzel mix, chocolate covered pretzels and fudge.

Once guests pass through the entrance booth, they drive under a massive Hershey Sweet Lights archway featuring the iconic KISS street lamp and character. 

Tip: Guests can download the Hersheypark app and click the “Play Music” button in the Hershey Sweet Lights callout to enjoy holiday music, powered by iHeart, while viewing the lights from the comfort and warmth of the car.

Slightly down the path on the right-hand side are custom Hersheypark-themed coaster including Jolly Rancher Remix, Storm Runner, Comet and Wildcat's Revenge. 

Continuing along the straight path, guests will see other popular Hersheypark rides in the field, such as the Ferris Wheel, the Carrousel, Kissing Tower and more. New this year, the Twizzlers Twisted Gravity display previously found within Hersheypark joins the Hershey Sweet Lights collection to commemorate the opening of the World's Tallest Screamin' Swing earlier this year. There is also a flashing light tunnel that makes for a sweet photo opportunity. 

As guests approach the turnaround in the road, they will notice a display for the Hershey Bears AHL hockey team with GIANT Center arena, where the decorated team plays behind it in the distance. The display flashes the letters “B-E-A-R-S” to recognize the popular chant heard after the team scores a goal. 

On the backside of the field, guests will see other unique displays, like the 12 Days of Christmas, before arriving at the entrance to the Enchanted Forest.

Tip: A fun family tradition is counting the number of reindeer displays hidden throughout the experience. 

At the top of the wooded trail is a Victorian Village that features uplighting to add to the ambiance. 

As guests drive back down through the wooded trail, they will enter a region inspired by the Northern Lights with fog and laser effects, followed by a Candy Cane Forest exit boasting up-lit trees and light displays.

The separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through attraction, featuring more than 500 light displays, also opens for the holiday season tonight from 5-10 p.m. and runs nightly (including Christmas) through Jan. 4. 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Event

A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane features the following only-in-Hershey experiences included with a ticket:

• Five million lights (the most of any amusement park in the state), including the NOEL light show synchronized to holiday music along Spring Creek
• Seven coasters and select family rides, including the holiday debut of Twizzlers Twisted Gravity (weather and maintenance permitting)
• Santa and all nine of his reindeer for guests to see in the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield
• NEW Twinkling Thru Time holiday show (the first since 2019) inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre and other holiday entertainment
• TREEville Trail with more than 20 decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth (opens Nov. 26)
• Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters in their winter apparel

Hershey Sweet Lights Drive-Through Attraction

Up the road from Hersheypark is the separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through Christmas light attraction. Guests can enjoy more than 500 illuminated, animated light displays along two miles of fields and wooded trails from the comfort of their car. 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.

Buy Online and Save

Guests can save more than 45 percent on Christmas Candylane tickets when purchased on Hersheypark.com through this Sunday. The tickets purchased during the Christmas Candylane Pre-Sale offer are valid through Jan. 4, 2026.

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 $42.99 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.

For more than 40 years, the merriest event of the year at Hersheypark has delighted guests with a festive blend of only-in-Hershey holiday experiences, including the most lights of any amusement park in Pennsylvania, one of the only places in the Northeast to see all nine of Santa’s live reindeer, unique seasonal rides and coasters, seasonal eats and signature hot chocolate.

You won't want to miss this USA TODAY 10Best-nominated Theme Park Holiday Event for 2025! Plan your visit with this guide of the top things to do at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane to make the season merry and Hersheypark Happy.

Most Holiday Lights at a Pennsylvania Amusement Park

More than five million sparkling lights deck the halls of Hersheypark this year, including the guest-favorite NOEL light show, which features dancing lights choreographed to Christmas music along Spring Creek. NOEL starts nightly at 5 p.m. and runs every 15 minutes in The Hollow region. 

Holiday Thrills on Select Coasters

Oh, what fun it is to ride on seven roller coasters during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane! The seasonal event is also one of the few remaining places in the Northeast to see holiday lights from high thrill roller coasters. Weather, maintenance and temperature permitting, thrill seekers can experience holiday thrills on the following coasters:

• Wildcat’s Revenge featuring a holiday light package
• Candymonium featuring a holiday light package
• sooperdooperLooper featuring a holiday light package
• Jolly Rancher Remix with a holiday overlay and seasonal scent
• Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk is decorated for the holidays, featuring a large Christmas tree at its center and a new, curated seasonal voice-over provided by Shaquille O’Neal
• Wild Mouse
• Cocoa Cruiser

To add to the Park's merry ambiance, some coasters that are closed for Hersheypark Christmas Candylane boast holiday decorations. Visitors can see holiday light packages on Skyrush and Lightning Racer, as well as a Santa sleigh light display on the lift hill of Comet.

Tip: Temperature thresholds for the coasters and rides are listed on the website FAQs. Generally, temperatures must be at least 38 degrees and rising to begin the day and stay above 38 degrees at night for select rides to operate. If inclement weather causes the majority of major rides to close for more than 60 minutes, a FREE return visit voucher may be claimed at Guest Services.

Family Attractions and Kiddie Rides

A unique blend of family-friendly and kiddie rides is open for Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, weather, maintenance and temperature permitting. Dry Gulch Railroad is a must-ride, as the steam-powered train takes riders through areas of Hersheypark completely blanketed with lights. The railroad features a Christmas overlay with various displays that are only viewable from the ride, including the “12 Days of Christmas.”  

There are also a few signature rides worth adding to the must-do list that provide dazzling views of the lights from above, versus walking all 121 acres:

• Twizzlers Twisted Gravity: This Christmas Candylane marks the first winter for the world's tallest Screamin’ Swing, which will provide never-before-seen views of the fan-favorite NOEL light show.
• Kissing Tower: This iconic attraction, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, takes guests 250 feet up in the air to the highest point in Hershey for an aerial 360° view of Hersheypark and the town built on chocolate while learning about its history.
• Ferris Wheel: With its festive light package, this amusement park staple is more than just an iconic photo spot during the holidays. The family attraction is also a popular option for guests of every height category to enjoy the beautiful views from nearly 100 feet above.
• Hershey Triple Tower: Choose your tower and drop in for a unique, bird's-eye view of the holiday lights. The attraction features a light package to add to the holiday spirit in the Kissing Tower Hill region.

Tip: We recommend downloading the Hersheypark app for a real-time listing of ride availability and wait times. 

Photos With Santa at the Mary N. Bright Airfield

Don't forget to make your list and check it twice because Santa Claus has come to town! Guests can see Santa and all nine of his live reindeer at the Mary N. Bright Airfield, located inside Fahrenheit Catering at Hersheypark. Santa’s favorite candy-stocking stop before his holiday ride is home to the Yule Lounge, where guests can get a photo with Santa and share their list with him through Dec. 24.

Tip: The Mary N. Bright Airfield may experience a high volume of travelers, so we encourage guests to head there first.

All Nine of Santa's Reindeer

Rudolph and his friends are taking a break before their famous flight inside an old airplane hangar turned stables at Hersheypark! Guests can see the reindeer up close from behind a gated area in Hangar 96 during all hours of operation through Jan. 4, 2026. Hersheypark is one of the only places in the Northeast offering this magical experience, featuring all nine of Santa’s reindeer.

Tip: Reindeer specialists from ZooAmerica are on-site to answer guest questions. 

A Brand New Holiday Show

For the first time since 2019, Hersheypark will offer an all-new holiday stage show, Twinkling Thru Time, inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre venue. Guests can turn back the clock and step into a wondrous world where timeless holiday traditions meet iconic Christmas hits! With Granny Anne, journey through decades past and enjoy your favorite holiday hits that will have you toe tapping, singing along and even rocking around the Christmas Tree. 

Tip: Twinkling Thru Time runs through Dec. 28, 2025. On Hersheypark operating days that begin at 5 p.m., there will be three shows at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. On Park operating days that run from 12-8/9 p.m., there will be four shows at 1, 2:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. On Christmas Eve, there will be three shows at 12:45, 2 and 3:15 p.m. 

Holly Jolly Hershey Character Sweet Greets

It's not a visit to Hersheypark without snapping a selfie with a Hershey Character! Parkgoers can visit the Reese's Cup House and meet Hersh, Reese and Twizz, who are donning their coziest winter apparel.

Tip: Check the Hersheypark app for appearance times. Characters are subject to change based on availability.

TREEville Trail (Opens Nov. 26)

Beginning Nov. 26, guests can enjoy a stroll through TREEville trail around East Coast Waterworks attraction in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark region, with more than 20 uniquely decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth - each making a great photo op.

Tip: Don't forget to tag @Hersheypark and use #ChristmasCandylane in your social media posts for a chance to be featured!

Hot Chocolate and Seasonal Eats

'Tis the season to eat, drink and be Hersheypark Happy! Guests can indulge in a variety of seasonal food and beverage offerings, including:

• Savory Eats: For savory options, three specialty Holi-dogs hot dogs are available at Berks Hot Dog Stand. Plus, on select days after Thanksgiving, Overlook Food Court will feature a new pop-up station with specialty holiday offerings, including meatballs with red pepper marinara, apple & brie egg rolls, a holiday meal plate and more.
• King Size Shakes: Perfect for sharing, Simply Chocolate offers three King Size Shakes: Gingerbread, Frozen Hot Chocolate and Reese's Peanut Butter. Milton's Ice Cream Parlor and The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen also have seasonal desserts.
• Hot Chocolate: Guests can warm up with four specialty hot chocolate flavors, topped with baked goods, at the Simply Chocolate Hot Chocolate Bar or boozy hot chocolate for those 21 and older at The Concourse Cocoa Bar, located inside Terminal C of the Mary N. Bright Airfield. Specialty cocktails, including Rum Raisin Cider and a Cranberry Mule, are available for purchase at Overlook Bar for guests 21 and older.
• Kissmas TREEts Collectible: Back by popular demand, get your hands on the Kissmas TREEts Collectible sweets container, featuring multiple-layered compartments filled with handmade goodies, including caramel corn, savory pretzel mix, chocolate-covered pretzels and fudge. It is available for $28.99 plus tax inside the Park at the Mary N. Bright Airfield (Fahrenheit Catering) and Milton's Ice Cream Parlor, or at the entrance to Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL. New this year is a Cookie Decorating Kit version, which includes sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles and fudge. The Cookie Decorating Kit variation can be found at Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor, Overlook and the Create Your Own S’mores Cart in the Founder’s Way region.

For a complete overview of all the season's eats, treats and sips, view our Christmas Candylane Foodie Guide.

Tip: As a special holiday perk, 2025 King and Giant Size Pass Holders can enjoy FREE refills on hot chocolate and coffee during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane with the Hot Beverage Program. Present your valid 2025 King or Giant Size Season Pass to receive your hot chocolate and coffee refill in a disposable cup.

Our Friends From The Sea

Guests can see the seals and sea lions during the Our Friends From The Sea Show in the Aquatheatre at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., when Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens at 12 p.m.

For animal lovers interested in getting up close and personal with the mammals, the Touch & Feed program is offered at 3 p.m. for $125 per person. Participants have the opportunity to feed and give a back rub to one of the seals or sea lions, take a commemorative photo, tour off-exhibit areas and receive preferred seating for the show.

Zoo Visits

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). The holiday season is a great time to visit the 11-acre Zoo, 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 by accessing the Zoo through the Hersheypark bridge during Park hours. Separate Zoo tickets are available for purchase online or at the ZooAmerica Admissions Building. 

Tip: Please note that the Zoo naturalists care for the reindeer at Hersheypark, so a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane ticket is required to view them.

Holiday Shopping

Hersheypark is home to more than one dozen retail locations that feature a blend of new collections and vintage designs for holiday gift-giving. Guests can give the gift of happiness or take a piece home as their own souvenir.

• Hersheypark Supply Co. is a premier, 10,000-square-foot flagship store where guests can browse the largest collection of apparel, gifts, toys and more exclusive to Hersheypark. A Hersheypark ticket is not required to visit Hersheypark Supply Co. During Christmas Candylane operating days, the store is open from 10 a.m. until the Park is closed (closed Christmas Day).
• HP Collections is located inside the front gate and features a collection of curated premier brands and styles, including johnnie-O, Vuori, Adidas, Corkcicle and Lululemon.
• Prancer's Presents is located across from the Mary N. Bright Airfield and features exclusive Hersheypark Puppie Love merchandise.
• Candylane Emporium is a seasonal retail experience located right outside The Boardwalk, offering unique Christmas-themed apparel, gifts and more.
• Christmas Memories in Founder's Way, located next to Kettle Corn, is filled with Hersheypark and chocolate-themed holiday décor.

Tip: Interested in giving the gift of experience? An e-gift card or 2026 Season Pass makes a sweet gift!

Buy Online and Save

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Pre-Sale tickets are currently $46.99 plus taxes and fees and available online. The tickets purchased during the offer are valid through Jan. 4, 2026, and, like all other admission types, include access to more than 40 rides and attractions (weather and maintenance permitting), more than five million twinkling lights, Santa and all nine of his reindeer, and other festive entertainment. 

Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2026 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2025 operating year and all of 2026 - a great gift idea, too! 

The seasonal event at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania is open on select dates and all weekends from Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026. Guests can celebrate the holidays in Hershey with limited-time food and beverage offerings, including new variations of fan-favorite King Size Shakes and festive Holi-dogs hot dogs. 

The 2025 Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Foodie Guide will get you into the holiday spirit with eats and sips to warm your heart. Read on and add these treats to your Christmas wish list!

Simply Chocolate

• King Size Shakes
  • Gingerbread (NEW): gingerbread shake, sprinkle rim, chocolate-dipped pretzels, whipped cream, gingerbread house cookie
  • Frozen Hot Chocolate: frozen hot chocolate shake, marshmallow drizzle, sprinkle rim, chocolate-dipped pretzels, whipped cream, hot chocolate-stuffed brownie
  • Reese's Peanut Butter: chocolate peanut butter shake, peanut butter chip rim, chocolate-dipped pretzels, whipped cream, chocolate peanut butter whoopie pie wreath

• Hot Chocolate Bar
  • Simply Hot Chocolate: chocolate whipped cream, chocolate chips, vanilla chips, chocolate fudge brownie
  • Reese's Extreme Hot Chocolate: chocolate whipped cream, peanut butter sauce, mini Reese's Pieces, peanut butter cookie
  • Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate: whipped cream, toasted marshmallow syrup, mini marshmallows, meringue Christmas tree
  • Peppermint Hot Chocolate: whipped cream, peppermint syrup, crushed candy canes, white chocolate peppermint cookie

*Please note, these specialty hot chocolates are NOT included in the Season Pass Hot Beverage Program or the All Day Souvenir Mug refill program.

