Check out our list of must-see 2024 summer events in Hershey, PA. For foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers, and event-goers — there is something for everyone in Hershey, PA. And the perfect place to stay and be in on all the action: 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast.
Art, Music and Performances
Hershey, PA, offers so much sweetness year-round, but summertime is the best time to visit Pennsylvania. Hershey comes alive with musical performances and dazzling art exhibits.
Hersheypark Stadium is booked out this year, with highlight performers like:
- Stevie Nicks
- Justin Timberlake
- Journey
- Def Leppard
- And so many more
Check out the full calendar of summer events, and plan for your favorite show months in advance!
Another way to immerse yourself in Hershey’s Art culture is by visiting the Art in the Wild Exhibition installed at Wildwood Park. This outdoorsy art exhibit is a great free activity near Hershey, PA, highlighting the immersion of art in nature. This year’s theme is Nature Heals, symbolizing our environment’s restorative power. Installations will be up through September.
Festivals and Events
Celtic Fling and Highland Games
🍫 June 21-23, 2024
Hershey, PA, hosts various festivals and events for 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast guests who want to participate in community fun. One of our summer favorites is the Celtic Fling and Highland Games.
Attend the Friday Kick-Off on June 21 for live music, food and refreshments, and then witness the buzz of activity on June 22 and 23. The weekend series of events includes performances of traditional tunes, vendor booths, and the intense Highland Games. All the fun is performed in kilts!
4th of July Food Truck Festival
Spend the 4th of July in Hershey, PA, at the 4th of July Food Truck Festival in Harrisburg! From 1-9pm, sample dishes from over 45 food trucks. There will be a wine and beer garden, live music, and, of course, fireworks! One of Pennsylvania’s largest and most dazzling firework displays is made even more beautiful by the Riverfront Park water reflecting the show. Bring your lawn chairs for the best seat in the house.
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
🍫 Saturdays & Sundays, August 17 – October 27, 2024
Another themed event on the books is the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. One of Harrisburg’s most famous events, the Renaissance Faire, provides endless fun for every visitor.
Chow down on giant turkey legs with a big beer in hand as you wander through artisan booths, explore plenty of food options, and witness a triumphant display of jousting and the Tournament of Arms.
You can also bring your furry friend! Plan to attend this perfect transition between summer and fall festivals near Hershey, PA.
Food and Drink
Farm to Fare Dinner Event
🍫 June 7 & 8, 2024
A good trip makes an event better when attending local food fairs. The Farm to Fare at Mount Hope Estate & Winery grants you a full meal of farm-to-table foods produced by local farmers and vintners.
- Tickets are $85 per person
- Cash bar cocktail hour
- Multi-course meal
- Dessert
- Top-tier wines
Reserve your spot for this summer event.
Attend Brew Fest
🍫 June 20, 2024
For a proper sampling of Hershey, PA, brews, attend the Brew Fest at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park on July 20, 3-7pm. Food trucks will be catering the event, and the day allows you to interact with all the brewer’s tips and tricks.
Explore different combinations of flavors from all across the state while jamming out to live music. Tickets purchased in advance are discounted.
Outdoor Activities
Boat Cruise on the Susquehanna River
We recommend setting sail on the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat for our love birds for a Specialty Cruise.
The Pride offers romantic sunset dinners once a month, jamming River Tunes rides every other Thursday, and Sips on the Susquehanna on scattered Saturday dates through the summer. Take in the picturesque views of the river and the Harrisburg skyline, a truly blissful view during summer.
Kayak the waters of Central Pennsylvania
Enjoy a warm summer day on Swatara Creek with Cocoa Kayak rentals. If flat water is your thing, rent a kayak or pedal boat at Memorial Lake. On select dates, you can learn the history of the Union Canal while paddling through the canal.
Bike, Walk, or Run Race
🍫 June 2, 2024
This summer, bike, walk or run the Tour de Belt, the ultimate outdoor experience along 20 miles of trail through Harrisburg, PA.
Take your sweet time or race to the finish line for a post-competition celebration featuring food trucks, live music, and plenty of hydration—water or something stronger, you choose! Sign-up sales help keep the Capital Area Greenbelt a prime place to visit.
Parks and Attractions
The Hershey Story Chocolate Classes & Tastings
Indulge your sweet tooth at The Hershey Story Museum and unlock chocolate-making’s secrets this summer. Tap into your chocolatier side at the Chocolate Lab Classes to learn about the origins of Hershey chocolate. Take your masterpiece home to friends and family as a delicious souvenir.
Another fun activity is the Tastings, which is the perfect opportunity to sample milk, white, and dark chocolates from around the globe.
Ride the Hershey Trolley
Travel through Hershey’s history with Hershey Trolley Works, taking guests on rides all summer. Spend a little over an hour sightseeing and chocolate tasting while learning all about Milton Hershey, the creator of Hershey’s Chocolate.
Stops include Mr. Hershey’s historic home, The Milton Hershey School, and Highpoint Mansion. 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast isn’t the only place in town where you can soak up historic charm!
Plan Your Summer Vacation
There are so many must-see 2024 summer events in Hershey, PA, that you must include on your itinerary, and our list is just the beginning!
We know a lot about what is happening this summer, but we also have comprehensive guides to fall festivals and things to do in the winter. Fun in Hershey happens all year round, so plan to stay at 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast, which is conveniently located to it all.
Photo Credit:
© Carney05 via canva.com
© yoh4nn via canva.com
© Ekaterina79 via canva.com
