Hersheypark in the Dark is back for 2021 and it's SWEETER than ever! If you've never experienced this seasonal favorite in Hershey, PA you have been missing out! We've been to Hersheypark in the Dark several times and it's always a blast. What better way to celebrate the Halloween season then with rides, decorations, festivities, and. . .oh yeah!. . .CHOCOLATE! Find out more about the 15th Anniversary of Hersheypark in the Dark below.
When can you visit Hersheypark in the Dark in 2021?
Hersheypark in the Dark - Image from Hersheypark
Hersheypark in the Dark is open for three weekends in October 2021. Beginning Friday, October 15, guests can visit Friday, Saturday, and Sundays. Hersheypark in the Dark will be open through Sunday, October 31. Guests can visit Friday evenings from 5PM - 9PM and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2PM - 9PM.
What attractions are open inside the park during Hersheypark in the Dark?
Family theme parks have been some of our favorite destinations over the years and we missed visiting them last summer. Now, we are ready to get back to the sun, fun, and, in the case of Hersheypark, the chocolate! Last summer, Hersheypark unleashed a new rollercoaster, Candymonium, and a new entrance to the park. This year, they will be releasing some new dining experiences and they sound fantastic! There's a lot to love about a visit to Hersheypark and here are some of the things I'm looking forward to most this year!
New Dining Experiences at Hersheypark
Milton's Ice Cream Parlor - Image from Hersheypark
New is always exciting and Hersheypark has done a great job adding attractions, restaurants, and more over the past few years. This season, guests can enjoy new dining experiences as part of Hershey's Chocolatetown. This spring, Milton's Ice Cream Parlor and The Sweeterie Confectionary Kitchen will both open on April 2nd. Milton's Ice Cream Parlor has both sweet and savory options covered with local custom and King Size Sundaes as well as options like grilled cheese, shareable buckets of fries, and Chicken N Waffles. The Sweeterie Confectionary Kitchen is the ultimate candy kitchen with chocolate dipped treats and grab-and-go sweets to enjoy around the park. You can find more details about menus for these new dining options here.
2020 was a crazy year - that goes without saying! But, we had a lot of fun still here at Running on Pixie Dust and I'm excited to take a look back with you at my top 10 posts of the year. From running to recipes, travel and family, there's a little something for everyone!
10. Family Guide to Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando - Before COVID hit, we had the chance to visit Orlando in January and spent two days exploring SeaWorld with the kids. This was the first time I had been to the park in 25 years and so much had changed. We loved exploring Sesame Street Land with our boys!
9. Holiday Gift Guide for Runners - I've been lucky this year to join the BibRave Pro Ambassador family and as such have had the chance to try out some amazing running gear. I compiled a list of some of my favorites to share with you in a holiday gift guide which became a very popular post in Decemeber!
8. Hersheypark Seasonal Events 2020 - If you've read my site over the past few years, you'll know that Hershey, PA is one of my favorite places to visit. I was excited to share with my readers the awesome activities that took place in the fall and winter - Hersheypark in the Dark and Christmas Candylane. These are annual favorites and we can't wait for next year to hopefully be back to normal so we can enjoy more time in the "Sweetest Place on Earth!"
Hersheypark Seasonal Events - Image from Hersheypark
The "Sweetest Place on Earth" may have had an abbreviated summer season with COVID restrictions delaying the opening this year, but Hersheypark is making up for it with expanded seasonal events and all of sweet fun we know and love gearing up for the fall and winter seasons! This year, Hersheypark debuted it's 15th coaster, Candymonium, and the new Chocolatetown entrance to the park which you can also see during seasonal events if you missed them this summer!
Hersheypark In The Dark Trick-Or-Treating - Image from Hersheypark
Halloween is synonymous with candy so what better place to spend this holiday than in Hershey, PA? Hersheypark will be open weekends from October 2nd - November 1 for guests to enjoy the fall festivities. Both kids and adults alike will delight in family-friendly rides, shows, games, and of course, the coasters! Don't forget to dress in costume and get your kids 12 and under ready for chocolate overload when you walk through the trick-or-treat trail. One of my favorite things to do during the fall is to also visit Zoo America where the animals get into the Halloween spirit as well - and admission is included with your Hersheypark In the Dark ticket!
Tickets for Hersheypark In The Dark are on sale for $44.95 (ages 9-61), $36.95 (3-8 and 62 and older), and free for 2 and younger. Like in the summer, guests will need to reserve their entry date due to capacity restrictions in place with COVID protocols so don't delay in planning your day! This is also a great time to think about purchasing season passes for 2021. There are big savings on 2021 season passes now and you can add on unlimited visits for the 2020 seasonal events for only $65 more! Learn more about season passes here.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane - Image from Hersheypark
Following the fall events, Hershey, PA quickly transitions into a winter wonderland! On select dates from November 13 - January 3, guests to Hersheypark will be able to explore several fun themed events. Christmas Candylane is a chance for guests to visit Hersheypark and enjoy rides, shows, and attractions - all with a seasonal twist. Trust me when I tell you to check out the wide array of hot chocolates - they won't disappoint!!! Christmas Candylane tickets are on sale for an early discounted rate of $31.95 for guests 3 and older with children 2 and under having free entry.