Berk's Hot Dogs

• Holi-dogs
  • Christmas Crandog (NEW): footlong hot dog, cucumber and cranberry relish, mint aioli
  • Franksgiving Feast Dog (NEW): footlong hot dog, cranberry mayo, diced ham, potato sticks, pork gravy
  • Merry Meatloaf Dog (NEW): footlong meatloaf, chili, jalapeño cornbread

Overlook Food Court

On select days after Thanksgiving, Overlook Food Court will feature a NEW pop-up station across from Hershey Triple Tower, with specialty holiday offerings that are perfect for sharing.

• Meatballs with Red Pepper Marinara
• Apple and Brie Egg Rolls
• Spinach and Artichoke Dip
• Holiday Meal Plate: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, gravy
  • Ham and sweet potatoes will take the place of turkey and mashed potatoes later this season
• Cookie Platter: two sugar cookies, two chocolate chip cookies and two ginger snap cookies served with milk
• Warm Apple Crisp

All-Day Souvenir Mugs and refills are available at Hot Chocolate Express, located inside Overlook Food Court.

Holiday offerings at Overlook Food Court are available Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 29 through Dec. 28, Friday Nov. 28 and daily Dec. 29 through 31.

Enjoy S'mores

Add "s'more" flavor to your Hersheypark visit! Guests can visit the Create Your Own S'mores cart, located in the Founder's Way region across from 1906 Grill, to purchase a s'mores kit which makes two traditional s'mores. Guests will be able to roast marshmallows themselves at this location. 

For even more s'more fun, guests can visit Fahrenheit S'mores Cart, located next to the entrance to The Cabanas, for prepared Traditional S'mores or Premium Cookie S'mores featuring Hershey's Chocolate or Reese's. Please note that guests will not be able to roast marshmallows themselves at this location.

Kissmas TREEts Collectible

Back by popular demand is the Kissmas TREEts Collectible, available for $28.99 plus tax. Guests can purchase this sweet souvenir inside Hersheypark at the Mary N. Bright Airfield (Fahrenheit Catering), The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen outside of the front gate and at the entrance to Hershey Sweet Lights. The exclusive container features three tiers of snacks, including caramel corn, savory pretzel mix, chocolate-covered pretzels and fudge, plus a lanyard for easy, hands-free transportation.

New this year is a second version of the Kissmas TREEts Collectible, serving as a cookie decorating kit. This version comes in the same Christmas tree container and is filled with sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles and fudge. It will be available at Milton's Ice Cream Parlor, Create Your Own S'mores (located across from 1906 Grill) and Overlook Food Court.

Boozy Hot Chocolate and Specialty Cocktails

Guests 21 and older can warm up with Boozy Hot Chocolate or “cheers” to the holiday season with specialty cocktails available inside Hersheypark.

• Boozy Hot Chocolate with specialty flavors is available for guests 21 and older at the Concourse Cocoa Bar, located in the Mary N. Bright Airfield (Fahrenheit Catering), and the Treets and Libations Bar (across from 1906 Grill).
  • Chocolate: hot chocolate, 360 Double Chocolate Vodka, whipped cream, chocolate syrup
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter: hot chocolate, Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, whipped cream, peanut butter sauce
  • Chocolate Coconut: hot chocolate, Don Q coconut rum, whipped cream, toasted coconut
  • Salted Caramel: hot chocolate, Ole Smoky salted caramel whiskey, whipped cream, caramel sauce, salt

• Specialty cocktails are available at the Overlook Bar for guests 21 and older.
  • Rum Raisin Cider: rum raisin apple cider with Captain Morgan spiced rum
  • Cranberry Mule: cranberry juice, ginger beer, lime, Deep Eddy vodka

All-Day Souvenir Mug for Hot Chocolate and Coffee 

Whether you're a hot chocolate fanatic or looking for a tasty way to warm up, the All-Day Souvenir Mug is a great option for a seasonal beverage. Free refills of regular hot chocolate or coffee are included on the day of purchase, with a 10-minute waiting period between refills. Plus, the souvenir mugs can be brought back for $1 refills through the remainder of the Christmas Candylane season. Guests can add “The Works” to their hot chocolate, which includes whipped cream and mini marshmallows, for an additional price of $1.50 at all locations. 

All-Day Souvenir Mugs can be purchased for $17.99 plus tax at the following locations:

• 8 Cut Crust Hot Chocolate Express
• Hot Chocolate Express at 1906 Grill
• Fahrenheit S'mores Cart
• Mary N. Bright Airfield Hot Chocolate Express (Fahrenheit Catering)
• Overlook Hot Chocolate Express
• Simply Chocolate
• Souvenir Cup Vending Machines near HPGO and Playdome Arcade

Guests can refill their All-Day Souvenir Mugs with hot chocolate at the following locations. Please note that hot chocolate refills are given in a 16-oz. paper cup. 

• 1906 Grill
• 8 Cut Crust Hot Chocolate Express*
• Berks
• Chickie's & Pete's Midway America
• Concourse Cocoa Bar at the Mary N. Bright Airfield (Fahrenheit Catering)
• Dispatch Express in Founder's Way
• Fahrenheit S'mores Cart
• Founder's Way Nathan's
• Hot Chocolate Express at 1906 Grill*
• Hot Chocolate Express at the Mary N. Bright Airfield (Fahrenheit Catering)
• Overlook Hot Chocolate Express*
• Simply Chocolate

Guests with an All-Day Souvenir Mug can refill coffee at the following locations: 

• 8 Cut Crust
• Hot Chocolate Express at 1906 Grill
• Starbucks

Free Christmas Candylane Hot Beverage Plan

As a special holiday perk, 2025 King and Giant Size Pass Holders can enjoy FREE refills on hot chocolate and coffee during Christmas Candylane. Just present your 2025 King or Giant Size Season Pass to receive a “refill” in the form of a 16 oz. paper cup. Please note that Full Size and Bite Size Season Pass Holders are not able to participate in the Season Pass Hot Beverage program. 

Sweet Savings on a Visit Christmas Candylane

Guests can save up to 45 percent on their Christmas Candylane visit with Pre-Sale tickets available online through Nov. 16. Tickets purchased during this offer are valid on any operating date through Jan. 4, 2026, and like all other admission types, include access to more than 40 rides and attractions (weather and maintenance permitting), more than five million twinkling lights, a brand-new holiday show in the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre, Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with select Hershey Characters, Santa and all nine of his reindeer, and other festive entertainment.

Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2026 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits to Hersheypark and the perks of a Full Size Pass for the remainder of 2025, plus the benefits of a Full, King or Giant Size Pass beginning in 2026 - a great gift idea, too!

Planning a holiday stay? We can't wait to welcome you! Here's a guide to everything you need to know to help prepare for a visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth.

YOUR ARRIVAL

From the moment you arrive at The Hotel Hershey, you'll experience the kind of hospitality you can only find in Hershey, Pa., starting with check-in. Here are a few things to know for your arrival.

Check-In
Did you know that each stay at The Hotel Hershey begins with chocolate at check-in? You'll receive a full-size Hershey's bar to start your getaway in the sweetest way. Check-in is after 4 p.m., and check-out is before 12 p.m. 

Amenities
Please view our guest room amenities and services. 

Download the HersheyResorts App

We recommend downloading the HersheyResorts app for real-time navigation throughout the Hotel, details on restaurants, resort amenities and more on the go. The HersheyResorts app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. 

Activities & Recreation

Once you're checked in, take advantage of the activities and recreation available across the resort. On select dates, The Hotel Hershey offers family-friendly activities for guests ranging from s'mores roasts to movie nights, chocolate bingo, Hershey Character appearances, crafts and more. 

Guests staying Thanksgiving weekend won't want to miss the Hotel’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the 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 tree lighting with the Hershey Characters at 8 p.m. Activity schedules are posted online in advance for your planning purposes, or you can pick up a schedule at check-in.

Guests can also take advantage of recreation on property, including an indoor pool complex, 5.5 miles of hiking trails, daily fitness classes and an indoor arcade. 

The Villas At The Hotel Hershey

The Villas offer guests an elevated luxury accommodation experience with refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities. This past summer, The Villas doubled in size bringing guests a total of 19 Villas and 98 sleeping rooms. Amenities include access to an exclusive Villas Lounge, daily Hersheypark tickets and a One-Day Fast Track per person on park operating days. The Villas Lounge can be accessed with a Villa room key from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and includes: 

• Continental breakfast
• Snacks and fountain drinks
• Evening hors d’oeuvres with beer and wine plus desserts
• Exclusive Hershey Character appearances and s’mores roasts
• Holiday activities and exclusive Santa appearances

View a full schedule for the Villas Lounge.

Exclusive Hersheypark Benefits during Christmas Candylane

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the best amusement park for the holidays. The event brings guests the most lights of any amusement park in the state and one of the only places in the Northeast to see all nine of Santa’s live reindeer, including Rudolph. Plus, enjoy a unique blend of thrilling coasters and family-friendly rides (weather permitting), photos with Santa, holiday shopping; signature hot chocolate and other sweet treats.

If you're planning a visit to Hersheypark during your stay, be sure to take advantage of all of the perks that come with being a guest of one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark! All guests of The Hotel Hershey receive the below FREE Resort Benefits:

• Extra hours at Hersheypark with Preview Plan
  • Preview Plan: Resort guests enjoy up to 2.5 extra evening hours the night before their full-day visit. Simply, present your ticket at the main entrance and enjoy a fun-filled evening.
• FREE front gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort drop-off location at Hersheypark
• Best price on Hersheypark tickets

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open on select dates Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, with daily operations starting Dec. 18 (closed Christmas Day). View hours here. 

Hershey Sweet Lights

Up the road from Hersheypark is the separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through attraction. Hershey Sweet Lights is open nightly Nov. 14 through Jan. 4, including Christmas evening; hours vary. 

From the comfort of their cars, guests can enjoy two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with more than 500 illuminated, animated displays, including The 12 Days of Christmas, an Enchanted Forest, Hersheypark rides, Hershey Bears hockey, as well as a region inspired by the Northern 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 $42.99 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.

More Free Resort Benefits

Make sure to save some time in your itinerary for a visit to some other area attractions throughout Hershey. All guests of The Hotel Hershey receive additional FREE Resort Benefits, including access to the East Course at Hershey Country Club weather permitting, preferred pricing to ZooAmerica, and complimentary admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience.

• ZooAmerica is open daily for guests to visit animals native to the North American region. Explore the numerous habitats of this 11-acre wildlife park and be greeted by animals such as bears, wolves, big cats, snakes, otters and many more. Note: Entrance to ZooAmerica is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark only when entered via the Hersheypark bridge during park hours.
• Hershey Gardens is a 23-acre walk-through botanical display garden that offers 11 themed gardens and a Children’s Garden with chocolate-scented, named and colored flora. During your visit, be sure to check out the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, which includes a year-round indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium featuring 600 butterflies from around the world. Plus, from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas), don't miss the annual Christmas Tree Showcase featuring trees uniquely decorated by local florists.
• The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, invites guests to learn all about the life and legacy of our founder Milton S. Hershey, the town he created and the lives he touched. Additional paid experiences are also available, including the Chocolate Lab, where you can try your hand at chocolate pouring and decorating.

Dining

Guests of The Hotel Hershey can find seasonal menus at a variety of restaurants on property ranging from grab-and-go to fine dining. Reservations are accepted at select locations. 

1933 Restaurant & Tavern

Make sure to check out The Hotel Hershey's newest restaurant, 1933 Restaurant & Tavern. Here, guests can feast on an approachable steakhouse menu and elevated pub fare with bold flavors. Plus, enjoy unique signature cocktails and curated draught beers on tap, as well as a brunch menu that’s served every Sunday. View menu. 

Other dining options at The Hotel Hershey include:

• The Circular, The Hotel Hershey's flagship restaurant
• Trevi 5, a modern Italian grill
• Iberian Lounge, serving lite fare and signature cocktails
• Chef's Market, an all-day café serving coffee, chef-prepared food and decadent chocolate treats on-the-go

Other options around town include Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar and Devon Seafood + Steak in downtown Hershey and The Chocolatier – a full-service restaurant, bar and patio open year-round in Hershey's Chocolatetown at Hersheypark. The restaurant features a Fun to Table menu showcasing classic family fare with a fun spin and hints of chocolate and is now accepting reservations. Note: A Hersheypark ticket is not required. 

Holiday Dining Events

Breakfast With Santa

Guests staying overnight at The Hotel Hershey can celebrate the holidays with Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy a breakfast buffet in the beautifully decorated Fountain Lobby and get your family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 29 through Dec. 21. 

The price for this all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is $53 for children and $65 for adults. Reservations are required. Please call 855-338-7126 to reserve a table. 

Sunday Brunch At The Circular

Visit The Circular every Sunday in December for an indulgent Sunday Brunch Buffet from 12-2:30 p.m! Pricing for the all-you-can-eat brunch is $67 for adults and $32 for children. Reservations are highly recommended. Call 717-534-8800 for availability.

Schedule A Spa Treatment

During your getaway, make time for some sweet relaxation at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. Affectionately known as the Chocolate Spa, the spa is famous for its signature chocolate treatments, such as a Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Fondue Wrap and Cocoa Massage. However, this fall and holiday season, guests can also indulge in a collection of decadent pumpkin-inspired treatments through Nov. 30 and peppermint mocha and peppermint hot chocolate treatments starting Dec. 1. Call 844-330-1797 to book your appointment.

Bring Home A Sweet Souvenir

After a sweet getaway, you may want to take a piece of Hershey home with you to help you remember your visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth. So, don't forget to stop inside The Shops At The Hotel Hershey for souvenirs and holiday gifts, such as Hershey's chocolate, apparel, accessories and more. Gift bags, baskets and shipping are available for in-store purchase.

Holiday Resort Packages

On select dates starting Nov. 14, Hotel guests can book holiday resort packages to ring in the season. Book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Night and 2-Night packages and get deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets, breakfast and more. 

Share Your Photos

While you're here, share your sweet holiday photos with us on social media and tag us on Facebook, Instagram and @HersheyPA on X!

Planning a holiday camping getaway? We can't wait to welcome you! Here's a guide to everything you need to know to help you prepare for a campground visit during the holiday season in The Sweetest Place On Earth.

Your Arrival

Whether you're staying in one of our log or deluxe cabins, tiny homes or parking your RV at a partial or full hook-up site, you're in for a sweet camping experience at Hersheypark Camping Resort. Here are a few things to know for your arrival.

