Updated for 2024. Come and celebrate the holidays in Hershey, PA. Escape the stress and mundanity this holiday season, and let your heart be light. Here’s our curated list of events in and near Hershey — we recommend them all! It’s time to fill your vacation itinerary with jolly and bright events and activities. Make catching all the holiday sites on the Sweet Treats Trail a game with bingo cards!
Holiday Entertainment
There are so many things to do in winter in Hershey, but one of the most popular activities is to catch a show. Our area has multiple venues showing every holiday performance you can imagine. Comedies, ballets, concerts, or acrobatic feats…we’ve got them all!
Hershey Theatre
Every year, we celebrate the season with a line-up that’s as dazzlingly bright as all the Christmas lights decorating our streets. There is always something to see at Hershey Theatre!
Experience the grace of the State Ballet of Ukraine’s Swan Lake in early November, followed by the legendary duo Air Supply. Don’t miss Jessie Murph’s captivating performance or the festive magic of Derek Hough’s Dance for the Holidays in late November.
As the weather cools, the performances heat up with award-winning productions like Hamilton and the joyous Hershey Symphony Holiday Spectacular in December. Celebrate the season by catching Cirque Musica, Leslie Odom Jr., or The Nutcracker showings.
Start the New Year laughing with comedian Joe Gatto in January, and fall in love all over again with Pretty Woman. Don’t miss out on the magic — grab tickets for a holiday show now!
Giant Center
Looking for something bigger and louder? Then, the Giant Center is your destination for holiday events this season! Kick off the festivities with a holiday concert like Pentatonix’s “Hallelujah, It’s a Christmas Tour” or the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Sports fans can catch a Hershey Bears hockey game all winter long. With events for everyone, including family-friendly ice shows and professional hockey games, the Giant Center has no shortage of excitement. Don’t miss your chance to create lasting holiday memories — join us for the fun and grab your tickets today!
Live Performances in Lancaster
Catch a local Christmas play at the Bird-in-Hand Stage in Lancaster. This year’s holiday show lineup will be
- The Christmas Candy Caper, running from November 1 to December 28
- Ryan & Friends: A Comic Christmas, open November 14 & 22 and December 13 & 28.
Christmas Tree Showcase
Head to Hershey Gardens, just 6 minutes from The Inn at Westwynd Farm, for their Christmas Tree Showcase. View nine stunning tree displays, each uniquely designed by local artists, along with a striking 14-foot poinsettia tree and an 8-foot bromeliad tree. The Butterfly Atrium will also be decorated for the season.
Enjoy live holiday music on Sundays from 1:30 to 3pm. Families can take a special holiday photo in a sleigh inspired by Hersheypark’s Comet coaster car. It’s a souvenir that is quintessentially Hershey! You won’t miss the “Student Christmas Tree Showcase,” displaying creative ornaments made by local school students on live Fraser fir trees in the Garden Cottage.
The Christmas Tree Showcase runs from November 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025. It will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Christmas at Hersheypark
No winter getaway would be complete without a visit to this iconic location. Some of the biggest holiday events in Hershey will be at Hersheypark. Get ready for a magical Christmas at Hersheypark, where festive lights and thrilling rides bring the season’s spirit to life. Join us as we explore the delightful holiday offerings that make Hersheypark a must-visit destination this season!
Holiday Lights
Visit one of the dazzling holiday light displays around Hersheypark. The Hershey Sweet Lights display is the area’s largest and most popular light display. Enjoy nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays from the comfort of your car as you drive through 2 miles of wooded trails. It is open from November 15, 2024, through January 1, 2025.
Hershey Christmas Candylane
More twinkling holiday lights await at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Stop by the Kissmas Tree display at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Enjoy seeing the iconic Kisses Fountain decked out in its holiday best or taking festive photos with your favorite Hershey Characters.
Visitors can pay a special visit to Santa and his nine live reindeer or meet him for a delicious breakfast buffet. Reserve your tickets today through January 1, 2025.
Holiday Rides
Enjoy a Hersheypark Christmas with all of your favorite rides, including Candymonium, the park’s tallest and fastest coaster; Hyperdeck, an immersive virtual reality experience; and delicious dining experiences like The Chocolatier.
Holiday Shopping
Check holiday shopping off your list at the Hersheypark Collections shops, the premier Hersheypark Supply Co., and more!
- Stroll along Chocolate Avenue for some great shopping and dining experiences.
- Peruse distinctive gifts from Crossroads Antique Mall and Olde Factory Shoppes.
- Discover unique toys for the kid with everything from Toys on the Square.
- Enjoy one-stop shopping at the Tanger Outlets Hershey for clothing, shoes, handbags, candles, toys, name-brand shops, Starbucks, and much more.
Hershey Trolley Works
All aboard! Take a trolley tour around the town of Hershey. During the holiday season, Hershey Trolley Works offers special holiday trolley tours:
- The Holly Jolly Trolley: At 40 minutes, this is the shortest of the holiday tours. It is a Christmas-themed variation of the Original Trolley Show. Guests will be treated to carols, heartwarming stories about Mr. Hershey’s life, and a special visit from Santa himself!
- Sweet Lights Trolley: This 50- to 60-minute journey through Hershey Sweet Lights — Hersheypark’s spectacular drive-through light display — allows guests to relax as they enjoy caroling and complimentary chocolate, all while taking in the dazzling holiday scenery from an exclusive private entrance.
These special holiday trolley tours run from November 15 to December 31.
Harrisburg Holiday Parade
Join us at The Inn at Westwynd Farm and visit the City of Harrisburg for the annual Holiday Parade! The event features marching bands, decorated floats, dance groups, step and drill team units, giant parade balloons, Santa, and more. Awards will be presented, including Best in Theme. After the parade, don’t miss the FREE hot chocolate and cookies in Strawberry Square with Santa Claus.
Now that you know the best ways to celebrate the holidays in Hershey, PA, check availability for the perfect accommodations and Hershey Christmas packages. Your festive winter escape awaits!
Happy Holidays 🎄 from all of us at The Inn at Westwynd Farm!