The Ultimate Hershey Summer 2026 Guide

Date: June 21, 2026

Whether you are local to the area or visiting for the first time, Hershey is bustling with world-class attractions, luxury resorts and spas, live concerts, premier dining venues, shopping and endless chocolate to keep your entire family engaged and having fun. Come with us as we explore what's new for 2026 and show you just how fun a summer spent in The Sweetest Place On Earth can truly be.

Head to Hersheypark Amusement Park, Open Daily This Summer

Hersheypark, a world-class 121-acre amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is open daily for the summer season through Sept. 7. Summer tickets include three parks in one with more than 70 rides, an 11-acre water park and access to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park when entering from within Hersheypark.

The summer ride lineup features 15 mild-to-wild coasters (the most in the Northeast), various family-friendly attractions and more than 20 kiddie rides spread throughout the Park- 

Given the incredible value included with a Hersheypark ticket, guests often choose to spend multiple days at Hersheypark to ensure enough time to experience all of the summer fun. As a reminder, The Official Resorts of Hersheypark guests receive the best price on Hersheypark tickets.

New Splashes at Water Park

Hersheypark is home to The Boardwalk, an 11-acre water park with one million gallons of water among 16 water attractions. The water park is located inside the amusement park, making it easy to cool off between coaster rides. 

New for 2026, Guests can look forward to a brand-new interactive water play experience at The Boardwalk within Bayside Pier, featuring 45 fun-filled aquatic elements designated for all ages. 

• The Inlet at Bayside Pier introduces a shaded splash area complete with playful dolphin and fish water features, along with whimsical spray elements perfect for cooling off on warm summer days. 

• Nearby, The Island at Bayside Pier features towering 10-foot palm trees with tipping water buckets that deliver refreshing surprises. 

Both new spaces include comfortable rubberized decking and shaded canopy areas, creating inviting spots for guests to splash, relax and enjoy everything The Boardwalk at Hersheypark has to offer.

All-American Summer Celebration

Hersheypark celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with patriotic events and activations all summer long, including the following: 

• Multiple dates of fireworks presented by HERSHEY’S on July 3, July 4 and Aug. 8 at 10:15 p.m.
• ALL-NEW live music show, Sweet Land of Liberty: A Celebration of the American Songbook, in the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre venue through Sept. 7
• Select Americana-themed attractions, like Star-Spangled Laff Trakk
• Red, white and blue ride light packages and decor
• Hershey Characters dressed in their festive best
• Limited-time food and drink, including a Star-Spangled King Size Shake (only available in July)

Visit North American Animals at ZooAmerica

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is an 11-acre, walk-through zoo that cares for more than 60 species from five regions of North America. Guests can see a black bear, wolves, Canada lynx, elk and other animals native to this continent.

ZooAmerica is open daily this summer from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 7. To enhance a summer visit, guests can enjoy daily activities, like special animal enrichments, animal encounters and keeper chats, included with admission. 

Regular admission to ZooAmerica is $16.50 plus taxes and fees. Juniors ages 3-8 and seniors ages 62+ are $14.50 plus taxes and fees. Children 2 and under are free. Hersheypark tickets include ZooAmerica only when accessing the Zoo through the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. The Zoo is the perfect place for families visiting Hersheypark to take a quick break from the thrills.

Enjoy Live Entertainment

A sweet summer season of outdoor live entertainment is underway at Hersheypark Stadium with something for every music lover. Few places offer guests the opportunity to enjoy coasters all day and see shows outdoors at night under the Central Pennsylvania sky! 

• Chris Stapleton, June 24
• Santana & The Doobie Brothers, June 26
• Tim McGraw, July 11
• Thomas Rhett & Niall Horan, July 18
• Five Finger Death Punch, July 25
• Guns N’ Roses, August 1
• Tyler Childers, August 14
• Kesha, August 15
• Pitbull, August 22
• Iron Maiden, September 15 

Downtown, the Hershey Theatre has a robust lineup of shows throughout the summer.