What to Bring 
In addition to all camping supplies, cabin guests are asked to please bring their own supply of linens, pillows, blankets, towels, personal items, dish soap and kitchen linens, such as dish towels and hot pads.

What Not to Bring
Outside firewood is not permitted to be brought into the campground. Once you arrive, firewood can be purchased at our Country Store.

Drive slow
As you pull into the campground, remember to drive slowly. For the safety of children at play, the speed limit throughout the campground is 5 ½ mph. 

Check-In/Check-Out
Upon arrival, check in at the front desk located inside Historic Landis Barn. Check-in is after 3 p.m. for all campers, and check-out is at 11 a.m. for cabins and 1 p.m. for campsites. 

Download HersheyResorts App

We recommend downloading the HersheyResorts app for real-time navigation throughout the campground, details on nearby dining, resort amenities and more on the go. The HersheyResorts app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. 

Amenities

Each site features a picnic table and fire ring for cookouts and most importantly, s’mores! Additional campground amenities include free WiFi, restroom and shower facilities, self-service laundry, and a country store that sells firewood, s’mores supplies, coffee, sweet souvenirs and more.

Please note that once temperatures drop below 30°F over the course of three days, water will be shut off for the season. The Historic Landis Barn, which offers a bathhouse, and our 2-bedroom Deluxe Cabins will have water year-round. A water fill station will be available in the main parking lot.

RECREATION & ACTIVITIES

Once you're settled at your site, be sure to take advantage of our campground's on-site recreation and activities. Our campground offers a number of on-site recreational facilities for our campers to enjoy, including an indoor game room, multiple playgrounds, a community s'mores area, shuffleboard, basketball and volleyball courts. Please note: Guests are asked to supply their own sports equipment. 

EXCLUSIVE HERSHEYPARK BENEFITS DURING CHRISTMAS CANDYLANE

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the best amusement park for the holidays. The event brings guests the most lights of any amusement park in the state and one of the only places in the Northeast to see all nine of Santa’s live reindeer, including Rudolph. Plus, enjoy a unique blend of thrilling coasters and family-friendly rides (weather permitting), photos with Santa, holiday shopping; signature hot chocolate and other sweet treats.

If you're planning a visit to Hersheypark during your stay, take advantage of all of the perks that come with being a guest of one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark! All guests of Hersheypark Camping Resort receive the below FREE Resort Benefits:

• Extra hours at Hersheypark with Preview Plan
  • Preview Plan: Resort guests enjoy up to 2.5 extra evening hours the night before their full-day visit. Simply, present your ticket at the main entrance and enjoy a fun-filled evening.
• FREE front gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort drop-off location at Hersheypark
• Best price on Hersheypark tickets
  • Guests are encouraged to add tickets to their reservation in advance to receive the best price.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open on select dates Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, with daily operations starting Dec. 18 (closed Christmas Day). View hours here. 

Hershey Sweet Lights

Up the road from Hersheypark is the separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through attraction. Hershey Sweet Lights is open nightly Nov. 14 through Jan. 4, including Christmas evening; hours vary. 

From the comfort of their cars, guests can enjoy two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with more than 500 illuminated, animated displays, including The 12 Days of Christmas, an Enchanted Forest, Hersheypark rides, Hershey Bears hockey, as well as a region inspired by the Northern 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 $42.99 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.

MORE FREE RESORT BENEFITS

Make sure to save some time in your itinerary for a visit to some other area attractions throughout Hershey. All guests of Hersheypark Camping Resort receive additional FREE Resort Benefits, including preferred pricing to ZooAmerica, Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience, and access to the East Course at Hershey Country Club, weather permitting.

• ZooAmerica is open daily for guests to visit animals native to the North American region. Explore the numerous habitats of this 11-acre wildlife park and be greeted by animals such as bears, wolves, big cats, snakes, otters and many more. Note: Entrance to ZooAmerica is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark only when entered via the Hersheypark bridge during park hours.
• Hershey Gardens is a 23-acre walk-through botanical display garden that offers 11 themed gardens and a Children’s Garden with chocolate-scented, named and colored flora. During your visit, be sure to check out the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, which includes a year-round indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium featuring 600 butterflies from around the world. Plus, from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas), don't miss the annual Christmas Tree Showcase featuring trees uniquely decorated by local florists.
• The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, invites guests to learn all about the life and legacy of our founder Milton S. Hershey, the town he created and the lives he touched. Additional paid experiences are also available, including the Chocolate Lab, where you can try your hand at chocolate pouring and decorating.

Dining

Hershey has numerous dining options around town that are worth a visit if you're looking to expand your palate beyond campfire staples like mountain pies and s'mores. In downtown Hershey, you'll find delicious menus at Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar and Devon Seafood + Steak. Or, for some chocolate-infused delights, check out The Chocolatier – a full-service restaurant, bar and patio open year-round in Hershey's Chocolatetown at Hersheypark. The restaurant features a Fun to Table menu showcasing classic family fare with a fun spin and hints of chocolate and is now accepting reservations. Note: A Hersheypark ticket is not required.

For more information about dining offerings in Hershey, visit DiningInHershey.com.

Bring Home A Sweet Souvenir

After a sweet getaway, you may want to take a piece of Hershey home with you to help you remember your visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth. So, don't forget to stop inside Country Store - Sweets & More at the campground. The store is stocked with camping supplies, s'mores kits and morning coffee for purchase during your stay. But you can also find some sweet souvenirs and holiday gifts to take home, ranging from apparel to mugs to Christmas ornaments and more. 

Holiday Resort Packages

On select dates starting Nov. 14, guests can book holiday resort packages to ring in the season, including the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Camping Package, which offers Park tickets and accommodations all for one sweet price. 

Share Your Photos

While you're here, share your photos with us on social and use #HersheyPA on Facebook, Instagram and @HersheyPA on X!

Here's a guide to everything you need to know to help you prepare for a sweet visit.

Your Arrival

From the moment you arrive at Hershey Lodge, you'll experience the kind of hospitality you can only find in The Sweetest Place On Earth starting with check-in. Here are a few things to know for your arrival.

The Sweetest Check-In
Did you know that each stay at Hershey Lodge begins with chocolate at check-in? You'll receive a full-size Hershey's bar to start your getaway in the sweetest way. Check-in is after 4 p.m., and check-out is before 11 a.m. 

Kids' Check-In
On select weekend dates, children can also experience their very own check-in at our Kids' Check-In desk in the lobby. There, they are welcome to sign the kids' guest book, participate in a Hershey's candy guessing game and receive a chocolate surprise. Please view our activities schedule for availability.

Housekeeping
For your comfort, we will only enter your guest room to provide housekeeping service upon your request.
To request a refresh cleaning of your guest room simply dial extension 1099 or text 717-282-1153 before 10 p.m. for service on the next day. Our team stands ready to assist with any guest room amenities upon request.

Amenities
Please view our guest room amenities and services here. 

Download the HersheyResorts App

We recommend downloading the HersheyResorts app for real-time navigation throughout the Lodge, details on restaurants, resort amenities and more on the go. The HersheyResorts app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. 

ACTIVITIES & RECREATION

During the holiday season, Hershey Lodge offers family-friendly activities for guests on weekends ranging from s'mores roasts to chocolate bingo, Hershey Character appearances and arts & crafts. Schedules are posted online for planning purposes, or you can pick up a schedule at check-in.

MAKE A SPLASH AT HERSHEY'S WATER WORKS

Don't forget to pack your swimsuit! Families won't want to miss Hershey's Water Works, an exclusive and complimentary amenity for our overnight guests. Rain, snow or shine, guests can enjoy our sweet year-round indoor pool complex, featuring Twizzlers Twists water slides, Reese's Water Walk, zero-entry pool, sand castle spray zone, basketball hoops and more. The complex also has an indoor arcade and fitness center as well as Cocoa Cabana snack bar.

EXCLUSIVE HERSHEYPARK BENEFITS DURING CHRISTMAS CANDYLANE

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the best amusement park for the holidays. The event brings guests the most lights of any amusement park in the state and one of the only places in the Northeast to see all nine of Santa’s live reindeer, including Rudolph. Plus, enjoy a unique blend of thrilling coasters and family-friendly rides (weather permitting), photos with Santa, holiday shopping; signature hot chocolate and other sweet treats.

If you're planning a visit to Hersheypark during your stay, be sure to take advantage of all of the perks that come with being a guest of one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark! All guests of Hershey Lodge receive the below FREE Resort Benefits:

• Extra hours at Hersheypark with Preview Plan
  • Preview Plan: Resort guests enjoy up to 2.5 extra evening hours the night before their full-day visit. Simply, present your ticket at the main entrance and enjoy a fun-filled evening.
• FREE front gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort drop-off location at Hersheypark
• Best price on Hersheypark tickets

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open on select dates Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, with daily operations starting Dec. 18 (closed Christmas Day). View hours here. 

Hershey Sweet Lights

Up the road from Hersheypark is the separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through attraction. Hershey Sweet Lights is open nightly Nov. 14 through Jan. 4, including Christmas evening; hours vary. 

From the comfort of their cars, guests can enjoy two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with more than 500 illuminated, animated displays, including The 12 Days of Christmas, an Enchanted Forest, Hersheypark rides, Hershey Bears hockey, as well as a region inspired by the Northern 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 $42.99 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.

MORE FREE RESORT BENEFITS

Make sure to save some time in your itinerary for a visit to some other area attractions throughout Hershey. All guests of Hershey Lodge receive additional FREE Resort Benefits, including access to the East Course at Hershey Country Club weather permitting, preferred pricing to ZooAmerica, and complimentary admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience.

• ZooAmerica is open daily for guests to visit animals native to the North American region. Explore the numerous habitats of this 11-acre wildlife park and be greeted by animals such as bears, wolves, big cats, snakes, otters and many more. Note: Entrance to ZooAmerica is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark only when entered via the Hersheypark bridge during park hours.
• Hershey Gardens is a 23-acre walk-through botanical display garden that offers 11 themed gardens and a Children’s Garden with chocolate-scented, named and colored flora. During your visit, be sure to check out the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, which includes a year-round indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium featuring 600 butterflies from around the world. Plus, from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas), don't miss the annual Christmas Tree Showcase featuring trees uniquely decorated by local florists.
• The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, invites guests to learn all about the life and legacy of our founder Milton S. Hershey, the town he created and the lives he touched. Additional paid experiences are also available, including the Chocolate Lab, where you can try your hand at chocolate pouring and decorating.

DINING

Hershey Lodge offers a variety of delicious dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner this season. Options include: 

• STACKS: An all-day breakfast and lunch restaurant serving dishes stacked high with flavor, ranging from stacks of Buttermilk Pancakes and Belgian Waffles to Double Decker BLTs.
• Fire & Grain: An innovative menu of re-mastered comfort foods and flavorful cocktails for breakfast, dinner and happy hour.
• The Bears’ Den: A sports-themed restaurant with a hockey-rink atmosphere modeled after our hometown team, the Hershey Bears.
• Revelry: Classic and contemporary chophouse fare with premium cuts and the largest wine & spirits list in the house.
• Cocoa Beanery: An all-day coffee shop, serving up eats, ice cream, drinks and on-the-go treats.
• Cocoa Cabana: A poolside café offering a selection of starters, salads, sandwiches and ice cream located inside Hershey’s Water Works.

Other options around town include Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar and Devon Seafood + Steak in downtown Hershey and The Chocolatier – a full-service restaurant, bar and patio open year-round in Hershey's Chocolatetown at Hersheypark. The restaurant features a Fun to Table menu showcasing classic family fare with a fun spin and hints of chocolate and is now accepting reservations. Note: A Hersheypark ticket is not required. 

For more information about dining offerings in Hershey, visit DiningInHershey.com.

SCHEDULE A SPA TREATMENT

During your getaway, make time for some sweet relaxation at MeltSpa by Hershey, our day spa in downtown Hershey. Nothing will get your skin ready for the holiday season quite like the Cranberry Spice Collection available starting Dec. 1. The Pumpkin Spice Collection, featuring a Pumpkin Spice Massage, Facial, Immersion, Manicure and Pedicure, remains available through Nov. 30. Or, enjoy signature Hershey's chocolate treatments and exclusive dark chocolate treatments year-round. Book your treatment today.

BRING HOME A SWEET SOUVENIR

After a sweet getaway, you may want to take a piece of Hershey home with you to help you remember your visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth. So, don't forget to stop inside Sweet Memories gift shop for souvenirs and holiday gifts, such as Hershey's chocolate, apparel, accessories, seasonal items and more. Gift bags, baskets and shipping are available for in-store purchase.

Holiday Resort Packages

On select dates starting Nov. 14, Lodge guests can book holiday resort packages to ring in the season. Book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Night and 2-Night packages for deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets, breakfast and more. 

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS

While you're here, share your sweet holiday photos with us on social and tag us on Facebook, Instagram and @HersheyPA on X.

A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is a Pennsylvania staple, boasting the most lights of any amusement park in the state and the one of the only places in the Northeast to see all nine of Santa’s live reindeer, including Rudolph. The seasonal event at Hersheypark is also one of the few remaining places in the Northeast to see holiday lights from high-thrill roller coasters! 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens to the public on select dates and all weekends from Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026. Extended hours are offered around Thanksgiving week, with daily operations starting Dec. 18 (closed on Christmas Day). Hours vary by day. 

The USA TODAY 10Best-nominated theme park holiday event features five million lights, including the NOEL light show timed to music, for guests to enjoy while walking around with signature hot chocolate or taking a ride on family favorites and seven coasters, weather permitting. Christmas Candylane marks the first winter for Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Screamin’ Swing and the holiday-tastic Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk.

For the first time since 2019, Hersheypark will offer an all-new holiday stage show, Twinkling Thru Time, inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre venue. Guests can turn back the clock and step into a wondrous world where timeless holiday traditions meet iconic Christmas hits! 

Other festive entertainment offerings include seeing Santa and all nine of his live reindeer in the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield experience near Fahrenheit coaster, Holly Jolly Sweet Greets meetups with the Hershey Characters in a new location at Overlook Arcade, Our Friends From The Sea Shows in the Aquatheatre, and TREEville Trail, starting Nov. 26, throughout the water park. 

Delicious seasonal food and beverage offerings include new flavors of King Size Shakes and Holidogs hot dogs, as well as the return of the popular Hot Chocolate Bar and boozy hot chocolate offerings for guests 21 and older. On select days after Thanksgiving, Overlook food court will feature a new pop-up station with specialty holiday offerings, including meatballs with red pepper marinara, apple & brie egg rolls, and a holiday meal plate. A sweet souvenir, the Kissmas TREEts Collectible is back by popular demand, featuring a second new version that includes a cookie decorating kit.

