During the holiday season the “Sweetest Place on Earth” becomes a festive winter wonderland. And let me tell you, there is no better place to celebrate than Christmas in Hersheypark.
Get ready for an epic Christmas Candylane, the Sweet Lights illuminating the fields just outside of the amusement park, and of course, Santa Claus. If you haven’t visited Hershey during the holidays you are missing a truly magical time.
Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark
More than 5 million twinkling lights deck the halls of Hersheypark in celebration of the holiday season!
For 40 years, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane has delighted visitors with a unique blend of only-in-Hershey holiday experiences that includes the only place in the Northeast where you can see all nine of Santa’s reindeer.
Get into the holiday spirit with the Christmas light show, “NOEL,” featuring more than 250,000 lights dancing to classic holiday tunes. Don’t forget the iconic Kisses Fountain dressed up in its holiday best, plus you can take a festive photo with your favorite Hershey Characters, and more.
Family Attractions and Hersheypark Roller Coasters
Enjoy holiday thrills on seven coasters, including the new Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid coaster during its first winter, plus Candymonium, sooperdooperLooper, Jolly Rancher Remix, Wild Mouse, Cocoa Cruiser and the indoor glowing Laff Trakk, which is decorated for the holidays.
Weather permitting, family-friendly rides and holiday favorites like Dry Gulch Railroad and Skyview are also open.
NOEL Light Show
Featuring more than 250,000 dancing lights choreographed to Christmas music, “NOEL” shines nightly beginning at 5 p.m. in The Hollow. You can watch four different shows every half hour from the three bridges overlooking Spring Creek, or take a gondola ride on the Skyview right over the lights.
Meet Santa’s Reindeer at Hersheypark
Rudolph and his friends make a special stop at Christmas Candylane calling Santa’s Reindeer Stables home through Jan. 1. Trained reindeer experts are on-site to answer questions. Hersheypark is the only place in the Northeast with this magical experience featuring all nine of Santa’s reindeer.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Speaking of Santa, you can meet him and his elves under the former Carrousel Pavilion through Dec. 24.
BONUS: Kids and kids at heart can join Mrs. Claus to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a bright and colorful Holiday Dance Party under the former Carrousel Pavilion at select times.
Sweet Greets with Hershey’s Characters
Stop by the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre venue to meet your favorite Hershey Characters donning their coziest winter apparel. Don’t worry, I could still convince my teen to snap a photo with our favorite Hershey’s Chocolate Bar and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
TREEville Trail
Experience TREEville trail, a strolling holiday experience in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark with more than a dozen uniquely decorated trees sharing stories of The Sweetest Place On Earth.
Sweet and Savory Seasonal Eats
There’s nothing sweeter than visiting Hersheypark during Christmas Candylane and indulging in holiday treats. Take in all the sights, sounds and attractions while sipping on hot chocolate, devouring a King-size shake or loading up at the Baked Potato Bar.
Hersheypark Hot Chocolate
No trip is complete without two or three refills of hot cocoa. Want as much as you can drink? Enjoy the Hot Chocolate Souvenir Mug All-Day Hot Drink Deal for only $15.49. This includes free refills at select locations on day of use. And you can bring your mugs back for $1 refills the remainder of the season.
Cups are available for purchase and redemption at Hot Chocolate Express at 1906 Grill, Simply Chocolate, Overlook S’mores, Fahrenheit S’mores and 8 Cut Crust locations.
Where to Find All Day Hot Chocolate Refills
- Nathan’s in Founder’s Way region
- Hot Chocolate Express at 1906 Grill
- Simply Chocolate
- Overlook S’mores
- Hot Chocolate Express
- Fahrenheit S’mores Cart
- Berks
- Chickie’s & Pete’s in Midway America region
- 8 Cut Crust Hot Chocolate Express
Hersheypark Hot Cocoa Menu
- SIMPLY CHOCOLATE – Enjoy warm hot cocoa topped with decadent cookies, or a King Size Shake with out of this world flavor combinations.
- Simply Hot Chocolate– Hot chocolate topped with chocolate whipped cream, vanilla and chocolate chips, and a chocolate crackle cookie. I’m a purist and this is my favorite of the specialty hot cocoa flavors!
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate– Peppermint hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, crushed peppermint, Hershey Kisses Candy Cane Mint Candy and a candy cane sugar cookie.
- Reese’s Hot Chocolate– Peanut butter hot chocolate topped with chocolate whipped cream, Reese’s Pieces Candy and a peanut butter blossom cookie.
- Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate– Toasted marshmallow hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and a smoked cinnamon graham cracker cookie.
Sweet Expert Tip– Order “The Works” with Whipped Cream and Mini Marshmallows for $1.50 extra.
Where to Find All Day Coffee Refills
For those in need of a caffeine hit to keep up with their kids, you can also get all-day coffee refills at these spots around the park.
