Concert goers say Hersheypark Stadium is far from the sweetest venue

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Alyssa Coleman has been attending concerts at Hershey Stadium for nearly 14 years. Although the 27-year-old lives in Johnstown, more than three hours away, she’s made the drive to the town known as “the sweetest place on Earth” many times to see her favorite bands.

This summer, though, may mark her last concert at the stadium.

“A concert should be a fun experience, and Hershey makes it miserable,” Coleman said.

Coleman’s sentiment has been echoed by many online. It seeps into reviews on websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp , with the stadium receiving an under three-star average on both sites. TikToks complaining about the venue have racked up nearly 100,000 views . While some reviews and complaints could be chalked up to impatience, there is a consensus growing on many forums that a Hersheypark Stadium is a not an audience-friendly venue.

On one video , the top liked comments are, “Worst venue to see a concert,” and “When is everyone going to learn that Hershey stadium is the absolute worst venue? Don’t even get me started on the parking situation.”

The venue has a capacity of only 30,000 for festival concerts, which is small compared to stadiums that host bigger tours, like Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour.

So why does it get the label of “worst venue?”

In a six-minute TikTok video posted in February, Coleman detailed her take on the stadium. The video got 335 likes and 139 comments, some defending the stadium and others agreeing with Coleman’s complaints.

The bag policy is one of attendees’ main complaints. Hersheypark Stadium only allows bags smaller than 5” x 8” x 1.” It’s a stricter policy than other stadiums that allow larger bags. Citizens Bank Park, the Fillmore, Lincoln Financial Field, and the MET in Philadelphia all allow clear bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” and one-gallon plastic bags. Even smaller venues allow larger bags. XL Live in Harrisburg allows bags smaller than 13” x 15.”

“Whenever I think of Hershey’s bag policy, it makes me so upset,” Coleman said. “I know they claim it’s a security risk, but other venues can handle it. That tells me Hershey is either incompetent, lazy or a little bit of both.”

Coleman is a seasoned concert and sports event attendee. She saw the Pittsburgh Steelers play at Acrisure Stadium while President Donald Trump was in attendance last fall, just months after he was shot, and was still allowed to bring in a large clear bag.

“Hershey Entertainment & Resorts evolved its bag policy for Hersheypark Stadium in 2023 to decrease the opportunity for prohibited items to be concealed and increase the efficiency and throughput of all employees and patrons through our security screening process,” said Maddie Martinez, Hershey entertainment communications specialist.

The Hershey stipulation of only one-inch width does not allow medication bottles to be brought in. Coleman said she has prescription medications that must stay in the bottle, and while Hershey allows medical equipment bags up to 14” x 14” x 6,” it may depend on the security guard to determine if medication counts as “medical equipment.”

Other items that are not necessarily medical equipment, such as menstruation products, may not fit the required bag size.

“Anyone who needs pads or tampons cannot fit everything they need for a three-hour show into a bag that size,” Coleman said. “You can’t put them into your pockets because women’s clothes just don’t have pockets that size, especially not in the summer.”

One positive aspect of Hersheypark Stadium is its free parking, but Coleman said she’s been misdirected at the stadium before. Martinez said that while directional signage and staff help direct traffic, delays can occur due to construction, weather and volume of vehicles. Doors open at least 90 minutes before the opening act for each show.

“Guest safety and enjoyment are our top priority,” Martinez said. “As an outdoor entertainment venue for more than 85 years, we have well-established protocols in place, but we are continuously evaluating our operations to provide the best guest experience.”

While Coleman can remember a time before bag policies at concerts, she also remembers a time when Hershey felt more magical.

“When I saw my first concert at Hershey, everyone seemed more relaxed. It was a cheerful place,” Coleman said. “The attitudes have just changed over the years. Instead of speaking nicely, staff will yell over crowds, and I’ve seen staff put hands on people to move them instead of asking them to move.”

Hershey still has nostalgic value to Coleman. It was the first concert venue she attended by herself and the venue where she saw her first concert, Big Time Rush, one of her favorite musical groups. She’s going to see them again this summer, bringing her concert journey full-circle.

“After all of the issues I’ve had at Hershey, I really did not want to go this summer,” Coleman said. “I considered selling my tickets, but 14 years after my first concert, it’s a sentimental thing to me. I’d feel guilty if Big Time Rush was going to Hershey and I didn’t go.”

She says she hopes for change and said she loves Hersheypark Stadium because of the close proximity to the Hersheypark and Chocolate World. But Coleman said it’s not worth it for a miserable experience.

“I do hope they can change some stuff,” Coleman said. “The only way to describe it right now is miserable.”

The stadium was built in 1923 and has been an entertainment venue ever since. It has undergone some changes since its construction, like a new stage in 2018 and a new courtyard in 2023.

“We are committed to continuous improvement at Hersheypark Stadium,” Martinez said. “As the premier outdoor entertainment venue in central Pennsylvania, we look forward to welcoming concertgoers to Hershey for decades to come.”

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