Looking for more winter fun with your family in Hershey? You can add on a ticket to the drive-thru Hershey Sweet Lights exhibit. With nearly 600 lighted displays, it will dazzle both young and old. Tickets will be available for this late September.
This is also a great time of year to make it Hershey getaway by visiting the Official Resorts of Hersheypark. You may not have realized it, but there are several options when visiting the area which offer great benefits to Hersheypark guests including guaranteed admission reservations and free parking at the park! Learn more about planning your Hershey, PA visit here.
Will you be visiting the Sweetest Place on Earth this holiday season? I can't wait to see the families getting their "Hersheypark Happy" on this year. If you're still not feeling ready to visit a theme park yet, you can also check out these Hershey at Home activities I shared during the closure including virtual coaster rides, coloring pages, and even a recipe for Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Brownies!
Fans around the Mid-Atlantic can start rejoicing as one of our favorites, Hersheypark, announced today their plans to reopen July 3rd! Season Pass holders will have special days ahead of this opening on July 1st and 2nd. We have been long time fans of Hershey, PA and there is even more SWEET fun to be excited about this year.
Hersheypark Chocolatetown and Candymonium Opening
Image Courtesy of Hersheypark
With the opening of the park announced just in time for the 4th of July holiday, Hersheypark is excited to debut it's 15th roller coaster, Candymonium. This ride is going to be epic at 210 feet tall, speeds of 76 MPH, and a length of 4,636 feet. I can't wait! Candymonium joins an already stellar cast of coasters of Hersheypark including my favorites - Storm Runner, Skyrush, and Farenheit!
Along with Candymonium, Hersheypark will also be opening Chocolatetown which will feature a new restaruant, ice cream parlor, and shopping! For more about these exciting additions, check out this video!
While Hersheypark is the premiere attraction for many visitors to Hershey, PA, there is plenty more to see and do which is also reopening at this time. Hershey Gardens announced a reopening date of 6/20 and ZooAmerica will follow closely behind with an opening date of 6/22. Hershey's Chocolate World already has opened it's doors as of June 5th and Hershey resorts including The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort are open too! Please websites for each of these locations before visiting for the latest in reservations and safety protocols. You may even find SWEET deals to make you vacation even more affordable - like these!
I don't know about you, but I've been missing a lot of my favorite places during this time while we're at home with the safety measures in place from the coronavirus pandemic. Like many of you, I've had travel plans upended - including a birthday weekend visit to one of my favorite local destinations, Hershey, Pennsylvania. We like to visit Hershey several times a year for trips to Hershey's Chocolate World, Hersheypark, and more. So while we can't go experience the fun of Hershey in person, we brought the fun of Hershey to our house with these fun activities!
Hershey At Home Activities
Hersheypark Coloring Pages - Thanks to the wonderful folks at Hersheypark, here are some free printable coloring pages. We love planning our visits to see our favorite characters and ride the exciting roller coasters. These coloring pages keep the excitement alive until we can visit again!
Ride the Roller Coasters - I know what you're thinking. . .ride the roller coasters? But the park is closed?!? No worries, Hersheypark has released POV videos on their YouTube channel of their roller coasters so you can feel like you're a part of the SWEET excitement. Check it out!!!
Make Some Hershey Sweets - We all know one of the best things about visiting Hershey, PA is the chocolate! I mean, what other theme park is entirely inspired by and centered around chocolate? So when you can't visit Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World right now, you can still make some yummy Hershey chocolate treats. Some of our favorites:
S'mores - You know the drill. Grab some graham crackers, marshmallows, and a Hershey's chocolate bar! No fire, no problem! You can preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place the bottom part of the s'more and the marshmallow in the oven for 3-5 minutes until just softened. Then top with your favorite chocolate and the second half of your graham cracker.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Brownies - OK, these may be a new addiction in my house. I made these from scratch, but you can easily use a base brownie box mix instead. I found the base brownie mix on Pinterest which linked to this site. After making the mix, I added crunched up Reese's cups to the batter then poured in the pan. I cut up two more Reese's cups to top the batter and then baked following the directions on the website. They turned out delicious!
I can't wait to be back in Hershey soon! Until then, I'll be making my own SWEET moments at home. Enjoy!
Hersheypark has been a favorite of mine going all the way back to my childhood. I remember visiting with my parents as a child, hanging out there as a college student at nearby Elizabethtown College, and am now making even more memories visiting regularly with my own children. Over all of the years though that I've been going to Hersheypark, I have never been to the annual Christmas Candylane. I was excited this year to partner with Hersheypark to attend this holiday tradition with my family. We had a great afternoon and evening, while also learning a lot about maximizing your time at Christmas Candylane. Here are my 5 tips (in no particular order!) to make the most of your visit.
My family and I received complimentary admission to Hersheypark's Christmas Candylane and Hershey's Sweet Lights so we can share our experiences with you!
