If you recently searched for Hershey Park or Hersheypark and saw headlines mentioning closures, you may be wondering whether you should cancel an upcoming trip. The short answer is no: Hersheypark itself is not permanently closing.
The confusion comes from several separate changes happening around the same time. The longtime Tidal Force water ride has ended operations after 32 years, and the Hershey Sweet Lights holiday drive-through attraction will not return for the 2026 Christmas season. At the same time, Hersheypark is moving from its summer schedule into its fall and holiday operating seasons.
For travelers, the important question is therefore not “Is Hersheypark closing?” but rather “What will actually be open when I visit?” Here is what visitors should know about operating dates, seasonal attractions, tickets, parking, hotels, and planning a 2026 trip.
Is Hersheypark Actually Closing?
No. Hersheypark remains open in 2026 on scheduled operating dates. The park began its 2026 season on April 3 and continues with seasonal operations through the end of the year and into early January 2027.
What has changed is the status of two individual attractions:
- Tidal Force: The large water ride permanently ended operations after September 7, 2026.
- Hershey Sweet Lights: The separate holiday drive-through light attraction will not operate during the 2026 Christmas season.
Neither change means Hersheypark itself is shutting down.
This distinction matters if you have already booked a hotel or purchased park tickets. Unless your trip was specifically centered around Tidal Force or Sweet Lights, there is generally no reason to cancel solely because of the recent closure headlines.
What Happened to Tidal Force?
Tidal Force was a large water ride inside The Boardwalk area of Hersheypark. After operating for 32 years, the attraction took its final rides on September 7, 2026, which was also the end of Hersheypark’s main summer season.
The ride sent guests down a steep drop and created an enormous splash, so it had become a recognizable part of the park’s summer experience.
Its retirement is permanent. Travelers visiting during fall 2026 or later should not expect Tidal Force to reopen.
However, this closure does not mean that Hersheypark has stopped operating its other roller coasters, family rides, or seasonal attractions. Availability varies by season, weather, and maintenance needs, so visitors should check the attraction list before traveling if a specific ride is important to them.
What Happened to Hershey Sweet Lights?
Another source of confusion is Hershey Sweet Lights. This was a drive-through holiday attraction where visitors could see illuminated displays from their vehicles.
Hersheypark has confirmed that Sweet Lights will not return for the 2026 holiday season after 20 seasons.
That does not mean Hershey’s larger Christmas celebration has been canceled. Instead, the company is concentrating its holiday programming on Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.
This is especially important for returning visitors. If your family previously made Sweet Lights part of an annual December trip, you will need to adjust your itinerary. Do not arrive expecting the old drive-through experience.
Hersheypark Halloween Is Still Happening in 2026
Travelers visiting Hershey in September or October can still attend Hersheypark Halloween.
The 2026 event runs on select weekends from September 12 through November 1. The fall season includes rides, Halloween activities, entertainment, and the Dark Nights haunted attractions.
Hersheypark says more than 50 rides are expected to be available during the Halloween season, although individual rides can close because of weather, maintenance, or operating conditions.
Families should also understand that the atmosphere can change as the day progresses. Hersheypark Halloween includes family-friendly activities, while Dark Nights introduces haunted houses and scare zones aimed at guests who want a more intense Halloween experience.
| 2026 period | What travelers should expect |
|---|---|
| Through Sept. 7 | Main summer season; Tidal Force operated for the final time |
| Sept. 12-Nov. 1 | Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights on scheduled dates |
| Nov. 13-Jan. 3 | Christmas Candylane on select dates |
| Sweet Lights | Not returning for the 2026 holiday season |
Christmas Candylane Returns November 13
The Christmas season at Hersheypark is continuing despite the end of Sweet Lights.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is scheduled for select dates from November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
The event includes more than five million holiday lights, selected rides and attractions, seasonal entertainment, Santa, and his nine live reindeer. Hersheypark has also announced additions for 2026, including a Fire & Ice Experience and expanded holiday displays.
There is one important planning difference compared with summer: not every Hersheypark ride operates during Christmas Candylane. Cold temperatures, seasonal schedules, weather, and ride-specific operating limits can reduce the attraction lineup.
If roller coasters are the main reason for your trip, check the current ride list rather than assuming the same attractions available in July will operate in December.
Check the Operating Calendar Before Booking
Hersheypark does not operate every day throughout fall and winter. That is probably the single most important fact for travelers planning an off-season trip.
A hotel being available in Hershey does not automatically mean the amusement park is open that day.
Before purchasing nonrefundable transportation or lodging, check the official Hersheypark calendar for your exact date. Then check again shortly before departure because operating hours can change.
A practical booking order is:
- Choose possible travel dates.
- Confirm Hersheypark is scheduled to operate.
- Check the seasonal event running during those dates.
- Review which major attractions are expected to operate.
- Compare ticket options.
- Book your hotel and transportation.
- Recheck park hours shortly before leaving home.
