Where Holiday Spirit Meets Sweet Competition: Inside the Hershey Christmas Classic
Shining lights, Christmas trees topped with Hershey’s Kisses, the scent of chocolate in the air, and the sound of cheers echoing in the hallways — there’s no place quite like Hershey, Pennsylvania during the holidays. As teams travel in for competitions, they’re stepping into more than a weekend of polished performances and tightly contested matchups. They’re entering a destination where holiday spirit, small-town charm, and sweet family fun blend seamlessly, turning a competitive event into a memorable winter getaway in the heart of Chocolate Town.
MCDA Brands has hosted their annual Hershey Christmas Classic at the Hershey Lodge for five years. The 2-day spirit competition draws over 3,100 athletes ages 3-19 from multiple states. The competition takes place in Hershey Lodge’s Great American Hall which offers more than 32,000 square feet of space to accommodate nearly 3,000 people. Additional ballrooms, halls, and suites are available, bringing the total event space to 100,000 square feet. The venue offers top-notch accommodations with 665 guest rooms, complimentary parking, five restaurants offering both upscale and casual options, an indoor pool complex, visits from Hershey’s Characters, and more. Guests also enjoy sweet discounts on Hersheypark tickets, free admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience, free shuttle service, and more.
“The Hershey Christmas Classic is about more than competition, it’s about creating holiday memories for athletes and families, said Kim Schaub, Owner & CEO of MCDA. “There’s something special about combining cheer and dance with the magic of Hershey at Christmas time!”
“This is a very strong venue and place to have a competition. It’s nice to have a place for the girls to enjoy themselves inside as well as outside the competition at Hersheypark. There should be a lot more competitions in places like this.” ~ Visiting Coach
The holiday spirit can be felt at every turn in Hershey. Pine garlands, wreaths, decorated trees, and storefront windows painted with holiday scenes can be seen throughout Downtown Hershey. Many restaurants offer seasonal treats such as holiday cocktails, cookie & cocoa flights, loaded milkshakes, savory soups, and so much more. Visitors can drive through more than 500 illuminated, animated displays at Hershey Sweet Lights, shop one-of-a kind holiday treats and take an immersive tour ride at Hershey’s Chocolate World, and view beautifully decorated designer trees at Hershey Garden’s Christmas Tree Showcase. And of course, a stop at Hersheypark to view 5 million holiday lights and iconic displays from the top of roller coasters, the Kissing Tower, and other attractions is a must. Visitors should also look into events happening at GIANT Center for the opportunity to catch a Hershey Bear’s ice hockey game or nationally touring concert, family show, comedy act, and more during their visit.
Hershey and the surrounding region have an incredible inventory of venues to host sports competitions and events of all types and sizes. Learn more about these venues and start planning your next event at http://www.hhsportsandevents.com.
Teams interested in attending the MCDA Brands Christmas Classic event in 2026 should follow them on Facebook and visit their website at http://www.registermcda.com.
Photos provided are courtesy of Hersheypark, Hershey Lodge, Hershey Gardens, and LMX Digital.
