These top kid-friendly Christmas activities in Hershey, PA will bring holiday fun for the whole family! From Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane to breakfast with Santa, a weekend in Hershey in December is a guaranteed hit!
There are no shortage of family events in Hershey during the holiday season, but I thought I’d share some of my favorites! Some are long-standing activities that have been traditions in our family for decades while others might be newer but are just as much fun!
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Probably the most popular of holiday activities in Hershey, Christmas Candylane is fun for all ages! Hersheypark gets transformed with over 4 million lights and plenty of other sweet decorations.
There are more than 45 rides open throughout the Park as well as food stands selling some of your favorite Hersheypark foods as well as Candylane exclusives.
But the real treat for kids is that Santa and all 9 of his reindeer set up shop at Hersheypark for the holiday season! You can visit Santa in his workshop and get a free piece of Hershey’s candy (of course!).
Then head down to see Santa’s reindeer. There are employees on-hand to give you all kinds of interesting tidbits on the reindeer and I’m always amazed how quickly they know which reindeer is which!
Check out my Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Guide for even more pictures and activities you can expect when you visit!
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Right before you enter Candylane, though, you’ll see Hershey’s Chocolate World. You don’t really want to miss it any time of year but especially at Christmas time when it’s completely decorated for the holidays!
Be sure to head over towards the food court area for a life-size gingerbread house that’s made entirely of Hershey’s candy!
I am in love with the upside down lollipop trim!
And right in front of the gingerbread house is everyone’s favorite holiday photo opp… Santa!
As you leave Chocolate World, make sure you leave out of the main doors (not the food court doors), so that you can walk through the holiday tunnel of lights!
It’s the perfect way to start your walk down to Hersheypark and get your holiday evening going!
Hershey Lodge
Even if you aren’t staying at the Hershey Lodge as a guest (although I HIGHLY recommend that you do), you’ll want to drive over and spend some time in the lobby or at one of their many restaurants.
The Lodge has a gorgeous tree decorated with Hershey bars and Kisses and is the perfect spot for a family photo!
Right across from the tree is the Lodge’s famous 4-sided fireplace where families in matching pj’s order cookies and milk and listened to holiday stories!
Check out our stay at the Hershey Lodge for pictures of the rooms and waterpark area that’s included!
Hotel Hershey
Or maybe you’re staying at the Hotel Hershey for this visit for a lobby and guest area experience that’s a little quieter but just as festive! In fact, when you check in, your kids will get Letters to Santa that they can fill out, put in the special mailbox in the lobby and receive a letter back from Santa himself!
They also offer Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus on select dates through December. The breakfast is held on the 2nd floor by the Italian lobby fountain and there’s a gorgeous Christmas tree for the backdrop of your pictures!
For more pictures of the Hotel Hershey, be sure to check out My Review and see what we thought of this historic hotel!
Sweet Lights
Sweet Lights is one of the newer attractions Hershey has added to their holiday activities (which really only means that it wasn’t around when I was a kid!). There are close to 600 illuminated and animated displays as you drive the 2 mile course through Sweet Lights!
With music and dancing Hershey characters, your kids will have a blast and be able to stay warm in the car at the same time!
Be sure to check the hours for Sweet Lights before you head out!
Kid-Friendly Christmas Activities in Hershey
After all that, if you’re still looking for more kid-friendly holiday activities while you’re in town, be sure to check out the Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story. They also are decorated for Christmas and have special scheduled activities for kids throughout the month!
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