posted Jan 08, 2025

October in Lancaster, PA Travel Guide: Harvest

Eerie Halloween thrills and chill fall activities.

The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to fall, and we couldn’t be more excited. We’re starting to see pumpkins and fall wreaths made of burlap pop up in our towns, and the farmers getting ready to harvest out in the fields. However you plan to celebrate fall, October is the perfect month full of activities and events that you’ll enjoy!

Events

Annual Harvest Breakfast
Kick off the harvest season at Lancaster Central Market with everyone’s favorite Harvest Breakfast, featuring farm-to-table food, live entertainment, and family fun. This year's breakfast will be held on Saturday, October 5 from 8am - 12pm.

Pumpkin Patch on the Rails
Many train operators in Lancaster County are offering pumpkin-themed rides through October 12 - 26. Head over to Stone Gables Estate for their Pumpkin Patch Express. Ride on a replica of an 1868 steam locomotive and visit their pumpkin patch for pumpkin painting and fall fun!

Pumpkin Madness Festival
Bring your leftover Halloween pumpkins to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, on November 4th and smash, throw, bowl, drop, and carve till your heart's content! Their annual Pumpkin Madness Festival on November 2 will include fun activities like the Pumpkin Smash, Pumpkin Bowling, Pumpkin Putt-Putt, Pumpkin Chucking, and a HUGE pumpkin drop right at 5pm. The excitement continues after dark with a glow in the dark pumpkin drop at 7pm and Fireworks at 8:30pm.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire kicks off on August 17 and runs Saturdays & Sundays until October 27. Experience knights, stunts, delicious food and amazing artisans, and more throughout the Faire.

Harvest Days
Join Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum on October 12 and 13 for the return of Harvest Days! Demonstrations, live music, activities, heirloom varieties, and more will be there.

Yummie's Boo Bash
Perfect for the kids, Kitchen Kettle Village, is hosting its annual Yummie's Boo Bash event on October 26. You and your family can safely enjoy a meal, some colorful characters, including Yummie, a costume contest, special treats, and more!

Fall Fest Festival
Indian Echo Caverns Fall Fest Festival and Old Fashioned Day will include arts and crafts vendors, craft demonstrations, food vendors, and old-fashioned games. A family fun day with many fun activities for all to enjoy. Featuring horse-drawn wagon rides, tractor rides, pumpkin patches, corn cannon, gem mining, glitter tattoos, crack open geodes, kids crafts, carnival games, and more.

Wolf Sanctuary of PA
Northern Lancaster County is home to the Speedwell Wolves. The Wolf Sanctuary of PA offers educational tours for children and adults, with a chance to view the wolves in their natural habitat and to learn about their behavior and biology. Their Wolf Awareness Day is happening on October 26! This fundraising event will feature self-guided tours, educational games and activities for children, live music, and more!

Fall Fairs & Festivals
Plan your visit around one of the great fall fairs and festivals in Lancaster County!

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Fall Activities

Bountiful Harvest

Head to one of our many fields to pick the perfect carving pumpkin, and enjoy apple cider and hayrides. If you’re not into carving pumpkins, perhaps you can head to an apple orchard and bring home some fresh apples to douse in caramel for the perfect fall snack.

Greenhouses, Orchards & Roadside Stands

Things to do this Fall

Corn mazes are popular attractions throughout the County during this time of year. You can enjoy fun-filled adventures at Oregon Dairy's "Discover Lancaster" corn maze and Cherry Crest Adventure Farm's award-winning corn maze. Check out Corn Cob Acres all month for family fun and special events like a petting zoo, animal experiences, a corn maze and more!

Top Corn Mazes

Lancaster County Experience Passes

Discover Lancaster County, PA your way! Our experience passes offer exciting opportunities, deals, and discounts that are sure to elevate your visit to Lancaster.

Here is what's available:

Fun-filled Attractions

Strasburg Rail Road and Dutch Wonderland are staples for parents who want their kids to run free and have fun.

Hop on the Rails and hear haunted tales of local folklore with Strasburg Rail Road's Haunted Rails and Tales this October. Dutch Wonderland is hosting its Happy Hauntings event all October long. Kids can have fun riding themed attractions, special entertainment, tasty treats, and the Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Head Outdoors

Explore the beauty of Fall while driving on our backroads in Lancaster, PA. With over 25 covered bridges, you can witness the old-world charm, rich history, and stunning architecture as you pass through them. Take the self-guided covered bridges tour to experience the magic of these historic sites. For those who prefer to explore with a group, Strasburg Scooters offers a Covered Bridges Tour.

Lancaster County is home to some of the country's best hiking and biking trails and outdoor adventures. Explore the Great Outdoors with the whole family or find peace and quiet on a solo hike. Any time of year, here's a round-up of some of the best spots to explore!

Top 21 Trails

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Author

Sarah•

Director of Marketing & Partnership

Seventeen years in Lancaster County have given Sarah a deep appreciation for its diverse landscapes and vibrant communities. She loves the contrast between a bustling downtown, rich in shops, varied architecture, and diverse food, and the outdoor adventure, farmland, and small towns just minutes away. She aims to share the warm, laid-back, yet innovative spirit of Lancaster's residents. She enjoys exploring the area's trails and spending time doing the many kid-friendly activities with her family. Outside of work, Sarah spends time tending her vegetable garden, reading, and participating in various outdoor activities.

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