- Starbucks
- Hot Chocolate Express at 1906 Grill
- Overlook S’mores & Hot Chocolate Express
- Berks
- 8 Cut Crust Hot Chocolate Express
Hersheypark Frozen Hot Chocolate Shakes
- Frozen Hot Chocolate King Size Shake: Frozen hot chocolate shake topped with two chocolate dipped pretzels with sprinkles and mini marshmallows, topped with a chocolate dipped brown butter toasted marshmallow rice krispy treat.
- Reese’s King Size Shake: Chocolate peanut butter shake with two chocolate dipped pretzels with sprinkles and peanut butter chips, topped with a white chocolate dipped snowflake peanut butter cookie with peanut butter filling.
- Caramel Apple Pie King Size Shake: Apple flavored shake with two chocolate dipped pretzels with toffee and cinnamon sugar, topped with an apple filling cookie.
Simply Chocolate
While you can get hot cocoa and shakes at Simply Chocolate, one of my very favorite Hersheypark Christmas treats is the warm banana bread sandwich. You can get this bread sandwich filled with a scoop of your choice of ice cream, but make sure you save room for seasonal foods you will want to try while in the park.
OVERLOOK FOOD COURT
Warm up in the heated indoor food court offering everything from chicken fingers, and mac and cheese, but my favorite item is the loaded baked potatoes! And they are only served during Christmas Candylane.
New this year is the Turkey Gobbler Pizza- it’s a mashed potato-based pizza slice topped with cheese, turkey and corn, served with a side of gravy and cranberry sauce.
BERKS HOT DOGS
In a hurry? Grab a classic Berks hot dog or level up your tastebuds with the holiday specials.
- Holiday Hot Dog – footlong hot dog with a cranberry sriracha spread, topped with stuffing, turkey and gravy.
- Chilly Hot Dog– footlong hot dog layered with cornbread and topped with chili.
1906 BREWS
Looking to warm up (or chill out) with an adult beverage, this is the spot! Here’s a taste of what you can sip when you step through the door.
- Frostbite – Firefly Spiked Lemonade with Blue Raspberry Rein
- Santa’s Hat – Spiked Cherry Slush, Whipped Cream topped with a Cherry
- Jingle Juice – Sour Green Apple with Blue Raspberry
- Fireside Cider– Hot Cider with Fireball
SPIRITS HOLIDAY ROOFTOP BAR
Head to this fun festive addition to the rooftop bar of The Chocolatier. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5p.m.-9p.m. until December 30, you can warm up with tasty treats like tipsy hot cocoa, regular hot cocoa, and other seasonal cocktails, as well as table-side s’mores boards for sharing.
MILTON’S ICE CREAM PARLOR
Escape the cold and enjoy a meal at Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor located in Chocolatetown. Aside from their amazing menu of gourmet grilled cheeses, buckets of fries and dipping sauces you can enjoy seasonal treats like these:
- Holiday Sandwich– Roasted turkey with stuffing between two slices of sourdough bread with turkey, gravy and a cranberry sriracha.
- Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich– Gingerbread snickerdoodle ice cream sealed between two warm snickerdoodle cookies.
THE SWEETERIE CONFECTIONARY KITCHEN
No visit to Hersheypark is complete without taking home a treat from the Sweeterie Confectionary Kitchen! The Hersheypark Pastry team has some dazzling holiday treats awaiting you that still make me drool just thinking about them.
Sweet Expert Tip– You don’t need park tickets to visit Spirits Holiday Rooftop Bar, Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor or The Sweeterie Confectionary Kitchen. They are all accessible outside of the park gates in Chocolatetown.
Hershey Sweet Lights
Just outside of Hersheypark is the Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through attraction. This separately ticketed experience runs through Jan. 1.
Hershey Sweet Lights features two miles of fields and wooded trails decorated with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays created from 2 million LED lights.
You will enjoy the lights from the comfort of your car while listening to holiday music. Many displays follow unique themes like The 12 Days of Christmas, Fairy Tales, a Victorian Village and Hersheypark rides.
Admission for a single car with up to 8 people ranges from $24.95 to $37.95 (varies by day) when purchased in advance online before 5 p.m. on the day of the visit. On-site pricing without a pre-purchased ticket is $44.15 plus tax.
Stay at the Official Hershey Resorts
Stay in The Sweetest Place On Earth and book a holiday getaway. There are three official Hersheypark resorts, The Hotel Hershey (luxury accommodation), Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort campground.
You can book a package deal that includes park tickets, or just a room if you want to experience Christmas in Hershey, PA.
Each of the resorts offers family activities for the kids from snowman hunts to holiday trivia and roasting s’mores fireside- you can check your resort guide upon check-in for all activities.
Find the best rates and availability on Hersheypark hotels HERE.
From dazzling lights, to beautifully decorated resorts and seasonal treats- Christmas in Hershey, PA is a holiday wonderland to get you in the Christmas spirit.
