Everyone knows the essential Christmastime treats: candy canes, cookies, peppermints and, of course, chips and pretzels… right? In Hanover, Pennsylvania, the snacks fall alongside the snow, creating one of the most magical holiday atmospheres not only in Pennsylvania but across the country.

The self-proclaimed “Snack Food Capital of the World” has more to boast about than being the birthplace of both Utz potato chips and Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, though. When the holidays roll around, Hanover transforms into a winter wonderland.

The Christmas spirit doesn’t go unnoticed, either. This year, Hanover is a finalist in Hallmark’s “Merriest Christmas Towns Contest,” in which the winner will be used as a filming location for a future Hallmark movie.

“I was in shock, not because I didn’t believe Hanover was worthy of the recognition, but because I know how steep the competition is… receiving the news that Hanover was selected as a finalist felt surreal and incredibly exciting,” said Moriah Tyler, executive director of Main Street Hanover.

This December, a visit to one of Pennsylvania’s most charming towns could be the talking point at family gatherings for years to come, so take advantage of some of these attractions and activities in Snacktown USA!

One of Hanover’s most iconic family Christmas traditions is Santa’s Cabin in the Hanover Square. Located in the southwestern quadrant of the Square, Santa’s Cabin is set up each year at the end of November, following an elaborate festival and parade, and removed at the end of December. This year is the 90th anniversary of the tradition, and it’s a focal point of Hanover’s holiday season.

“We believe every child should have the opportunity to sit down with Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and experience that little bit of magic, regardless of their family’s circumstances. That tradition has continued for nine decades, and I think it says a lot about the heart of our community,” Tyler said.

The cabin offers children a cozy, traditional setting to meet Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas. The cabin’s hours are mostly reserved for Saturdays and Mondays, with a few exceptions. The 2026 hours are available at https://www.christmasinhanoverpa.com/santas-cabin-hours.

The Square is a busy place, especially during the holidays, so it’s important to be aware of the parking situation. If you show up early enough, you may be able to find parking in any of the other three quadrants of the Square. If not, there are parking lots on both the north and south sides of the Square on Carlisle Street/Baltimore Street. If you’re traveling north toward the Square, there will be a parking lot just past West Walnut Street. Another lot is available just a block away, right by the intersection of Carlisle Street and East Chestnut Street. The entrance is located on North Railroad Street. Both parking lots charge a small fee, but you

While the Square offers numerous shops, restaurants and breweries year-round, the small-town charm is turned up to 11 in December. With lights and garland on lampposts, bows and wreaths on buildings and poles, and a festive atmosphere, Hanover Square is the ultimate holiday destination. If you’re visiting Santa’s Cabin, you’ll be surrounded by local restaurants, many of which will be decorated for the holidays and serving Christmas specials. Tommy Johns’ Tavern is directly across from Santa’s Cabin, and the Famous Hot Weiner is a 3-minute walk away, right on the corner of Frederick Street and York Street, according to Apple Maps.

At the Famous Hot Weiner, you can experience one of Hanover’s most iconic local eateries for a more than reasonable price. For $13, you can try the “Famous Hot Weiner Special,” which comes with two wieners or burgers and fries, according to https://famoushotweiner.com/menu/downtown-hanover.

The Square has restaurants, a local art gallery, a record store, local breweries and so much more to explore. In December, though, you can also look forward to seeing the approximately 30-foot Christmas tree, and if you’re in town on Dec. 12, you can enjoy the monthly “2nd Saturday” celebration.

“Main Street Hanover’s 2nd Saturdays program is designed to bring more people into downtown, increase foot traffic for our small businesses, and create opportunities for our local merchants to work together and showcase what makes Hanover special,” Moriah Tyler said.

The program, which is held on the second Saturday of each month, features special promotions and events from local restaurants and businesses. The events are also often tailored to the season. This December, the event is a hot chocolate and cookie stroll. Beginning at 11 a.m. on Dec. 12, the event encourages attendees to walk through Hanover’s downtown area, exploring local businesses while enjoying samples of cookies and hot chocolate from these businesses.

Since the event takes place in the Hanover Square area, it can easily be coupled with the previous two activities. Tickets are $25 per person and include a souvenir hot chocolate mug, access to all of the sample cookies and cocoa and a festive to-go box to save any cookies you take. Plus, children under 4 can participate without a ticket!

Regardless of the season, though, if you’re visiting Hanover, you need to address the elephant in the room… the snacks.

When a town is dubbed the “Snack Food Capital of the World,” it better be able to back up that title. Luckily for visitors, it does exactly that. Regardless of the time of year, visiting both the Utz and Snyder’s factory outlets is a must. Each store offers dozens of flavors of chips, pretzels and other snacks that are typically difficult to find at other retail locations.

You can find products from each parent company as well as those from their subsidiaries. These outlets also offer certain souvenirs and collectible items, not to mention holiday-exclusive snacks!

In addition to the snack foods, Hanover is also home to Hanover Foods, a popular producer of canned and frozen beans and vegetables. Hanover Foods also features a factory outlet where you can purchase quality foods right from the source.

In fact, the Hanover Foods and Snyder’s stores are separated by just a 3-minute drive, according to Apple Maps. If you visit Snyder’s first, simply turn left as you leave onto York Street, then turn left at the light onto Wilson Avenue. The entrance will be on your left in 0.3 miles.

Even though Utz isn’t as close as the others, it’s still within seven minutes of both the Snyder’s and Hanover Foods stores, so visiting all three in one trip is more than feasible.

While the snacks are certainly quite a selling point, if you have a love for the arts, look no further than the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center.

The Eichelberger hosts a wide variety of events and performances year-round. For December specifically, there are five events on the agenda this year. If the performing arts are a priority for you, you can plan your whole trip around seeing a performance! A musical, a country music tribute, multiple dance performances and a symphony orchestra are all on the schedule in December. For dates and tickets, visit https://theeich.org.

Prices vary depending on the event, but tickets are generally between $19 and $45. Additionally, discounts are offered for students, but discounted tickets must be purchased in person. The Eichelberger is also an iconic feature of Hanover’s history. The building, which is more than 100 years old, has served many purposes, beginning as a private school.

Staying in Hanover is simple and affordable! On the north side of town, you can find both a Hampton Inn and a Holiday Inn on Wilson Avenue, just off of Eisenhower Drive. The two are right next to each other and have received excellent reviews online. According to Booking.com, the hotels are just 1.3 miles from the downtown area, where many of the activities mentioned are located. Plus, you should easily be able to book rooms for around $150 per night. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, the choices are scarce, but Vrbo and Airbnb have some options available.

Hanover has so much to offer. Its winter atmosphere is hard to beat. So, if small-town charm is your idea of a perfect Christmas vacation, take a trip to Hanover for the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with… well… you get the idea.

Photos courtesy of Mainstreet Hanover