Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is one of the best holiday theme park events on the East Coast, and one that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. If your family loves spending the holiday season at theme parks, this one belongs on your list. We are sharing all that is included for your visit during Christmas at Hersheypark.
We have been visiting Hersheypark throughout the year and the Christmas Candylane season transforms the park into something genuinely magical. Holiday lights on select attractions, seasonal treats, character meets, and all the rides still running make it a full theme park day with a holiday twist.
It is the kind of event that works for all ages. Little kids who want to meet characters, teens who want to ride coasters, and parents who want a cup of hot cocoa and a reason to slow down before the chaos of December hits.
Over the last decade we have included Christmas at Hersheypark in our seasonal celebration. This is your complete guide to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane 2026- dates, what to expect, tips for planning your visit, and everything you need to know before you go.
Planning your full Hersheypark visit? Our Hersheypark Guide covers everything- rides, dining, hotels, and seasonal events throughout the year.
- Christmas at Hersheypark- Our Experience
- Hersheypark Christmas 2026 Dates
- Cost of Hersheypark at Christmas
- What to Do During the Christmas Holiday at Hersheypark
- Where to Stay for Christmas at Hersheypark
- Tips for Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark
- Hershey Chocolate World During Christmas
- Is Hersheypark Christmas Worth It
Christmas at Hersheypark- Our Experience
Our plan for our trip to Hersheypark for Christmas Candylane was to arrive in the afternoon explore Hershey Chocolate World, have dinner at the Chocolatier, and then use our preview ticket to visit Hersheypark at night.
Preview ticket allows guests entrance into the park 2.5 hours before park close for park guests. This is a great way to maximize your time at the park. There are 4 resort options. They are The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, Hersheypark Camping Resort, and Hershey Inn & Suites. The perks of staying at a Hersheypark resort mean more preview time, Sweet Start (early entry), and shuttle to and from the park.
If you only have 1 night you want to do all the evening holiday attractions during your preview time. Save the rides during the day on the next day.
We had park day tickets for Sunday but entered the park at 7:30pm on Saturday night. This was a really cool perk and all I had to do was show our Sunday tickets. Always check the website for times and to confirm but this “preview night” is typical.
Saturday night we watched the night show and did as many as the outdoor holiday “light” attractions that really sparkle at night.
A lot of the attractions are open during the Christmas event. Our favorites were:
- Nightly Light Show-A choreographed light show synchronized to classic holiday tunes and popular Christmas music. Noel is replaced for the 2026 season with Fire & Ice.
- Meet Hershey Characters dressed up in holiday outfits to meet.
- Mary N. Bright Airfield- Start at the Yule Lodge to visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Elves. Then guests can visit Hangar 96 to meet all 9 reindeer before they leave on Christmas Eve.
- TREEville at the Boardwalk- A festive tree trail telling the story of The Sweetest Place on Earth.
- Hot chocolate and seasonal treats: available throughout the park.
- Holiday attractions: We love experiencing the Hersheypark rides with a holiday overlay.
- Laff Trakk: Indoor Dark Rollercoaster decorated with lights for the season with a Holiday soundtrack. This also had the longest line. If you want to ride it arrive early or at the end of the night.
- Kissing Tower: A tower that lifts up and rotates. Gorgeous views of the town and park.
- Reese’s Cupfusion: Often long lines, try to ride early in the day.
- Monorail: Birds eye view of the park. A great way to rest your feet and see the lights from above.
Hersheypark Christmas 2026 Dates
Hersheypark Christmas Candyland runs on select dates November 13th-January 3rd. Most weekends and holiday weeks are open. Check your dates here.
Cost of Hersheypark at Christmas
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane tickets start at $46.99 and you can find discounted tickets on their website.
What to Do During the Christmas Holiday at Hersheypark
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the holiday event at Hersheypark. It features holiday décor and special events through Hersheypark and the resorts. Below is a brief list of what you can find at Hersheypark Christmas.
- Fire & Ice Experience (Show)
- Festive Cars on Twin Turnpike
- Holiday Soundtrack for Holly Jolly Laff Trakk
- Estate of Evil Holiday Fair (Walk through from Hersheypark Dark Nights with a Holiday Flare)
- TREEville, Festival of Tree
- Santa and the 9 Reindeer
- Twinkling Through Time (Show)
- Holiday Inspired Food & Dining Options
- Holiday activities at Hershey Chocolate World- Hershey Chocolate Tour Holiday Overlay, Meet & Greet with Santa & the Grinch, Hershey’s Holiday Chocolate House, Holly Jolly Trolley
Hershey’s Sweet Lights (Retired after 2025 season)
Where to Stay for Christmas at Hersheypark
If you want to feel immersed in the Hershey world you can stay on-site Hershey resort options. We have stayed at all three of the resorts during different visits and each offers a unique stay for families.
I have reviews on each Hershey resort to help you decide the best one for your family: Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hershey Campgrounds.
The resorts typically have activities during the holidays like letters to Santa and character meet and greets. Prices may be a bit high at the Hershey resorts and you may want to check for other accommodations. Use the map below to find the best deals on local hotels.
Tips for Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark
- Dress for the season. We wore hats, gloves, and winter coats. When the sun goes down the temperature will drop!
- Along with the holiday events, some rides and attractions are also open, weather permitting. Not every ride is open during the holiday events, but enough to make it a fun trip.
- Be sure to check the Hersheypark ride heights before you plan your visit.
- Research what rides and attractions are open, what you will do during preview time, and plan a flexible itinerary for your park days.
Hershey Chocolate World During Christmas
Hershey Chocolate World is located at the same parking complex as Hersheypark. There are attractions and a huge Hershey gift shop. One of the best things to do is the The Hershey Factory Tour. During the holidays there is a seasonal decor overlay on this free attraction.
There are also specialty treats, photos with Santa, the Grinch and other holiday characters. Guests can also view the Hershey’s Holiday shop decorated with candy. It is free to walk around Hershey Chocolate World and is worth including in your visit.
Is Hersheypark Christmas Worth It
Yes! A visit to Hersheypark at Christmas time is worth it. They decorate the park beautifully and it is an awesome event. I love walking around to see all the holiday lights and my kids enjoy the holiday overlay on some of their favorites attractions.
Another perk of visiting during the Christmas season are that it is less crowded than the summer months and many of the attractions are open. Always check that your favorite attractions are running during the event but Hersheypark is a great place to visit during the holidays.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is a great place to celebrate the holidays and enjoy time together as a family. We really enjoyed this holiday event in Hershey, PA.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.