This is especially useful for travelers driving several hours or planning an overnight stay.
What Happens If You Already Bought Hersheypark Tickets?
If you already have tickets, do not assume they are worthless because an attraction closed.
Hersheypark admission covers the park rather than guaranteeing operation of a specific ride. Attractions can also close temporarily because of weather or maintenance.
Ticket rules depend on the ticket product you purchased. Hersheypark states that tickets and season passes generally are nonrefundable. If you accidentally purchased the wrong product, the park advises contacting its online ticket support within 24 hours of purchase for assistance.
Travelers should therefore check the terms attached to their particular ticket instead of buying a replacement immediately.
If your ticket is date-specific, confirm that your selected date still matches the trip. If you purchased a more flexible admission product, check the expiration date and eligible operating dates.
Factor Parking Into Your Trip Cost
Drivers should also plan for parking rather than treating the ticket price as the total cost of visiting.
As of September 2026, Hersheypark lists general parking purchased online at $25 plus taxes and fees per vehicle. Parking is charged for each day of a visit, although certain season passes and resort packages have different benefits.
Buying parking online in advance can also cost less than handling it after arrival.
Be careful when navigating to the complex. Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World have separate parking arrangements. A parking voucher intended for Hersheypark should not be treated as interchangeable with Chocolate World parking.
If you are staying at one of the official Hersheypark resorts, check your hotel benefits before paying for parking or arranging transportation. Official resort guests can receive front-gate shuttle service, which may make driving to the park unnecessary.
Should You Change an Existing Hershey Trip?
For most travelers, probably not.
Consider changing your plans only if one of the discontinued experiences was a major reason for the trip or if your selected date falls on a day when Hersheypark is not scheduled to operate.
Here is a simple way to decide:
| Your situation | Best response |
|---|---|
| You booked mainly to ride Tidal Force | Adjust expectations; the ride is permanently closed |
| You planned a Christmas trip mainly for Sweet Lights | Revise the itinerary because Sweet Lights is not returning |
| You are visiting for Halloween | Confirm your date falls between scheduled operating dates |
| You are visiting for Christmas Candylane | Check the calendar and seasonal ride list before leaving |
| You booked a general Hersheypark family trip | Usually no need to cancel because of the closure headlines |
What to Check the Day Before Your Visit
Even after your reservations are complete, a final check can prevent an unpleasant surprise.
Look at the official Hersheypark website or app and confirm:
- the next day’s opening and closing times;
- weather conditions;
- ride availability;
- seasonal event hours;
- parking instructions;
- your ticket’s valid date;
- any height requirements for children;
- transportation or hotel shuttle schedules.
Weather deserves extra attention during the fall and Christmas seasons. Outdoor amusement rides can be affected by rain, wind, low temperatures, or other conditions even when the park itself remains open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hersheypark permanently closing?
No. Hersheypark is continuing its 2026 operating season. Recent closure headlines concern individual attractions, particularly Tidal Force and Hershey Sweet Lights.
Is Tidal Force closed?
Yes. Tidal Force permanently ended operations after September 7, 2026, following 32 years at Hersheypark.
Is Hershey Sweet Lights canceled for 2026?
Yes. Hersheypark says the Sweet Lights drive-through attraction will not return in 2026.
Is Christmas Candylane still happening?
Yes. Christmas Candylane is scheduled on select dates from November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
Is Hersheypark open for Halloween 2026?
Yes. Hersheypark Halloween is scheduled on select weekends from September 12 through November 1, 2026.
Will every ride be open during Halloween or Christmas?
No. The available attraction lineup changes by season, and rides can also be affected by maintenance and weather. Check the official ride and operating information before traveling.
Bottom Line for 2026 Hersheypark Travelers
The viral question “Is Hersheypark closing?” makes the situation sound much larger than it is. Hersheypark is not permanently shutting down. Instead, visitors are seeing several normal but notable changes in the attraction lineup and seasonal schedule.
Tidal Force has taken its final splash. Sweet Lights will not return this Christmas. But Hersheypark Halloween begins September 12, and Christmas Candylane returns November 13.
For travelers, the best response is not to cancel automatically. Check your exact travel date, confirm the park’s hours, review which attractions will operate, and make sure your ticket and lodging plans fit the seasonal schedule. A few minutes of checking before departure can prevent the kind of surprise that misleading closure headlines often create.
References
- Hersheypark Hours Calendar — Official operating calendar and current park-hour information for planning exact travel dates.
- Hersheypark: Tidal Force — Official confirmation that Tidal Force’s final operating day was September 7, 2026, after 32 years.
- Hersheypark Halloween — Official 2026 Halloween dates, ticket information, rides, and Dark Nights details.
- Hersheypark Christmas Candylane — Official Christmas Candylane dates and confirmation that Hershey Sweet Lights will not return in 2026.
- Hersheypark Directions and Parking — Official parking rates, directions, parking rules, and transportation information.