Christmas at Hersheypark: Everything You Need to Know for 2024

There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season in Pennsylvania than Christmas at Hersheypark!

Classic rides like the sooper dooper Looper and the Ferris Wheel, as well as newer favorites like Candymonium and Wildcat’s Revenge, make it fun for thrill seekers.

All of the lights, Santa, and a unique character meet and greet make it the perfect holiday experience for everyone.

While we love visiting Hersheypark any time of the year, there is something special about visiting during the holidays.

1. Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark Hours

Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark starts November 15th for 2024 and runs through New Year’s Day. It opens early in the season making it a great place to celebrate Christmas on the east coast, even before Thanksgiving!

Hersheypark is open for Christmas fun Fridays- Sundays in November, plus the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving day.

Then, the park is open most days in December, with varied hours depending on the day. Visit the Hersheypark website for the most up-to-date hours.

2. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Rides

There are plenty of rides open at Hersheypark during their Christmas Candylane celebration. They include roller coasters, family rides, and kiddie rides.

Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides

Seven rollercoasters are open during Christmas at Hersheypark, including fan favorites like Candymonium and the sooper dooper Looper. Even smaller guests can enjoy the Cocoa Cruiser. The newest roller coaster, Wildcat’s Revenge, will also be open!

For those love drops, the Hershey’s Triple Towers will be open, ready to give guests incredible views of the lights in the park while dropping them from an 189-foot tall tower!

Good to know: Many rides will close if the temperature is too cold or it’s too windy.

Family Rides

Family favorites like the Ferris Wheel, the Monorail, and the Twin Turnpike are ready for riders. Don’t forget to take a ride on the Dry Gulch Railroad at night! They’ve decorated along the track with tons of lights and Christmas cheer.

Kiddie Rides

One of the best reasons to visit Hersheypark with kids is the number of rides they can enjoy. It’s no different during Christmas at Hershey. Some of the smallest visitors can get on over 30 rides during the holiday season. It’s such a fun reason to bring your toddler to Hershey!

Even More Rides

More rides are available during Christmas Candyland at Hersheypark, like the famous Reese’s Cupfusion and the new MIX’d Flavored by Jolly Rancher. For a complete list of what’s available, visit the Hersheypark website.

Visitor Tip: Before you enter the park, make sure you find out your candy height! It’ll be the easiest way to see which rides kids can go on before you even walk up to the ride entrance.

3. Christmas Lights at Hersheypark

Christmas at Hersheypark is one of the best times to visit with all the extra activities.

The first thing guests will notice is all of the lights! Hersheypark is decked out in more than 5 million lights throughout the park, including along the Dry Gulch Railroad.

Don’t miss the NOEL Lightshow, with lights choreographed to holiday favorites. The show runs nightly every half-hour starting at 5 pm. You’ll have the best views from the three bridges overlooking Spring Creek. Or you can take a gondola-style ride on the Skyview attraction right over the lights!

4. Visit With Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Reindeer

The big guy himself will be ready to hear all about Christmas wish lists and take photos with kids during the holiday season.

Santa is located right in Founders Way at the old carousel location. He’ll be there every day through December 24th.

Visitor’s Tip: Download the Hersheypark App before you visit! You’ll have access to ride wait times, a park map, and mobile food ordering.

Santa can’t travel to Hersheypark without the help of his reindeer! Guests can visit with them at the Fahrenheit Catering pavilion. This is the only place in the Northeast to see all nine reindeer!

5. Character Meet & Greets

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet with some of the sweetest characters on earth! Hershey and friends are dressed up in their holiday gear and ready for photos at the Music Box Theater.

6. TREEville at the Boardwalk

Starting December 6th, the Boardwalk area of Hersheypark will be filled with a dozen Christmas trees that share stories about Hersheypark and the Sweetest Place on Earth.

New for 2024, the Kissmas Tree will also be with the trees at the Boardwalk.

7. Fun Food Options

There are several unique food offerings for the Christmas season at Hersheypark. Cookies, donuts, special milkshakes, and all-day hot chocolate are to satisfy your sweet tooth. And savory options like loaded baked potatoes, bread bowl soup, and pulled pork sandwiches are available at select locations throughout the park.

Other Things to Know Before You Visit Hersheypark at Christmas

These tips will help you make the most of your time at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

• Arrive early: The gates will open about 15 minutes before the official park time opening. Guests will be held at Founders Way until the official park time opens, but you can begin to line up for the Candymonium and Carousel.

• Not every ride is available: Although most of Hersheypark’s rides are operational during Christmas Candyland, not every ride is open. Some rollercoasters are closed for safety due to the lower temperatures. You can find out which rides are open here.

• Plan for lines: Although many rides are available, the park can get crowded, making some of the most popular rides have lines up to two hours long. Arrive early enough to get the big rides done first so you can enjoy the rest of your evening enjoying the lights and food at the park.

• Visit the Zoo: Admission to Zoo America is included with your ticket to Hersheypark.

• Wear layers: As the sun goes down, the temperature drops and will get cold! Make sure you have appropriate clothing to keep you warm.

• Download the Hersheypark app: Use the app to navigate through the park, find updated ride wait times, and view food menus.

Fun Things to Do Near Hersheypark in the Winter

There are so many fun things to do in Hershey during the colder months.

Hershey’s Sweet Lights

For more Christmas fun, see the two-mile-long Hershey’s Sweet Lights. This Christmas light drive-through is open daily starting November 18th and runs through New Year’s Day. Don’t forget to buy your tickets ahead of time.

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Hershey’s Chocolate World is an event all to itself! Enjoy more time at the Sweetest Place on Earth by riding the Chocolate Factory Ride, making your own Chocolate bar, or trying a sweet concoction at the tasting lab.

Hershey Story Museum and the Hershey Gardens

Even in winter, the Hershey Gardens are fun to explore. The children’s garden is perfect any time of year, and the butterfly house is the ideal place to warm up!

If you are curious about the Hershey company and its history, you’ll love the Hershey Story Museum. Several exhibits depict information about Milton S. Hershey’s life before he started his namesake chocolate company and how it has grown over the years.

Where to Stay For Christmas at Hersheypark?

You have several hotel options near Hersheypark, including the fabulous Hotel Hershey. But one of the best hotels is the Hershey Lodge. The Hershey Lodge offers guests FREE transportation to and from the park, as well as extra time at the park using the Preview Plan.

Guests staying at the Hershey Lodge also receive FREE admission to Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum. They are some of the fun things to do in Hershey in addition to Hersheypark at Christmastime.

The best part about the Hershey Lodge is the pool, which is more like a mini waterpark. Hershey’s Water Works at Hershey Lodge has many fun things to do, like body slides, sprayers, and even floating Reese’s cups to walk over.