Hersheypark Celebrates 119th Birthday on May 30, 2025

Date: May 30, 2025

Happy birthday to Hersheypark! The largest amusement park in Pennsylvania turns 119 on May 30, 2025. 

Our Roots

“Hershey Park” formally opened to the public on Memorial Day, May 30, 1906, along the banks of Spring Creek. 

From the moment Milton S. Hershey established his community, he planned to build a park to create a more pleasant environment for employees of Hershey's Chocolate Factory and residents of the factory town. An ideal spot for picnicking, boating and canoeing, the Park was landscaped with graceful trees and wooded groves that provided a shady retreat for thousands of people. The first ride was a merry-go-round in 1908, with our first coaster - The Wild Cat - in 1923. 

Explore the additions by decade in our Hersheypark history review. 

In 1971, the first phase of a five-year redevelopment campaign began the conversion from Hershey Park as a regional amusement park to Hersheypark, one of America's most popular theme parks. The pay-as-you-ride policy was replaced with a one-price admission plan that now includes more than 70 rides, a water park and a zoo.

Recent Growth of the World-Class Amusement Park

Over the past 119 years, Hersheypark has become one of the most respected parks in the amusement industry. Within the last decade alone, the amusement park has experienced significant growth with six new major coasters, a water park and culinary additions, and Hershey’s Chocolatetown, a $150 million transformative investment in creating the place where fun meets chocolate that opened in 2020.

The 23-acre Hershey's Chocolatetown region celebrates Milton S. Hershey's life and legacy by bringing people together for happiness, fun and, of course, chocolate. The region features the Candymonium hypercoaster, an entirely reimagined arrival experience, the iconic Kisses Fountain, two shopping locations, the first-ever Starbucks inside the Park and more. In 2021, three culinary experiences, including The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio, opened inside Hershey’s Chocolatetown.

Hersheypark has no shortage of thrills as the 15 coasters represent one of the largest and most iconic coaster collections in the United States. 

Soaring to New Heights

New for 2025, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity is the world's tallest Screamin' Swing! The high-thrill pendulum attraction manufactured by S&S Worldwide features the newest candy to join the skyline.

The one-minute and 10-second experience on Twizzlers Twisted Gravity begins as riders of Hershey’s height category (48-54”) and above sit in one of four branded zones across two gondolas featuring the Twizzlers Strawberry, Cherry, Hershey’s Chocolate and Black Licorice-flavored designs.

Riders ascend 137 adrenaline-pumping feet, defy gravity at speeds reaching 68 miles per hour and experience multiple mind-bending zero G moments as they swing high above Spring Creek in The Hollow region of Hersheypark. 

Be sure to visit Hersheypark this summer and celebrate our one-of-a-kind legacy!