Special Ticket Offers

For a limited time, guests can buy now and save more than 45 percent during the Christmas Candylane Pre-Sale on Hersheypark.com. Tickets purchased through the Pre-Sale are valid on any public operating day through Jan. 4, 2026. Stay tuned for more holiday deals.

Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2026 Season Passes are on sale now with early Black Friday savings. A Season Pass+ option includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2025 operating year and all of 2026 - a great gift idea, too! 

Hershey Sweet Lights Presented by PPL Drive-Through Attraction

Up the road from Hersheypark is the separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through attraction open nightly from Nov. 14 through Jan. 4, including Christmas evening; hours vary. 

From the comfort of their cars, guests can enjoy two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with over 500 illuminated, animated displays, including The 12 Days of Christmas, an Enchanted Forest, Hersheypark rides, Hershey Bears hockey, as well as a region inspired by the Northern 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.

Seasonal Getaways at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark

Visitors can extend their holiday stay in The Sweetest Place On Earth at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark: The Hotel Hershey, including The Villas luxury accommodation, Hershey Lodge family resort and Hersheypark Camping Resort campground. 

On select dates starting Nov. 14, guests can enjoy holiday resort packages to ring in the season. The Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Night and 2-Night packages at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge include deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets, breakfast and more. Hersheypark Camping Resort will also offer a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane camping package. 

For the most luxurious holiday getaway, stay at our new The Villas at The Hotel Hershey accommodations featuring unmatched amenities. Enjoy unlimited Hersheypark Christmas Candylane visits for the length of your stay, a one-day Fast Track pass for everyone in your group, access to the exclusive Villas Lounge, complimentary daily breakfast, hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and more. 

All guests receive Free Resort Benefits, including free front gate shuttle service, preview hours at Hersheypark and chocolate at check-in. Overnight guests of Hershey Lodge receive exclusive access to Hershey’s Water Works at Hershey Lodge indoor pool complex.  

Holiday Happenings Around Town

The town built on chocolate is home to holiday concerts and championship hockey at GIANT Center arena, seasonal spa treatments at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa and MeltSpa by Hershey day spa, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park and festive dining at more than a dozen premier restaurants, including Breakfast with Santa at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio. 

The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue, Hershey Gardens and Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction also offer special holiday events and promotions. 

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.

For additional information, hours, ticket offers and pricing for all holiday happenings in Hershey, please visit www.HersheyPA.com.  

Fall Fun

1. Wild Game & Mushroom Menus at Hershey Lodge

Nov. 7-23; Reservations highly recommended

The culinary team at Hershey Lodge is excited to offer limited-time Wild Game & Mushroom menus at two of its restaurants to celebrate hunting season in Pennsylvania. Guests who visit Revelry Chophouse, Bar + Patio or Fire & Grain can experience a variety of unique seasonal flavors with appetizers like Elk and Black Bean Chili or Porcini Mushroom Arancini, to entrees like Bison Ravioli or Grilled Swordfish, plus a variety of seasonal desserts and recommended wine pairings. Regular restaurant menus will also be available.

2. Fall Weekend at Hersheypark

Nov. 8-9; 12 to 8 p.m.

After Hersheypark Halloween ends on Nov. 2, we’re excited to celebrate autumn with a Fall Weekend at Hersheypark amusement park. Scheduled between the Halloween and Christmas operating seasons, guests can enjoy more than 40 rides, including seven coasters, weather and maintenance permitting. Tickets also include Character meet and greets, a seal and sea lion show and entrance to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park (open until 4:30 p.m.) when entering from the bridge inside Hersheypark. 

3. Have a Pumpkin Spice Spa Day

Available Through Nov. 30; Appointments Highly Encouraged

November is the last month to experience pumpkin-scented spa treatments in Hershey! Unwind at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa with treatments like the Pumpkin Spice Massage, Great Pumpkin Facial or Fall Pumpkin Package. Or, try the Pumpkin Spice Collection at MeltSpa by Hershey featuring treatments such as the Pumpkin Spice Body Wrap and Pumpkin Whip Perfecting Facial. 

Holiday Happenings

4. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Select dates starting Nov. 14; Times vary

The holiday season in Hershey kicks off this month as Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens to the public on select dates starting Nov. 14! A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, the seasonal event features the following  only-in-Hershey experiences included with a ticket:

• Five million lights (the most in Pennsylvania) deck the 121-acre amusement park
• Holiday thrills on select family rides and seven coasters, plus the first winter for Twizzlers Twisted Gravity featuring a new light package
• Santa and all nine of his reindeer for guests to see up close in the Mary N. Bright Airfield
• NEW “Twinkling Thru Time” holiday show in the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre
• Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel
• TREEville Trail with trees decorated to themes you can only see in The Sweetest Place On Earth (beginning Nov. 26)

For a limited time, guests can save when they purchase Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets online for $46.99 plus taxes and fees. Tickets purchased through the Pre-Sale are valid on any public operating day from Nov. 8 through Jan. 4, 2026. General Any-Day 2025 tickets are valid on any operating day through Jan. 4, 2026.

Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2026 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2025 operating year and all of 2026 - a great gift idea, too!

5. Hershey Sweet Lights 

Open Nightly starting Nov. 14; Times vary

Hershey Sweet Lights is a separately ticketed drive-through light experience located outside of Hersheypark. Guests can enjoy nearly 600 illuminated, animated light displays along two miles of fields and wooded trails from the comfort of their car. Displays include The 12 Days of Christmas, an Enchanted Forest, Hersheypark rides and a Northern Lights area.

Prices vary depending on the date you select and the type of vehicle. Single cars (seats up to 8 people) range from $29.99 to $34.99. Vans (seats 9-15 people) are $59.15. Please visit Hersheypark.com to purchase tickets for significant savings.

6. Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens

Daily Starting Friday, Nov. 21; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day)

Hershey Gardens signature holiday event returns to the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory this month! The Christmas Tree Showcase features 11 holiday trees, each decorated by a different local designer, 14-foot and 8-foot poinsettia trees, plus the historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car! The Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays, too. The Christmas Tree Showcase is included in general admission. 

7. Crafty Christmas Creations at Hershey Gardens

Saturday, Nov. 22 & Nov. 29; 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Perfect for kids of all ages! Youngsters can create their own holiday craft, inspired by nature at Hershey Gardens; located in the Education Center in The Children's Garden, this event is included in general admission. 

Live Events AT GIANT Center

8. Bert Kreischer

Saturday, Nov. 15; 7 p.m. 

Renowned comedian Bert Kreischer returns to the stage in 2025 with his brand-new tour, “Permission To Party.” The tour features more than 40 dates across the U.S., including a visit to GIANT Center.

Kreischer’s career has evolved from Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Number One Partier in the Nation” to one of the top-grossing stand-up comics in the business, a movie star, a leading podcaster and an entrepreneur.

9. Warren Zeiders

Saturday, Nov. 22; 7:30 p.m.

A native of The Sweetest Place On Earth, breakout country music star Warren Zeiders will perform at GIANT Center as part of his 27-date “Relapse, Lies, & Betrayal Tour”. Zeiders is a true road warrior and shows no signs of slowing down, playing bigger markets and bigger venues. The 2025 “Relapse” tour dates follow his successful 2023-24 “Pretty Little Poison” headlining tour, which sold out more than 55 shows across the U.S. and Canada, including a standout performance at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium and appearances at major festivals. At just 25 years old, Zeiders has already surpassed 3.6 billion global career streams.

10. Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Sunday, Nov. 23; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Multi-platinum rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will return to Hershey, Pa., for two shows as part of their highly anticipated 2025 winter tour, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More.” The show comes to life with a special production featuring a second set of hits and fan favorites, including a 25th anniversary salute to “Beethoven’s Last Night,” along with pyros, lasers and the powerful storytelling that has captured the hearts of generations. 

11. Matt Rife

Friday, Nov. 28; 8 p.m.

Hugely popular comedian Matt Rife will visit GIANT Center as part of his 2025 “Stay Golden Tour.” Produced by Live Nation, the tour will see Rife playing the biggest rooms of his career thus far, with 32 arena and amphitheater dates across North America. The “Stay Golden 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 tickets for this event are currently sold out.

12. Cheer On The Hershey Bears

Dates and Times Vary

The Hershey Bears continue their 2025-26 season – their 88th season of play as the oldest continuously operating team in the American Hockey League – with six home games at GIANT Center in November. Promo nights this month include the Hometown Heroes game on Nov. 9 with military-themed activities and recognition throughout the evening, as well as Hersheypark Pass Night on Nov. 16 where all fans will receive a 2026 Hersheypark ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2026.

Around Town

13. Author Of “Thrill Ride: The Transformation Of Hersheypark” Book Signing at The Hershey Story Museum

Wednesday, Nov. 5; 6 to 7 p.m.

Published author and Penn State Harrisburg professor Dr. John R. Haddad will hold a presentation and book signing for his latest book, “Thrill Ride: The Transformation of Hersheypark” at The Hershey Story Museum. "Thrill Ride" takes readers on a journey through Hersheypark’s transformation from a traditional amusement park for chocolate factory employees to a major attraction enjoyed by millions. He will also present highlights of Hersheypark’s fascinating story and share his inspiration for writing the book. The event is free, with the book available for purchase at the museum shop.

14. Seasonal Eats, Sips and Events at The Chocolatier

The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio is open daily for lunch and dinner. In addition to the regular Fun-To-Table menu, diners can order from a seasonal menu of fall-inspired shareables, entrées, desserts and cocktails for guests 21 and older. 

Guests can also enjoy a weekday special, featuring $10 flatbreads and $12 milkshakes, as well as select shareables, every Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Later this month, Breakfast With Santa returns to The Chocolatier! The family-friendly event is offered on Saturdays and Sundays, plus select Fridays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21 and Dec. 24 from 8-10:45 a.m. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and tons of holiday family fun. Reservations are required and can be made online.

15. Visit ZooAmerica 

Open Daily in November; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (closed on Thanksgiving Day)

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.

Tickets are available for purchase online or at the ZooAmerica Admissions Building. Regular admission for guests ages 9-61 is $16.50 plus taxes and fees. Admission for juniors (ages 3-8) and seniors (ages 62 and above) is $14.50 plus taxes and fees. Children 2 and under are free. 

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.

Overnight Getaways

16. Book A Stay At An Official Resort 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. Those looking to visit during Fall Weekend at Hersheypark can book the Fall Weekend Package at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge Nov. 7-9. This package includes deluxe accommodations, breakfast and a 1-Day Hersheypark ticket for each guest.

On select dates starting Nov. 14, guests can book holiday resort packages to ring in the season.  The Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Night and 2-Night packages at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge include deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets, breakfast and more. Or, head to Hersheypark Camping Resort and book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Camping Package featuring Park tickets and accommodations. All guests receive Free Resort Benefits like free front gate shuttle service and preview hours at Hersheypark.

If you are a current 2025 Season Pass Holder or considering becoming a new 2026 Season Pass Holder, now is the time to renew or buy to save up to $130 through Nov. 2, 2025.

Learn more about the 2026 Season Pass options below and renew or purchase yours today for a year of Hersheypark Happy at the best price!

An Overview of Season Pass Tiers

All 2026 Season Passes include unlimited visits throughout the 2026 operating year for all four seasons at Hersheypark, including Spring Weekends, Summer, Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Depending on the Pass type, Season Pass Holders can also enjoy free parking, a free Pre-K Pass, other sweet perks, exclusive Season Pass Holder events and great discounts around town. 

Below is an overview of each Season Pass tier to help you decide which one is right for you. 

Please note that Hersheypark does not offer family, military, junior or senior Season Passes, as they are already a discounted product. Military ticket offers may be available seasonally on ID.me. Each guest, age three and older, must have their own ticket or Season Pass to enter Hersheypark. 

Giant Size Season Pass  
A Giant Size Season Pass is the biggest, most perk-packed Hersheypark Season Pass tier and includes the following benefits:

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2026 public operating season
• Free parking and access to a Season Pass Holder parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis
• One free Single-Use, Single-Ride Fast Track each visit to skip the line on one participating Fast Track attraction, excluding Boardwalk attractions and Dark Nights haunted houses
• Two free Pre-K Passes valid for children born on or after July 1, 2021
• Three free 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets valid for the 2026 public operating year
• The All-Year Drink Plan with one Season Pass Holder Souvenir Cup
• Three free Single-Use Snack Vouchers
• Hersheypark Sweet Start 1-hour early access from May 21 through Sept. 7
• Access to the Exclusive Giant Size Pass Holder Lounge
• 45% off the full gate price on up to twenty 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets for friends and family during the 2026 operating year when purchased through the Season Pass Portal
• Up to 50% off Unlimited All-Day Fast Track the day of the visit, excluding Boardwalk attractions and Dark Nights haunted houses
• $150 off All-Season Fast Track
• 15% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark
• 15% off games with a Hersheypark Games Card
• 2026 Giant Size Season Pass Holder Bag
• Special monthly discounts, exclusive offers and sweet rewards with the Monthly Rewards Program in 2026
• Access to all exclusive Season Pass Holder events in 2026

King Size Season Pass  
Hersheypark wrapped up everything Pass Holders love about Full Size Season Passes and added some King Size perks, including the following benefits:

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2026 public operating season
• Free parking and access to a Season Pass Holder parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis
• One free Pre-K Pass valid for children born on or after July 1, 2021
• Two free 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets valid for the 2026 public operating year
• The All-Year Drink Plan with one Season Pass Holder Souvenir Cup
• Hersheypark Sweet Start 1-hour early access from May 21 through Sept. 7
• 35% off the full gate price on up to twenty 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets for friends and family during the 2026 operating year when purchased through the Season Pass Portal
• 15% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark
• 15% off games with a Hersheypark Games Card
• 2026 King Size Season Pass Holder Bag
• Special monthly discounts, exclusive offers and sweet rewards with the Monthly Rewards Program in 2026
• Access to all exclusive Season Pass Holder events in 2026

Full Size Season Pass  
The Full Size Season Pass is packed full of perks, sweet discounts, a monthly rewards calendar and more, as noted below.

