It wouldn’t be summer in Hershey without the sounds of pop, country, rock, rap and more filling the air courtesy of Hersheypark Stadium. This year, three festival-style performances top the annual Summer Concert Series marquee at the outdoor venue, which holds up to 30,000 show-goers.
Back for its third year, Mixtape Festival delivers a blend of current and throwback pop music on Saturday, June 27, at 4 pm (tickets start at $30.10). Among the pop icons and platinum-selling acts taking the stage to perform full sets are New Kids on the Block, TLC, Nelly, Sugar Ray, Salt-n-Pepa and Vanilla Ice.
The following day, Sunday, June 28, at 4 pm, six of today’s hottest pop acts also present full-length performances during the Show of the Summer concert. The lineup includes Shawn Mendes, Fifth Harmony, R5, Jack & Jack, Sabrina Carpenter and Jacob Whitesides (tickets start at $30.10).
Finally, the Country Rock & Rewind Festival arrives in Hershey on Saturday, August 22, at 6 pm (tickets start at $30.10). Featuring performances by Rascal Flatts, Rick Springfield, Ashley Monroe and The Romantics, this brand-new event is a little bit country and a little bit rock ’n’ roll.
Filling out the Summer Concert Series schedule are seven additional events, offering music that spans the decades from the 1970s to the present. Hersheypark Stadium welcomes:
- Jason Aldean, who took home his third consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music last month, on Saturday, May 30, at 7:30 pm (tickets start at $25), joined by Cole Swindell, Tyler Farr and Dee Jay Silver.
- The chart-topping, Grammy-winning rock band Train on Thursday, June 11, at 7 pm (tickets start at $29.50), along with The Fray and Matt Nathanson.
- American Idol (Season 1) winner Kelly Clarkson, who’s earned three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and one Country Music Association Award, on Saturday, July 11, at 7 pm (tickets start at $25), joined by Pentatonix, Eric Hutchinson and Abi Ann.
- Pop superstar Ariana Grande on Sunday, July 26, at 7:30 pm (tickets starts at $30.10), along with Prince Royce.
- Multi-platinum rock band Nickelback on Saturday, August 8, at 7:30 pm (tickets start at $25).
- Van Halen, formed in Los Angeles in 1974 and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, on Sunday, August 23, at 7:30 pm (tickets start at $25), joined by the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band.
- Pop punk sensations 5 Seconds of Summer, touring in support of their Billboard-topping, self-titled debut album, on Saturday, August 29, at 7:30 pm (tickets start at $29.50).
Must-Know: Hersheypark is right next door to Hersheypark Stadium, and concert-goers can receive a discount on admission to the theme park the day before, day of, or day after an event. Simply present your ticket at the Hersheypark Ticketing Services Building.
Nearby: If you’re visiting the inn during Memorial Day weekend, be sure to check out the PennLive/Patriot-News ArtsFest of Greater Harrisburg, which runs from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, and from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday, May 25. In addition to more than 250 artists selling crafts, jewelry, paintings, photographs, garden sculptures and other items, there are musical performances, gourmet and festival-type food, a Kidsfest, and the Moviate Underground Film Festival.
And while you’re in Harrisburg, consider getting a different perspective on the city aboard The Pride of the Susquehanna paddlewheel riverboat, which offers 45-minute sightseeing tours at noon, 1, 2 and 3 pm on Saturday, May 23, Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25.