10 Things To Know Before Going to Hersheypark Candylane

Last week was opening week for Hersheypark Candylane, so we headed to Hershey for opening night. There is something magical about theme parks during the holidays and that’s definitely true for Hersheypark Candylane this holiday season.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is the sweetest place to be during the holiday season. If you live close to Hershey, PA, or even if you don’t Hersheypark Candylane is a place you want to add to your Christmas bucket list.

10 Things to Know Before Visiting Hersheypark Candylane

What is Hersheypark Candylane?

You might be wondering what Hersheypark Candylane is so before we get to all the details and tips for visiting let me first explain what it is.

I’m going to keep it simple and just say that Hersheypark Candylane is Hersheypark’s special event during the holiday season. The park is decorated for Christmas and there are fun holiday treats, characters in costume, and more.

Now that you have a little bit of an idea of what Hersheypark Candylane is I’m going to share 10 things to know before you visit. The rest of this post will give you an even better idea of what there is to do at Hersheypark Candylane.

Things to do at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Not all theme parks are open during the winter so you might be wondering what there is to do at Hersheypark Christmas. You can enjoy food, go on rides and experience the magic of holiday lights. Not all of the attractions are open but several of the big rides and most of the family and kids rides are open. While not everything is open and park hours are shortened, you can experience the holiday magic at Hersheypark during the Christmas season.

10 Things to Know Before Going to Hersheypark Candylane

Do you ever wish that someone would make a list of tips, things you don’t want to miss, and advice for before you visit a place?

I think that we often look back after visiting a place and think if I only knew this before or if I could have done that instead. My goal with this post is to help you plan a fun trip to Hersheypark this Christmas and have a good idea of the things to do before you arrive and a plan for making the most of your time at the park.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Dates 2021

Hersheypark opens for Christmas on November 12, 2021, and is open for select dates until January 2, 2022. For updated dates and times be sure to check the Hersheypark website.

The hours that Hersheypark is open during the Christmas season change depending on the day. But it looks like they open at either 2 pm or 5 pm depending on the day and the park closes at 9 pm each night.

How Much Does Hersheypark Candylane Cost

Keep an eye on the Hersheypark website and social media pages for current prices. It seems like online they usually have different sales and coupons going on so you can save money on admission. If you stay at a Hersheypark resort you can also get discount admission plus a free shuttle to the park so you don’t have to pay for parking.

Don’t Forget Your Park Preview Hours

Prak preview hours are included with every ticket, which means you get extra fun and memories in the park without paying any more.

What are park preview hours? You can get a little preview of the park the day before your full day in the park. Since the park closes at 9 pm you can enter the park after 7:30 the night before your full day in the park. Just show them your tickets at the gate. (Check for up-to-date information on the free extra hours here.)

Dress for the Weather

Winter in Pennsylvania can be cold and wet so be sure to check the weather before your trip and plan for the cold. You might find the day you visit to be warm and the weather great, but you could also experience freezing cold and snow. So come prepared for the cold and hope for a nice day.

Wear Good Shoes and Bring a Stroller

Hersheypark is big, like really big! 121 acres to be exact. So bring good shoes and plan on getting in your steps.

If you bring kids to the park a stroller or wagon is a good idea. Even our 6 year old is tired of walking after a few hours at the park.

Arrive Early

Hersheypark can get really busy and the line to get into the park can get long so be sure to arrive early.

The kids love it when we go to the park extra early and go into Hershey’s Chocolate World before going to wait to get into Hersheypark.

Not All Rides are Open

During Christmas at Hersheypark, not all the rides that you can enjoy during the summer are open but over 40 rides are open during the winter season including some of the bigger rides. A few of the bigger rides that are open include Candymonium, Wild Mouse, and Laff Trakk.

Laff Trakk is the first indoor spinning glow coaster in the United States and it’s decorated for the Christmas season. The line for this ride can get long so be prepared to wait.

Some of our favorite rides during Hersheypark Candylane are the Dry Gulch Railroad, Twin Turnpike, and Monorail. You can check to see what rides are open here.

Don’t Miss a Visit with Santa and His Reindeer

Did you know you can visit Santa and his reindeer at Hersheypark? Be sure to visit them before Christmas (Dec 25) when they make their way back to the north pole.

Starting November 19 through Dec 24 you can visit Santa’s reindeer including Rudolph at Santa’s reindeer stables.

Enjoy the Lights

Hersheypark has been decorated with more than 5 million Christmas lights for the holiday season. Be sure to enjoy all the lights as you walk through the park and don’t miss the NOEL show with more than 250,000 lights dancing to classic holiday tunes.

Try the Foods and Hot Chocolate

Of course, Hersheypark has to have some pretty good food, especially desserts right? I mean it is Hershey.

During the holidays at Hersheypark, there are several fun holiday treats to try. The Hot Chocolate, Kingsize Shake, and popcorn are a few of our favorites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Photos With Santa Included in Your Hersheypark Photo Pass?

The short answer…No photos with Santa are not included with your photo pass.

This is one of the questions I had when we visited Hersheypark Candylane. I asked several workers and got different answers. Once we had our photos taken the photographer gave us a slip to take to the photo services building and on that paper, it said that photo pass holders get unlimited downloads of all photos.

So I waited in line to get the photos added to our pass. When I talked to the workers there they said the photos were not included. So needless to say I was confused.

When I got home I decided to email Hersheypark customer service for clarification. The answer I received from them was that photos with Santa are not included in the Hersheypark photo pass they are a separate purchase.

So if you plan to get photos with Santa and you have a photo pass just know that the photos will be a separate purchase.

Is Hersheypark Open Year Round?

No, Hersheypark will close after Hersheypark Candylane in January and won’t open until Springtime in the Park. But don’t worry Hershey’s Chocolate World is open year-round so you can still enjoy some of the Hershey experience during the coldest months.

Are All The Rides Open at Hersheypark Candylane?

No, but over 40 of the rides are open (depending on weather and staffing). You can read more details about this above.

Is Hershey Sweet Lights part of Hershey Candylane?

No, Hershey Sweet Lights is separate from Hershey Candylane though they are located close together. There is a separate admission price per car for Hershey Sweet Lights.

FYI: Hershey Sweet Lights is a drive-through light display that is almost 2 miles long and has almost 600 illuminated animated displays you can view from your car.

Is Hersheypark Crowded in December?

It depends on the day but Hersheypark is typically less crowded in December than it is during the summer months. But keep in mind that not everything is open and the park hours are shorter.

Is Hersheypark Open in December?

Yes, Hersheypark Candylane is open on select dates in December.

What Can You Do In Hershey Other Than Hersheypark?

During the holidays there are a lot of different things do to in Hershey without visiting Hersheypark.

You could visit Hershey’s Chocolate World and take the free tour, take a trolly tour, drive through Hershey Sweet Lights, stay at a Hershey Resort, or visit the animals at ZooAmerica to name a few other options.