Media Advisories & Releases

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Hershey New Year’s Eve Test Kiss Raise

What: The Hershey New Year’s Eve Committee prepares for the celebration by performing a test raise of the HERSHEY'S Kiss replica.

Why: Each year, the Hershey New Year’s Eve Committee holds the test raise to allow the media to capture b-roll and speak with committee members about the event.

Who: Select committee members will attend and be available to speak with the press.

When: Thursday, December 28, 2023 | 12- 12:30 pm ET

The committee will raise the HERSHEY’S Kiss replica five (5) times during this time.

Where: 27 W. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey

The HERSHEY’s Kiss replica will be located outside of Houlihan’s, at the corner of Chocolate Ave. and Cocoa Ave. (Park Ave.) in Hershey.

Parking is available in the downtown garage and lot next to Houlihan's. News vans should enter the lot at the corners of Linden and Chocolate due to height restrictions.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | Updates made December 16, 2023

Hershey New Year’s Eve Plans Finalized

Ring in 2024 with Great Music and Laser and Pyrotechnics Display

(HERSHEY) – Hershey New Year’s Eve returns for its 19th year with another full celebration. Northeastern PA's Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax return to headline the event. The eleven-piece, high-energy band offers a diverse mix of Motown, Disco, and 1970s retro hits, as well as R&B, Jazz, Swing, Rock n’ Roll and Top 40 music. Also returning to the main stage is fan-favorite and opener, Fully Stocked. The local six-person cover band pumps out energy and fun with rock and pop songs from the 1970s to today.

“We are excited to bring back the laser and pyrotechnics display this year,” said Julie Vastyan Goolsby, Co-Marketing Chair for Hershey New Year’s Eve.

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 - Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, The Hershey Company, WINK 104 HOT 106.7, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., Penn State Health and Highmark.

The celebration is held in the heart of downtown Hershey. It includes kid-friendly new year’s countdowns and bubble wrap stomps at the Hershey Story throughout the day and evening. At 8:30, the HERSHEY’S Characters join for the final bubble wrap stomp and a dance party.

The main stage entertainment kicks off at 9:00 pm with Fully Stocked and Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax. At 11:59, MC Denny Logan (WNNK 104.1) and the HERSHEY’s Characters will count down to the HERSHEY’S Kiss raise. Then, downtown revelers will enjoy the second annual laser and pyrotechnics display.

Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks through the event’s media sponsors, WINK 104 and HOT 106.7, on the event website, HersheyNewYearsEve.org, and its Facebook page.

Digital Images & Video

The following images are available for the media to use. Each photo links to the Google Drive file you can download. Please credit the Hershey New Year’s Eve Committee.