Things to do with Kids during the Holidays in Lancaster, PA

American Music Theatre’s 2021 Christmas Show: Home for the Holidays celebrates the joys and merriment of spending the holidays with the ones we love. Come celebrate the wonder, warmth, and magic of the season as we go “home for the holidays” with a show guaranteed to leave you in the Christmas Spirit!

Christmas at Barnyard Kingdom is the ultimate kid’s holiday experience. November 26th – December 11th, enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas on the farm. Giant slides, fire pits, barnyard animals, Elf scavenger hunt, hedge maze and more await on the farm. Take a train ride to their Christmas Tree Fields to pick up your Christmas tree, included with your ticket. Enjoy a breakfast buffet in the historic barn, snap a photo with Santa.

Bird-in-Hand Stage presents The Christmas Tree Ship, a heart-warming inspirational new musical is based on the true story of Herman Schuenemann, known as Captain Santa, who goes down with his ship on a storm in Lake Michigan – leaving his widow to raise their daughters, run the family shipping business and continue her husband’s mission of giving away thousands of Christmas trees to the less fortunate of Chicago.

See a light show! Christmas at Clipper Magazine Stadium is having their 5th annual Christmas Spirit Light Show and Christmas Tree Lane! Drive through their 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. Then come into the stadium to vote for the best decorated tree at Christmas Tree Lane, take your picture with Santa, listen to Christmas Carols performed by local choirs and enjoy festive snacks and drinks!

See A Christmas Carol: The Musical at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre this winter! With his “Bah, Humbug!,” Ebenezer Scrooge reveals his feelings about the holiday. But even for a grumpy old miser like him, it’s never too late to change.

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre also has a show curated for kids! This December they are showing Santa Claus: The Musical! After 1,000 years of faithful service, Santa Claus has decided to retire. But not all the elves in Santa’s Workshop are too thrilled about his chosen replacement – website-designer Nick.

Treat the kiddos to Dutch Winter Wonderland this holiday season! November 20th through December 31st. Soak in thousands of lights, strap into over 20 rides and attractions, even meet Santa himself. It's time to celebrate the season with the family at Dutch Wonderland!

Experience the sweetest place on earth during the holidays, Christmas Candylane! HersheyPark, just a short drive from Lancaster, hosts their annual Christmas Candylane select dates November 11th – January 1st. Be amazed as you stroll through the amusement park that has been transformed to embody the Christmas spirit with festive music, decorations, and so many Christmas lights.

Kitchen Kettle Village is the perfect destination for wholesome family fun! In addition to their great holiday shopping, they host several holiday events. Have dinner with Mrs. Claus and Yummie to add some magic (and great food) to this busy time of year. Get tickets to the Holiday Family Fun with Santa & Friends event at the Village. Be ready to enjoy a delicious meal, fun scavenger hunt and of course to share your holiday wish list with Santa & a few of his friends. Embrace the holiday season and make shopping fun with the Holiday Tasting Tour. Enjoy generous samples and personalized service, as well as bites of history about the Village. You won't want to miss this festive tasting experience for food lovers of all ages!

Flight on Ice is a limited time, pop-up attraction will transform the Park City Malls outdoor parking lot into and outdoor skating rink. Perfect spot for groups of all ages, a winter destination you don't want to miss. There will be onsite parking, food and beverages and heated tents for private parties.

Magic & Wonder Theatre presents Believe, where guests can take a journey to the North Pole and watch the toys in Santa’s workshop come to life! Friends and family of all ages will enjoy the amazing illusions, side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes and the inspiring message about making holiday wishes magically come true while remembering the true meaning of the season.

Prima’s "ILLUMINATION: An Immersive Holiday Experience" will usher in the magic of the season in the mesmerizing music and sensory experience. 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.

Visit Refreshing Mountain Thursday – Sunday evenings between November 25th – January 15th for a winter wonderland adventure. Enjoy hundreds of brightly decorated trees, buildings, and other structures either by car at the drive through show or from an aerial perspective. Reserve a ziplining adventure in advance, tickets go quick! For an indoor option, guests can enjoy the family friendly, private Escape Rooms. With so much to see and do at Refreshing Mountain, consider making a weekend of it! Book a cabin or hotel room right on the property for easy access to all of the adventures they offer.

See a Show
Visiting a theatre in Lancaster County is a most memorable experience. There are several shows coming to the stages for the holidays!

Head out to the magical Stone Gables Estate for several holiday events this season! Between November 26th and December 30th, enjoy the 4th annual Christmas Light Drive-Thru. This 3-mile drive features over 600,000 LED lights plus some unexpected surprises. Hop aboard the Santa Express or the Winter Train Excursion and have a magical, narrated adventure on an 1869 steam locomotive replica as it chugs along the Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. You & your young ones won’t want to miss out on a visit to the Christmas Village this winter. The fully decorated Star Barn will be offering beverages, snacks, and the opportunity to meet Santa, his helpers, and more!

Hop aboard one of several holiday trains pulling out of the station at Strasburg Rail Road! Santa’s Paradise Express is a Christmas tradition in Strasburg that brings the magic of the holidays to life. Take the Christmas Tree Train to Leaman Place Grove and pick out your very own pre-cut tree. On Santa’s Christmas Trolley, children ages 11 and younger will have the opportunity to take a professional photo with Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas! Photo is included in ticket price. Experience the nostalgia of Christmas past on The Night Before Christmas Train aboard an authentic stream train.

Have an Amish Farmhouse Christmas Experience at the Old Windmill Farm where you'll be able to make authentic farm to table food alongside the Amish using recipes handed down generations. Churn butter, press fresh apple cider, bake fresh bread and pumpkin pies, then sit down at the heirloom table to enjoy. Afterwards boil apples to make apple sauce for preserving!