Hersheypark to Celebrate America’s 250th with Patriotic Summer Events

Date: April 8, 2026

One of the country’s most iconic destinations, Hersheypark amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, will celebrate America’s 250th with events and activations all summer long. The largest amusement park in Pennsylvania will offer multiple dates of fireworks presented by HERSHEY’S, an all-new star-spangled show, limited-time food and drink, select Americana-themed rides and Hershey Characters dressed in their festive best during its 120th operating year. 

Known affectionately as The Sweetest Place On Earth, Hershey is a small town rooted in the world's love of chocolate and the philanthropy of its founder, Milton S. Hershey. The world-class destination is home to one of America's greatest and sweetest success stories and a core purpose of giving back to children in need.

Centrally located within driving distance of five of the largest metropolitan areas in the Northeast, Hershey is only 90 minutes from Philadelphia and two hours from Washington, D.C., making it an easy drive for summer fun.

Hersheypark Overlaid with Patriotic Spirit 

Guests entering the 121-acre amusement park this summer will immediately notice patriotic decor in the plaza and a new logo overlay atop the front gate. 

Throughout the amusement park, visitors can enjoy select Americana-themed rides, such as Star-Spangled Laff Trakk, among the 70 attractions at Hersheypark. The Ferris Wheel, Lightning Racer, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity and other rides also offer red, white and blue light packages that illuminate the iconic Central Pennsylvania skyline during the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Fireworks Displays Presented by HERSHEY'S

Daily summer operations at Hersheypark begin May 21, with the first of several fireworks displays presented by HERSHEY’S on May 23 in celebration of Memorial Day Weekend. Guests are encouraged to visit on these days to end their evening with fireworks:

• Saturday, May 23, at 9:15 p.m.
• Friday, July 3, at 10:15 p.m.
• Saturday, July 4, at 10:15 p.m.
• Saturday, August 8, at 10:15 p.m.

New Live Theatre Show

Hersheypark offers an unforgettable live music show, Sweet Land of Liberty: A Celebration of the American Songbook, in the air-conditioned Chevrolet Music Box Theatre venue from May 29 through Labor Day. The only-in-Hershey show takes guests on a journey through the Rock, Pop, Country and Soul anthems that shaped this country’s history. 

There are four showtimes daily at 2 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with an additional fifth showtime at 7:45 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Hershey Characters in Festive Best

Hersheypark is the only amusement park in the world where guests can take a selfie with life-size Hershey Characters. This summer, Hersh, Reese and Miss Kiss don special patriotic costumes. Sweet Greets are also available with JR and Twizz with her friends. The Hersheypark app details appearance times and locations.

Limited-Time Food and Beverage

Guest-favorite Hersheypark treats are decked out in red, white and blue this summer. Exclusive food and beverage offerings include:

• Star-Spangled King Size Shake at Simply Chocolate dessert shop, only available during July, in celebration of the 10th birthday of the award-winning, iconic treat
• Apple pie and red, white and blue donuts at Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor
• Red, white and blue specialty fudge at The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen
• Stars & Stripes Martini Flight and Firecracker Mocktail at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier

The world’s top hot dog eaters and rising challengers return to Hersheypark on June 19 to compete in the final qualifying event for the legendary Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest. Guests can watch the classic American tradition at 2 p.m. in The Boardwalk at Hersheypark water park. 

Hersheypark Water Park Enhancements

Hersheypark introduces two all-new water play areas, boasting 45 aquatic elements within the existing Bayside Pier, this summer.

A new shade-filled play zone, The Inlet at Bayside Pier, features water-spouting dolphins and fish, and whimsical water spray features. Also new, The Island at Bayside Pier debuts towering 10-foot-tall palm trees that tip buckets of refreshing water. 

Both new areas feature rubberized decking for additional guest comfort, allowing guests to sit and splash under shaded canopies. The new open design also allows families to seamlessly flow between other water attractions and cool off faster with access to the abundant water features. 

Open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, The Boardwalk at Hersheypark features 16 attractions and one million gallons of water—from thrilling water slides and a water coaster to a lazy river for relaxation seekers and zero-depth entry areas for the youngest water lovers. The water park is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark, as part of three parks in one.

Live Entertainment in Hershey

Hersheypark Stadium presented by Penn State Health kicks off another season of music under the stars in June. Built in 1939, the historic venue hosts 13 concerts this summer, including Forrest Frank, Guns ‘N Roses, Chris Stapleton, Kesha and Pitbull, to name a few. The Stadium is also an official stop on the America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series, featuring a free performance on June 13 by the Avett Brothers and special guests.

New for summer 2026, an additional Premium Viewing Deck (the second for the historic Stadium) allows guests premium seating, access to exclusive food and beverage options, a dedicated restroom and designated parking and entrance. 

Nearby at GIANT Center indoor arena, Josh Groban with special guest Jennifer Hudson, James Taylor, Dude Perfect and “Weird Al” Yankovic also make tour stops in Hershey this summer. 

New Hotel Joins The Official Resorts of Hersheypark

Hershey Inn & Suites is now open! The first select-service property as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark joins The Hotel Hershey luxury accommodation, Hershey Lodge family resort and Hersheypark Camping Resort campground as unique lodging options for guests in The Sweetest Place On Earth.

The new four-story property features 130 rooms, including seven family suites, and amenities, such as complimentary hot breakfast, a lobby bar, grab-and-go snacks in the lobby marketplace, an arcade, a fitness center and an indoor pool open year-round. Family suites accommodate a group of six and feature a first-of-its-kind room type for a Hersheypark property with bunk beds, one queen bed, a full sleeper sofa and a separate living space.

Just minutes away from the world-class amusement park, the hotel features a modern design for families, couples and business travelers visiting Hershey, Pennsylvania, with unique perks exclusive to resort guests. Guests of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark receive Free Resort Benefits, including the best price on Hersheypark tickets, extra morning and evening hours at Hersheypark, front gate shuttle service to an exclusive resort drop-off location, destination activities and more. 

Background on the Town Built On Chocolate

Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a small town rooted in the world's love of chocolate and the philanthropy of Milton S. Hershey. Mr. Hershey dreamed of making chocolate affordable for everyone. In pursuit of that vision, he created a beautiful town for his employees that caught the nation’s attention. Hershey was filled with a modern chocolate factory, homes, schools, businesses, and 150 acres of community leisure grounds that would later evolve into a world-class family amusement park. Home of the Great American chocolate bar, Hershey attracts millions of visitors each year.

Over a century later, Hershey is now home to Hersheypark amusement park, a North American zoo, four distinctly Hershey resorts, live concerts and shows, delicious dining options, and, of course, chocolate around every corner. Even sweeter - Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company is proud to help fulfill the dream of our founder, Milton S. Hershey, by providing value to Milton Hershey School in its mission of helping students lead fulfilling and productive lives - just as Mr. Hershey intended.