Hershey New Year’s Eve Celebration Returns to Ring in America’s 250th
Hershey New Year’s Eve will ring in 2026 with a can’t-miss celebration for all to enjoy on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. Held in the heart of downtown Hershey, Pa., the event will feature kid-friendly entertainment, main stage music and a unique laser and pyrotechnics display featuring Americana elements to honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
Families can look forward to New Year’s countdowns and bubble wrap stomps during the day at The Hershey Story at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For younger guests who may not make it til midnight, the event will feature a family hour from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., including local music from children’s musician Holly Serio, face painting, vendors and more. The HERSHEY Characters will visit the main stage at 8:30 p.m. for a final bubble wrap stomp and dance party.
Main stage music performances will begin at 9 p.m. Returning to headline this year’s event is Pennsylvania quartet and TikTok sensation Burn the Jukebox, following their crowd-pleasing show in 2024. The group’s set will include pop and rock hits spanning over five decades, along with their own original songs. Opening for Burn the Jukebox is the five-person cover band Fully Stocked, pumping out energy and fun with rock and pop songs from the 1970s to today.
To round out the evening, at 11:59 p.m., MC Denny Logan (WNNK 104.1) and the HERSHEY Characters will count down to the HERSHEY’S KISS raise, followed by an immersive laser and pyrotechnics display to light up the night.
Hershey New Year’s Eve is a free, family-friendly event planned and staffed by community volunteers and fully funded by its generous sponsors, including Platinum-level sponsors Capital Blue Cross, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, The Hershey Company, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. and UPMC.
For more information, please visit the event website at HersheyNewYearsEve.org or its Facebook page. Additional details will also be shared via the event’s media sponsors, WINK 104 and HOT 106.7
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Schedule of Events:
11:00 AM and 1:00 PM: Celebrate the New Year throughout the day at The Hershey Story. Kids can make noise with the Hershey product characters as they countdown to the new year with bubble wrap stomps at: 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
7:30-8:30 PM: Kid-friendly entertainment with children’s musician Holly Serio; to include face painting available from 7:30-9:00 PM
8:30-9:00 PM: Join the HERSHEY's Characters for a dance party followed by the final bubble wrap stomp countdown in ChocolateTown Square.
7:30 PM-midnight: Food vendors available in ChocolateTown Square
9:00-10:00 PM: Fully Stocked on the main stage at Chocolate Ave and Cocoa Ave
10:30-11:55 PM: Burn the Jukebox on the main stage
11:59 PM: Countdown begins! Followed by the Kiss Raise
Midnight: Downtown revelers will enjoy an immersive display!
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Got questions? Most are covered on our website's FAQ:
https://www.hersheynewyearseve.org/
Also check out other Music events in Hershey, Entertainment events in Hershey, Arts events in Hershey.
