Posted: 03/21/2024

Things to do this May in Lancaster, PA

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Special Events

Go on a romantic getaway for two with Strasburg Scooters, Date Night in Amish Country. Cruise through scenic country roads with our expert guides, followed by dinner at a local watering hole; you might even catch a beautiful sunset.

Gardener's rejoice! Head out May 12th and 13th as Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum is also hosting their annual Herb & Garden Faire! See features from the museum's Heirloom Seed Project and other hard-to-find plant varieties for purchase.

Animal lovers can head to Amish Farm & House on May 5th and 6th for Sheep Shearing Days. You are able to watch the shearing process, take hayrides, enjoy a petting zoo, yummy BBQ and more.

Kid-friendly Adventures

Your culinary adventure starts now at Kitchen Kettle Village on May 6th. Their Picnic Tasting Tour features stops at participating restaurants, bakeries, and food shops in the village where you can discover special samples and experiences, while learning bites of history. You can also explore the village on May 19th and 20th during the Rhubarb Festival! Try delicious themed dishes, race the fastest rhubarb cars, and enjoy music and entertainment throughout the village. Get your tickets for these awesome events today!

Join The Kiwanis Club in is combining their two favorites – pretzels and shopping. Lititz Pretzel Fest is happening May 6th and is a ticketed event where guests stroll through town while sampling our local chef’s take on pretzels.

On May 27th Bird-In-Hand Fire Company is hosting their annual Chicken BBQ Fundraiser! They'll have an all-you-can-eat menu that includes: BBQ chicken, baked potatoes, coleslaw, potato salad, and much more.

All aboard! Calling all Mothers! Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad is heading out on May 14th for their special Mother's Day Train Ride & Dinner. Enjoy a hot dinner and a beautiful train ride alongside a creek. You can also check out some great places to take your mom for brunch!

Tour our lively city and see beautiful artwork during Lancaster City's Spring ArtWalk. Come out May 20th and 21st and support our local artists!

Take a tour with LancasterHistory and James Buchanan's Wheatland. The featured tour for May 20th is Lancaster Vice: The Hidden History of Sex, Crime, and Power in the 1900s, a walking tour, where you can learn learn about the history of gender, sexuality, and the law.

visit downtown

Wine-lovers should head to the Mount Hope Estate on May 27th and 28th for Pennsylvania's premier wine event, FlavorFest!

Sample different brews at Manheim's first annual Baron Brew Fest! Happening May 20th, enjoy a variety of different beers, wines and spirits from makers around the region. Held outdoors, there will be live music and food vendors.

Guide for Ages 21+

Catch a Show in Lancaster, PA this Month

Moses | Sight & Sound Theatres
Set adrift as a baby, he is an unlikely hero — until God calls him to lead His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

Mystery & Jukebox Jive | Magic & Wonder Theatre
Join Brett and his cast as they captivate with more large illusions and more dynamic circus arts than ever before, while reminding audiences of the true magic that exists all around us.

Travel back in time to experience your favorite hits from the era when the Jukebox was the center of the fun!

Dear Solider Boy | Bird-in-Hand Stage
When her past catches up to her, Melissa runs to Amish Country until she's tracked down. Will she share her secrets? Who can she trust?

Titanic | Fulton Theatre |
Epic and majestic – with moments of heartbreaking intimacy. The musical play examines the causes, the conditions and the characters involved in this ever-fascinating drama. This is the factual story of that ship–of her officers, crew and passengers – and the tragic story of the beautiful ship herself.

Footloose | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Based on the 1984 movie, Footloose tells the story of teenager Ren McCormack, moving from Chicago to the small town of Bomont. Where Reverend Bomont has outlawed dancing.

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre is also showing Grace For President, a children show where Grace and her classmates discover what it takes to be the best candidate and find the fun and hilarity in the wonderful world of politics!

Ryan & Friends | Bird-in-Hand Stage
Back by popular demand, this season’s show features fan favorites – skits and songs from past shows – with music, new comedy and an all-new finale that will leave you rolling in the aisles.

