A staple Central Pennsylvania holiday tradition is coming to an end. Hersheypark announced it will permanently retire Hershey Sweet Lights, its popular drive-through holiday light attraction, concluding a 20-season run.
The two-mile drive-through trail—located just off Sandbeach Road—featured nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays, custom radio music tracks, and glowing light tunnels. For two decades, thousands of families made the annual pilgrimage to view the displays from the warmth of their vehicles.
In an official statement addressing the decision, park officials expressed gratitude to generations of visitors:
“After 20 seasons of holiday magic, Hershey Sweet Lights will not return… as we focus on growing Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Thank you to every family who made the drive-thru a part of your holiday tradition.”
Rather than maintaining the separate, off-site drive-through event, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts is shifting its seasonal investments directly inside the theme park for Christmas Candylane.
The upcoming holiday season, which kicks off Nov. 13 and runs on select dates through Jan. 3, will feature expanded offerings and new attractions designed to absorb the holiday crowds:
Fire & Ice Experience: A brand-new feature combining icy light displays with synchronized, blazingly illuminated flames set to a custom musical score.
Expanded Treeville: Enhanced walking paths with additional stop-off stations for seasonal winter treats.
Estate of Evil Holiday Open House: A festive seasonal overlay for park guests.
Coaster Overlays & Expanded Lights: Special holiday lighting on select roller coasters, expanding on the park’s collection of over 5 million twinkling lights.
Santa & Reindeer: Continued hostings of Santa Claus and all nine of his reindeer inside the park.
While local fans of the drive-through experience have expressed nostalgia online, park operators remain confident that consolidating holiday offerings inside the main property will deliver a richer, more unified experience for winter visitors.
