Things To Do Thanksgiving Week in Hershey, PA 2023

The Sweetest Place On Earth has no shortage of family-friendly offerings over Thanksgiving weekend. From rides and millions of lights to holiday entertainment, check out our guide of top things to do in Hershey, Pa., Nov. 21-26, 2023. 

Nov. 21-26: CHICAGO at Hershey Theatre

'Tis the season for Broadway shows in Hershey, Pa.

There’s never been a better time to experience “CHICAGO,” Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. The show will take the stage at Hershey Theatre on Nov. 21-26 for eight show-stopping performances.

This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy Award, thousands of standing ovations and now the No. 1 longest-running American Musical in Broadway history. CHICAGO has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. 

It’s no surprise that CHICAGO has wowed audiences from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa, and now it’s coming to The Sweetest Place On Earth! Whether you're looking for your first Broadway musical, you've seen the Academy Award-winning film and want to experience the show live on stage - or you've seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers!

Nov. 21-26: Hershey Sweet Lights

Families who prefer seeing lights from the comfort of their cars can visit Hershey Sweet Lights, located just outside Hersheypark. The separately ticketed drive-through attraction features two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays created from about 2 million LED lights. Many displays follow unique themes, with the beginning of the experience transforming familiar Hersheypark rides and The 12 Days of Christmas into large light displays. Guests will then head to the forest portion with Fairy Tales and a Victorian Village. 

Hershey Sweet Lights is open on Nov. 21 from 5-10 p.m, Nov. 22-23 from 5-9 p.m., and Nov. 24-26 from 5-10 p.m. Pricing varies daily, with online ticket sales ending at 5 p.m. Any ticket purchased after 5 p.m. for that day will be the gate rate and only be available at the Sweet Lights entrance booth.

Nov. 21-26: Enjoy a Day of Relaxation at the Hershey Spas

Take time to relax during the Thanksgiving holiday 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. Those ready for fall can enjoy pumpkin treatments, ranging from pumpkin spice massages to body scrubs, pumpkin facials and more. Book now before it's too late! 

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. 

Note: The Spa At The Hotel Hershey is open on Thanksgiving Day; MeltSpa will be closed. 

Nov. 22-26: Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Hersheypark is open extended hours for Christmas Candylane during Thanksgiving week on Nov. 22-23 from 5-9 p.m. and Nov. 24-26 from 12-9 p.m. 

Guests can get their holiday thrills on select coasters and enjoy a selection of family rides, weather and maintenance permitting. Among the rides, 5 million lights will glisten, with the popular NOEL light show running every half an hour beginning nightly at 5 p.m. in The Hollow region. Guests can view four shows featuring more than 250,000 dancing lights choreographed to Christmas music while sipping some signature hot chocolate on one of the bridges overlooking Spring Creek.

A trip to Christmas Candylane is not complete without telling Santa your Christmas list and visiting Santa’s Reindeer Stables to see Rudolph and his friends. Hersheypark is the only place in the Northeast where guests can get an up-close look at all nine of Santa’s reindeer.

Tickets include a sweet sneak peek with a preview plan, which allows guests to present their tickets at the main entrance 1.5 hours before closing on the night before their full-day visit to enjoy a fun-filled evening during public operating hours. Preview for resort guests is 2.5 hours before the Park closes.

Nov. 22-26: Holiday Stay at the Official Resorts of Hersheypark

Whether in deluxe accommodations at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge or in a cozy cabin or RV at Hersheypark Camping Resort, a stay at a Hershey resort will put guests in the holiday spirit this Thanksgiving. Guests can take in the beauty of the resorts’ stunning holiday decor, enjoy Thanksgiving buffets and menu specials at restaurants on property (advance reservations highly recommended), and participate in family-friendly resort activities such as Hershey Character appearances, chocolate bingo and s’mores roasts at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge and Thanksgiving crafts and coloring pages at Hersheypark Camping Resort. 

