Hersheypark Crowd Calendar & Best Days to Visit (2026)
Hersheypark in Hershey, PA is one of the most-visited parks tracked by Parks Radar. This page breaks down when Hersheypark is busiest and least crowded so you can plan your trip around the crowds, then check the live, day-by-day forecast for any date in 2026.
See Hersheypark's live crowd forecast →Nursing & baby-care guide → · Best time to visit → · Where to eat → · Where to stay →
When is Hersheypark least crowded?
- Weekdays beat weekends. Tuesday through Thursday are typically the calmest days.
- Off-peak weeks: mid-January to early February, late August through September, and the weeks after Thanksgiving before mid-December tend to be lightest.
- Avoid holidays. Steer clear of Christmas/New Year, Thanksgiving week, spring break, and the Fourth of July for the smallest crowds.
When is Hersheypark busiest?
The heaviest crowds hit on major holidays, all summer long, and on weekends year-round.
Crowds spike during its signature seasonal events, when locals and tourists pack in on event days:
Hersheypark in the DarkChristmas Candylane
Hersheypark hours & operating calendar
Hersheypark runs spring weekends, daily through summer, then Hersheypark in the Dark and Christmas Candylane in fall and winter.
Hours and crowd levels shift constantly. Parks Radar estimates each day's crowd level against this park's own normal, so you can spot the calm days at a glance. Always confirm hours on the official site before booking.
Hersheypark visitor guide
Quick, useful details for planning your day. Hours, prices and dates change, so confirm on the official site before you book.
Hersheypark rides & height requirements
Here are some of the headline rides at Hersheypark and the minimum height to ride each one:
- Candymonium (54 in)
- Skyrush (54 in)
- Wildcat's Revenge (48 in)
- Storm Runner (54 in)
- Fahrenheit (54 in)
Heights can change between seasons, so always confirm at the ride entrance. See live wait times and the full ride list with height requirements on the Parks Radar live forecast.
Visiting Hersheypark: hours, parking & getting there
Open daily roughly late May through early September, typically 10am to 8pm or later; reduced/seasonal hours for Halloween and Christmas Candylane. Check calendar. General parking is around 26 dollars per car, with preferred options costing more; rates change seasonally.
Hersheypark is located at 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.
Where to eat, events & tips at Hersheypark
Where to eat
Popular options include The Chocolatier and Simply Chicken.
2026 events
- Springtime in the Park, April 3 to May 17
- Independence Day Fireworks, July 4
- Hersheypark Halloween & Dark Nights, September 12 to November 1
- Treatville kids trick-or-treat, September 12 to November 1
- Christmas Candylane, November 13 to December 31
Tips for your visit
- Visit Accessibility Services (opens 30 minutes before the park) to enroll for accessible ride entrances.
- Rentals are first-come with a 500 lb limit; arrive early to secure one.
Other Destination Parks
2026 crowds, week by week
The Parks Radar model scores every operating day of 2026 for Hersheypark against the park’s own normal, so these are patterns you will not find on the official calendar. Hersheypark is projected to run 185 operating days this year. A crowd index near 100% is a packed day; lower means shorter lines.
The weekend premium. Saturdays at Hersheypark run about 31% busier than a typical weekday, so shifting a visit to midweek is usually the single biggest move you can make on wait times.
Longest calm stretch. May 25 to May 29 is 5 straight operating days projected at comfortable crowd levels, the best window in 2026 for a relaxed multi-day visit.
The quietest and busiest week of every month
| Month | Quietest week | Busiest week |
|---|---|---|
| April | Apr 17 to Apr 19 (57%) | Apr 3 to Apr 5 (78%) |
| May | May 25 to May 31 (50%) | May 21 to May 24 (67%) |
| June | Jun 29 to Jun 30 (55%) | Jun 22 to Jun 28 (63%) |
| July | Jul 27 to Jul 31 (65%) | Jul 1 to Jul 5 (90%) |
| August | Aug 31 (61%) | Aug 1 to Aug 2 (82%) |
| September | Sep 7 (61%) | Sep 25 to Sep 27 (66%) |
| October | Oct 2 to Oct 4 (66%) | Oct 9 to Oct 11 (73%) |
| November | Nov 1 (54%) | Nov 26 to Nov 29 (81%) |
| December | Dec 3 to Dec 6 (56%) | Dec 28 to Dec 31 (96%) |
The single quietest day of 2026 is projected to be Tuesday, May 26 at 38%, and the busiest Saturday, July 4 at 100%. For the calmest hours once you are inside, open the live forecast and the ride-by-ride wait planner.
Figures are Parks Radar model projections for the 2026 season, refreshed as live hours and event dates are confirmed. A planning aid, not official park data or a guarantee.