Spring & Summer Events in Hershey & Central PA 2026 | Concerts, Parks & More

Hershey and Central PA Are Loaded This Spring and Summer

I don’t know who’s doing the booking for Hershey’s entertainment venues this year, but they deserve a raise.

We just wrapped up an incredible stretch of winter and early spring shows (Journey, anyone?), and I figured it might slow down a bit heading into warmer weather. It did not. If anything, the April through June lineup is even better. And once you add in Hersheypark opening back up, a brand new restaurant in town, and outdoor stadium concerts kicking off, it starts to feel like Central PA is having a moment.

So whether you live here or you’re planning a trip in from somewhere else, here’s what we’re looking forward to this spring and summer.

April: Hershey Theatre Steals the Show

The big story in April is Hershey Theatre itself. After a full year of renovations, the theatre is back open and better than ever. New seating, upgraded air conditioning, better Wi-Fi, and all the historic charm that’s made it one of the most beautiful venues in the state since 1933. If you haven’t been back yet, April is the month to fix that.

The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute (April 2) starts things off at Hershey Theatre with what’s widely considered one of the best Beatles tribute acts in the country. If you grew up on that music (or your parents did and you inherited the obsession), this one is worth your time.

Collective Soul (April 3) is at Hershey Theatre the very next night. “Shine” and “The World I Know” still hold up all these years later, and their live shows have a reputation for being tight and energetic.

Puscifer (April 8) brings Maynard James Keenan’s creative side project to Hershey Theatre for something a little different. If you’re a Tool or A Perfect Circle fan, you already know. If you’re not, this is a good introduction.

& Juliet (April 14 through 19) is the Broadway touring production that reimagines Romeo and Juliet through a pop music lens. It’s one of the hottest shows on tour right now, packed with songs from Max Martin (think Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry). Great for a date night or a group outing.

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons (April 24) needs no introduction. The man is a living legend. If you saw Jersey Boys and thought “I wish I could have seen the real thing,” well, here’s your chance. Hershey Theatre is the perfect setting for this one.

John Legend (April 29) closes out the month at Hershey Theatre. Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, Tony winner. One of the most talented artists of his generation performing in an intimate theatre setting. This is the kind of show people travel for, and I would too.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, Hersheypark opens its 120th season on April 3 for Spring Weekends. That means the coasters are running, the park is open on select dates, and the whole Hershey area starts buzzing again. New this year: a brand new Hershey Social Restaurant and Bar is opening near the corner of Cocoa and Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey, plus a new Hershey Inn and Suites hotel. The area is growing and it shows.

May: Comedy, Concerts, and the Start of Something Big

May is when things really ramp up. Hersheypark goes to daily operations starting May 21, the outdoor stadium concerts begin, and the entertainment calendar gets packed wall to wall.

Stars on Ice (April 30) at GIANT Center technically sneaks in at the tail end of April, but it kicks off the spring arena season. World class figure skating with some of the biggest names in the sport.

Melissa Etheridge (May 2) plays Hershey Theatre. She’s been doing this for decades and somehow keeps getting better live. Raw, real, and full of energy.

America (May 8 or 9) brings their Happy Trails Tour to Hershey Theatre. “A Horse With No Name” and “Ventura Highway” are the kind of songs that just make you feel something, and hearing them in a venue like Hershey Theatre is something special.

Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour (May 9) at GIANT Center is going to be a big one. Bargatze is arguably the biggest comedian working right now. His Netflix specials have made him a household name, and his clean, dry, deadpan delivery fills arenas. If you haven’t grabbed tickets yet, do it soon.

Khalid and Lauv (May 16) hit GIANT Center with their “It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour.” This is a younger crowd draw, but the vibe is going to be fantastic. Khalid’s voice is smooth, Lauv brings the energy, and together it’s going to be a great night.

5 Seconds of Summer (May 23) brings their “Everyone’s a Star” World Tour to GIANT Center. The band has grown up a lot since their early days, and their live shows have matured into full-on arena productions.

Jason Mraz (May 27) plays Hershey Theatre. “I’m Yours” might be the song that put him on the map, but his catalog goes deep and his live performances are warm, fun, and surprisingly intimate even in a big room.

Tyler Childers: Snipe Hunt (May 31) opens the outdoor concert season at Hersheypark Stadium. Tyler Childers has become one of the biggest names in country and Americana music, and an outdoor stadium show on a late May evening in Hershey is about as good as it gets. This is the kind of night where the weather, the music, and the setting all come together.

June: Summer Heats Up

June is when the full summer energy hits. Hersheypark is open daily. The Stadium concert series is in full swing. And the lineup keeps delivering.

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (June 7) at Hershey Theatre. If you love Zeppelin (and honestly, who doesn’t), hearing John Bonham’s son perform this music in a gorgeous theatre is a once in a lifetime kind of evening. The setlists pull from the full catalog and the performances are reverent without being stiff.