• Chicago, June 23
• A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical, June 30- July 5
• Vine Gill, July 10
• Alison Krauss & Union Station, July 14
• Bluey’s Big Play, July 25- July 26
• Tori Amos, July 27
• Derek Hough, July 31
• Dogstar, August 18
• The Wiggles, August 19
• Killers of Kill Tony, August 21
   

GIANT Center also welcomes three more must-see summer shows with James Taylor, Dude Perfect, and “Weird Al” Yankovic, followed by five shows in the remainder of 2026. 

Dine Al Fresco at Hershey Social Bar + Restaurant 

Summer means outdoor dining in Hershey is in full swing. Visitors to Hershey can head downtown and enjoy the views of the Hershey’s Kisses-shaped street lights from the patio of the new Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar. With a wide array of food and drink offerings, Hershey Social has something for everyone after a long day at Hersheypark, before a show, or just because. Plus, daily happy hour specials are available from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Eat on the Patio at The Chocolatier

With fun indoor booth seating themed around Comet and Tilt-A-Whirl to an outdoor patio offering one-of-a-kind views of Candymonium and our 107-year-old Carrousel, The Chocolatier is a visual experience like no other. An open kitchen serves up classic family fare with a fun Hershey twist. Diners can indulge in a Reese’s Take5 Chicken Sandwich, Heath Bar Crusted Salmon or Cocoa-Dusted Beef Short Ribs along with over-the-top Hershey's candy-inspired milkshakes, sundaes and desserts. One thing is for certain: a trip to The Chocolatier is sure to be as fun as it is delicious.

New for this summer, before Hersheypark Stadium shows, guests can enjoy an all-you-care-to-eat buffet on the patio starting three hours before concerts begin, featuring elevated summer barbecue favorites with themed cocktails to celebrate the artists performing that evening.  

Reservations are strongly encouraged for indoor table service, but not available for outdoor patio dining. Guests interested in re-entering Hersheypark after enjoying the patio will need to get their hands stamped. 

Relax at the Spa

Visitors can indulge in summer relaxation at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa and MeltSpa by Hershey day spa with signature chocolate treatments and seasonal treatment collections. Summer packages at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey include the Vacation For A Day Package, Citrus Sensation Package and Sweet Summer Sampler. MeltSpa by Hershey is excited to bring back a guest favorite, the Summer Strawberry Collection, featuring a Summer Strawberry Body Scrub, Immersion, Manicure, Pedicure and more. These seasonal summer packages and treatments are available through Aug. 31.

Looking to have a spa day the Hershey way? Guests can revel in one-of-a-kind chocolate spa treatments at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey with the Chocolate Fondue Wrap, Cocoa Massage and Whipped Cocoa Bath. Or they can head to MeltSpa for their exclusive Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Treatments, infused with Hershey’s dark chocolate, that will leave spa visitors feeling refreshed and smelling sweet

Where to Stay in Hershey

As you can see, there is so much to do during a visit to Hershey that many guests spend the night (or two or three or more). Really, what could be better than spending the night in The Sweetest Place On Earth? Booking a sweet getaway at one of the four Official Resorts of Hersheypark is the perfect way to kick off the summer! Guests can save on a stay with popular summer packages, including the guest-favorite Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free Package at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and the all-new Hershey Inn & Suites or the Hersheypark Summer Camping Package at Hersheypark Camping Resort. 

The sweetest part about choosing to stay at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark is the FREE Resort Benefits, including extra hours at Hersheypark with Sweet Start available through Sept. 7 and Preview Plan, and free front-gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort drop-off location at Hersheypark.

Hershey Inn and Suites

Located at 1300 West End Avenue in Hummelstown, the recently opened four-story, 130-room property marks the company's first brand-new hotel in nearly 60 years. Hershey Inn & Suites offers a first-of-its-kind family suite with bunk beds, a complimentary hot breakfast (a first for an Official Resort of Hersheypark), a lobby bar, a 24/7 arcade, a fitness center and an indoor pool open year-round.

The Hotel Hershey

Opened by chocolatier Milton S. Hershey in 1933, The Hotel Hershey is known for its refined elegance, signature service and abundant amenities and is a recipient of the AAA Four-Diamond Award. The Hotel is right across the street from Hersheypark and situated high atop the town of Hershey. Guests at the hotel can enjoy delicious dining, sweet relaxation at the Chocolate Spa, and experience a variety of recreational activities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sports complex and miles of hiking trails.

