It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are almost here! We decided to welcome some Christmas cheer this month, and headed to The Sweetest Place on Earth!… Hershey, PA for the 2018 opening of Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane! What better way to get into the holiday spirit? Check out all the amazing holiday happenings we experienced that are going on in Hershey, PA this season.
Christmas Candylane Lights
The Christmas Candylane® holiday attraction at Hersheypark Amusement Park opened for business back on Friday, November 16! It is now open on select dates through January 1, 2019.
Christmas Candylane holiday attraction features more than 45 rides (weather permitting), including six roller coasters: Sidewinder, Wildcat, sooperdooperLooper, Cocoa Cruiser, Wild Mouse and holiday-themed Laff Trakk. The carnival style games are open as well, with the chance to win holiday themed prizes!
Just like previous years, lights were EVERYWHERE! Over 4 million lights to be exact.
Don’t forget to check out the NOEL light show! It is an absolutely breathtaking light show that features more than 200,000 dancing light. The light show is all synchronized to festive Christmas music. The shows start every half hour starting at 5 PM.
Here’s a sneak peek I filmed back in 2017..
It’s like a magical Christmas wonderland! Make sure you catch a ride on the Kissing Tower. Such a great view of the Park all festive for the holidays.
My son was especially happy that the Twin Turnpike cars were open. Nothing like driving through all the light displays to get into the holiday mood.
One ride you don’t want to miss while attending Christmas Candylane is the Dry Gulch Railroad!
The railroad ride is definitely one of our family’s favorites for the holidays.
Hersheypark does an amazing job with all the light displays!
Photo Opportunities
Hersheypark is wonderful when it comes to offering holiday photo opportunities! Their official photographers are out by the Fountain, waiting to snap your photo with an official Hersheypark Christmas Candylane sign.
Of course there is also the photo op with Santa!! But my son’s favorite photo ops are with the famous Hershey Characters, like Reese.
New this year is an indoor, heated photo opportunity with three of our Hershey Characters across from Santa in Kissing Tower Hill themed area. And s’mores, iconic hot chocolate and a new cookies decorating kit will be offered for visitors to indulge in a taste of the holidays.
Hot Chocolate Bar & Refills
Want to stay warm in Hersheypark? Hot Chocolate will keep you nice and toasty! Stop by Simply Chocolate and check out their Hot Chocolate Bar.
They are offering a wide variety of flavor themes! Don’t they all sound so delicious?
Ultimately we chose to go with Peppermint (but Toasted Marshmallow was a close second choice!).
So good! If you love mint and chocolate, you will love this Hot Chocolate. My son sure did!
Also make sure you grab your Hot Chocolate Souvenir Mug! Purchase the light blue mug for $11.75 and drink FREE all day on your day of purchase/visit, and then receive $.99 (plus tax) refills the remainder of the 2018 Christmas Candylane season.
Purchase the red mug for $16.75, and you can drink FREE all season during every visit to the 2018 Christmas Candylane season.
Santa’s Reindeer
Santa’s reindeer have once again made a stop at Hersheypark before their big night in late December!
Make sure you stop by Santa’s Stables in Hersheypark to experience the magic and see the reindeer for yourself! Staff from ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park are on-hand with fun reindeer facts and information tidbits.
Up on the Rooftop
Need a little break from the cold? Head on over to the HEATED Chevrolet Music Box Theatre.
This year’s holiday production is Up on the Rooftop!
This enchanting show features favorite Christmas songs, wacky elves, prancing reindeer, and Santa himself! Watch the magic of Christmas comes to life with “Up on the Rooftop.”
The Christmas Spirit
A visit to Hershey, PA, isn’t all just about colorful sparkly lights and delicious chocolate. I love how Hersheypark still embodies the Christmas spirit in not on the giving the “gift of fun” to all Hersheypark guests, but also with displaying the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. I absolutely love the Nativity scene that sits at the front of Hersheypark.
As you walk through Hersheypark, you’ll see that shops and even some of the decor and displays on rides have changed to a Christmas theme. The amusement park is thoroughly decorated for the holiday season, even during the daytime without the illuminating lights. You can’t help but be full of Christmas cheer!
Hershey Sweet Lights
Definitely a top reason to visit Hershey, PA, is to see the Hershey Sweet Lights!! I’m not kidding when I say you’ll be blown away.
There are nearly 600 light displays! There is a number of different themed “lands,” so to speak, that you travel through, such as The Enchanted Forest, Victorian Village, Your Favorite Tales, and more.
For us, this was the perfect way to end our evening after the excitement of Christmas Candylane. You stay right in the warmth of your car. Hershey Sweet Lights attraction is open daily through Monday, January 1, 2018.
At Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction, you can catch the Hershey Sweet Lights Trolley: Journey through Hershey Sweet Lights. You can experience the displays on board an old-fashioned trolley. The trolley conductor will have carols, and HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates on hand for your ride. And speaking of Chocolate World…
Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction
The Christmas fun continues in Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction!
