Things to do in October in Lancaster, PA

Special Events in Lancaster County, PA

Get into the Spooky Spirit!
All month, join Strasburg Scooter Tours for a night-time scoot to listen to local folklore and learn about the haunted history of Lancaster during the Spooky Scoot!

On Saturdays and Sundays through October, head out to Dutch Wonderland for Happy Hauntings, a fun event with themed rides, Trick-or-Treating, special entertainment and more.

Select dates from October 6th to November 6th, discover the true story of Sleepy Hollow as Isabel Crane takes you on a frightful journey onboard the Legacy of Sleepy Hollow at the Strasburg Rail Road.

From October 15th to the 23rd, join the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad for the Pumpkin Patch Train, where each passenger can select their own pumpkin to take home!

Head out to Kitchen Kettle Village for lunch, a costume contest, photo opportunities, a scavenger hunt, and great shopping during Yummie's Boo Bash on October 29th!

Foodie Fun in Lancaster
Join Grandview Vineyard on Friday and Saturday nights through the end of October for wine, beer, cocktails, and live music on their deck during Wine by the Vine.

Sample wines from Waltz Vineyards and local cheese pairings while traveling down the tracks to Paradise, PA onboard the Wine & Cheese Train at the Strasburg Rail Road.

Join Discover Lancaster and Lancaster Farmland Trust for Lancaster County Restaurant Week, a week-long event that supports the Trust's mission to preserve Lancaster's farmlands and farms! Check out the participating restaurants to dine at during the last week of October.

Head into the city on October 1st for Lancaster Central Market's Harvest Breakfast, complete with delicious foods like waffles and bacon, as well as all the great standholders inside!

Fall Fun
Check out the PA Renaissance Faire, filled with jousting knights, theatrical performances, delicious foods, and more through the end of the month.

Head into the cool small town of Lititz for the Parkwalk where you'll find local artisans with ceramics, paintings, and other handmade goods throughout Lititz Springs Park.

October 3rd-7th, join the small town of Manheim for the Manheim Community Farm Show featuring competitions, livestock, agriculture and more.

On October 8th, head out to Kitchen Kettle Village for the 6th annual Pink Party! Select stores are helping to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer, enter to win a gift basket, vote for your favorite all-pink outfit, and more.

Join Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum October 7th and 8th for Harvest Days with exhibits, demonstrations, live music, and fun activities.

In mid-October, head into Lancaster City for the Fall ArtWalk, local galleries with special exhibitions, demonstrations, activities and more!

On October 15th, LancasterHistory & James Buchanan's Wheatland offers a special event, the History of Pumpkins! Come learn about the history of why we use pumpkins to decorate while decorating your own!

Check out Corn Cob Acres all month for family fun and special events like a petting zoo, animal experiences, and more!

More Events

Catch a Show in Lancaster, PA

You can check out even more upcoming shows here!

Saturday Night Fever | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre | September 23 - November 12
Streetwise Brooklyn kid, Tony Manero, lives for Saturday evening and his visit to the local disco, 2001 Odyssey. Wanting to escape his dead-end life through dancing, he meets Stephanie Mangano and the two decide to take part in a dance competition.

Tale of Two Cities | Cavod Theatre | October 14 - 23
Two men in love with the same woman. Two cities swept up in revolution. One last chance for a man to redeem his wasted life and change the world. Based on Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, A Tale of Two Cities is a musical that focuses on the love triangle between young beauty Lucie Manette, French aristocrat Charles Darnay and drunken English cynic Sydney Carton – all caught in the clutches of the bloody French Revolution.

Ryan & Friends: Hilarity Happens! | Bird-in-Hand Stage | June 1 - October 15
Laugh out loud and get a look at Lancaster County like you’ve never seen it before when Ryan and his colorful cast of friends present a hilarious multimedia tour of the region.

Josiah for President | Bird-in-Hand Stage | August 12 - October 21
After throwing in the towel on his presidential campaign, former Congressman Mark Stedman meets Josiah Stoltzfus – and learns more from the Amish farmer in a few hours than in his many years in office. Stedman believes that someone like Josiah should be running the country. Without Josiah’s knowledge, Stedman introduces him as a write-in candidate and does everything in his power to make sure Josiah gets elected.

Mystery | Magic & Wonder Theatre | June 1 - October 29
In this all new variety magic show, illusionist Brett Myers and his cast explore mysterious worlds such as the lost empire of “Atlantis,” the magic of never growing old in “Neverland,” and the excitement of the “Roaring 1920’s.”

Jukebox Jive | Magic & Wonder Theatre | June 1 - October 29
Jukebox Jive is a music variety show that celebrates the biggest hits of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Travel back in time to experience your favorite hits from the era when the Jukebox was the center of the fun!

Outdoor Adventure in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster is home to many trails such as the North West River Trail with views of the historic Columbia & Wrightsville Bridge, White Cliffs of Conoy, and more. Check out some top trails here.

Have a unique experience by taking a scooter tour, a hot air balloon ride, exploring caverns, ziplining and more. Enjoy a guided outdoor adventure such as kayaking, fishing, hiking and more with Adventure Explorations or enjoy some time out on the river with kayaks for novices and experts alike from Chiques Rock Outfitters. A great way to explore the outdoors and learn about Lancaster's history is by taking one of the River Discovery Boat Tours. Turn your outdoor adventure into a getaway by staying at one of Lancaster's great campgrounds.

Pick your own apples and pumpkins this month, or check out some roadside stands for local produce goodies from the fall harvest.

Free things to do in Lancaster County, PA

Head downtown to enjoy First Fridays in Lancaster City. The first Friday of every month galleries are open later, music and street performances are out, and of course be sure to try some of the amazing restaurants downtown. Take the kiddos with you because the Lancaster Science Factory is free from 5-7pm on first Fridays and you can explore over 70 fun and interactive science exhibits. While not free, you can also take the kiddos to Tiny Town on First Fridays for Kid's Night Out and enjoy a night out on your own. You can also check out local galleries, museums, and more throughout the city during Second Saturday!

Similar to Lancaster City's First Fridays, the cool small town of Lititz hosts Second Fridays from 5-9pm. Local merchants are open late, music, entertainment, and more await.

Fall is the perfect time to explore the county, the leaves are changing and there's so much beauty to see. Check out some great places to see the fall foliage or take a self-guided covered bridge tour of the area.