Holidays in Small Towns of Lancaster County, PA

Small Towns & Northern Countryside

Ephrata

The quaint and historic town of Ephrata has lots to offer this holiday season. Stroll the streets, peruse the shops, and engage in the brilliant holiday spirit that abound in the town!

Special Events:

• Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival| Ephrata Visitors Center | November 24th | 5pm – 8:00pm
• Candlelight Open House | Ephrata Cloister | November 25th | 5pm - 8:30pm
• Ephrata Holiday Market | Ephrata Visitors Center | November 26th | 10am - 2pm
• Visit with Santa | Ephrata Visitors Center | December 2nd - December 23rd | Fridays 5:30-7:30pm & Saturdays 10am-1pm
• Jingle Bell Tour | Ephrata Visitors Center | December 8th (Family) & 9th (Adult) Requires tickets.
• Ephrata Cloister Lantern Tours | Ephrata Cloister | December 27th - 30th | 6pm to 8pm
• Christmas at the Cloister | Ephrata Cloister | December 11th- 12th | 6:30pm and 8pm
• New Year's Eve Celebration | Ephrata Visitors Center | December 31st | 9:30pm - 12am
  

For more event details on all of these special happenings, click here.

Lititz

Venture to Lititz for boutique shopping, holiday festivities, and great dining options. As you walk the streets you’ll notice the Moravian Star lights lining the streets and festive storefronts. The town goes all out for its residents and visitors during the holidays.

Special Events:

• Mary Dixon Chapel Historic Tour | Liden Hall | December 1st | 10am
• Christmas in the Park | Lititz Springs Park | December 1st | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
• Annual Christmas Carol Sing | Lititz Springs Park | December 7th | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
• Decorate Lititz | Lititz Springs Park | December 8th to 31st | 10am - 9:30pm
• Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour | Lititz Historical Foundation | December 8th & 9th | 5pm – 9pm
• Free Family Ornament Painting | Greco’s Italian Ices And Homemade Ice Cream | December 11th | 4pm – 6pm
• The Reagan Years – Last Hurrah of 2023 | Mickey's Black Box | December 30 | 10:30pm - 2:00am

For more event details on all of these special happenings, click here.

Manheim

The up-and-coming small town of Manheim might just be your new spot to visit for the holidays. The aesthetic and unique, Prussian Street Arcade, is your one-stop-shop for all things handmade and local treasures located at REO Marketplace. Gaze at the huge Christmas tree illuminating the square and check out the recently opened Glasshouse Wineworks and ARTifice Ales & Mead for a cold beverage to cap off your day of exploring.

Special Events:

• Breakfast with Santa at St. Paul's | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church | December 2nd | 9:00am - 10:00am
  
• Santa Run & Walk 5K | Trinity Evangelical Church | December 2nd | 8:30am - 11am
  
• Manheim Christmas Tree Lighting | Market Square | December 2nd | 4:30pm - 6:30pm
• Christmas Party | Glasshouse Wineworks | December 23rd | 6pm - 10pm
• Breakfast with Santa at Spooky Nook Sports | December 16th | 9am – 11am
• Yuletide | Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire | November 24 to December 10th | Saturdays & Sundays 11am to 5pm

Mount Joy

Visit Mount Joy for the holidays! Their Main Street has shops, restaurants, and the spirit of Christmas in the air. It’s such a quaint and inviting town, you just might want to stay overnight. Book your peaceful getaway at the Olde Square Inn for a truly relaxing stay in one of Lancaster’s great small towns.

Special Events:

• Winterfest | Market Street to Barbara Street | December 2nd| 2pm – 5pm

Riverlands

Elizabethtown

Explore Elizabethtown during the holidays! The town is home to some special properties that host seasonal events that you won’t want to miss!

Special Events:

• Annual Christmas Light Drive-Thru at Stone Gables Estate | Stone Gables Estate | November 28th – December 30th
• Santa Express | Stone Gables Estate | November 28th – December 23rd
• Elizabethtown Tree Lighting Event | The Marriage Hub | November 30th | 5pm – 8pm
• Merry Grinchmas - Paint n Watch | The Charmed 3 | December 2nd | starting at 5pm

See more events!

Columbia

The town of Columbia is nestled next to the beautiful Susquehanna River, making it the perfect place to experience the great outdoors of Lancaster in the winter as well as it’s fantastic small towns.

Special Events:

• Ornament Making Workshop | Columbia Crossing | December 9th | 11am - 3:00pm

For more event details on all these special happenings, click here.

Marietta

Walk the quiet streets of Marietta donned in holiday style. There are a handful of great events to visit this season!

Special Events:

• Marietta Candlelight | Old Town Hall Museum | December 3rd | 11am - 7pm
• Kingle Crawl | bars across Marietta | December 16th | 7:00pm - 11:00pm

Amish & PA Dutch Countryside

Strasburg

There is so much to do in the historic town of Strasburg this holiday season. Enjoy all things trains in Train Town, USA!

Special Events:

• Christmas Trains | Strasburg Rail Road | Various dates & times
• Miracle of Christmas | Sight & Sound Theatres | Show through December 31
• Amish Farmhouse Christmas Experience | Old Windmill Farm | Thru December 30

Bird-in-Hand

Venture to the countryside and experience Christmas in Bird-in-Hand!

Special Events:

• Christmas Village | Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe | December 8th - 9th
• Our Christmas Dinner | Bird-in-Hand Stage | Shows through December 30

Intercourse

Intercourse is the perfect town to do your Christmas shopping or simply get in the holiday spirit with these great holiday activities!

Special Events:

• Village of Intercourse Holiday Celebration | Intercourse Village | December 1st - 2nd
• Dinner with Mrs. Claus & Yummie | Kitchen Kettle Village | December 3, 10, & 17
• Holiday Family Fun with Santa & Friends | Kitchen Kettle Village | Saturdays November 26 - December 17