Lancaster County Christmas & Holiday Events

Explore light displays, a holiday-themed amusement park and so much more! Maybe you’ll see the Jolly Ol' Elf himself! Check out the full list of events with dates below, and plan to enjoy a holiday that is something truly special. And when it's time to ring in the New Year, do it Lancaster County style with a celebration in Downtown Lancaster, at one of the small town celebrations, or with a show.

Be sure to keep up to date with all things Lancaster by signing up for our e-newsletter and checking out upcoming events. You can also start planning your trip by requesting your free copy of the getaway guide.

1. Small Business Saturday
The City of Lancaster kicks off the holidays with Small Business Saturday on November 26th, shop small and support local businesses, makers, and more.

2. Menorah Lighting
Head into Lancaster City in the evenings December 18-26 for the Menorah Lightings!

3. Mayor's Tree Lighting
Peruse local shops, listen to live music, and see the Mayor's Tree Lighting on November 25th!

4. Santa Visits
Santa will also be making his way through the city December 8th, 10th, and 17th with help from the city's fire and police departments.

5. Lancaster Shops Late
On December 8th you can enjoy late-night shopping during Lancaster Shops Late.

6. Christmas Spirit Light Show | Clipper Magazine
Christmas Spirit Light Show, running through December, is an exciting, one-of-a-kind Christmas light display that you and your loved ones will enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle. As you journey through our mile-long track, you will be immersed and surrounded by hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights, animated and dancing in harmony with your favorite Christmas classics.

You can check out more drive-thru light shows here.

7. Christmas Trains | Strasburg Rail Road
Meet Santa onboard Santa's Paradise Express, Santa's Christmas Trolley, and the Christmas Caboose Charter at the Strasburg Rail Road! You can also get excited while seeing the classic story come to life onboard the train during the Night Before Christmas Train, or pick out your own tree during the Christmas Tree Train!

8. Elf the Musical | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Watch Buddy the Elf's story take the stage while having a delicious meal at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre!

9. Dutch Winter Wonderland | Dutch Wonderland
Make lasting memories with themed rides, special entertainment, a lights show and more royal fun during Dutch Winter Wonderland.

10. Dinner with Mrs Claus and Yummie | Kitchen Kettle Village
Do some holiday shopping in the Village and then enjoy a traditional dinner with Mrs Claus and Yummie, storytelling, and a gift to take home!

11. Christmas Down on the Farm | Barnyard Kingdom
November 26th-December 11th, enjoy Christmas at Barnyard Kingdom! Farm fresh breakfast, giant slides, fire pits, barnyard animals, elf scavenger hunt, and more! You can even take a train ride down to the Christmas tree fields and cut your own tree.

12. Yuletide at Wheatland | LancasterHistory
Tour President James Buchanan’s Wheatland from November 22nd-December 30th this year for Yuletide at Wheatland! Join a tour guide to traverse the festively decorated halls and rooms of the 1828 mansion. Learn about the public and personal life of James Buchanan through the lens of Yuletides and traditions past. From Yuletide menus and meals to how Christmastime was celebrated during the Civil War, viewers will learn how Buchanan and his family experienced Yuletide in the mid-1800s.

13. Christmas Lights & Ziplining | Refreshing Mountain Adventure Center
Enjoy the Christmas Lights Experience at Refreshing Mountain. With twice as many lights, there 8 miles of Christmas lights displayed. Drive through the Christmas light displays or zipline through the spectacle. For a complete immersive experience stay in a cozy Christmas-y cabin suites.

14. Christmas at Stone Gables Estate
Visit a fully decorated Star Barn, the Christkindl Market, meet Santa and his helpers, and more at the Christmas Village at Stone Gables Estate. All aboard for a magical narrated train experience through the estate on the Santa Express. You can also celebrate Christmas from the comfort of your car! Over 600,000 lights, new storyboards, and surprises await you.

15. Scootin' With Santa | Strasburg Scooter Tour
Take a backroads tour of Lancaster's countryside with Santa as your guide!

16. White Christmas | Fulton Theatre
Based on the film, enjoy a musical adaption with songs including "Blue Skies", "How Deep is the Ocean", and "White Christmas" celebrating family and holiday traditions.

17. Home for the Holidays | American Music Theatre
Home for the Holidays celebrates the joys and merriment of spending the holidays with the ones we love. The show takes place on Christmas Eve and features many of the beloved traditions we look forward to each year.

18. Christmas at the Cloister | Ephrata Cloister
Spend a few moments in quiet reflection with seasonal readings and holiday music in the historic Saal. Two programs are offered each night, one starting at 6:30 p.m. and the other at 8:00 p.m.

19. Illumination | Prima
Far from traditional, this novel concert features fresh takes on holiday classics, weaving in powerhouse singers, synchronous instrumental solos, and Pentatonix-style acapella caroling. With a piano centered in the room, Illumination immerses you in a candlelit theatre-in-the-round environment.

20. Polar Bear Express | Middletown and Hummelstown Rail Road
We’re leaving for the North Pole to find Santa! The Conductor shares a special Christmas story with the children. At the North Pole, Santa will board the train with a gift for every child (infant through 11 years). Have your camera ready for pictures with Santa!