Some things just feel like they'll be around forever, until they're not. Hersheypark fans got hit with that reality this week when the park confirmed a drive-thru holiday tradition families have counted on for two straight decades is officially done. And this isn't even the only big change Hersheypark just dropped as summer wrapped up. Here's everything going on.
Buckle up, there's a lot here:
- Hershey Sweet Lights driving off into the sunset after 20 years
- The actual reason Hersheypark's giving for ending it
- A 32-year-old water ride that just took its very last splash
- What's still on the calendar at Hersheypark this fall and winter
Twenty Years of Holiday Drives, Officially Over
Hersheypark dropped the news Tuesday, Hershey Sweet Lights is not coming back this holiday season. Straight from the park, “After 20 seasons of holiday magic, Hershey Sweet Lights has taken its final drive. Thank you to every family who made the drive-thru a part of your holiday tradition.”
Sweet Lights first launched way back in 2005, letting guests drive through themed light displays synced up with music, all without ever getting out of the car. Over 20 years, this became a legit annual tradition for a ton of families, which is exactly why this closure hits so different compared to some minor attraction quietly disappearing.
Here's Why They're Actually Ending It
According to Hersheypark's own website, the whole decision comes down to putting more focus on a different holiday event that's already a big deal at the park. Hersheypark said Sweet Lights isn't coming back specifically so they can “focus on growing Hersheypark Christmas Candylane,” the on-foot holiday celebration running through early January.
So this isn't some random budget cut, it's a real strategic shift. That said, if you're a family who genuinely loved doing this from inside your own car, that explanation probably doesn't make losing a 20 year tradition sting any less.
And a 32 Year Old Ride Just Made Its Last Splash Too
The Sweet Lights news landed right after another big goodbye Hersheypark already confirmed just days before. September 7 was the final day of the park's 120th summer season, and right alongside that, Hersheypark said farewell to Tidal Force, a water ride that had been running on The Boardwalk for a full 32 years.
Hersheypark actually announced this closure earlier in the year, confirming it would shut down once summer wrapped up. On September 6, the park posted its official goodbye online, “After 32 years, it's time for Tidal Force to set sail. Visit us for one last ride through Monday.” This ride sent guests up a 100 foot incline before a splashdown hitting speeds over 50mph, soaking riders and bystanders since it first opened back in 1994.
Hersheypark hasn't said why they're actually closing Tidal Force, and there's no word yet on what's replacing it, if anything. For now, guests are just going to see an empty spot on The Boardwalk where the ride used to be.
Don't Count Hersheypark Out for the Year Just Yet
Even with the summer season wrapped and two big goodbyes happening in the same week, Hersheypark's still very much open for business. Starting September 12, the park runs every weekend through November 1 with its annual fall lineup, Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights. Both the family friendly daytime stuff and the horror themed nighttime event are included with regular admission, though Fast Track access and tasting passes cost extra.
Most weekends through November 1 stick to a pretty consistent schedule. Fridays, Hersheypark runs 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Dark Nights runs 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Saturdays, daytime hours stretch from noon to 10:00 p.m., Dark Nights still 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Sundays wrap up a bit earlier, Hersheypark noon to 9:00 p.m., Dark Nights 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Definitely check the official park calendar before you go though, since stuff can shift.
Christmas Candylane's About to Get a Lot More Attention
Once Halloween wraps on November 1, Hersheypark rolls straight into Christmas Candylane, running select dates through January 3, 2027. It's got over two million lights strung around the park, meet and greets with Santa and his reindeer, and Christmas overlays on select roller coasters. With Sweet Lights gone now, Candylane's basically Hersheypark's main holiday event, so expect them to keep pouring more into it going forward.
After Candylane wraps, Hersheypark shuts down for the season completely, usually reopening sometime in early April. No exact 2027 reopening date yet though.
Time to Rethink Your Family's Holiday Plans
If Hershey Sweet Lights has been a family tradition for years, this is a real shift, and it's worth updating your winter plans if you already had a Sweet Lights drive penciled in. Christmas Candylane's still there as an option, just know it's a walking event, not a drive-thru, which is a real difference if you specifically loved doing this from your car.
Planning a fall trip? Keep the new weekends-only schedule in mind, since Hersheypark's not running daily again until the 2027 season kicks off. And if Tidal Force was part of your usual Hersheypark routine, that's just not happening anymore, nothing's been announced to replace it.
What did Hershey Sweet Lights mean to your family, and are you switching over to Christmas Candylane this year instead? Tell us your favorite Hersheypark memories in the comments.