Swing by The Hotel Hershey on select Fridays this summer from 7 - 10 PM for Jazz On The Veranda. Make a reservation at your favorite restaurant before the music starts to enjoy a delicious dinner, and then stay for the music! Reservations not accepted for the jazz. 

Dates: 

• Saturday July 4 (includes Fourth of July fireworks and a special menu)

• Wednesday, July 8

• Friday, July 10

• Friday, July 17

• Friday, August 7

• Friday, August 14

For more information about this beautiful and historic property, check out The Hotel Hershey summer guide.

The Villas At The Hotel Hershey

Those interested in the ultimate luxurious stay should consider The Villas at The Hotel Hershey. Twelve Villas feature 48 reimagined rooms with refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities, including an all-new exclusive concierge lounge with food, drinks and activities, daily Hersheypark tickets and One-Day Fast Track. Seven more Villas will open throughout the summer. This historic expansion will double the size of The Villas, offering even more luxury as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and the most premium Hersheypark experiences.

Take a look inside The Villas and explore the daily schedule of exclusive activities and offerings for guests.

Hershey Lodge

Warm, welcoming, and distinctly Hershey, Hershey Lodge provides convenience and comfort for families and guests of all ages with sweet hospitality and chocolate around every corner. A guest favorite, Hershey's Water Works indoor water complex features a Reese's Water Walk, Twizzlers Twists water slides and a zero-entry pool for unlimited family fun. Families will also enjoy recreational amenities and activities like miniature golf and chocolate bingo. 

To learn more about this kid-friendly property, check out our Hershey Lodge summer guide.

Hersheypark Camping Resort 

Hershey is also home to Hersheypark Camping Resort for guests looking to stay in a log or deluxe cabin, park an RV at a partial or full hook-up site or pitch a tent along the creek. The campground offers more than 300 open and shaded sites situated among 55 acres of emerald hills, including two tiny homes - perfect for campers looking for a modern and trendy experience. During the summer, campers can enjoy splashes at two pools and a kiddie pool, as well as fun-filled activities like outdoor movies, crafts and animal encounters hosted by ZooAmerica. 

To learn more about camping in Hershey, check out the Hersheypark Camping Resort summer guide. 

Explore Other Hershey Must-See Attractions

When you aren't riding coaster, relaxing at our resorts, or enjoying a show, there's even more sweet inspired fun to be had throughout Hershey. 

Hershey Gardens

Guests can embrace the summer season by visiting 23 acres of beautiful blooming plant life at Hershey Gardens. Open daily, Hershey Gardens is home to 11 themed gardens, seasonal displays, and an assortment of flowers, shrubs and trees for guests of all ages to enjoy. Kids can immerse themselves in the Children’s Garden and Butterfly Atrium or get up close and personal with crawling creatures inside the Conservatory’s Zoology Zone. 

Tickets to Hershey Gardens are included with a stay at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hershey Inn & Suites and are discounted with a stay at Hersheypark Camping Resort. Visitors can also purchase general admission tickets.

The Hershey Story Museum 

Visitors to The Hershey Story Museum can learn the story of our founder and chocolate pioneer, Milton S. Hershey, his wife Catherine, and the town of Hershey through exhibits, artifacts and interactive experiences. Guests can also make and decorate chocolate in the Chocolate Lab for an additional fee or sip chocolates from around the world during Chocolate Tastings. 

Open daily, The Hershey Story tickets are included with a stay at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hershey Inn & Suites and are discounted with a stay at Hershey Camping Resort. Tickets may also be purchased at the Museum's main entrance.

Hershey’s Chocolate World 

Hershey’s Chocolate World is open daily this summer (view hours here). During a visit, families can experience HERSHEY'S Great Candy Expedition. This one-of-a-kind train-themed adventure will take passengers on a fantastical journey through colorful lands inspired by all the favorite Hershey candies. To sweeten the experience, guests get to help choose the train's path for a fun, interactive element! Visitors should not forget to make their candy dreams a reality at the Create Your Own Candy Bar experience or indulge in some of the delicious food and drink offerings Hershey's Chocolate World has to offer. 

Join out team this summer

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