Things to do Christmas Week in Hershey, PA 2025
Guide to The Sweetest Place On Earth Dec. 26 - Jan. 4
Happy holidays from all of us in The Sweetest Place On Earth!
If you have time off before the New Year, Hershey, Pa., is the place to be, with shows, lights, rides and more through to keep you in the holiday spirit. Check out our guide of the top things to do in Hershey, Pa., from Dec. 26, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Open daily Dec. 27 through Jan. 4
Hersheypark is open extended hours for Christmas Candylane during Christmas week on Dec. 27-30 and Jan. 1-3 from 12-9 p.m., plus Dec. 31 from 12-4 p.m. and Jan. 4 from 12-8 p.m.
See the park come to life with more than five million lights (the most of any amusement park in the state), including the NOEL light show synchronized to holiday music along Spring Creek. NOEL starts nightly at 5 p.m. and runs every 30 minutes in The Hollow region. Enjoy seven coasters and select family rides, including the holiday debut of Twizzlers Twisted Gravity (weather and maintenance permitting). Beat the chill with the new Twinkling Thru Time holiday show (the first since 2019) inside the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre (performances through Dec. 28).
Looking for a holiday photo souvenir? Stop by the NEW location of our 50-foot Kissmas Tree located in Chocolatetown. Or stroll through TREEville Trail at The Boardwalk and view more than 20 decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth.
The reindeer are still here in the themed Mary N. Bright Airfield, back from their famous flight. Then, treat yourself to a warm holiday beverage at the Simply Chocolate Hot Chocolate Bar and Concourse Cocoa inside Terminal C.
Hershey Sweet Lights
Open nightly Dec. 27 through Jan. 4
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.
Hershey Sweet Lights is open from 5-10 p.m. on Dec. 27-28, and 5-9 p.m. Dec. 29-Jan. 4. 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. 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.
Holiday Stay at the Official Resorts of Hersheypark
Whether in deluxe accommodations at The Hotel Hershey, including the all-new private Villas, or Hershey Lodge or in a cozy cabin, tiny home or RV at Hersheypark Camping Resort, the Official Resorts of Hersheypark will put guests in the holiday spirit. Enjoy stunning holiday decor and participate in family-friendly resort activities.
Holiday packages featuring deluxe accommodations, daily Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast are available at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge. The all-new Cookies and Candylane Packages also include a special delivery of milk and cookies to your room. Guests can also book the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane camping package with accommodations and Park tickets at Hersheypark Camping Resort.
All resort guests receive Free Resort Benefits, including free front gate shuttle service to and from the Park and preview hours, complimentary admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum.
Check out our holiday guides to The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hersheypark Camping Resort to help you prepare for a sweet stay.
Wild Winter Adventure at ZooAmerica
Dec. 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 | 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Spark your child’s excitement by taking them on a wild winter adventure with ZooAmerica this Christmas. This is a three-hour program designed for children in grades K through 5. During the program, participants will get an interactive learning experience with our North American animals. They will learn about the incredible survival skills animals use in the cold winter months, observe their winter habitats, see animals up-close, participate in an enrichment activity, and enjoy a snack. Plus, participants will be able to visit the reindeer in Hersheypark.
Each person must be pre-registered and prepaid to participate. Purchase tickets.
Enjoy a Day of Relaxation at the Hershey Spas
Take time to relax the holiday week at one of the spas in Hershey! The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa and MeltSpa by Hershey day spa offer a variety of chocolate-inspired and seasonal treatments unique to The Sweetest Place On Earth. The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa is currently offering Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Mocha treatments. MeltSpa by Hershey will offer treatments from their Cranberry Spice seasonal collection. Signature dark chocolate treatments and other classic spa services will also be available.
To make an appointment at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey, call 844-330-1797. For MeltSpa by Hershey appointments, call 855-500-2366 or go online.
Catch the Excitement of Hershey Bears Hockey
Dec. 28 at 5 p.m.; Jan. 4 at 3 p.m.
Bring on the holiday cheer for the Calder Cup Champions, the Hershey Bears, at a home game before the end of the year. Watch the match against the Charlotte Checkers on Dec. 28, at 5 p.m., for a special promotional game night, Kids Night! There will be fun activities just for kids.
On Sunday, Jan. 4, the Hershey Bears are excited to host their annual GIANT Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used teddy bears and plush toys to the game to be thrown on the ice when the Bears score their first goal. There is no limit on how many teddy bears fans can bring, as each donated stuffed animal is collected and donated to more than 30 local organizations in Central Pennsylvania.
A limited number of tickets for the Teddy Bear Toss Game are currently available, and the game is expected to sell out. For tickets and additional information about the Hershey Bears, please visit HersheyBears.com.
Want to skate yourself? Public skating sessions will be held at GIANT Center and Hersheypark Arena on various dates and times from Dec. 26 - Jan. 3. Whether you’re a figure skater or a first-timer, come skate the holiday season away!
Hershey New Year’s Eve Celebration Ringing in America 250
Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to midnight
Hershey New Year’s Eve will ring in 2026 with a can’t-miss celebration for all to enjoy on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. Held in the heart of downtown Hershey, Pa., the event will feature kid-friendly entertainment, main stage music and a unique laser and pyrotechnics display featuring Americana elements to honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
Families can look forward to New Year’s countdowns and bubble wrap stomps during the day at The Hershey Story Museum at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For younger guests who may not make it until midnight, the event will feature a family hour from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., including local music from children’s musician Holly Serio, face painting, vendors and more. The HERSHEY Characters will visit the main stage at 8:30 p.m. for a final bubble wrap stomp and dance party.
Main stage music performances will begin at 9 p.m. Returning to headline this year’s event is Pennsylvania quartet and TikTok sensation Burn the Jukebox, following their crowd-pleasing show in 2024. The group’s set will include pop and rock hits spanning over five decades, along with their own original songs. Opening for Burn the Jukebox is the five-person cover band Fully Stocked, pumping out energy and fun with rock and pop songs from the 1970s to today.
At midnight, MC Denny Logan (WNNK 104.1) and the HERSHEY Characters will count down to the HERSHEY’S KISS raise, followed by an immersive laser and pyrotechnics display to light up the night.
View the schedule here.