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2026 public operating season
• Free parking and access to a Season Pass Holder parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis
• One free Pre-K Pass valid for children born on or after July 1, 2021
• Hersheypark Sweet Start 1-hour early access from May 21 through Sept. 7
• 25% off the full gate price on up to twenty 1-day regular Hersheypark tickets for friends and family during the 2026 operating year when purchased through the Season Pass Portal
• 15% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark
• 15% off games with a Hersheypark Games Card
• Special monthly discounts, exclusive offers and sweet rewards with the Monthly Rewards Program in 2026
• Access to all exclusive Season Pass Holder events in 2026

Bite Size Season Pass
Bite Size Season Passes offer an introduction to the Hersheypark Season Pass program with unlimited admission. Please note that Bite Size Season Pass Holders DO NOT receive 1-hour early access with Hersheypark Sweet Start or access to Season Pass Holder events, even when accompanied by a Full Size, King Size or Giant Size Pass Holder. No exceptions.

• Unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2026 public operating season
• 50% off general parking when purchased in advance online through the Season Pass Portal
• 5% off food, drink and retail at Hersheypark

Pre-K Pass Perk  
Full Size and King Size Season Pass Holders receive one free Pre-K Pass, and Giant Size Season Pass Holders receive two free Pre-K Passes as part of their perks. The free Pre-K Pass is available for a child who is under five years old and born on or after July 1, 2021. The qualifying child will receive unlimited visits to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica during the 2026 public operating season, plus 1-hour early Sweet Start access during the summer season. 

The Pre-K Pass activation vouchers will be loaded into the Season Pass Portal in early 2026. Pre-K Passes must be redeemed by July 1, 2026. Children 2 and under are eligible to redeem a Pre-K Pass but are not required to have an admission ticket for entry. Any guest wanting to use the Pre-K Pass to enter ZooAmerica prior to Pass redemption must show their confirmation email. 

2026 Season Pass+  
Guests who do not already have a 2025 Season Pass but want to enjoy the rest of 2025 and all of 2026 can purchase a 2026 Season Pass+. This Pass option includes unlimited visits to Hersheypark Halloween, Dark Nights and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane in 2025 and all public operating days in 2026. It's a great option for 2025 Summer Fun Card Holders!

For the remainder of 2025, Season Pass+ Holders can enjoy all the perks of a Full Size Pass, like free parking, discounts and access to exclusive Season Pass Holder events. Please note that any other perks based on the Season Pass tier selected, such as Hersheypark tickets, welcome bags and Drink Plans and cups, and a free Pre-K Pass, are not available until next year.

New 2026 Season Pass Purchases

2026 Season Passes are available for purchase now, starting at 10 monthly payments of less than $15. 

Season Pass Payment Plan
Buying a Season Pass is even more affordable with a monthly payment plan. Guests must simply select their Payment Plan at checkout, and after an initial down payment, the monthly payment will be automatically deducted each month. 

Season Pass Auto-Renewal
New Season Pass Holders can ensure they always pay the best price on their Season Pass by selecting auto-renewal pay in full or auto-renewal payment plan at checkout. Anyone who enrolls in the auto-renewal program will lock in the introductory 2026 Pass price as their rate for 2027. Please note that auto-renew must be chosen during the Season Pass purchase. 

Upgrade a 2025 Ticket
Guests with a 2025 Hersheypark ticket can upgrade to a 2026 Full Size Season Pass+ to receive unlimited admission for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026. 

2026 Season Pass Renewals

2025 Hersheypark Season Passes are valid through Jan. 4, 2026. Current 2025 Season Pass Holders can renew now at their same Pass tier for the lowest price on 2026 Season Passes. 

Season Pass Auto-Renewals
Season Pass Holders who selected the auto-renewal option last year do not need to do anything at this time. The Passes will automatically renew into the same Pass tier by the lock-in date listed in the email sent with the auto-renewal information to the current Season Pass Holder. Any changes to Season Pass Plans must be communicated before the date listed in the email.  

Please note that if a 2025 Drink or Dining Plan was added on in a separate order after the initial 2025 Season Pass purchase, the Season Pass Holder will need to purchase them separately again for 2026, if interested. A la carte add-ons will be available for purchase in early 2026.

Upgrade Your Season Pass Tier
2025 Season Pass Holders can renew and upgrade their Pass tier for the 2026 season. Guests who upgrade to a different tier will receive their new tier perks starting in January 2026. 

2025 Season Pass Holders who selected auto-renewal but are interested in upgrading from a Bite Size, Full Size or King Size Season Pass to a Giant Size Season Pass before the auto-renewal has been processed can contact the Guest Experience team via this form. For comprehensive assistance, please add all Season Pass Holder names and Season Pass IDs to the field section.

2026 Season Pass Add-Ons

Select Dining, Drink and Fast Track plans are now available to add to a Season Pass, depending on the tier, when purchased simultaneously.

Please note that Season Pass Add-on(s) will only auto-renew if they were purchased together with a 2025 Season Pass. Any Dining Plan or Drink Plan purchased separately from the original 2025 contract will not be auto-renewed for 2026. Season Pass Holders can purchase them as separate add-ons in early 2026.

Season Pass Dining Plans
Hersheypark will offer two 2026 Summer Dining Plans: the Season Pass All-Summer Twice-A-Day Dining Plan and the Season Pass All-Summer Once-A-Day Dining Plan. Full Size, King Size and Giant Size Season Pass Holders can add them to their Season Pass purchase or renewal now. 

The Season Pass Twice-A-Day Dining Plan is valid for two meals per day, three hours apart, at 21 dining locations - more than the previous year! These locations include Dispatch Pizzeria Express, Nathan’s Famous in Founder’s Way, 1906 Grill, Dispatch in The Hollow, Flying Fare, Overlook Food Court, Kissing Tower Snacks, Chickie’s and Pete’s in Pioneer Frontier, Subway in Pioneer Frontier, Berks, Nathan's Famous Truck, 8-Cut Crust, Keepin' It Kosher, Nathan’s Famous in The Boardwalk, Shoreline Grill, Walking Taco Food Truck, Spring Creek Smokehouse, East Coast Burger Works, Philly Cheesesteak Co., Subway in Midway America and Chickie's and Pete's in Midway America. Locations are subject to change without notice and by season.

The Season Pass All-Summer Once-A-Day Dining Plan allows guests to purchase a lower-priced Summer Dining Plan valid for one meal per day at 14 locations throughout Hersheypark - more than the previous year! These locations include Dispatch Pizzeria Express, Nathan’s Famous in Founder’s Way, 1906 Grill, Dispatch in The Hollow, Flying Fare, Overlook Food Court, Kissing Tower Snacks, Berks, Nathan's Famous Truck, 8-Cut Crust, Keepin' It Kosher, Nathan’s Famous in The Boardwalk, Shoreline Grill and Walking Taco Food Truck. Locations are subject to change without notice and by season.

Season Pass Drink Plans
Hersheypark will offer a Season Pass All-Year Drink Plan to enjoy free refills in an exclusive 2026 souvenir cup on fountain drinks and Slush. The 2026 All-Year Drink Plan is included as a perk for King Size and Giant Size Season Pass Holders. This add-on will be available for Full Size and Bite Size Season Pass Holders to purchase separately closer to the start of the 2026 season.

Season Pass All-Season Fast Track and Photo Pass
The Season Pass All-Season Fast Track and All-Year Photo Pass will go on sale in early 2026. Program details, including pricing, will be available at that time. 

As a perk, 2026 Giant Size Season Pass Holders may purchase the 2026 All-Season Fast Track for $150 off the regular rate at Ticketing Services on-property only starting in 2026.

Season Pass Next Steps

Hersheypark Season Pass Holders are encouraged to create a Season Pass Portal Account to access important information, purchase add-ons, link their family's passes, manage their payment method and more.

New 2026 Season Pass and 2025 Season Pass+ Holders will also be able to upload their account profile picture directly through the Season Pass Portal. Be sure to take your profile picture in a well-lit area and that the photo is of yourself without anyone else in frame, centered on your head and shoulders. Please note that you must remove any hats or sunglasses and that photos of other photos are not acceptable. Once you've successfully uploaded a photo, your digital card can be added to your HPGO account in the Hersheypark App. Physical Season Pass ID cards are not required to begin using your Season Pass.

2025 Season Pass Holders who renew for 2026 into the same tier do not need to get a new Season Pass ID card.

We look forward to a sweet 2026 with our Season Pass Holder family! 

Did you know that Hersheypark Halloween is the last chance to enjoy some of the Northeast's largest coaster collection before select coasters from the lineup close for the 2025 operating year? Follow along for a complete rundown of when each coaster will take its final lap of the year.

Coasters Closing After November 2

With the colder months fast approaching, it's almost time for some of the high-thrill coasters to close as they prepare for winter maintenance ahead of the 2026 operating season. The following coasters will give their final rides of the year on Nov. 2 and won't return until the start of Spring Weekends: 

• Comet: Oldest coaster at Hersheypark, featuring 3,360 feet of wooden track and several airtime-producing bunny hills
• Fahrenheit: Steep coaster featuring a 97-degree drop from a 121-foot lift hill
• Great Bear: Fan-favorite inverted steel coaster where riders sit under the track and experience four inversions\
• Lightning Racer: Dueling wooden coaster with two mirrored tracks for the thrill of competition
• Skyrush: First-class flight reaching an altitude of 200 feet and speeds of 75 mph
• Storm Runner: Only launch coaster of its kind in the Northeast, launching guests from 0 to 72 mph in just two seconds
• Trailblazer: Family coaster that takes guests through Pioneer Frontier

Thrill seekers who visit during the final two weekends of Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights can also enjoy lights-out rides on Candymonium, Comet, Lightning Racer and Wildcat's Revenge during the last operating hour of Hersheypark Halloween (9-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 8-9 p.m. on Sundays). 

Coasters Open Through Christmas Candylane

While the coasters listed above close with the end of Hersheypark Halloween, seven remain open through Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, weather permitting. A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane operates on select dates from Nov. 14 through Jan. 4, 2026. Hersheypark is one of the few remaining places along the East Coast to see holiday lights from roller coasters!

• Candymonium: Tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest coaster at Hersheypark featuring a 210-foot ascent and seven camelback hills
• Cocoa Cruiser: Bite-sized coaster that's perfect for small thrill seekers
• Jolly Rancher Remix: Multi-sensory boomerang coaster featuring seasonal lighting and scents
• Laff Trakk: Indoor, spinning, glowing family coaster that pays homage to the classic funhouse experience
• sooperdooperLooper: First modern looping coaster on the East Coast with small drops, graceful dips and bunny hills
• Wild Mouse: Classic coaster with tight corners, sharp turns and sudden drops
• Wildcat's Revenge: Hybrid coaster of wood and steel featuring an 82-degree drop and the world's largest underflip

*Please note that ride availability is subject to weather and maintenance. Cold temperatures, wind and snow on tracks can impact which rides operate to ensure the optimal guest experience. Guests should visit the Hersheypark app on the day of their visit for the most up-to-date ride availability and wait times.

Great ticket deals for both Hersheypark Halloween and Christmas Candylane are available on Hersheypark.com. 

• Hersheypark amusement park won five awards in the “Recreation and Leisure” category. 
• The Hotel Hershey luxury resort won two awards for its dining and spa offerings. 
• Devon Seafood + Steak restaurant in downtown Hershey received two dining and food awards. 
• ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park and Hershey Theatre each won one award in the “Recreation and Leisure” category. 

See the full list below. Thank you to all of our sweet guests and loyal fans who voted and helped us earn these distinctions! We look forward to welcoming you to our award-winning properties in The Sweetest Place On Earth.

Hersheypark

Hersheypark is a 121-acre amusement park located in Hershey, Pa. The largest amusement park in Pennsylvania offers a one-price admission with three sweet experiences featuring more than 70 rides and attractions, including the most coasters in the Northeast; The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park (open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend); and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. In addition, Hersheypark is the only amusement park in the world focused on fun and chocolate, as evidenced by the life-size, chocolate-inspired characters throughout the Park, rides inspired by iconic Hershey Company brands, incredible chocolate treats and even ride height categories as candy brands.

Simply The Best - Tourist Activity

Simply The Best - Place To Spend A Day Off

Reader's Choice - Best Place to Take Kids (East Shore)

Reader's Choice - Best Place for An Outdoor Adventure

Simply The Best - Holiday Attraction - Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

The Spa at The Hotel Hershey

The Spa At The Hotel Hershey is a three-story, 40,000-square-foot spa located at The Hotel Hershey, overlooking the formal gardens and reflecting pools. The full-service, European-style spa is famous for its signature chocolate treatments, but it also offers traditional spa treatments, as well as services that pay homage to Cuba, where Milton S. Hershey owned sugar mills from 1916 to 1946.

Simply The Best - Day Spa (East Shore)

ZooAmerica

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is an 11-acre, walk-through zoo in Hershey, Pa., that cares for animals representing over 60 species from five regions of North America. 

Simply The Best - Must See Place In/Near Harrisburg

Hershey Theatre

Located in downtown Hershey, Hershey Theatre is the area's premier performing arts center, presenting the finest in touring Broadway shows, intimate concerts, classical music and dance attractions, comedy shows and world-renowned entertainers.

Simply The Best - Live Entertainment Venue

Devon Seafood + Steak

Comfortably upscale and refined, Devon Seafood + Steak provides the perfect atmosphere to enjoy everything from deliciously simple fish dishes to premium steaks and salads. It also has an impressive wine cellar list and cocktail menu to complement the one-of-a-kind dining experience.

Simply The Best - Hershey Dining

Simply The Best - Seafood

As we gear up for an exciting 2025, let's pause to look back at our top 11 moments in The Sweetest Place On Earth this year.

January 2024: Hershey Bears Teddy Bear Toss Set New World Record

Sweet, cuddly mayhem delighted once again in Hershey, Pa., at the start of the year. The Hershey Bears, the oldest and most decorated team in the AHL, collected 74,599 teddy bears and stuffed animals during the GIANT Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. This total surpassed the club's previous record of 67,309 collected in 2023 and set a new world record. 

April 2024: Hersheypark Debuted New Coaster Ride Experiences

Hersheypark amusement park opened for the 2024 season on March 29 with the debut of new coaster ride experiences on Skyrush and Comet. 

To widespread excitement, the Park upgraded its Skyrush roller coaster flight experience to first class with all-new seats and restraints. Passengers now board Skyrush from a reimagined station platform featuring an all-new paint scheme, lighting effects and custom soundscape, which were really well received in 2024. The investment in the high-thrill attraction provides coaster lovers with added comfort while experiencing the adrenaline rush they know and crave.

Coaster fans who visited Hersheypark in 2024 also got a chance to experience Comet from new custom trains. The oldest continuously operating coaster at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania features trains with a three-tone blue color scheme and a glittering metal flake treatment.