1. Arrive Early
On weekends, the park is open beginning at noon. Some of you may be asking why you would visit a holiday lights event that early in the day, but the answer is simple - there's so much more to see and do besides the lights! There are 47 rides and attractions open during Christmas Candylane. While many of these are kiddie rides, you'll also find several roller coasters including sooperdooperLooper, Sidewinder, Wildcat, and Laff Trakk. When you arrive early, I would recommend heading straight for the most popular attractions - and right now that means Reese's Cupfusion which just opened this year. As the afternoon goes on and night begins to fall, the park becomes more crowded and lines can grow. Those early hours are perfect for kiddie rides, roller coasters, and some of your fan favorites. Remember to download the Hersheypark app prior to arriving so you can have a map, park details, and current ride wait times at your fingertips! Just save some rides for after night falls, which leads me to tip #2. . .
Bring back the Crystal Cup on Reese's Cupfusion!
2. Rides to Ride After Dark
Hersheypark is truly beautiful with all of the lights at night. A well laid out and picturesque park in the daytime lends itself well to be gorgeous at night. There are a few slow moving rides that will offer you breathtaking views of the lights as you travel around the park after dark. Make sure you save Skyview, Capital BlueCross Monorail, Kissing Tower, Ferris Wheel and Dry Gulch Railroad for nighttime to see dazzling light displays. The Sunoco Speedway and Classic Cars are also fun as night falls with their own "Sweet Lights" display on the driving tracks for families to enjoy. Bring your cameras with you on these rides to grab some great photos of the festive Christmas lights!
3. Enjoy the Shows Mid-Day
The Littlest Tree at Chevrolet Music Box Theater
Each season at Hershey always brings it's own fun when it comes to special entertainment and Christmas Candylane is no different. Over in Pioneer Frontier, you'll be able to find Santa's Reindeer and an ice skating rink (extra fee for skate rental - $3). The Chevrolet Music Box Theater is home to a Christmas musical show, The Littlest Tree. It is full of fun, familiar music the whole family will enjoy, and a cute story about the littlest tree at Santa's Tree Farm. Speaking of Santa, you can meet the man himself in Kissing Tower Hill right near the arcade games building. There's also a special Hershey's character meet and greet in Kissing Tower Hill as well. So my advice is to ride your must-do rides when you first arrive, then hit up some shows and character greetings before dark when you'll want to be out and about enjoying all of the holiday glow! The NOEL light show begins nightly at 5PM and can be viewed best on the bridge near sooperdooperLooper. This show features lights set to popular holiday music and the beauty is amplified with reflections on the water that runs through this part of the park.
4. Bring Your Sweet Tooth
Reese's Extreme Hot Chocolate
Of course you can't visit Hersheypark without enjoying some chocolate, right?? In fact, Hershey loves chocolate so much, you can even purchase a souvenir mug and drink hot chocloate all day for $12 or all season for just $17. There were too many sweets around the park that we didn't have a chance to sample it all. My personal recommendation on something you don't want to miss is the Hot Chocolate Bar located in Founder's Way across from the entrance to Reese's Cupfusion. While you can get a traditional hot chocolate here, that would be a boring option. This location takes hot chocolate to the next level featuring punches of Hershey's goodness literally sprinkled on top in a variety of ways. I opted for the Reese's Extreme because, those of you who know me, know my deep love of all things Reese's. My son opted for the Caramel choice and my husband went with the Toasted Marshmallow. These drinks will cost you a few more dollars than your typical hot chocolate (and they aren't included with the souvenir mug deal), but trust me when I tell you it's money well spent!
5. Add on a ticket to Hershey's Sweet Lights
Located across from Hersheypark and tucked in the woods behind The Hotel Hershey, you'll find one more tremendous light display - Hershey's Sweet Lights. This drive through experience does come with an extra price tag. If you're visiting Hersheypark, make sure you purchase your event ticket for the discounted price of $18.15 per car (plus tax) before you leave the park or you'll find higher prices at the entrance for this attraction. It took us about 30 minutes to complete the drive through light show which features over 600 animated light displays. You even get special viewing glasses that make bright lights look like snowflakes - my boys were fascinated by these! Our favorite lighted displays were those which showcased some of our favorite rides from Hersheypark, but we enjoyed each different section which included an enchanted forest, the "12 Days of Christmas," a victorian village, and an area devoted to our favorite fairytales. This was the perfect way to end our evening!
Hershey Sweet Lights
Remember that while Hersheypark's Christmas Candylane can certainly fill a whole day on it's own, there are plenty of other attractions to enjoy around Hershey while visiting. You can access ZooAmerica for free with your admission to Hersheypark from within the park back by Kissing Tower Hill. Hershey's Chocolate World is a must-do for us on every visit to Hershey, PA. This is so much more than the ultimate chocolate gift shop! It includes a FREE ride that teaches you how Hersey's chocolate is made as well as paid experiences like Make-Your-Own Candy Bars, a 4-D movie, and a chocolate tasting experience.
A visit to Hershey, PA will definitely make your holiday even sweeter! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season at the Sweetest Place on Earth!
