Posted: 09/07/2023 | by Tori

Things to do this July in Lancaster, PA

Soak up the sun in Lancaster this July!

Festivals & Fireworks

Who doesn’t love watching those bursts of color brighten up the whole sky? July is the time for fireworks and Lancaster County has them!

We have put together a list of places to see dazzling fireworks displays in Lancaster, not only on July 4th, but throughout the summer.

Fireworks near you

Festivals and fairs are happening in the county with abundance this month.

While you're watching some beautiful fireworks or partaking in fun festivals, enjoy some delicious ice cream!

JOIN THE ICE CREAM TRAIL

Special Events

Hop on the historic Harrisburg, Lincoln, & Lancaster Railroad and enjoy a 4th of July celebration at Stone Gables Estate. There will be lots of fun like face painting, live music, self-guided tours of both Ironstone Ranch and The Star Barn, axe throwing and so much more!

Scoot around town with Strasburg Scooters. Take their covered bridge tour or their country roads excursion. Make a pit spot to explore the foodie fun at Kitchen Kettle Village by taking a Picnic Tasting Tour.

Does anyone have the time? The Watch and Clock Show certainly does. Happening on July 15th, the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors' show will be happening at the Convention Center. There will be watches and clocks for sale, a watch and clock appraisal fair, exhibits and lectures on timepieces, plus hands-on workshops. If you're interested in learning more about clocks and their history then the National Watch and Clock Museum has you covered.

Take the kids for their own night out at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, every Thursday until August kids can eat for $6.99. There will also be face painting and balloon animals.

Art lovers can take a class at Horst Arts this July! They have many different workshops that are perfect for adults and kids, that include Say It With Paper, Funky Junk, String Art, and more.

If crafts aren't your thing then Lancaster Creative Factory has you covered. Enjoy throwing pottery on the wheel, hand-building, or glass-blowing in their studio. Classes can be up to six weeks or just one night. They even offer classes just for teens and free STEM workshops for kids at Columbia Crossings.

Christmas in July?! That's right Downtown Lititz will be creating all the merry feels without the shivering temps! Come to town, shop around, and save! You can enter to win a gift basket filled with some of our favorite Lititz goodies...and you might even see Santa!

Stick around because every Thursday Lititz is hosting its Farmers Market in Lititz Springs Park. Find fresh produce, baked goods, fresh flowers, homemade granola, dog treats, fermented goods, and more! Each week we’ll feature a local food truck and live music.

BOOK YOUR STAY

Catch a Show

The Wizard of Oz | Fulton Theatre | June 24 - July 15
Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz. There, she encounters a host of whimsical characters: good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and things magical to behold.

Grease | Fulton Theatre | June 21 - July 16
Where poodle skirts meet leather jackets, and romance is found at the drive-in and on summer nights. Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical.

Disney's Newsies | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre | June 30 - August 5
Jack Kelly and his fellow “newsies,” many of whom are orphaned or homeless, make a meager living on the 1899 New York City streets selling newspapers.

Legally Blonde Jr. | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre | July 18 - August 1
Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical Jr. is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons.

Mystery & Jukebox Jive | Magic & Wonder Theatre | Through the end of October
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!

The Little Mermaid Jr. | Servant Stage Company | July 15th
Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr., adapted from Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above.

GYPSY: A Musical Fable | Gretna Theatre | July 13th - 16th
Regarded as one of the finest musicals ever written, Gypsy is the unforgettable tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success, as well as her own.

See a concert at American Music Theatre!

More Upcoming Shows

Outdoor Adventure

Get outside this summer in Lancaster!

Discover the outdoors in Lancaster this summer! Indulge in an evening of wine-tasting at one of our picturesque vineyards, unwind every Sunday with live music at the park, and delight in the abundance of events.

Enjoy more live music at The Barn At Paradise Station, hosting Jazz On The Patio all summer long, featuring various jazz artists from across the area.

There's tons to do by the river such as exploring the Northwest River Trail, the White Cliffs of Conoy, or even going out on the river and kayaking with kayakLanCo and Chiques Rock Outfitters.

On July 15th, RunPA is hosting a 5-mile Trail and Kids Run. Take part in this trail run happening at Middle Creek Wildlife Management.

At the end of this month, July 29, Lititz 56th Annual Outdoor Fine Art Show is happening. This FREE event will be happening in Lititz Springs Park all day so head out to see the beautiful art created by over 130 artists, working in Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor, Pastels, Drawing, Ceramics, Mixed Media, and Sculpture.

There's lots of unique ways to get outdoors in Lancaster such as taking a hot air balloon ride, touring the wolf sanctuary, meeting critters at the Wildlife Center, going ziplining, or taking a backroads scooter tour! You should also check out outdoor attractions for the whole family like Dutch Wonderland, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, Amish Farm and House, and more.

Stay for awha whileile at one of Lancaster's great campgrounds, and be sure to root for the home team this summer at a Lancaster Barnstormers game at Clipper Magazine Stadium!

Free Things To Do

Kid's Week at That Fish - That Pet Place will be starting July 16th. Bring the kids by to win a fun prize when they play our scavenger hunt, enter to win free raffles, learn about setting up a betta tank, and more!

Head downtown on the First Friday of the month to explore local artists and galleries, independent retailers, music, and entertainment. You can even turn it into a night out on the town by checking out some downtown dining! On the same night, from 5-7pm on First Fridays, the Lancaster Science Factory is free for you to explore over their 70 interactive exhibits.

Similarly, you can explore our small towns on their select days. Manheim hosts First Thursdays, Lititz Second Fridays, and Ephrata First Saturdays.

Manheim Historical Society is hosting a free event for those looking to visit historical sites in the town. The Lititz Historical Foundation is hosting a "pay what you can" concert featuring Big Mamma & The Velvet Martinis, with refreshments available for a small fee.

On select Saturdays of each month, the Shops @ Rockvale hosts their Local Makers Market. Find local makers all in one spot, offering a wide variety of goods such as candles, soaps, skincare, woodworking, oils, jewelry, sweets, and goodies!

Free in Lancaster

Keep up to date by checking out our events calendar, signing up for our e-newsletter, and requesting your free copy of the Getaway Guide.

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Partners

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Tori