Events & What’s Happening
Hersheypark opens for the season with select weekends of rides, entertainment, and spring-themed activities before full summer operation begins.
💡Lines are significantly shorter than peak summer — a great time to hit popular coasters with younger kids in tow.
Multi-day country music event held at Hersheypark Stadium featuring nationally recognized country artists across multiple performance nights.
💡Lawn tickets offer a relaxed setting where kids can move around freely; bring blankets and arrive early to stake out a good spot.
Halloween-themed event at Hersheypark featuring trick-or-treating trails, costume contests, haunted houses for older kids, and family-friendly fall activities.
💡Earlier evening hours are family-friendly; the scarier haunted attractions activate later in the night so younger children are comfortable before 7pm.
ZooAmerica hosts seasonal fall programming including special keeper talks, themed scavenger hunts, and holiday character appearances for families.
💡ZooAmerica is included with many Hersheypark tickets or is affordable as a standalone visit — ideal for a low-key half-day with young children.
A beloved holiday tradition featuring millions of lights, seasonal rides, character meet-and-greets, and holiday-themed entertainment throughout Hersheypark.
💡Visit on weeknights in late November for the smallest crowds; weekends in December fill up fast so purchase tickets in advance.
One of the largest indoor agricultural events in the nation held in nearby Harrisburg, featuring livestock competitions, food made from PA products, carnival rides, and educational exhibits.
💡The famous milkshakes and potato donuts are must-tries; the animal barn is endlessly entertaining for toddlers and elementary-age kids alike.
Regional culinary festival showcasing Pennsylvania wines, craft beers, and local restaurants with tastings and chef demonstrations held in the Hershey area.
💡Non-alcoholic tasting stations and food booths make part of the event accessible to families, though it is primarily an adult-focused experience.
Weekly story time sessions at the Hershey Public Library (Dauphin County Library System) for toddlers and preschool-age children featuring books, songs, and simple crafts.
💡Arrive a few minutes early as seating fills quickly; sessions are best suited for ages 2–5 and are a wonderful free indoor option on rainy days.
The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue offers rotating interactive exhibits, chocolate tastings in the Chocolate Lab, and family programming weekends throughout the year.
💡The Chocolate Lab tasting experience is a huge hit with children of all ages and must be booked separately — reserve your spot online before visiting.
Weekly outdoor market in Hershey featuring local produce, baked goods, honey, handmade crafts, and seasonal items from regional vendors.
💡Kids love picking out fresh fruit and sampling homemade treats; the market stays manageable in size so it never feels overwhelming for little ones.
Hersheypark operates at full capacity every weekend throughout summer with all coasters, water attractions, and character experiences available.
💡Saturday mornings right at opening offer the shortest wait times; head to back-of-park rides first while crowds build at the entrance-area attractions.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡Buy Hersheypark tickets online at least a day in advance through the official Hersheypark.com site — gate prices run $85–$95 per person in summer 2026, while advance online tickets drop to $55–$70 depending on the date. The savings for a family of 4 easily exceed $60.
- 💡ZooAmerica is included in a Hersheypark day ticket but also has its own separate entrance on Park Boulevard — if your kids are zoology-obsessed or you want a slower morning, pay the standalone ZooAmerica admission (~$14 adult, $11 child) and save the full Hersheypark visit for an afternoon start when some families are leaving.
- 💡The Hershey Story museum on Chocolate Avenue offers a 'Chocolate Lab' hands-on program where kids make and season their own chocolate — book this in advance online as the sessions (about $20 per participant on top of museum admission) fill up on summer weekends by Wednesday of that week.
- 💡Hersheypark's Fahrenheit roller coaster and Candymonium hypercoaster consistently have the longest waits — hit these two rides in the first 45 minutes after park opening before 10:30am, then enjoy everything else at a relaxed pace when those queues have tripled.
- 💡Fenicci's of Hershey on West Chocolate Avenue has been serving families since 1935 and is the most reliable sit-down dinner option that isn't resort-priced — expect $60–$80 for a family of 4 with pasta and pizza, no reservation usually needed on weeknights before 6pm.
- 💡Hershey's Chocolate World admission is free — you only pay for specific experiences like the 4D movie, the Create Your Own Candy Bar ($22–$25 per person), or the tasting trolley ride. Budget families can browse, sample, and eat at the food court without spending beyond food costs, making it a legitimate free rainy-day option.
- 💡During Christmas Candylane (late November through early January), Hersheypark operates Friday through Sunday evenings with a fraction of summer crowds. Rides are limited but the light displays on Kissing Tower Hill and the ice skating rink near the park entrance make it worthwhile — tickets are significantly cheaper than summer pricing at roughly $35–$45 online.
- 💡The Hershey Lodge shuttle to Hersheypark is free for lodge guests and runs every 15–20 minutes — if you're staying there, you can skip the $28 daily parking fee and leave the car in the lot all day, which also makes mid-day hotel returns (for naps or pool time) genuinely practical.