Hersheypark (Hershey, PA) is leveraging robust summer programming, including limited-time F&B, events, and live entertainment, to pull passholders back to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
Across a 110-day summer season running May 21 through September 7, the park is layering on a new original live show, a cornucopia of tiered F&B offerings, four fireworks nights, patriotic ride and character overlays, a Nathan’s Famous hot-dog-eating qualifier, water park expansions, and a concert series with a new premium viewing deck. All of it is included in one ticket that already covers the park, The Boardwalk water park, and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park.
The largest amusement park in Pennsylvania is in its 120th operating year and centrally located within driving distance of five of the largest metropolitan areas in the Northeast, 90 minutes from Philadelphia and two hours from Washington, D.C., which is hosting the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Three Tiers of F&B
The food and beverage programming operates at three levels: limited-time patriotic treats across the park, a one-day event centered around the Nathan’s Famous qualifier, and an expanded seasonal menu at The Chocolatier restaurant.
Limited-time park treats. Hersheypark is rolling out patriotic red, white, and blue versions of signature items across multiple dining locations:
- Star-Spangled King Size Shake at Simply Chocolate (July only), a limited-time version of the park’s award-winning signature dessert, now celebrating its 10th birthday
- 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
The July-only availability of the King Size Shake creates a specific window for passholders to return.
Nathan’s Famous qualifier. On June 19 at 2 PM, the world’s top hot dog eaters and rising challengers will compete at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark in the final qualifying event for the legendary Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest. Competitors will have 10 intense minutes to consume as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs as possible.
The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar & Patio in Hershey’s Chocolatetown debuted a new spring and summer menu featuring a significantly expanded lineup of appetizers, entrees, desserts, and cocktails.
New shareables include Creamy Burrata with Strawberry Jam, Pickled Berries, and Twizzlers Hot Honey Sauce, BBQ Pork Nachos with House Smoked Pork and Hershey’s Chocolate BBQ, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, and a Shrimp Cocktail served with both classic cocktail sauce and a chocolate-chili sauce. The returning Hershey’s Chocolate BBQ Wings are available as part of the Ferris Wheel Sampler, the restaurant’s popular appetizer platter served on a miniature Ferris wheel, which also includes Loaded Potato Dip, Mozzarella Moons, Street Corn Eggrolls, and Classic Chicken Tenders.
New for this season is a Dessert Ferris Wheel Sampler, a first for the restaurant, featuring Cookies N Cream Truffles, Hershey’s Chocolate Mousse Cake, KitKat Cookies, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake, and Twizzlers Strawberry Marshmallow Pops.
Entrees include Heath Bar Crusted Salmon with Pecan & Toffee Crust, New York Strip Steak with Hershey’s Cocoa Spice Rub, Lobster Tacos, and a Chicken & Waffle Sandwich with Twizzlers Hot Honey Sauce. Milkshakes include the Over The Top Hershey’s Chocolate Milkshake, Reese’s Peanut Butter Milkshake, Cookies N Cream Milkshake, and Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake, each topped with a full-sized dessert.
The spring and summer cocktail program introduces six new drinks: Alchemist’s Hive (tequila, honey, lavender and rosemary bitters), Bergamot & Berry (butterfly pea flower gin, blueberry earl grey jam), Bloom & Buzz (amaretto, fresh espresso), Manuka Mornings (rye, chamomile, applewood smoke), Spice Merchant (light aged rum, vanilla demerara, angostura bitters), and Strawberry Fields (vodka, elderflower, strawberry, rhubarb bitters). Non-alcoholic options include Meadow Mist and Sunflower Spritz.
The Chocolatier is open daily for lunch and dinner during spring and summer. Reservations are encouraged.
Live Entertainment
Hersheypark is debuting Sweet Land of Liberty: A Celebration of the American Songbook, a new original live show running May 29 through Labor Day in the air-conditioned Chevrolet Music Box Theatre. The production takes guests through rock, pop, country, and soul anthems from American music history, providing a cooldown experience for the whole family during peak summer heat.
Beyond the theatre, Hershey Characters will appear in patriotic costumes throughout the park. Hersheypark is the only amusement park in the world where guests can take selfies with life-size Hershey candy brand characters. Select rides will also feature red, white, and blue lighting and effects packages.
The park is programming fireworks presented by Hershey’s on four specific dates, each pinned to a peak travel period:
- Saturday, May 23
- Thursday, July 3
- Friday, July 4
- Saturday, August 8
Concert Series
Hersheypark Stadium’s Summer Concert Series returns with acts including Guns N’ Roses, Chris Stapleton, Pitbull, and Forrest Frank. New for 2026, a second Premium Viewing Deck adds premium seating, exclusive food and beverage options, a dedicated restroom, and designated parking and entrance.
GIANT Center indoor arena will host Meghan Trainor, Khalid, 5 Seconds of Summer, Josh Groban with special guest Jennifer Hudson, and James Taylor.
Water Park Expansions
The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, is adding two new water play areas at Bayside Pier with 45 aquatic elements:
- The Inlet at Bayside Pier (NEW) — A shade-filled play zone with water-spouting dolphins and fish and whimsical water spray features
- The Island at Bayside Pier (NEW) — Towering 10-foot-tall palm trees that tip buckets of refreshing water
Both areas feature rubberized decking for guest comfort and shaded canopies. The new open design allows families to flow between water attractions and cool off faster.
The Boardwalk features 17 attractions and one million gallons of water, from water slides and a water coaster to a lazy river and zero-depth entry areas for the youngest guests. Designed to honor the iconic boardwalks of the East Coast, The Boardwalk is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark. Daily summer operations begin May 21, with The Boardwalk opening May 23.
New Hotel
Hershey Inn & Suites, a new 130-room select-service hotel located just minutes from the park, opens May 1 as the first select-service property in The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, joining The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hersheypark Camping Resort.
The four-story property includes seven family suites with a first-of-its-kind room type for a Hersheypark property: bunk beds, one queen bed, a full sleeper sofa, and a separate living space accommodating groups of six. Amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, a lobby bar, grab-and-go snacks in a lobby marketplace, an arcade, a fitness center, and an indoor pool open year-round.
Guests of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark receive Free Resort Benefits including the best price on Hersheypark tickets, extra morning and evening park hours, front gate shuttle service to an exclusive resort drop-off location, and destination activities.
Event Dates
Hersheypark’s 2026 summer season runs daily May 21 through September 7. The Boardwalk opens May 23 through Labor Day. Key dates:
- May 1 — Hershey Inn & Suites opens
- May 21 — Daily summer operations begin
- May 23 — Fireworks, The Boardwalk opens
- May 29 — Sweet Land of Liberty show premiere
- June 19 — Nathan’s Famous qualifier at The Boardwalk, 2 PM
- July 3 and 4 — Fireworks
- August 8 — Fireworks
For more information, visit Hersheypark.com.
