It's not too early to start thinking of Christmas - or - chocolate. Combining the two, The town of Hershey will sparkle with more than 3 million lights during Christmas in Hershey, a town-wide celebration that begins on November 13.The centerpiece of the holiday celebration is Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, through which Hersheypark is transformed into a delightful holiday village with more than 30 rides, Santa and his nine live reindeer, live entertainment, games, shops, and food. New for the 2009 season is a dazzling light show choreographed to high-energy holiday music. Aglow with more than 127,000 lights, the show will include the famous 50-foot tall Kissmas Tree and an array of illuminated displays, including snowmen and reindeer.
Just a short drive from Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is “Hershey Sweet Lights, A Holiday Drive-Thru Spectacular,” which also will open for the season on November 13. Guests can drive their cars along a 2.3-mile route through a wooded hillside and enjoy nearly 600 light displays, all while listening to the sounds of the season through a customized radio broadcast.
Both Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey will offer overnight accommodations and packages 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 “Breakfast With Santa” package at either property.
In addition, Hershey Lodge will offer guests a holiday dinner theatre. “Christmas in ChocolateTown, A Holiday Dinner Musical” includes regional holiday fare topped off with a decadent chocolate dessert and followed by a professional song-and-dance performance. This seasonal revue, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will include pop holiday songs as well as traditional favorites.
The chefs of Hershey Lodge will present “Holidays Around the World,” offering diners festive cuisine from various regions around the globe. These menus will be available the entire month of December in both The Forebay and Hershey Grill restaurants.
Every member of the family will enjoy “Holiday with Dickens” at The Hotel Hershey December 6 and 7. Guests can celebrate the spirit of the season with an engaging performance of Charles Dickens’ cherished tale, A Christmas Carol, by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of the renowned author, at either an afternoon English tea or elegant dinner.
In addition, both Giant Center and Hershey Theatre will host an array of festive entertainment, including concerts and family shows. Among the scheduled performances are Chris Botti and Jim Brickman at Hershey Theatre and Trans Siberian Orchestra at Giant Center. Giant Center also is home ice for the Hershey Bears, the 2008-2009 American Hockey League’s Calder Cup champions and the oldest continuously operating franchise in the AHL. The team has several home games scheduled during the holiday season.
The festivities will continue at Hershey’s Chocolate World, home of Hershey’s Bake Shoppe, which will offer such freshly baked Christmas treats as cookies, brownies and cupcakes. Guests can sample limited-edition, holiday-flavored Hershey’s Kisses chocolates at the Hershey’s Chocolate Tasting Adventure or sip scrumptious Hershey’s Hot Cocoa. Other activities include visiting with Santa; shopping for stocking stuffers; or enjoying a holiday ride through town on the Hershey Trolley, which departs from Hershey’s Chocolate World.
Visitors can make new memories this holiday season at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, which opened this past January. Adorned in festive greenery and lights, the museum’s lobby provides a heartwarming Chocolate Avenue winter scene that will make the perfect backdrop for a special keepsake family photo. Kids can make a chocolate dough ornament in the “Little Elves Workshop,” and live holiday musical performances will be held on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season.
Hershey Gardens will present holly and viburnium berries, evergreens, and the Christmas rose in a striking blend of hues and textures. Beginning November 13 and running through December 27, visitors can see the Gardens’ National Christmas Tree Walk, featuring evergreen trees decorated with ornaments collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
For additional information, visit www.ChristmasInHershey.com
For more information on other major Christmas events across the USA take a look at the Christmas pages of Top Events USA at http://www.topeventsusa.com/christmas-events.html or for other top events in Pennsylvania see http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-pennsylvania.html