Holidays in Small Towns of Lancaster County, PA
Lancaster is made up of quaint and quirky small towns that have lots to offer this holiday season.
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 abound in the town!
Special Events:
Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival | November 25 | 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Candlelight Open House | November 26 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Ephrata Holiday Market | November 26 | 10am - 2pm
Visit with Santa | November 26 - December 17 | Fridays 5:30-7:30pm & Saturdays 10am-1pm
Jingle Bell Tour | December 9 & 10
Ephrata Cloister Lantern Tours | December 27 - 30 | Reservations Required
Christmas at the Cloister | December 12 - 13 | 6:30pm and 8:30pm
New Year's Eve Celebration | December 31 | 9:30pm - 12:00am
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 store fronts. The town goes all out for its residents and visitors during the holidays.
Special Events:
Lititz Art Association Holiday Gift Show | November 11 & 12 | 3pm & 4pm respectively
Christmas in the Park | December 2 | 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Annual Christmas Carol Sing | December 8 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Decorate Lititz | December 9 | 10am - 9:30pm
Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour | December 9 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Charlize Sonic Bloom | December 30 | 10:30pm - 2:00am
Wow-Town, USA: New Years Eve Hootenanny! | December 31 | 7:00pm - 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:
1st Thursday | December 1 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Breakfast with Santa at St. Paul's | December 3 | 9:00am - 10:00am
Santa Run & Walk 5K | December 3 | 8:30am - 9:30am
Manheim Christmas Tree Lighting | December 3 | 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Breakfast with Santa at Spooky Nook Sports | December 17 | 9am – 11am
Holiday Dinner Theatre at Mount Hope Estate & Winery | November 7 – December 23
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:
Downtown Elf Hunt | November 26 – December 17
Winterfest | December 3 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Downtown Cookie / Treat Crawl | DECEMBER 09 & 10 | Times Vary
For more event details on all of these special happenings, click here.
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 | November 28 – December 30
Santa Express at Stone Gables Estate | November 28 – December 23
Elizabethtown Tree Lighting Event | November 30 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Merry Grinchmas Etown | December 3 | 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Hometown Holidays Parade | December 10th | Starting at 4pm
For more holiday happenings in Elizabethtown, visit the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce website.
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:
Pet Photos with Santa | December 3 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Ornament Making Workshop | December 10 | 10:00am - 3:00pm
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 | December 4 | 11am - 7pm
Kingle Crawl | December 17 | 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
Scootin’ with Santa | Strasburg Scooters | December 3 – 18 (Saturdays & Sundays) | Tours at 11am, 1pm, & 3pm
David | Sight & Sound Theatres | Show through December 31
Amish Farmhouse Christmas Experience | Now - December 30
Bird-in-Hand
Venture to the countryside and experience Christmas in Bird-in-Hand!
Special Events:
Christmas Village | December 9 - 10
Christmas Tree Ship | Bird-in-Hand Stage | Shows through December 31
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 | December 2, 3:00pm - 6:30pm and December 3, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Dinner with Mrs. Claus & Yummie | Kitchen Kettle Village | December 3, 10, & 17
Holiday Family Fun with Santa & Friends | Saturdays November 26 - December 17