May 2024: The Villas At The Hotel Hershey Opened

Phase one of The Villas at The Hotel Hershey opened Memorial Day Weekend 2024. The Villas offer an elevated luxury accommodation experience with all-new exclusive amenities in Hershey, Pa. Ten Villas feature 48 reimagined rooms with refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities, including an all-new exclusive Villas Lounge with food, drinks and activities, as well as daily Hersheypark tickets and One-Day Fast Track.  

Construction is underway on nine new Villas, which will take luxury and Hershey hospitality to new heights in 2025. This expansion marks the second-largest investment in the 90-year history of The Hotel Hershey.  

May 2024: ZooAmerica Unveiled New Mural 

Also in May 2024, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park unveiled a new floor-to-ceiling mural in the Admissions Building in partnership with the Milton Hershey School (MHS). The mural includes drawings and paintings of various North American animals done by 20 MHS Senior Division Students. Visitors to the 11-acre Zoo in Hershey are now greeted by beautiful artwork of owls, wolves, eagles, snakes and turtles, to name a few.

June 2024: Hershey Bears Won 13th Calder Cup Championship

The Hershey Bears became back-to-back Calder Cup Champions with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game 6 of the 2024 Calder Cup Finals on June 24, 2024. The team raised the coveted Calder Cup in front of a franchise-record crowd of 11,013 at GIANT Center.

June 2024: Hersheypark Camping Resort Introduced Second Tiny Home

Hersheypark Camping Resort introduced a unique new accommodation for campers to enjoy in summer 2024 and beyond. In June, a second tiny home built by talented MHS students joined the campground's lineup of accommodations, which span from tent and RV sites to cozy cabins. 

The inviting 340-square-foot tiny home boasts a cabin-like aesthetic and sleeps up to five. It features a micro kitchen with a stovetop and refrigerator. Guests can gather for campground meals at a collapsible dining table indoors or at a picnic table on the porch. Other amenities include TV, air conditioning and heat, electric and indoor plumbing with a small bathroom and shower. Call 888-710-0917 to make a 2025 reservation.

Summer 2024: Hersheypark Stadium Hosted Record-Breaking Summer Concert Series

It was a historic summer at Hersheypark Stadium! The 30,000-seat venue celebrated 85 years with the longest and largest summer concert season to date. The 2024 Summer Concert Series featured 14 shows, including Morgan Wallen, Justin Timberlake, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Post Malone, Stevie Nicks and P!NK among other top touring acts. 

Summer 2024: Hersheypark Celebrated 50 Years of Hershey Characters

Summer 2024 marked the golden anniversary of Hershey Characters at Hersheypark. In celebration, a live summer show returned to the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre in mid-June for the first time since 2019. Guests were able to cool off during the summer heat wave while seeing Hersh and his friends perform on stage in HPTV Presents: My Sweet Life. 

In addition to the new show, Hersheypark is also the only amusement park in the world where guests can take a selfie with iconic candy brands. Sweet Greets were held at new locations throughout the Park this past summer, with surprise appearances by some older characters.

September 2024: Hersheypark Offered New Haunts During More Halloween Nights

For 25 days, including Halloween night, Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights offered five haunted houses, including the all-new Estate of Evil haunted house, three Scare Zones with the new Darkstone’s Hollow: Battle for Spring Creek scare zone, 50 attractions and dark coaster rides, Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail and more - all included with a Hersheypark Halloween ticket. 

The eight-weekend event also featured exclusive culinary creations, including the return of the popular Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass, plus the new Avenue Of The Afterlife path with themed food and drink offerings, pop-up retail, live entertainment and the popular Dark Nights character meet and greet. 

November 2024: Hershey Sweet Lights Debuted New Displays and Theming Experiences

Outside of Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL drive-through attraction was open nightly from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1. Among the two miles of fields and wooded trails, guests could see new displays and theming experiences in 2024, including three custom Hershey-themed displays depicting Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid coaster, Jolly Rancher Remix coaster and Hershey Bears hockey.

Other enhancements included a new arrival experience with festive food and retail bundles for purchase, an all-new Northern Lights region, additional uplighting in the Victorian Village and a reimagined attraction exit with a Candy Cane Forest boasting trees and light displays.

Also new this holiday season at Hersheypark, Santa and all nine of his reindeer were in the same themed location called the Mary N. Bright Airfield. Guests could visit Santa and mingle with Mrs. Claus and his elves in the Yule Lounge, see Rudolph and his friends relaxing in Hangar 96, enjoy family-friendly offerings at the Hot Chocolate Express and sip adult libations at Concourse Cocoa Bar. 

November 2024: Hershey Theatre Welcomed Premiere Engagement of Hamilton

Hershey Theatre hosted HAMILTON for a special two-week engagement in November 2024 as part of the 2024-25 Broadway Series of programming. It marked the first time that the award-winning show visited Central, Pa. 

Looking Ahead to an Exciting 2025

From the tallest Screamin' Swing in the world opening at Hersheypark in summer 2025 to expanded luxury offerings at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and another incredible summer concert series at Hersheypark Stadium, it is sure to be another exciting year in The Sweetest Place On Earth. Find out more about why Hershey, Pa., is a top vacation destination for families, thrill seekers, live music lovers, foodies and more in 2025. 

Santa's reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph - received clearance to fly to Pennsylvania from Dr. Sarah Coburn, Alaska's state veterinarian. Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg and Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Erin Luley reviewed Alaska's Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and declared the team healthy to fly from rooftop to rooftop in all 67 Pennsylvania counties for the purposes of toy delivery to the children of Pennsylvania. These certificates are required as an assurance that contagious diseases are not carried across state lines.

See All Nine Reindeer at Hersheypark Through Jan. 1, 2025

For more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane has provided guests with unique holiday experiences like the most lights in Pennsylvania with 5 million, select family rides and coasters, and, of course, signature hot chocolate.

But what sets this USA TODAY 10Best Holiday Theme Park Event apart is that Santa has come to the town built on chocolate—and he brought Rudolph and his friends along with him. Hersheypark remains the only place in the Northeast where guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa’s reindeer.

New this year, Santa and his reindeer are in the same themed location called the Mary N. Bright Airfield. Guests can take a photo with Santa and tell him their list, dance with his elves and mingle with Mrs. Claus in the Yule Lounge. 

While enjoying Santa's favorite holiday stop, guests can also see his reindeer in Hangar 96. Since 1996, Santa has entrusted the ZooAmerica team to take special care of his reindeer during the holiday season by providing them with a healthy diet, exercise and spacious, clean stables to call home.

We wish Santa and his reindeer a safe and magical flight on Christmas Eve and look forward to welcoming the reindeer back to Hershey, Pa., for some much-deserved rest and relaxation. 

Guests can see Rudolph and his friends during all hours of operation through Jan. 1, 2025. 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Day Any Day Tickets are currently $49.99 plus taxes and fees online. The tickets purchased during the offer are valid through Jan. 1, 2025. 

Current 2024 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2025 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2024 operating year and all of 2025 - a great last-minute gift idea, too! 

Top 5 Reindeer Facts

Beyond their famous names and sleigh-pulling skills, reindeer are fascinating animals. Did you know these facts?

1. The largest herds of reindeer are found in Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia, also known as Lapland. But, the most famous reindeer live at the North Pole.
2. Reindeer are well-equipped for the cold weather. They have two coats of fur on their bodies, plus fur on their noses, lips, and under their hooves.
3. In the wild, reindeer like to eat Lichens, the moss that grows on rocks and trees. The ZooAmerica team feeds the reindeer a pellet diet and plenty of their favorite snack called Beet Feed. The reindeer also love apples, so children can put out nine slices of apples for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve instead of carrots.
4. Both male and female reindeer have antlers, which makes them different from deer. In general, they lose their antlers every year.
5. If you listen closely, you will hear the reindeer making a clicking noise when they walk. The tendons in their feet make a snapping sound that they use in the wild to keep in line. This noise is where “Up on the rooftop, click, click, click” originates.

For more than 40 years, the merriest event of the year at Hersheypark has delighted guests with a unique blend of only-in-Hershey holiday experiences, including the most lights in Pennsylvania, the only place in the Northeast to see all nine of Santa’s reindeer, unique seasonal rides and coasters, festive eats and signature hot chocolate.

You won't want to miss this USA TODAY 10Best Top 10 Theme Park Holiday Event for 2024! Plan your visit with this guide of the top 12 things to do at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane in celebration of the 12 days of Christmas.

1. Most Holiday Lights in Pennsylvania

More than five million sparkling lights deck the halls of Hersheypark this year, including the guest-favorite NOEL light show, which features dancing lights choreographed to Christmas music along Spring Creek. NOEL starts nightly at 5 p.m. and runs every 30 minutes in The Hollow region. 

Tip: Given the ongoing construction of Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, the show has a modified footprint more to the left of the bridge. Check out the new Twizzlers Twisted Gravity light display across the bridge!

2. Family Attractions and Kiddie Rides

A unique blend of family-friendly and kiddie rides are open for Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, weather and maintenance permitting. Dry Gulch Railroad is a must-ride, as the steam-powered train takes riders through areas of Hersheypark completely blanketed with lights. The railroad features a Christmas overlay with various displays that are only viewable from the ride, including the 12 Days of Christmas.  

There are also a few signature rides worth adding to the must-do list that provide dazzling views of the lights from above versus walking all 121 acres:

• Kissing Tower takes guests 250 feet up in the air to the highest point in Hershey for an aerial 360° view of Hersheypark and the town built on chocolate while learning about its history. 
• The Ferris Wheel, with its festive light package, is more than just an iconic photo spot during the holidays. The family attraction is also a popular option for guests of every height category to enjoy the beautiful views from nearly 100 feet.
• The Monorail is an elevated, open-air, round-trip audio tour over Hersheypark, ZooAmerica and parts of historic downtown Hershey.
• Hershey Triple Tower is ideal for thrill seekers looking to get a unique, bird's-eye view of the holiday lights. The attraction feature a light package to add to the holiday spirit in the Kissing Tower Hill region. 

Tip: We recommend downloading the Hersheypark app for a real-time listing of ride availability and wait times. 

3. Holiday Thrills on Select Coasters

Oh, what fun it is to ride on seven roller coasters during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane! Weather and maintenance permitting, thrill seekers can experience holiday thrills on the following coasters:

• Wildcat’s Revenge featuring a holiday light package
• Candymonium featuring a holiday light package
• sooperdooperLooper featuring a holiday light package
• Jolly Rancher Remix with a holiday overlay and new cinnamon scent
• Laff Trakk indoor coaster decorated for the holidays with a large Christmas tree in the center
• Wild Mouse 
• Cocoa Cruiser

To add to the Park's merry ambiance, some coasters that are closed for Hersheypark Christmas Candylane boast holiday decorations. Visitors can see a brand-new holiday light package on Skryush and a Santa sleigh light display on the lift hill of Comet. 

Tip: Temperature thresholds for the coasters are listed in the website FAQs. Generally, temperatures must be at least 38 degrees and rising to begin the day and stay above 38 degrees at night for select rides to operate.

4. Photos With Santa in the Mary N. Bright Airfield

Don't forget to make your list and check it twice because Santa Claus has come to town! New this year, guests can see Santa and all nine of his reindeer in the all-new Mary N. Bright Airfield located in Fahrenheit Catering inside Hersheypark. Santa’s favorite candy-stocking stop before his holiday ride is home to the Yule Lounge, where guests can get a photo with Santa and tell him their list, dance with his elves and mingle with Mrs. Claus through Dec. 24.

Tip: The Mary N. Bright Airfield may experience a high volume of travelers, so guests are encouraged to head there first.

5. All Nine of Santa's Reindeer

Rudolph and his are taking a break before their famous flight inside an old airplane hangar turned stables at Hersheypark! Guests can see the reindeer up close from behind a gated area in Hangar 96. Hersheypark is the only place in the Northeast with this magical experience featuring all nine of Santa’s reindeer during all hours of operation through Jan. 1, 2025.

Tip: Reindeer specialists from ZooAmerica are on-site to answer guest questions. 

6. Holly Jolly Hershey Character Sweet Greets

It's not a visit to Hersheypark without snapping a selfie with a Hershey Character! Parkgoers can stop by the heated Music Box Theatre to warm up and meet their favorite Hershey Characters, who are donning their coziest winter apparel.

Tip: Check the Hersheypark app for appearance times. 

7. TREEville Trail

Guests can enjoy a stroll through TREEville trail in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark region, with 25 uniquely decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth. New this year, guests can also see the 50-foot Kissmas Tree in this location - a sweet photo opportunity!

Tip: There are two other smaller trees for photo opportunities next to Wave Swinger and between Hersheypark Supply Co. and the Carrousel at the front of the Park. Don't forget to tag @Hersheypark and use #ChristmasCandylane in social media posts!

8. Hot Chocolate and Seasonal Eats

Tis the season to eat, drink and be Hersheypark Happy! Guests can indulge in a variety of seasonal food and beverage offerings, including:

• Get your hands on the first-ever snack collectible at Hersheypark this holiday season! The Kissmas TREEts Collectible sweets container features multiple layered compartments of handmade goodies like peppermint bark and chocolate dipped Rice Krispy Treats. It is available for $39.99 plus tax online, inside the Park at the Mary N. Bright Airfield (Fahrenheit Catering) and Milton's Ice Cream Parlor, or at the Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL entrance.
• Guests can warm up with four specialty hot chocolate topped with baked goods at the Simply Chocolate Hot Chocolate Bar or new boozy hot chocolate for those 21 and older at The Concourse Cocoa Bar, located inside Terminal C of the Mary N. Bright Airfield.
• For savory options, three specialty Holi-dogs hot dogs are available at Berks Hot Dog Stand. Plus, the popular baked potato bar and soup offerings return to Overlook Food Court.
• Perfect for sharing, Simply Chocolate offers three King Size Shakes: Chocolate Peppermint, Milk & Cookies and Frozen Hot Chocolate. Milton's Ice Cream Parlor and The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen also have seasonal desserts.

Tip: As a special holiday perk, 2024 King and Giant Size Pass Holders can transform their Season Pass Holder cup into a hot beverage mug with a special lid and FREE refills on hot chocolate and coffee during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

9. Holiday Spirit's Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier

Up on the “rooftop” click, click, click. Back by popular demand is Holiday Spirit's Rooftop Bar at The Chocolatier, which is open on all Hersheypark Christmas Candylane operating evenings. The festive patio features boozy hot chocolate for guests ages 21 and older, over-the-top hot chocolate for kids, a Chocuterie board to make your own hot chocolate and a tabletop s’mores kit. Guests can enjoy these limited-time offerings while warming up by a firepit overlooking Hershey's Chocolatetown with a classic holiday movie playing in the background without sound.