Guests staying at The Hotel Hershey can also look forward to the Hotel’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Harvest Plaza from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24. The event includes hot cocoa and cookies, live music, holiday carnival games and a lighting of the tree with the Hershey Characters at 8 p.m.  Later that weekend, overnight guests of The Hotel Hershey can also enjoy Breakfast With Santa, available in the Fountain Lobby from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26. Reservations are required; call 844-330-1711 to book.

Holiday packages featuring deluxe accommodations, daily Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets and breakfast are available at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge. Or, guests can 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.

Nov. 22-26: Catch the Excitement of Hershey Bears  Hockey!

Join in on the family fun and the excitement of Hershey Bears hockey at GIANT Center for the holiday weekend. The reigning Calder Cup Champions are at home for three games this week, including for the team’s annual Thanksgiving Eve game on Wednesday, Nov. 22 versus the rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7 p.m. Bring the whole family to take part in the Canteen Vending Turkey Shoot after the game, where fans are invited to the ice to try their hand at taking a hockey shot for a chance to win great prizes, including a certificate for a holiday turkey! 

The Bears also play on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. versus the Iowa Wild. These are the first meetings between the Bears and Wild in Hershey’s 86-year team history. Sunday’s game is Team Autograph Night, with a chance to snag autographs from your favorite Bears player post-game!

To score tickets to these games, visit HersheyBears.com. 

Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Buffets (SOLD OUT)

Let our talented culinary teams do the cooking and join us for a delicious Thanksgiving Day Buffet at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge. The buffet at The Hotel Hershey will be held in Garden Terrace Ballroom and Starlight Ballroom with seatings at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Hershey Lodge buffet will be held in the Chocolate Ballroom with seatings available from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both resort guests and non-resort guests are welcome. For reservations for The Hotel Hershey Thanksgiving Buffet, please call 717-534-8800. For reservations for the Hershey Lodge Thanksgiving Buffet, please call 717-520-5489.

*Please note, both Thanksgiving Buffet events are now sold out. 

Nov. 24-26: Breakfast With Santa at The Chocolatier  Restaurant, Bar + Patio

Santa Claus is coming to Hershey's Chocolatetown and stopping for breakfast at The Chocolatier! Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet with hints of chocolate, kids' activities, and lots of holiday family fun alongside Santa and a few of his festive elves. Breakfast is available from 8-10 a.m. Nov. 24-26. Reservations are required. 

Pricing: Adults (12+) $34.95, Kids (3-11) $22.95, children 2 and under are free.  Prices do not include tax and gratuity.

*As a reminder, The Chocolatier is closed Thanksgiving Day. 

Nov. 24-26: Black Friday Gift Card Deals at Houlihan’s and Devon

Holiday shoppers can celebrate Black Friday with sweet dining deals in Hershey, Pa. From Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 26, guests can visit Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar and Devon Seafood + Steak in downtown Hershey to enjoy special promotions on gift card purchases. 

Houlihan’s

• Guests who purchase $50 in gift cards from Houlihan’s Nov. 24-26 will receive two $10 dining certificates. After this weekend through Dec. 24, receive one $10 dining certificate for a $50 gift card purchase.
• Dining certificates can be redeemed from Jan. 2, 2024, through March 31, 2024, excluding Valentine’s Day. Other restrictions may apply. See dining certificate for full details.

Devon

• Guests who purchase $100 in gift cards from Devon Nov. 24-26 will receive two $20 dining certificates. After this weekend through Dec. 24, receive one $20 dining certificate for a $100 gift card purchase.
  • Gift card sales will be available starting at 1 p.m. on Nov. 24-26.
• Dining certificates can be redeemed from Jan. 2, 2024 through March 31, 2024, excluding Saturdays and Valentine’s Day. Other restrictions may apply. See dining certificate for full details.

Nov. 24-26: The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens

Hershey Gardens welcomes the holiday season with a festive exhibit of beautifully decorated Christmas trees at their annual Christmas Tree Showcase. The seasonal event will feature even decorated trees on display in an indoor winter landscape, each tree decorated by a local artist. Guests can also enjoy sparkling lights and a 14-foot white poinsettia tree, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus children's crafts and more throughout Thanksgiving weekend.