Josh Groban with special guest Jennifer Hudson (June 10) at GIANT Center. Two powerhouse vocalists on one stage. Groban fills the room, Hudson brings the soul, and together they’re going to put on a show that gives you chills. This is one of those nights where you walk out and just say “wow.”

Tyler Childers (June 11) at Hersheypark Stadium. Yes, he’s back again. That should tell you something about how in demand he is right now.

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: Asking for Trouble (June 12) at Hershey Theatre. If you grew up watching Whose Line Is It Anyway, you already know how funny these two are. Live improv from the best in the business. Every show is completely different and completely hilarious.

Forrest Frank with Tori Kelly, Cory Asbury and The Figs (June 14) at Hersheypark Stadium. Forrest Frank’s “Jesus Generation Tour” is one of the biggest faith-based tours of the year. Tori Kelly alone is worth the ticket. Add in an outdoor stadium setting and you’ve got a powerful evening.

Daniel Tosh: My First Farewell Tour (June 16) at Hershey Theatre. Love him or not, Tosh sells out everywhere he goes. His comedy is sharp, unapologetic, and consistently funny. The “farewell tour” name is probably a joke in itself.

Chicago (June 23) at Hershey Theatre. One of the best-selling bands of all time. “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park,” “If You Leave Me Now.” Their horn section alone is worth the price of admission.

Chris Stapleton with Grace Potter (June 24) at Hersheypark Stadium. Stapleton is the real deal. His voice, his guitar playing, his songs. There’s nobody else like him in country music right now. Grace Potter opening is the cherry on top. This will sell out.

James Taylor and His All-Star Band (June 25) at GIANT Center. James Taylor live is one of those experiences everyone should have at least once. “Fire and Rain,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Carolina in My Mind.” The man is an American treasure and he still sounds incredible.

Santana and The Doobie Brothers (June 26) at Hersheypark Stadium on their Oneness Tour. Carlos Santana’s guitar work is legendary, and paired with the Doobie Brothers, this is a double bill that covers decades of incredible music.

Dude Perfect (June 28) brings their Squad Games Tour to GIANT Center. If you’ve got kids (or you’re a kid at heart), this is pure fun. The trick shot kings have turned YouTube fame into a full-on arena tour, and families are going to love it.

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (June 30 through July 5) opens at Hershey Theatre at the end of June and runs into early July. If Jersey Boys was your thing, this is right in that lane. Neil Diamond’s story, his music, brought to life on stage. “Sweet Caroline” in Hershey? Come on. That’s perfect.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

This spring marks the first full season with Hershey Theatre back from its renovation. The venue has always been stunning, but with all the upgrades, it’s going to feel brand new while still carrying that 1933 charm that makes it one of the best theatres in Pennsylvania.

Hersheypark’s 120th season is also celebrating America’s 250th anniversary this summer with special entertainment, ride overlays, and fireworks. And with the new Boardwalk water play areas opening for summer, there’s even more reason to make a full day (or weekend) of it.

If you’re coming in from Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Lancaster, York, or anywhere else in Central PA, the Hershey area has never had this much going on at once. We’ve been driving people to events around here for years, and we can’t remember a spring and summer lineup this strong.

So start making your plans. Grab your tickets. Round up your crew. And if you need a ride, well, you know where to find us.

We’ll see you out there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What venues host live events in Hershey, PA? The three main venues are GIANT Center (indoor arena, 10,500 seats), Hershey Theatre (historic performing arts center, 1,904 seats), and Hersheypark Stadium (outdoor concert venue). Each one offers a different experience depending on the type of show. GIANT Center handles big concerts and hockey. Hershey Theatre is intimate and gorgeous for Broadway, comedy, and smaller concerts. The Stadium is where the major outdoor summer tours land.

When does Hersheypark open in 2026? Hersheypark’s 120th season starts April 3, 2026 with Spring Weekend dates. Daily summer operations begin May 21 and run through September 7. This year also brings new water play areas at The Boardwalk and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

What are the biggest concerts coming to Hershey in spring and summer 2026? The spring and summer lineup includes John Legend, Journey, Nate Bargatze, Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Josh Groban with Jennifer Hudson, James Taylor, Santana and The Doobie Brothers, Khalid, 5 Seconds of Summer, and more. Broadway fans can catch & Juliet and A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical at Hershey Theatre.

Is Hershey Theatre open after renovations? Yes. Hershey Theatre reopened in early 2026 after a year-long renovation. Upgrades include new air conditioning, improved internet, and brand new seating throughout the 1,904-seat venue. The historic architecture has been fully preserved.

What is new in Hershey for 2026? Several big additions: Hershey Social Restaurant and Bar is opening in downtown Hershey near Cocoa and Chocolate Avenue. Hershey Inn and Suites is a brand new hotel joining the Official Resorts of Hersheypark. And the Boardwalk water park at Hersheypark is adding two new water play areas with 45 aquatic elements.

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