Tip: Hersheypark tickets are not required to attend. Guests can enter through The Chocolatier or the patio entrance located inside the Park.

10. Our Friends From The Sea

Guests can see the seals and sea lions during the Our Friends From The Sea show in the Aquatheatre at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. when Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens at 12 p.m.

Tip: Keep an eye out for Diego, a male California sea lion, who just returned to Hershey!

11. Zoo Visits

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day). The holiday season is a great time to visit the 11-acre Zoo as many North American animals in the outdoor habitats, like the gray wolves, river otters and Canada Lynx, are more active when the temperature drops. 

ZooAmerica is included with a Hersheypark ticket only by accessing the Zoo through the Hersheypark bridge during Park hours. Separate Zoo tickets are available for purchase online or at the ZooAmerica Admissions Building. 

Tip: Please note that the Zoo naturalists care for the reindeer at Hersheypark, so a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane ticket is required to view them.

12. Holiday Shopping

Hersheypark is home to more than one dozen retail locations that feature a blend of new collections and vintage designs for holiday gift-giving. Guests can give the gift of happy or take a piece home as their own souvenir.

• Hersheypark Supply Co. is a premier, 10,000-square-foot flagship store where guests can browse the largest collection of apparel, gifts, toys and more exclusive to Hersheypark. A Hersheypark ticket is not required to visit Hersheypark Supply Co. During Christmas Candylane operating days, the store is open from 10 a.m. until the Park is closed (closed Christmas Day). 
• HP Collections is located inside the front gate and features a collection of curated premier brands and styles, including johnnie-O, Vuori, Adidas, Corkcicle and an exclusive Vineyard Vines collection.
• Prancer's Presents is new this holiday season. Located across from the Mary N. Bright Airfield, the store features exclusive Hersheypark Puppie Love merchandise.
• Candylane Emporium is a seasonal retail experience right outside of The Boardwalk for unique Christmas-themed apparel, gifts and more.
• Christmas Memories in Founder's Way next to Kettle Corn is full of Hersheypark and chocolate-themed holiday décor.

Tip: Interested in giving the gift of experience? An e-gift card or 2025 Season Pass makes a sweet gift!

Buy Online and Save

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Day Any Day Tickets are currently $49.99 plus taxes and fees online. The tickets purchased during the offer are valid through Jan. 1, 2025. 

Current 2024 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2025 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2024 operating year and all of 2025 - a great gift idea, too! 

2025 Hersheypark Season Pass

2025 is shaping up to be quite the exciting year at Hersheypark, with Twizzlers Twisted Gravity joining the unmatched ride collection at the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. This high-thrill pendulum attraction will be the tallest Screamin’ Swing in the world when it opens in summer 2025 - and King Size and Giant Size Season Pass Holders will be among the first to ride it! We don't think there is a sweeter gift you can give a thrill seeker than a Season Pass to experience unlimited rides on Twizzlers Twisted Gravity and more than 70 other attractions.

The 2025 Hersheypark Season Pass program features four tiers with unlimited visits throughout the 2025 operating year, including Spring Weekends, Summer, Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Depending on the Pass type, Season Pass Holders can also enjoy free parking, a free Pre-K Pass, other sweet perks, exclusive Season Pass Holder events and great discounts around town - all for less than the cost of three visits. 

2025 Season Passes are available for purchase now starting at seven monthly payments of less than $23. 

Gifting Season Passes

Follow these simple steps to ensure your gift of a 2025 Season Pass remains a sweet holiday surprise:

• Select the Season Pass tier you think is best for the recipient
• Enter the recipient's name, phone number and home address
• Use your own email address to receive the confirmation (to indeed keep it a surprise)
• Print off the confirmation email and add a card (we have one below to use)
• When the recipient comes to take their photo and receive their physical pass, they can update the email address on file

Free Printables

If you are also looking for a way to brighten up your gifts, our free holiday printables add a sweet touch to any present. You can download and print a gift tag and three versions of wrapping paper to let your recipient know they have a year of happiness ahead. 

2025 Free Meal Summer Ticket Deal

Are you in need of a joint gift idea? The 2025 Free Meal Summer Ticket deal is a great option for giving the gift of an unforgettable experience. It includes two Summer 2025 1-Day Tickets for epic thrills and two FREE Single-Use Meal Deals with an entrée, side and 24 oz. drink for $110 plus taxes and fees when purchased online. The tickets and Meal Deals are valid on any 2025 public operating day starting Apr. 5, 2025, through Sept. 7, 2025.

Individual summer tickets will be available for purchase in early 2025.

The Sweetest Hersheypark Merchandise

If your family member, friend or coworker is a Hershey enthusiast, Hersheypark has got you covered for gift-giving with Hershey plush, winter apparel to deck any parkgoer from head to toe, exclusive drinkware, coaster collectibles and everything in between. The Hersheypark online store offers Christmas shipping for orders submitted by the end of the day today, Dec. 11. Free in-store pick-up is also available at Hersheypark Supply Co., the premier, 10,000-square-foot flagship store in the Hershey's Chocolatetown region. 

For those who prefer to shop in person, Hersheypark is home to more than one dozen retail locations featuring the perfect blend of new collections and vintage designs for fantastic gift options. Take a look at some of the unique shopping opportunities during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, which is open daily starting Dec. 12.

• Hersheypark Supply Co. (outside of the Hersheypark front gate and open even when the Park is closed): The largest collection of apparel, gifts, toys and more exclusive to Hersheypark
• HP Collections (inside the front gate): A collection of curated premier brands and styles, including johnnie-O, Vuori, Adidas, Corkcicle and an exclusive Vineyard Vines collection
• NEW Prancer's Presents (across from the Mary N. Bright Airfield): Features exclusive Hersheypark Puppie Love merchandise
• Candylane Emporium (outside The Boardwalk): Seasonal retail experience for unique Christmas-themed apparel and gifts
• Christmas Memories (in Founder's Way next to Kettle Corn): Full of Hersheypark and chocolate-themed holiday décor

Hersheypark Gift Card

A Hersheypark gift card is a great way to let the recipient choose their own gift. Gift cards for Hersheypark, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio, the spas and more can be purchased in-store or online. E-gift card purchases are delivered either digitally or via a physical gift card in the mail.

Keep in mind that if you plan to give the foodie in your life a gift that will make their taste buds burst with holiday cheer, this weekend is an ideal time to buy a gift card for the most savings. From Dec. 13-15, you will receive two $10 vouchers when you purchase $50 in gift cards in person only from The Chocolatier. Devon Seafood + Steak and Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar also have bonus days on Dec. 13-15. 

Please note that Hersheypark gift cards cannot be used to purchase tickets or Season Passes online at this time. The gift card recipient can call the Guest Experience team at 717-534-3900 for assistance. 

For other gift ideas in The Sweetest Place On Earth, check out The Complete Hershey Holiday Gift Guide 2024. Happy holidays!

Visitors to The Sweetest Place On Earth will feel like they’re in a scene straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, enjoying walks down the charming downtown streets lined with Hershey’s Kisses-shaped lights to sipping a Hershey’s chocolate martini by the resorts’ beautifully decorated fireplaces.

Sound magical? Then let's start planning your visit! Keep reading for a guide to all of the holiday fun happening throughout our sweet destination this season.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Located in the heart of Hershey, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane holiday attraction is back with a unique blend of only-in-Hershey experiences for guests, including the most lights in Pennsylvania and the only place in the Northeast where guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa's reindeer. The seasonal event features more than 5 million twinkling lights including the dazzling NOEL light show with dancing lights along Spring Creek synchronized to Christmas music, family-friendly rides and thrilling coasters (weather permitting), photos with Santa in the new Mary N. Bright Airfield, Hershey Character Meet and Greets, signature hot chocolate and sweet treats, holiday shopping and more. 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open on select dates through Jan. 1, with daily operations starting Dec. 12 (closed Christmas Day); hours vary by day. 

Hershey Sweet Lights 

Just outside of Hersheypark, guests can enjoy the separately ticketed Hershey Sweet Lights presented by PPL Electric Utilities drive-through attraction while listening to holiday music from the comfort of their cars. The attraction features two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays. New for this year, Hershey Sweet Lights will feature three new Hershey-themed displays depicting Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid coaster, Jolly Rancher Remix coaster and Hershey Bears hockey. Other enhancements include a new arrival experience with festive food and retail bundles for purchase, an all-new Northern Lights region, additional uplighting in the Victorian Village and a reimagined attraction exit with a Candy Cane Village boasting trees and light displays. 

The attraction is open nightly through Jan. 1, 2025; hours vary.

Holiday Dining

Hershey offers delicious seasonal menus at more than a dozen unique dining venues, including casual coffee shops, late-night cocktails, family-friendly dining, four-star cuisine, and everything in between. 

Returning for 2024, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio offers Holiday Spirit's Rooftop Bar, a holiday patio event with spiked hot chocolate for adults ages 21 and older, over-the-top hot chocolate for kids, tabletop s’mores kits and hot chocouterie boards. Enjoy all these sweet treats while overlooking the Hershey's Chocolatetown region of Hersheypark on all Hersheypark Christmas Candylane operating days. 

A Breakfast with Santa experience is also available at The Chocolatier on select dates through Dec. 24. Indulge in a breakfast buffet with hints of chocolate, kids' activities and holiday family fun while seeing Santa and a few of his elves. Space is limited, and reservations are required. 

Holiday Resort Stay 

Whether in deluxe accommodations at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge or in a cozy cabin, tiny home or RV at Hersheypark Camping Resort, a stay at an Official Resort of Hersheypark will immediately put you in the holiday spirit. Enjoy 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. Guests can also enjoy seasonal menus at the resort restaurants, cocktails and holiday-themed resort activities.

On select dates through Jan. 1, holiday resort packages featuring deluxe accommodations, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast are available at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge. Campers at Hersheypark Camping Resort can book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Camping Package with accommodations and Park tickets. All guests receive Free Resort Benefits like front gate shuttle service and extra hours at the Park.

Check out our holiday guides to The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hersheypark Camping Resort to help you prepare for a sweet stay.

Holiday Entertainment

It’s not the holiday season in The Sweetest Place On Earth without some holiday entertainment at the Hershey Theatre. The 2024 holiday entertainment lineup includes the following shows that will brighten spirits this holiday. Tickets are available at HersheyEntertainment.com.

• Dec. 11: Straight No Chaser “Top Shelf Tour” at Hershey Theatre
• Dec. 14: Hershey Symphony Presents: Holiday Spectacular at Hershey Theatre
• Dec. 15: Cirque Musica “Holiday Wonderland” at Hershey Theatre
• Dec. 17: Leslie Odom Jr. “The Christmas Tour” at Hershey Theatre
• Dec. 21-22: Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's “The Nutcracker” at Hershey Theatre

Seasonal Spa Treatments

Guests looking to relieve the hustle and bustle of the holidays can enjoy a moment of sweet relaxation with holiday-inspired treatments at MeltSpa by Hershey.  The all-new Cranberry Spice Collection is available through Jan. 1 and includes treatments like a Cranberry-Spice Massage, Pedicure, Body Wrap and more.

More Holiday Fun Around Town

Other attractions around town, including The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue, Hershey Gardens and Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction, will also offer special holiday events and activities.

The Hershey Story

At The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, guests can learn all about the life and legacy of our founder Milton S. Hershey, the town he created, and the lives he touched. Holiday-themed experiences are also available this time of year, including Whimsical Winter Crafts, where kids can make a wintery craft in the museum's classroom and holiday-themed Chocolate Labs, where you can learn about chocolate and make your own holiday-themed chocolate treat.

View the museum's event calendar for a complete listing of events and availability.

Hershey Gardens

The annual Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens is a winter dreamscape of 10 beautifully decorated trees with twinkling lights; each tree is created by a talented local designer. Guests can also enjoy the 14-foot poinsettia tree in brilliant solid red and a stunning 8-foot bromeliad tree. Looking for the perfect family photo op? Guests can take a seat in the Comet roller coaster train car from Hersheypark fashioned as Santa's sleigh, pulled by who else but Comet, the reindeer! Plus, the Butterfly Atrium is decorated for the holidays, with hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world flying amongst the tropical setting!

Additional holiday activities offered on select dates this season include Crafty Christmas Creations and Winter Wreath Workshops. The indoor tropical Butterfly Atrium will also be decorated for the holidays and is the perfect place to keep warm as guests view hundreds of butterflies from around the world. 

View the Gardens' event calendar for a complete listing of events.

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Hershey's Chocolate World, offers a FREE Hershey's Chocolate Tour and various paid experiences such as Create Your Own Candy Bar and Hershey's Unwrapped. This holiday season, guests can also create memories on select dates with HERSHEY’S Holiday Illumination, Cookies & Cheer with Mrs. Claus, Breakfast with Santa, Photos with Santa, Holly Jolly Trolley and Sweet Lights Trolley. Plus, check out the Hershey’s Holiday Chocolate House decorated entirely with Hershey's chocolate and candy. 

Learn more about Chocolate World's holiday events. 

Happy holidays. We hope to see you soon!

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open daily through Jan. 1, 2025 for guests to enjoy lights, rides, visits with Santa and all nine of his reindeer, signature hot chocolate and some sweet Christmas tree experiences. During the seasonal event, Hersheypark has decked its halls with more than 5 million lights, including a 50-foot Kissmas Tree with a Hershey’s KISS at the top. The tree is located in The Boardwalk region and serves as an iconic photo spot. 

Admission to Christmas Candylane also includes TREEville At The Boardwalk, a festive trail of 25 trees that share the stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth. Guests can grab a signature hot chocolate and walk through the paths of The Boardwalk At Hersheypark as they look at trees representing Hersheypark, ZooAmerica, Hershey Bears, Milton Hershey School and more.

The Official Resorts of Hersheypark

The Official Resorts of Hersheypark - The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hersheypark Camping Resort - have decked the halls for the holidays. Guests staying at any of these properties will see beautiful Christmas trees and festive decorations in the lobbies.

The Hotel Hershey

The Hotel Hershey is beautiful all year, but there’s something extra sweet about seeing the property adorned in lights, garland and Christmas trees during the holiday season. As you enter the main lobby, you’ll be greeted by a classy display of white poinsettias and miniature trees decorated in gold and chocolate brown ornaments that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. But while on the property, there are two additional trees you’ll want to see. 

