Christmas Comes to #HersheyPA!

Get ready for holiday cheer as Christmas is right around the corner! Last year we had the most amazing holiday-filled Christmas visit to The Sweetest Place on Earth!… Hershey, PA. We are so excited to return this Friday as Christmas in Hershey begins once again!

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Can you believe that Christmas Candylane is marking it’s 35th anniversary this year? This holiday attraction will feature more than 45 rides (weather permitting), including six roller coasters: Sidewinder, Wildcat, sooperdooperLooper, Cocoa Cruiser, Wild Mouse and holiday-themed Laff Trakk. Plus you don’t want to miss the four million sparkling lights that will illuminate and excite guests as you make your way through Hersheypark Amusement Park.

Don’t forget to check out the dazzling NOEL light show choreographed with holiday music! It’s always one of my favorites to watch.

Many of the iconic Christmas Candylane activities will also return, such as Santa and all nine of his reindeer. As you know, each year they make a special stop at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Santa is available during all operating hours and families can stop by the reindeer stables to get an up-close look at their favorite reindeer live, including Rudolph!

In addition to roaming carolers, an engaging holiday show is again offered in the heated Music Box Theater to delight families. “Up on the Rooftop” features favorite Christmas songs, wacky elves, prancing reindeer, and Santa himself.

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.

Christmas Candylane begins this Friday, November 16, and is open on select dates through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. Online tickets are less than $20 when guests purchase tickets online before November 20; tickets are valid through Jan. 1. Season Pass holders enjoy unlimited free visits, in addition to a Season Pass Plus option on sale now that includes Christmas Candylane and unlimited fun in 2019.

Hershey Sweet Lights

One of my favorite attractions is the Hershey Sweet Lights! From the comfort of your own car, you can drive through a two-mile enchanted winter wonderland filled with nearly 600 illuminated, and animated displays. Hershey Sweet Lights attraction begins this Friday, November 16 and is open daily through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. 

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park

Every time we visit Hersheypark, my son loves to pop into ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. Luckily the zoo is open year round with Wild Winter Treats, and Wild Winter Adventures, where you’ll learn how animals survive in the cold winter months and get up-close with animal encounters and more. Morning and afternoon sessions are available, and preregistration is required.

Hershey Gardens

Hershey Gardens is hosting Crafty Christmas Creations workshops in their Education Center this year! Kids can celebrate the holidays by stopping in for some holiday craft making. Create ornaments using items from nature, such as pine cones and wood cookies. A display of holiday trees decorated with ornaments made by local grade school students will add to the holiday spirit. Included in admission, but members are free!

Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction

This year’s Hershey’s Chocolate World holiday activities include:

• Breakfast with Santa – Breakfast Buffet is from 7:30-9:00 a.m. November 17-18, 23-25, December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23.

• See the unique Annual Hershey’s Holiday Chocolate House! Every inch is covered in Hershey’s confectionery products and a sweet donation is made to Children’s Miracle Network.

• Hershey Sweet Lights Trolley: Journey through Hershey Sweet Lights, a magical holiday light display, on board an old-fashioned trolley. Our 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.
  

The Hershey Story Museum

Check out all the fun events going on at The Hershey Story Museum:

• Little Elves Workshop – Participants will roll, cut and ice their creations and design their own packaging. $5.00 per ornament; adults may accompany participating children at no charge. Available select dates November 17 – December 27 at 10:00 a.m. Sensory-friendly Workshops start at 9 a.m.

  

• Snowball Saturdays – Friendly indoor snowball fights are the centerpiece of this holiday event!  Free; admission to the Museum Experience not required. Available December 1, 8 & 15, scheduled times between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The Hotel Hershey & Hershey Lodge

This holiday season, both The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge are offering sweet holiday getaway packages! When you stay overnight at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, you can enjoy “Breakfast with Santa,” “Hersheypark Christmas Candylane” and “Hersheypark Happy Christmas” packages during the holiday season.

The Hotel Hershey also offers a “Lunch with Santa” package. All packages include deluxe accommodations, admission to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, Hershey Sweet Lights, Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum, plus a dining experience.  

Overnight guests of Hershey Lodge resort receive exclusive access to Hershey’s Water Works at Hershey Lodge, the indoor pool complex that includes two interactive indoor pools, Twizzlers twists slides, the Reese’s Water Walk attraction, water play structures, 24-hour arcade and the Cocoa Cabana dining location.

Last year for the holidays, we stayed at The Woodside Cottages at The Hotel Hershey. I can’t say enough about how amazing were the accommodations! The Woodside Cottages make for a memorable holiday experience, as they are the most premium accommodations at the Hotel.

The Woodside Cottages feature larger bedrooms, world-class bathrooms and private outdoor entrances. Individual rooms or full cottages are available for reservations. Guests who reserve a full four- or six-bedroom cottage receive access to a multi-functional great room with cathedral ceilings, fireplace, microwave and wet bar.

Don’t forget… Hersheypark Camping Resort campground is open year-round and features two-bedroom deluxe log cabins. These popular accommodations sleep up to seven guests and provide campers with amenities such as heat, bathroom with a shower, kitchenette, dining area and living room area with sofa and TV.

For details on all of these properties, visit www.Hersheypark.com/lodging.

The Spa At The Hotel Hershey & MeltSpa by Hershey

This year both The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and MeltSpa by Hershey are offering Pumpkin Spice treatments as part of their seasonal collection! These treatments, which include body scrubs, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, and more, are available through November 30, 2018.

Entertainment

Check out all the festive holiday shows that will be featured in Hershey, PA, this holiday 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

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:

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!

But most importantly… ALL THE HOLIDAY FUN begins THIS FRIDAY, November 16!

While Hersheypark Season Passes and accommodations were provided by Hershey Resorts and Entertainment, all opinions are 100% my own. Photos property of Hershey, PA.