Santa with his reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, in December 2021. Photo: Governor Tom Wolf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized).
If you want to visit Hersheypark, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, between November and January, this page covers which days it opens, what runs in the cold and how much it costs. For the park's history and its roller coasters, see our Hersheypark guide.
Hersheypark Christmas 2026: dates and opening hours
Until mid-December, Candylane opens Friday to Sunday, plus Wednesday November 25 and Thursday November 26, which is Thanksgiving. From December 18 to January 3 it opens daily except December 25. This is the official calendar as of November 3, 2026:
| Days | Opening hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fridays November 13 and 20; December 4, 11 and 18 | 5–9 p.m. | Evening only |
| Saturdays November 14 and 21; December 5, 12 and 19 | noon–9 p.m. | Full day |
| Sundays November 15, 22 and 29; December 6, 13 and 20 | noon–8 p.m. | Closes earlier |
| November 25 and 26 | 5–9 p.m. | Thanksgiving on the 26th |
| November 27 and 28 | noon–9 p.m. | Fire & Ice debuts |
| December 21 and 22 | 5–9 p.m. | Monday and Tuesday evening |
| December 23 and 26 to 30; January 1 and 2 | noon–9 p.m. | Holidays, full day |
| December 24 and 31 | noon–4 p.m. | Short hours |
| December 25 | Closed | — |
| January 3 | noon–8 p.m. | Last day |
What's on at Christmas
Candylane is a tradition that goes back more than 40 years: more than 5 million lights, which Hershey bills as the most in Pennsylvania. New for 2026 is the Fire & Ice Experience, a nighttime show of icy lights and flames synchronized to music, from November 27; the park does not say where it takes place.
- HERSHEY'S TREEville, bigger this year: candy bar-themed trees in The Shore, with lights, lasers, fog and two candy stands.
- Santa and his 9 reindeer, with photos, at Mary N. Bright Airfield.
- Twinkling Thru Time, a musical of Christmas classics in the heated Chevrolet Music Box Theatre.
- Estate Of Evil Holiday Open House, new: the Dark Nights house decorated for Christmas, with a horror twist.
- 4 new Christmas cars on Twin Turnpike and a Christmas soundtrack on Holly Jolly Laff Trakk.
- ZooAmerica, the North American wildlife zoo, included with admission.
Rides: the official list shows 46 of 70 as open for Christmas, including the roller coasters Candymonium, Wildcat's Revenge, Jolly Rancher Remix, Wild Mouse, Cocoa Cruiser and Laff Trakk. Skyrush, Fahrenheit, Great Bear, Storm Runner, Lightning Racer, Comet, Trailblazer, Coal Cracker and The Boardwalk water rides do not open, and sooperdooperLooper and Tiny Tracks are temporarily closed. Everything depends on weather, temperature and maintenance: Candymonium, Wildcat's Revenge, Jolly Rancher Remix, Wild Mouse, Mix'd, the Ferris wheel, Kissing Tower and the monorail may not open unless it is 34 °F (1 °C) and rising. If bad weather closes most of the major rides for more than 60 minutes of your visit, you get a voucher to come back free until June 30, 2027.
Hershey Sweet Lights, the drive-through light display, is not returning in 2026 after 20 seasons.
Christmas ticket prices
| Ticket | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Any Day | $66.99 online | Ages 9 to 61 |
| Junior/Senior Any Day | $54.99 online | Ages 3 to 8 and 62 and up |
| 2-Day Any Day | $50 per day | Any two days |
| Family 4-Pack Bundle | $57 per person | Families of 4, with parking for one car |
| Breakfast With Santa | From $27.08 | Buffet breakfast with Santa at The Chocolatier |
Taxes and fees are extra. Breakfast with Santa runs on Saturdays, Sundays and some Fridays from November 27 to December 24, from 8 to 10:45 a.m., and must be bought in advance. The 2027 Full, King and Giant season passes include unlimited visits to Candylane 2026; their guaranteed price ends on Wednesday November 4, 2026. Hershey's hotels sell 1- and 2-night packages with tickets, with no published price.
Which day to go and how to plan it
Our pick: a noon–9 p.m. day from November 27 onwards, with daylight for the roller coasters and darkness for the lights and Fire & Ice. Saturdays and the week between Christmas and New Year's are the long days and also the busiest; a Sunday in early December or December 23 is a better bet. For the day-by-day forecast, use our tool for choosing when to visit Hersheypark.
- Time: a full day is enough; a Friday evening covers the lights and a few rides.
- Cold: bring thermal layers, a hat and gloves. Ride Candymonium or Wildcat's Revenge in daylight: below 34 °F they may not open.
- Staying overnight pays off if you are coming from far away and want two days. To work out the cost of the trip, use the Hersheypark budget calculator.
Where to buy tickets
Tickets are sold on the official Hersheypark website, the price benchmark. Right now only the "Any Day" tickets are on sale, valid on any open day until January 3, 2027: you do not have to pick a date. Buy them online: the website shows a crossed-out gate price of $89.95, compared with $66.99 online.
Before you go
- Closed on December 25 and Monday to Thursday until December 17, except November 25 and 26.
- On December 24 and 31 the park is only open from noon to 4 p.m.
- Fire & Ice starts on November 27.
Frequently asked questions
Christmas Candylane runs from Friday November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with 33 operating days.
It is closed on the 25th. On December 24 and 31 it is open from noon to 4 p.m., and on January 1 from noon to 9 p.m.
Online, $66.99 for ages 9 to 61 and $54.99 for ages 3 to 8 and 62 and up, plus taxes.
46 of 70, including Candymonium and Wildcat's Revenge. Skyrush, Fahrenheit and the water rides do not open, and some rides stop below 34 °F (1 °C).
Yes, if you are going for the lights and the atmosphere. If you only want the big roller coasters, no: several do not open and others depend on the cold.
Official sources checked on November 3, 2026: Christmas Candylane, 2026 operating calendar (PDF), Christmas rides and attractions, weather policy, add-ons, season passes, hotel packages, Hershey blog, November 2026.