Just upstairs from the main lobby, a gorgeous tree decorated in red, green and gold towers over the historic Fountain Lobby, which was designed like a Spanish courtyard to reflect our founder Milton Hershey's travels. This spot is a favorite holiday photo backdrop and a tradition for many guests to visit year after year. After taking a photo, head outside through the formal gardens to Harvest Plaza, where you'll find another beautiful Christmas tree that our Hershey Characters helped us light during our annual Tree Lighting ceremony earlier this season.

Hershey Lodge

The lobby of Hershey Lodge becomes even cozier this time of year with the addition of holiday decor, including the Lodge’s beautiful Christmas tree. This year, the tree is decorated with snowflakes, chocolate brown ornaments and Hershey’s Kisses, making for a sweet photo spot - maybe even with one of the Hershey Characters who roam the lobby on select dates and times.

Hersheypark Camping Resort

There are many trees across the 55 acres of Hersheypark Camping Resort, but a few have been decorated for the holidays this year. You’ll also find a Christmas tree and more holiday decorations at the front desk inside Historic Landis Barn, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland for the holiday season! Guests can take pictures in front of the tree, decorated with snowflakes and Hershey's treats, and admire a miniature village complete with a model train.

The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens

The annual Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens is a winter dreamscape of 10 beautifully decorated trees with twinkling lights; each tree is created by a talented local designer. Guests can also enjoy the 14-foot poinsettia tree in brilliant solid red and a stunning 8-foot bromeliad tree. Looking for the perfect family photo op? Guests can take a seat in the Comet roller coaster train car from Hersheypark fashioned as Santa's sleigh, pulled by who else but Comet, the reindeer! Plus, the Butterfly Atrium is decorated for the holidays, with hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world flying amongst the tropical setting!

Take a look at some of the beautifully decorated trees guests will see, each complete with unique ornaments that highlight their themes. Some trees even feature custom ornaments that might be recognized from fan favorite Park attractions. Wooden planks within its tree are a nod to the custom trains of Wildcat's Revenge, hockey pucks adorn the Hershey Bears tree, and bacon-wrapped goodness can be found all over the all-new Auntie Mortem's Abattoir tree, paying tribute to the fan-favorite Dark Nights haunted house! A tree made of inner-tubes, a nod to The Boardwalk setting, rounds out the sweet selection of festive displays. 

TREEville is included with your Hersheypark admission ticket. Several of the trees were decorated with the support of community partners and we're honored to share their stories.Let us know your favorite tree and share your photos with us on social media using #ChristmasCandylane.  

Hurry! The last day to enjoy Christmas Candylane is January 1, 2025. Buy tickets now or purchase a  2025 Season Pass+ to enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane in 2024 and unlimited admission for the entire 2025 season.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane was voted #8 overall,  securing a coveted spot as one of the top 10 best theme park holiday events in the country.  The 121-acre Hersheypark is the only amusement park in Pennsylvania to make the list. 

Twenty nominees across the country were chosen by a panel of relevant experts, including editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors, and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The contest gave voters four weeks to vote for the candidate of their choice. 

Thank you to all who voted for us!

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 

A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane runs on select dates through Jan. 1, 2025, with daily operations starting Dec. 12 (closed Christmas Day). 

The seasonal event features five million lights (the most in the state), holiday thrills on select family rides and seven coasters (weather permitting), Santa and all nine of his reindeer for guests to see in a new home at the Mary N. Bright Airfield, TREEville trail with nearly two dozen trees decorated to themes you can only see in The Sweetest Place On Earth, and Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel—all included with a ticket. 

Guests can also warm up with more hot chocolate varieties than ever, with signature hot chocolate, new boozy hot chocolate offerings and a hot chocolate bar with dessert toppers. One-of-a-kind sweet treats, including the Park’s first-ever collectible snack container field with handmade baked goods and award-winning holiday King Size Shakes, are also available for purchase.

Create Holiday Memories in Hershey

Guests can save on Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets when purchasing them online. The tickets are valid on any public operating day through Jan. 1, 2025. 

Current 2024 Season Pass Holders can enjoy unlimited visits to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane as part of their year-long perks. 2025 Season Passes are on sale now with a Season Pass+ option that includes unlimited visits and perks to Hersheypark for the remainder of the 2024 operating year and all of 2025 - a great gift idea, too! 

As a sweet bonus, Preview Plan is offered during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane! Ticketed guests can present their ticket at the main entrance 1.5 hours before closing the night before their visit (note operating hours) and enjoy a fun-filled evening. Resorts Preview is 2.5 hours before closing.

The Hotel Hershey

As you enter The Hotel Hershey, you'll be greeted by a display of white poinsettias and Christmas trees decorated in gold and chocolate brown ornaments. While inside, head upstairs to take a holiday photo in front of a gorgeous tree that towers over the beautiful and historic Fountain Lobby, designed like a Spanish courtyard to reflect our founder Milton Hershey's travels. This spot is a favorite holiday photo backdrop and a tradition for many of our guests to visit year after year. 

The formal gardens behind the Hotel are also decorated in lights and a sight to see this time of year. As you make your way through the gardens, you'll see another beautiful Christmas tree in Harvest Plaza outside Harvest restaurant, where the Hotel held its annual tree lighting earlier this season. 

Check out our holiday guide to The Hotel Hershey.

Hershey Lodge

Hershey Lodge becomes even cozier this time of year with the addition of beautiful holiday decor throughout the lobby. Garland covered in lights adorn the grand staircase, and the fireplace is surrounded by small lit trees and poinsettias creating the perfect ambiance for enjoying a hot chocolate or a Hershey's Signature Martini. Near the fireplace stands a Christmas tree decorated in snowflakes, chocolate brown ornaments and Hershey's Kisses. The tree makes for a great photo spot, maybe even with one of our Hershey Characters!

Check out our holiday guide to Hershey Lodge.

Hersheypark Camping Resort

Over at Hersheypark Camping Resort, the Historic Landis Barn has transformed for the holiday season with snowflake lights, a holiday gnome and train display, a cozy new holiday mantle and a Christmas tree! Families can pick up a holiday coloring sheet in the lobby before checking in at the front desk, where they'll receive a letter from Santa and a candy cane. Outside, guests will find lit-up Hershey's Kisses and candy canes—perfect for a photo to remember your sweet campground stay.

Check out our holiday guide to Hersheypark Camping Resort.

On select dates through Jan. 1, The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge offer a Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 1-Night and 2-Night Package featuring deluxe accommodations, daily Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast. Guests at Hersheypark Camping Resort can book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Camping Package with accommodations and Park tickets. Start planning a sweet holiday getaway and we hope to see you soon!

Visitors to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane can see Santa and his live reindeer in the Mary N. Bright Airfield, a new themed location in Fahrenheit Catering for 2024. While enjoying Santa's favorite holiday stop at the merriest event of the year at Hersheypark, guests can get an up-close look at Rudolph and his friends in Hangar 96. The name of the space represents the first year that Santa's reindeer visited Hersheypark in 1996. Hersheypark is the only place in the Northeast where people can see all nine of Santa's reindeer.

Santa handpicked trusted team members from ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park to take special care of his reindeer during their vacation in Hershey, Pa., before their big flight on Christmas Eve. The ZooAmerica reindeer specialists are on-site inside the amusement park during all hours of Hersheypark Christmas Candylane operations to feed the reindeer, clean the stables and answer guest questions. 

We chatted with some of the reindeer specialists to get all of the insider information on each reindeer, as they each have a magical personality of their own! Learn more about Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph, below. 

Rudolph (#1)

• Friendliest and always by the reindeer specialists or the front fence
• Loves to be in the way and begs for treats
• Working with Dasher on conflict resolution

Dasher (#5)

• Known troublemaker
• Pushes around Rudolph to try to take charge of Santa’s sleigh team until Vixen and Prancer break them up 
• Buds with Vixen

Dancer (#3)

• Beautiful chocolate brown color
• BFFs with Cupid - they playfully antler spar together and groom each other's ears
• Uses Cupid as a pillow

Prancer (#37)

• Oldest and one of the higher ranking members - The herd has a hierarchy with several reindeer in charge at the top, some “mid-level” reindeer and others at the bottom that tend to stick to themselves and will not challenge the others
• Stands ground against younger, mischievous reindeer
• Vixen tests Prancer’s limits but usually gets shut down quickly

Vixen (#72)

• Middle-ranking reindeer with beautiful, claw-like antlers with leftover velvet
• Friends with Dasher and acts like a bodyguard
• Known to start reindeer games with Cupid, Dancer and Donder

Comet (#65)

• Firecracker with a sassy personality
• Known to shove entire head into a bucket for beet pulp
• High-ranking member of the herd that values R&R and is often seen lying down in the back of Hangar 96 watching the whole herd run by

Cupid (#4)

• Youngest reindeer who sometimes gets picked on by other members of the herd given youthful spirit
• Inseparable with Dancer
• Likes to playfully spar with Dancer

Donder (#87)

• Rambunctious and high-energy
• Initiates play with both reindeer and reindeer specialists
• Kept in line by higher-ranking Prancer and Comet

Blitzen (#2)

• Biggest reindeer with the largest set of antlers despite not being the oldest
• Gentle giant who likes personal space
• Expert level status on ripping open new hay bales

How to See the Reindeer at Hersheypark

As you can see, Santa’s reindeer are not just the engines that pull the sled. They are beautiful and fascinating animals that help create the season's magic. 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open on Dec. 5-8 and then daily from Dec. 12 through Jan. 1, 2025 (closed Christmas Day). Santa is available for photos during all hours of operation through Dec. 24, but his reindeer will stay in Hershey through Jan. 1 for guests to see them after the holiday. 

This experience is one of the many only-in-Hershey offerings included with a ticket. Guests can also enjoy signature hot chocolate and festive eats while seeing the most lights in Pennsylvania, take a ride on select coasters and family attractions, snap a selfie with the Hershey Characters dressed in their holiday best, and so much more!

Santa has come to the town built on chocolate for the 2024 holiday season. Here is a guide to the top five places in The Sweetest Place On Earth to meet Santa, tell him your wishlist and snap a photo with him for a sweet souvenir. 

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Select Dates Through Dec. 24; Available During All Operating Hours

Santa's favorite holiday spot at Hersheypark is the Mary N. Bright Airfield, a new themed location in Fahrenheit Catering featuring Santa and all nine of his reindeer. Santa is located in the Yule Lounge inside the Mary N. Bright Airfield during all hours of Hersheypark Christmas Candylane operations through Dec. 24, 2024. 

To get to the Yule Lounge, guests should head to the left-hand side of the Mary N. Bright Airfield, where they will enter a winter wonderland lined with beautifully decorated trees and sweet holiday decorations. Along the way to see Santa, guests can meet his elves and Mrs. Claus and maybe even get lucky enough to catch them caroling. Once guests arrive at the Yule Lounge, they can sit next to Santa or on his lap to tell him their wish list and get a photo with him. Professional photos are available for purchase in Terminal C of the Mary N. Bright Airfield.

Right next to the Yule Lounge, guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa’s reindeer, including Rudolph, in Hangar 96 through Jan. 1, 2025. Please note that the line to meet Santa is separate from the line to meet his reindeer.

Guests can also stop by the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre for Holly Jolly Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel. Appearance times are listed in the Hersheypark app. 

The Chocolatier for Breakfast with Santa 

Select Weekend Dates Through Dec. 22; 8-10 a.m.

Families can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio with hints of chocolate, kids' activities, and lots of holiday family fun alongside Santa and a few of his festive elves. 

Breakfast with Santa is offered from 8-10 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays through Dec. 22, plus Dec. 24. Please note that limited availability remains, and reservations are required. The cost for adults (12+) is $35.95. Kids (3-11) are $22.95, and children two and under are free. Prices do not include tax and gratuity. 

Hershey's Chocolate World 

Select Dates and Times Through Dec. 24

Visitors can bring the entire family to Hershey's Chocolate World to create a new holiday tradition by having their photo taken with Santa in front of the HERSHEY'S Holiday Chocolate House in a classic HERSHEY'S Chocolate Tour ride car. Santa is available on select dates through Dec. 24 at various times. 

The HERSHEY'S Characters and Dr. Seuss's The Grinch and Max are often available for photos in the meet-and-greet area in the Food Hall. Visitors are encouraged to check the schedule upon arrival, as dates and times vary per day and are subject to change.

Hershey Gardens

Saturday, Dec. 14; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hershey Gardens welcomes the holidays with various family-friendly activities, including an appearance by Santa on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During that time, kids can visit with Santa in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, included in general admission. 

Also included with a ticket, Mrs. Claus hosts story time in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory on Dec. 7 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

While strolling through the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, visitors can enjoy The Christmas Tree Showcase, which features ten beautifully decorated trees in an indoor winter display. New this year, the showcase boasts a unique family photo opportunity: a car from the Comet roller coaster at Hersheypark, fashioned as Santa’s sleigh. Guests can also enjoy sparkling lights, a 14-foot poinsettia tree and an 8-foot bromeliad tree. 

The Hotel Hershey for Breakfast with Santa

Weekends Through Dec. 22

Guests staying at The Hotel Hershey can celebrate the holidays with a breakfast buffet in the beautifully decorated Fountain Lobby and enjoy a photo opportunity with Santa on weekends through Dec. 22. Breakfast with Santa is available for overnight guests only, and reservations are required. Please note that limited availability remains. Guests can call 844-330-1711 to book.

Santa will also make a stop at The Villas At The Hotel Hershey Lounge each weekend exclusively for guests staying in the newest luxury accommodation during its first Christmas season.

New this year, Santa and all nine of his reindeer are in a themed location together called the Mary N. Bright Airfield in Fahrenheit Catering. Check out this guide of things to do in Santa's favorite holiday stop at the merriest event of the year in Hershey, Pa.

See Santa in the Yule Lounge

The Yule Lounge is an exclusive party spot where guests can snap a photo with Santa and tell him their wish list, mingle with Mrs. Claus and the elves, and enjoy holiday tunes from carolers. Guests can take their own pictures with Santa from phones or personal cameras, but professional photos are also available for purchase. Santa is available during all hours of Park operations, with breaks noted on signage, through Dec. 24 before he makes his way back to the North Pole. 

Please note that the line to meet Santa is separate from the line to meet his reindeer.

See All Nine of Santa's Reindeer in Hangar 96

For more than 25 years, Rudolph and his friends have come to the town built on chocolate. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the only place in the Northeast where guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa's reindeer, including Rudolph. New this year, guests will find them in Hangar 96, an old airplane hangar turned stables. The name of the space represents the first year that Santa's reindeer visited Hersheypark in 1996.