16 things to do in Hershey in 2016
The year brings summer concerts, food, brews, comedy and more to Chocolatetown, USA.
ZooAmerica Community Weekend, Jan. 23-24
Enjoy free admission and “animal encounters” this weekend at the 11-acre zoo adjacent to Hersheypark. The zoo is home to more than 200 animals from five regions of North America including the Canada lynx, snowy owl, river otter, American elk, mountain lion and bald eagle plus more mammals, birds and reptiles. The animals are most active in the cooler months, so winter is a good time to visit. The zoo is open daily with after-hours tours and behind-the-scenes tours available.
Where: 201 Park Ave. (Route 743), Hershey. Parking is free in a designated zoo lot.
Cost: Free Jan. 23-24. Regular admission is $9 to $11.
Info: www.zooamerica.com. For updates, follow ZooAmerica on Facebook.
Truffles for Couples, Feb. 5-14
Bring your sweetheart or a friend to the Chocolate Lab at The Hershey Story Museum for an evening of chocolate decadence. Participants will hand-roll and coat dark chocolate ganache in milk and white chocolate, then finish their truffles with an array of toppings.Box your chocolate creations and receive a fresh, long-stemmed red rose to take home. This workshop will be held Feb. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
Where: 63 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey.
Cost: $18.75 per person.
Info: Register at www.HersheyStory.org.
Martini Mixology, Feb. 12 and 26
An ideal outing for couples, this seminar will show you how to create the Hershey Lodge’s signature Chocolate Martini as well as a variety of other flavors. Attendees will receive a complimentary martini glass and cocktail shaker.
Where: Hershey Lodge, 27 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey.
Cost: $45 per person. Call 717-534-8601 for reservations.
Info: www.hersheylodge.com.
Theresa Caputo Live!, March 19-20
The psychic medium and star of TLC’s “Long Island Medium” will give interactive readings to audience members and will share personal stories about her life and her unique gifts.
Where: Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are $42.60 and up. Get tickets soon -- the shows are nearly sold out.
Info: www.hersheytheatre.com.
Hershey Gardens opens for the season, March 24
The 23-acre botanical garden features various themed gardens, including more than 5,000 roses, a Butterfly House, and a chocolate-themed Children’s Garden.
Where: 170 Hotel Road, Hershey.
Cost: Admission is $7.50 to $10.50.
Info: www.hersheygardens.org.
Springtime in the Park, April 2-3 and 9-10
Celebrate the arrival of warmer weather at Hersheypark during two weekends in April with dozens of rides and roller coasters, live entertainment, strolling characters and ZooAmerica. The park’s summer season starts April 29. Stop back for Hersheypark in the Dark at Halloween and Christmas Candylane during the holidays.
Where: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are not yet on sale.
Info: www.hersheypark.com.
Stars on Ice, April 15
Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Olympic Ice Dance Gold Medalists from 2014, will headline the Stars on Ice 2016 tour as it marks 30 years of figure skating excellence. The pair will be joined by U.S. champions and Olympic medalists Ashley Wagner, Gracie Gold and Jeremy Abbott, along with top ice dance teams Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and Maia and Alex Shibutani.
Where: Giant Center, 550 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are $27.85 to $137.85.
Info: www.hersheyentertainment.com.
Hershey Symphony Orchestra, April 23
The symphony’s season ends with “Gershwin’s America” featuring the best of George and Ira Gershwin with the Hershey Symphony Big Band and vocalists, followed by George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the full orchestra and Josh Tindall on piano.
Where: Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are $18 to $20.
Info: www.hersheytheatre.com.
Decked Out Live, beginning May 6
The summer concert series will kick of with the Jazz Me Band, with Jeff Seyfried opening, at the Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey. Local and regional musicians will perform Friday evenings through September.
Where: 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown.
Cost: Tickets are $10 for singles, $15 for a couple.
Info: vineyardathershey.com.
Lewis Black, May 8
The actor, author and comic has an all-new show, The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth, coming to the Hershey Theatre. A passionate performer who is a more ticked-off optimist than a mean-spirited curmudgeon, his live performances can cause an audience to laugh themselves into hysteria while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world.
Where: 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are $42.50 to $69.50.
Info: www.hersheytheatre.com.
Disturbed and Rob Zombie, May 22
Hard rock icons Disturbed and Rob Zombie will headline a show at the Giant Center with special guest Pop Evil. The lineup at the Giant Center also includes WWE Live Road to Wrestlemania, March 13; Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago on April 6; Brantley Gilbert on April 14; Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on April 29; Janet Jackson on June 14; and Keith Urban on Nov. 17.
Where: 550 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are $32.80 to $52.80.
Info: www.hersheyentertainment.com.
The Elegance at Hershey, June 10-12
Part garden party, part classic car show, this event celebrates autos from bygone eras with displays, a European-inspired hill climb, Concorso Bizarro, gala and auction, seminars and fine food at The Hotel Hershey. This year’s theme is Celebration of Speed and will feature an exhibit of a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Spyder.
Where: 100 Hotel Road, Hershey.
Tickets: Tickets for individual events are $10 and up.
Info: Visit theeleganceathershey.com.
Dixie Chicks, June 24
Known for being innovators and renegades, the country power trio brings its DCX MMXVI World Tour to the Hersheypark Stadium. The Grammy Award-winning band has been called the “biggest-selling female band of all time in the U.S.” by Rolling Stone. Their albums “Wide Open Spaces” (1998) and “Fly” (1999) both reached sales of more than 10 million copies.
Where: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are $44.10 to $138.10.
Info: www.hersheyentertainment.com.
Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas, July 16
Multi-platinum selling artists, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas are joining forces for Future Now: The Tour, coming to Hersheypark Stadium. The summer concert lineup at the outdoor stadium also includes Luke Bryan, June 4; Twenty One Pilots, June 19; and Five Seconds of Summer, July 2.
Where: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey.
Cost: Tickets are $29.95 to $89.95.
Info: www.hersheyentertainment.com.
Ales & Autos, Nov. 4
More than three dozen local, regional and national breweries will offer craft beer samples at the Antique Auto Museum. Enjoy food and live music, learn about food and beer pairings, and view the museum’s antique cars, trucks, motorcycles and memorabilia.
Where: 161 Museum Drive, Hershey
Cost: Tickets are not yet on sale.
Info: www.aacamuseum.org.
Hershey Sweet Lights, mid-November through December
Enjoy hundreds of lighted holiday displays along a two-mile wooded trail from the comfort of your own car. Tune in to holiday music synchronized to the lights show through a customized radio broadcast.
Where: 11 Boathouse Road, Hershey.
Cost: Admission is per vehicle. Tickets are not yet on sale.
Info: www.hersheypark.com.