Top Reasons to Enjoy Christmas in Hershey, PA!

Tis the season!! Last week I detailed here on the blog all that holiday fun taking place in The Sweetest Place on Earth!… Hershey, PA.  Last Friday marked the 2017 opening for Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane, and of course we were in attendance to get in the Christmas spirit. After enjoying some of the holiday excitement that Hershey has to offer, here are my top reasons of why you and your family should enjoy a visit to Hershey, PA, during the Christmas season.

Christmas Candylane Lights

Back on November 10, the Christmas Candylane^® holiday attraction at Hersheypark Amusement Park opened! You can visit Christmas Candylane on select dates through Monday, January 1, 2018. 

I took both my son and parents to opening night. It was absolutely breathtaking to see all the lights illuminate the amusement park. Everywhere we looked, lights lights lights!

I honestly felt like I was in a magic Christmas wonderland.

When you go, make sure you jump on the Dry Gulch Railroad! I don’t want to give too much away, but the kids will love all the light displays. It was definitely one of my son’s favorite experiences at Hersheypark that night.

Make sure you check out the whole park though! See if you can spot the ’12 Days of Christmas’ displays.

Hot Chocolate Stops

Want to stay warm in Hersheypark? Make sure you grab your Hot Chocolate Souvenir Mug! Purchase the red 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 2017 Christmas Candylane season.

Purchase the blue mug for $16.75, and you can drink FREE all season during every visit to the 2017 Christmas Candylane season. 

Santa’s Reindeer

So what is another reason to visit Hershey for Christmas? They bring the magic! It’s true! Santa and all nine of his reindeer make a special stop, right in Hersheypark.

Don’t believe me? Stop at Santa’s Stables and see for yourself! 

Staff from ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park are on-hand with fun reindeer facts and information tidbits.

NOEL

One of my favorite experiences at Hershey during the Christmas season is NOEL. It is an absolutely breathtaking light show that features more than 200,000 dancing lights!

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…

A Music Box Christmas: The Enchanted Journey

Sometimes we all need a little break from the cold weather. Now I admit, I’ve never been one for shows at amusement parks. However, as we passed the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre, we decided to jump in at the last minute to check out their show for 2017, The Enchanted Journey.

My son actually really enjoyed it, as did the rest of the children in the audience. There is Christmas music, bright colors, zany characters, and even The Most Powerful Elf makes an appearance! It really is a cute Christmas show and worth the watch.

The Christmas Spirit

Another reason that I love to visit Hershey, PA, during the Christmas season, is that you can find the spirit for Christmas everywhere. Thinking back of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place, I was pleasantly surprised to see a Nativity scene 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.

Also don’t forget to grab some sweet treats for yourself from the bakery and food court! I’m obsessed with the Gingerbread Cupcakes. But the Cranberry Bars and Peppermint Brownies were also favorites.

Though we did not have time to experience it, you can also purchase tickets for the Holly Jolly Trolley at Chocolate World. Take a cozy trip on an old-fashioned trolley which is guaranteed to get you in the Christmaspirit with caroling, stories, and even a special visit from a certain jolly, old elf. How cool does that sound?

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. This 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.

During our recent visit, we opted to stay in The Woodside Cottages at The Hotel Hershey. You can read our non-sponsored review HERE.

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

Another great reason to visit Hershey is their holiday events. Check out the line up of festive holiday shows this season:

• Holiday with Dickens (Holiday Tea or Holiday Dinner) – December 3 at The Hotel Hershey

• “Rudolph” – December 6 and 7 at Hershey Theatre

• Hershey Symphony presents Holiday Spectacular – December 9 at Hershey Theatre

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra – December 15 at Giant Center

• George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” – December 16 and 17 at Hershey Theatre

• Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith Christmas Tour – December 17 at Giant Center

• Straight No Chaser – December 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:

Holiday Comes to Hershey + Christmas CandyLane at Hersheypark
Enjoy the Flavors of Fall at Hersheypark & Hershey’s Chocolate World
Sweet Halloween Fun at Hersheypark in the Dark
Ready to #DefendTheDen: 2017-2018 Hershey Bears Hockey
Enjoy Sweet Indulgence at MeltSpa by Hershey in Downtown #HersheyPA
Enjoy a Sweet Halloween at Hersheypark in the Dark!
Breakers Edge Water Coaster and Whitecap Racer Debut at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark in 2018
Enjoy a New Level of Comfort Food at Hershey Lodge’s FIRE & GRAIN
Experience BBLz™ Now at Hersheypark
The “Non-Roller-Coaster-Rider” Guide to Hersheypark
Treat Yourself to a Sweet King Size Shake at Hersheypark
Top Reasons to Stay at Hershey Lodge
Enjoy a Family Night Out with Hershey Bears Hockey

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