The Sweetest Place on Earth Celebrates the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Hershey, Pa. – 2012-11-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Everything’s sweeter in Hershey – even the holidays – and in November and December, visitors to Hershey will enjoy holiday fun and surprises during Christmas In Hershey. The town-wide celebration lasts throughout the holiday season and includes unique holiday-themed attractions, special kids’ activities, holiday shopping, festive culinary events and unique overnight packages. Christmas In Hershey begins Friday, November 16 and includes:
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
The centerpiece of the holiday celebration is Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, where the Park is transformed into a delightful holiday village with more than 30 rides, Santa and his nine live reindeer, live entertainment, games, shops, and food. Guests can experience N.O.E.L, a breathtaking light show featuring more than 125,000 dancing lights synchronized to favorite toe-tapping Christmas music.Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens on Friday, November 16. Days and hours of operation vary and are posted on www.Hersheypark.com. Tickets are $12.95 for ages 3 and older and, as always, children ages 2 and under are free.
ZooAmerica
Included in the one-price ticket to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is admission to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, which is open year-round. During the cooler months, visitors to the Zoo see increased activity among its animal residents. Guests also can get a rare glimpse of the Zoo’s temporary albino alligator exhibit, which will remain at ZooAmerica until December 31.
Hershey Sweet Lights
Just a short drive from Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is Hershey Sweet Lights, A Holiday Drive-Thru Spectacular, which opens for the season on Friday, November 16 and runs through Tuesday, January 1, 2013. Guests drive along a 2.3-mile route through a wooded hillside and enjoy nearly 600 themed light displays, all while listening to the sounds of the season through a customized radio broadcast.
Culinary Events
Hershey Lodge offers guests a holiday dinner theater experience. Christmas in Chocolate Town, A Holiday Dinner Musical includes a festive dinner topped off with a decadent chocolate dessert and a professional song-and-dance performance. Christmas in Chocolate Town kicks off on Friday, November 23.
Also at Hershey Lodge, on select Fridays and Saturdays throughout the holiday season, are Gingerbread Children’s Teas. Children delight in a variety of finger foods on the holiday children’s buffet while sipping warm hot chocolate and flavored teas. The event includes building gingerbread houses and holiday-themed storytelling. The price is $50 for an adult and child pair, and $22 for each additional person. For reservations, call 717-534-8601.
At The Hotel Hershey, guests are invited to dine at the exclusive Chef’s Table in the Circular Dining Room. Experience the ultimate in personalized service as you interact with our talented chefs while enjoying fresh and creative cuisine prepared just for you during these unique culinary events. Throughout this culinary experience, the chef will introduce each of six courses and answer questions about the dish and its preparation. Accompanying wine flights are also available for these meals. Chef’s Tables are available Friday evenings at 6 p.m. throughout the holiday season. The cost is $75 per person; wine flights are an additional $35. Chef’s Tables can be booked for up to 10 people (groups of less than 10 will be combined). For reservations, call 717-534-8800.
Charles Dickens Celebrations
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth. To celebrate, every member of the family is invited to “Holiday with Dickens” at The Hotel Hershey on Sunday and Monday, December 9 and 10. Guests celebrate the spirit of the season with an engaging performance of Charles Dickens’ cherished tale, A Christmas Carol. Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of the renowned author, gives his interpretation of the beloved story at an afternoon tea or an elegant four-course dinner in the Hotel’sCircular Dining Room.
The Spa At The Hotel Hershey
The Spa At The Hotel Hershey takes part in the seasonal celebration by offering peppermint-themed holiday Spa treatments. Guests can experience a 60-minute peppermint hydrating facial for $120* Mondays through Thursdays and $125* Fridays through Sundays. Guests also can experience a peppermint hot chocolate immersion, which includes a peppermint scrub, chocolate fondue wrap and a cup of peppermint hot cocoa. This experience lasts 90 minutes and costs $180* Mondays through Thursdays and $185* Fridays through Sundays. The seasonal treatments are available November 19 through January 31.
Hershey Gardens
New this year at Hershey Gardens is Santa’s Secret Garden. On December 7, 8, 14 and 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., children will be greeted by Santa’s elves as they travel through a path of twinkling lights to discover Santa and his secret garden. Their enchanted journey includes take-home crafts, a visit with Mrs. Claus and a special gift to last the whole year. Santa’s Secret Garden is included with admission.
The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue
On select dates in November and December The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue offers the Little Elves Workshop. Kids can use chocolate clay, icing and ribbon to fashion a unique ornament. Plus, visitors can try out some vintage toys that the elves unpacked from their attic! Pricing is $5 per ornament.