The Mom Show | Prima Theatre
Revel in songs and stories that celebrate the hardest job in the world. Hilarious and heartfelt, this cabaret-style interactive concert boasts an intimate experience with powerhouse performers. Bring the people that matter to you to honor the breadth and depth of what it means to be “mom.”

The Very Fractured Tale of Robin Hood | Fulton Theatre
Audiences will ride along with Robin Hood on his heroic adventures as he robs from the rich to give to the poor…sort of. Join a very technologically-challenged Robin Hood, and his band of merry people, as they take on a very spoiled Prince who only cares about his YouTube followers.

Gabriel Chamber Ensemble: A Lancaster International Piano Festival Concert | The Trust Performing Arts Center
The Trust is proud to partner with LIPF to present the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble. The group is comprised of Simon Maurer, violin; Dana Allaband, violin; Agnès Maurer, viola; Ai-Lin Hsieh, cello; and Xun Pan, piano. This regional all-star piano quintet will perform works by Schumann and Shostakovich.

See a concert at American Music Theatre! They are constantly welcoming Grammy, CMA, and Oscar winners to the stage. One of their 300 performances each year are sure to fit your taste in music!

upcoming shows

Recommended For You

Find all of the fun happening in Lancaster, PA, and come explore it for yourself this summer!

Summertime fun at the pool. Photo credit: Discover Lancaster / Gabe McMullen

For those days when the heat is simply too much

Two blonde women sit at a table as one takes a drink from a glass during Lancaster City Restaurant Week in Lancaster, PA.

Where to go for outdoor dining in Lancaster County.

Lancaster, PA is full of great opportunities to head outside with your kids. So slather on the sunscreen and venture outside for some...

Things to do Outdoors in Lancaster, PA

Explore the great outdoors with one of Lancaster's hiking and biking trails or some fun activities by and on the river. Stay for a while at one of Lancaster's great campgrounds to further your outdoor adventure

Every Thursday in May until the end of October Lititz Springs Park will be hosting the Lititz Farmers Market. There will be fresh produce, baked goods, live music, and different food truck vendors each week. The Farmers Market celebrates the locally made and grown foods of Lancaster County.

Relieve stress by taking a River Restorative Yoga with Bumbling Circus Workshop. Throughout this summer outdoor restorative yoga on the deck at Columbia Crossing overlooking the Susquehanna river.

Have a unique experience by taking a hot air balloon ride with Lancaster Balloon Rides or visiting the pack at the Wolf Sanctuary of PA.

A tour designed for the ice cream lover, Strasburg Scooter Tours is offering their Ice Cream Experience tour this summer. Where you'll scoot out to a local dairy to get a hands-on lesson in making your own ice cream; and taking multiples stops along the way to taste some of the delicious treat. They are also offering their Scootin' for Scoops which is another must try!

Join the Lancaster County Ice Cream Trail!

There's no better way to start off summer than heading out to a baseball game with the family. The Lancaster Stormers opening night is May 2nd. Be sure to come back May 6th and 20th to a baseball game with fireworks! All summer long the Stormers will be hosting various special events during home games such as, Kids Run the Bases, Thirsty Thursdays, a Tug-of-War Contest and so much more!

Get Tickets!

Back again the Lions Prowl 2-mile Obstacle Course Race is happening May 13th at Lancaster County Christian School. Go head-to-head with your friends on the 2-mile obstacle race designed by Empower Training Systems. Bring your family and friends to this once-a-year event that you won't want to miss. It's game on!

Bike for good at this year's PA Hope Ride Against Cancer, happening in Marietta. There will be routes for the beginner to experienced biker. Proceeds benefit the the Philadelphia Hope Lodge and the overall American Cancer Society mission.

Free Things to do in Lancaster, PA

On May 5th, head into Lancaster City for First Friday! Peruse local shops and galleries, and be wowed by live music and entertainment. On First Fridays, the Lancaster Science Factory offers their over 70 exhibits for free for K-8.

Make a whole night of it and try out some great places to eat.

Similarly, on May 4th you can head to the small town of Manheim for First Thursday and head to downtown Lititz or Elizabethtown on May 12th for Second Fridays

Head out to the Shops @ Rockvale on May 6th for the Local Makers Market! Check out goods like candles, soaps, jewelry, sweets, and more!

more free things to do



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