Once in Chocolate World, make sure you check out the Hershey’s Holiday Chocolate House! Can you believe that every inch is covered in Hershey’s confectionery products and a sweet donation is made to Children’s Miracle Network.
New this year is a station where you can personalize candy wrappers. You can add your own photo or sweet message! Holiday themed templates have been added for the season.
Don’t forget to check out all the fun holiday events going on a HERSHEY’s Chocolate World:
-
Breakfast with Santa – Breakfast Buffet is from 7:30-9:00 a.m. December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23.
-
Hershey Sweet Lights Trolley: Journey through Hershey Sweet Lights, a magical holiday light display, on board an old-fashioned trolley. The trolley conductor will have carols, chocolates, and creative commentary to entertain guests of all ages.
-
Holly Jolly Trolley: Take a cozy trip on an old-fashioned trolley which is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit with caroling, stories, and even a special visit from a certain jolly, old elf. Happening December 22-31, during select times.
Hershey Gardens
During our stay at The Hotel Hershey, we received complimentary tickets to Hershey Gardens. For the holiday season, the Gardens has various themed Christmas trees on display.
With your admission, you’ll receive special Snowman and Reindeer glasses. When you place the glasses on, you’ll magically see the lights throughout the Gardens turn into snowman and reindeer for your viewing pleasure!
Don’t forget to check out the Crafty Christmas Creations workshops in their Education Center! Kids can stop in for some holiday craft making. My son especially enjoyed painting the wooden ornaments.
The Hotel Hershey & Hershey Lodge
Both The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge are all decorated for the holidays and are offering the Hersheypark Happy Christmas Package to guests, as well as other packages like the “Breakfast with Santa,” and “Hersheypark Christmas Candylane” packages.
The Hersheypark Happy Christmas package includes: Deluxe accommodations for two nights, milk and cookies for four on night of arrival, two-day admission to Christmas Candylane holiday attraction per person, admission for one vehicle to Hershey Sweet Lights attraction, admission to Hershey Gardens (including the year-round Butterfly Atrium), and admission to The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience.
Previously we’ve stayed at The Woodside Cottages at The Hotel Hershey. You can read our non-sponsored review HERE. It’s the perfect setting for a holiday weekend getaway.
Any of the Official Hershey Resorts make for a memorable holiday experience. You can visit www.HersheyLodge.com and/or www.TheHotelHershey.com for more details.
Hershey Events
Check out the line up of upcoming events and shows this season:
- Captain Scott Kelly: The Sky is Not the Limit – November 10 at Hershey Theatre
- Marvel Universe Live! Age of Heroes – November 23 – November 25 at Giant Center arena
- Mannheim Steamroller Christmas – November 30 at Hershey Theatre
- Jason Mraz – December 2 at Hershey Theatre
- A Charlie Brown Christmas – December 5 and 6 at Hershey Theatre
- Hershey Symphony presents Holiday Spectacular – December 8 at Hershey Theatre
- Straight No Chaser – December 9 at Hershey Theatre
- A Clint Black Christmas – December 14 at Hershey Theatre
- Chris Tomlin Christmas – December 15 at Hershey Theatre
- Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour – December 16 at Hershey Theatre
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra Presents The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – December 16 at Giant Center arena
- CYPB’s “The Nutcracker” – December 22 and 23 at Hershey Theatre
Make sure you visit www.HersheyEntertainment.com for tickets and more information.
Want to learn more about what Hershey, PA has to offer? Check out some of my recent Hershey posts! While some of these events are already over for the season, keep your eye out for the fun to return next year:
Christmas Comes to Hershey, PA
2018 Flavors of Fall at Hersheypark & HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD
Enjoy Spooky Family Fun at Hersheypark in the Dark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
Get Ready for the Happiest Halloween at Hersheypark in the Dark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
S’moosh Your S’mores at HERSHEY’S Chocolate World
Reese’s Cupfusion Coming to Hersheypark in 2019! ~ #Hersheypark2019
Experience Sweet Candy Creation Fun: Create Your Own Candy Bar at HERSHEY’S Chocolate World
Beat the Summer Heat at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
New Lemon-Barry Wave Flavor Available at BBLz™ at Hersheypark!
New for #Hersheypark2018: The Swirl King Size Shakes!
Get #HersheyparkHappy This Summer: 4-Pack Ticket #Giveaway! ~ #SweetestMoms
Enjoy Food Truck Fun at #HPFoodTruckFridays in Hersheypark!
Experience Unlimited Sweet Fun with a 2018 Hersheypark Season Pass! ~ #HPSeasonPass
Food Truck Fridays Come to Hersheypark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
Hersheypark Springtime In The Park Opens March 30
A Sweet Year of Fun with 2018 #SweetestMoms!
While Hersheypark Season Passes were provided by Hershey Resorts and Entertainment, all opinions are 100% my own.
[…] many think of Hersheypark Amusement Park, they think of roller coasters, carnival games, family fun and of course, chocolate! However, one […]