Families can take a hands-on Chocolate Lab class to learn about the unique qualities of chocolate. Seasonal classes include Candy Cane Bark, Let It Snow Chocolate and Make a Very Merry Bar. Chocolate Lab classes are held daily and are appropriate for adults and children ages 4 and older.
On December 1 and 2, guests of all ages can enjoy Christkindlmarkt Holiday Market and Festival featuring German traditions, holiday treasures and unique shopping. Traditional German food is featured in Café Zooka, as well as festive entertainment. Admission is $6 and includes admission to the Museum Experience.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction
The festivities continue at Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction with the fourth annual Hershey’s Holiday Chocolate House, which is on display starting November 16. This life-sized house is completely covered in Hershey’s famous chocolate and confectionery products and is Santa’s home throughout Christmas In Hershey.
On Saturdays and Sundays at 8 a.m. from November 17 through December 23, visitors both young and young at heart can spend their morning with Santa during an interactive and entertaining breakfast. For additional information and to make reservations visit www.HersheysChocolateWorld.com or call 855-802-8400.
From November 17 through December 24, Hershey Trolley Works presents The Christmas Adventure. Guests can enjoy caroling, jingling and a visit from a certain jolly old elf, who has presents for everyone on the nice list. The Hershey Trolley Works departs from Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction is also home of Hershey’s Bake Shoppe, which offers freshly baked Christmas treats. Every day beginning at 11 a.m., guests can decorate cookies and cupcakes at Hershey’s Dessert Creation Studio. Chocolate is on everyone’s Christmas list, and Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction has the largest selection of Hershey’s products found anywhere, including holiday gifts and personalized candy bar wrappers.
Entertainment
Hersheypark, Giant Center and Hershey Theatre have holiday entertainment offerings to continue the merriment. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane amuses guests with A Rockin’ Music Box Christmas in the Music Box Theatre; the North Pole Patrol, a juggling and magic duo; Hershey’s Product Characters; Christmas characters; and a variety of choral groups throughout the season.
Bill Gaither will present the Gaither Christmas Homecoming music spectacular at Giant Center on Friday, December 7 and Trans-Siberian Orchestra has two performances on Friday, December 21. White Christmas kicks off the 2012-2013 Hershey Theatre Broadway Series November 4-11. Additional performances at Hershey Theatre include George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (presented by Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet) on December 15 and 16, Mannheim Steamroller on December 17, Cirque Eloize iD on December 19 and 20, and two performances by Straight No Chaser on December 22.
Hershey Resorts
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hershey Highmeadow Campground offer overnight accommodations to guests who wish to relax and enjoy all the town’s activities during a multi-day stay. Families may be interested in booking the “Holiday Cottage Package” or “Lunch with Santa” package atThe Hotel Hershey, the Christmas in Chocolate Town package at Hershey Lodge or the “Breakfast with Santa” package at either property.
New Year’s Eve
The Hotel Hershey for Families
The Chocolate World Family New Year’s Eve Package at The Hotel Hershey is available December 30 (two-night minimum). The package includes deluxe accommodations; kick-off dance party; New Year’s Eve Grand Dinner and Dessert Buffet; entertainment, dancing and all activities at Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction; New Year’s Day breakfast; and admission to the Museum Experience at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue. Package pricing starts at $614.50**.
The Hotel Hershey for Adults
The Circular Dining Room at The Hotel Hershey will host a dinner and dance to ring in the New Year. A seven-course dinner will be served from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Live entertainment will begin at 8 p.m. and lasts into 2013 until 1 a.m. Dinner is $150 per person and black tie attire is optional. Guests must be 18 or older. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 717-534-8800.
The Hershey Story for Families
Guests “Rock Around the Clock” on December 31 at The Hershey Story. This free event begins at 11 a.m. to celebrate midnight in the Philippines and continues with midnight in Russia at 2 p.m. and midnight in Madagascar at 4 p.m. At each time, guests will count down to a “midnight” Bubble Wrap Stomp. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., kids can make a zany hat to wear during the celebration. With admission to the Museum Experience, guests can also search for signs of the New Year on a fun-filled scavenger hunt, complete with a sweet reward.
For additional information, hours and pricing for Christmas In Hershey, please visit www.HersheyPA.com or call 1-800-HERSHEY (1-800-437-7439).
*A 20 percent service charge will be added to the bill for all treatments. This treatment may not be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion
**Price is per room per night for up to four guests, based on availability. Includes tax and gratuities. Other restrictions may apply.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Reilly Fies
refies@HersheyPA.com
717-534-3396