Historic Hershey Theatre Reopens After Extensive Renovations

The iconic venue has undergone major infrastructure upgrades while preserving its historic character.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The historic Hershey Theatre in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is set to reopen on March 5th after nearly a year of extensive renovations and improvements. The landmark theater, which first opened in 1933, underwent a comprehensive overhaul including new HVAC systems, seating, carpeting, lighting, parking, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Why it matters

The Hershey Theatre has long served as a cultural hub for the local community, hosting a variety of live performances and events. The renovations will help ensure the theater can continue providing high-quality entertainment experiences for years to come, while also updating critical infrastructure to modern standards.

The details

The renovations included a complete overhaul of the theater's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, the installation of 1,904 new seats, new carpeting and LED lighting throughout, improved parking and pedestrian access, and the addition of new Wi-Fi connectivity. The project was a collaborative effort between historic theater consultants, architects, and engineers, all working to complete the essential upgrades while preserving the venue's historic character.

  • The Hershey Theatre closed in January 2025 to undergo the renovations.
  • The theater is scheduled to reopen to the public on March 5, 2026.

The players

Hershey Theatre

A historic performance venue that first opened in 1933 and serves as a cultural hub for the Hershey, Pennsylvania community.

Don Papson

The owner of the Hershey Theatre and executive director of The M.S. Hershey Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“Since its opening in 1933, Hershey Theatre has served as a pillar of cultural enrichment for our community.”

— Don Papson, Owner of Hershey Theatre and Executive Director of The M.S. Hershey Foundation (foxbaltimore.com)

What’s next

The theater's reopening will be marked by a performance from astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson on March 5th, followed by comedy shows featuring Jim Jeffries, Steve Martin, and Martin Short on March 13th and 14th.

The takeaway

The extensive renovations to the historic Hershey Theatre demonstrate the community's commitment to preserving its cultural landmarks and providing high-quality entertainment experiences. The upgrades will help ensure the theater can continue serving as a hub for the arts in the Hershey region for years to come.