As a 2018 Sweetest Moms Ambassador I’ve partnered with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts to bring you all the best news from the Sweetest Place on Earth. I’ve been provided with complimentary services in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
‘Tis the season to try your best to make all the family memories and take in all the holiday magic while you’re simultaneously losing your mind to get it all done. I feel you. And this year I actually started decorating for Christmas waaaay earlier than normal in an effort to actually make MORE time for those festivities I enjoy and leave the hustle behind.
Christmas In Hershey, PA: 5 Holiday Traditions
One place my family can always count on to fill us with the holiday spirit is Hershey, PA. We love this town year-round, but Christmas in Hershey is something special. Over the years, we’ve made different events and activities in Hershey part of our holiday traditions. I’m sharing five that we look forward to the most.
Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark
Beginning in mid-November through January 1, Hersheypark is open select dates and times for Christmas Candylane. It’s the most wonderful time of the year to visit!
Decked out in over 4 million lights, you wouldn’t even have to ride a ride to take enjoy the Park. But of course tons of rides are open, more than 45 of them, and they’re so fun in this atmosphere. I took the photo above while I was on the Sky Ride. A little different riding with coats and gloves and seeing all the twinkling lights reflect off the water!
You can count on Hershey doing hot cocoa like no one else, and they have some really decked out versions this year. What better way to stay warm?
Santa and his reindeer are also at Hersheypark. We LOVE to see these guys! The staff in this area is really informative too. They let the kids touch a reindeer antler, and told us that Blitzen is the leader of the pack. You can find him easily because he has the biggest rack of antlers.
Drive Through Sweet Lights
Sweet Lights have been one of our holiday traditions for years. We look forward to this every season! This is a drive-through light display that’s set to Christmas music.
Sweet Lights are kind of behind The Hotel Hershey, and there’s plenty of signage guiding you to get there. Drive through this 2-mile display and set your car radio to the correct station (they’ll tell you which one when you arrive) and you’ll be signing along.
I love how this is divided into different sections, and I think the Nursery Rhyme section is my favorite. We have to name each one: “There’s the Princess and the Pea! There’s Rapunzel! There’s Hansel and Gretel!”
This activity is enjoyed from the car, so you’ll stay cozy and warm. It’s a perfect way to get out and do something Christmasy when it’s too cold to do much else (and you don’t feel like shopping!).
Stock Up at Chocolate World
Chocolate World has gifts galore, so I always hit it to grab some stocking stuffers for the kids. And that can be candy, or branded items like puzzles, mugs, pajamas, and a lot more.
If you’re a holiday baker, look for the baking chocolates, too. They have every variety of chip that it’s sometimes hard to find in stores. And if there’s a special Hershey Kiss flavor you’re looking for, you will definitely find that here, too. Try the new Hot Cocoa. Omigosssshhhh….SO AMAZING!
Escape the Hustle at a Hersheypark Resort
Really want to get away? Book a weekend at one of the official Hersheypark Resorts. My favorite is The Hotel Hershey. This resort is SO fancy. Talk about a magical holiday feel! It’s here!
Resort guests are provided with complimentary tickets to the Hershey Story Museum and Hershey Gardens (also gorgeous at this time of year). Shuttle service to Hersheypark is included as well. And both The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge have wonderful indoor swimming pools so you can pretend it’s summer for a minute, too.
Relax at MeltSpa by Hershey
MeltSpa is my absolute favorite spa, and last year I started a new tradition in treating yo’self.
My husband got me a gift certificate for our anniversary, and I booked a THREE HOUR appointment the week before Christmas. I figured I would either love myself or hate myself for doing that, and turns out I’m a genius and it was a brilliant idea.
At that point, I was basically done with everything I needed to get done, and I had some time to relax and treat myself to a morning of total bliss. And you know what? I completely deserved that and I am planning on deserving it every year!
Recently I took my daughter to MeltSpa with me and now she’s in love, too. So we’ll see if she gets to start her own tradition. If you get to go, girl, it’s part of your Christmas gift!
More Things to Do in Hershey, PA
There are so many memories to be made in Hershey, PA at Christmastime! Visit their website to come up with some ideas that your family will enjoy, and then plan your getaway. If you want to capture that magical feeling of the season (and escape some of the stress that comes with it), Hershey is the place to do it. Happy holidays from my family to yours!
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