Posted: 08/04/2024 | by Tori

Top Things to Do this Fall in Lancaster, PA

The air is crisp, the foliage is festive, and there are flavors to savor. Below are 27 things to this Fall season.

1. See a Show!

There are lots of great theatres in Lancaster offering a variety of productions. throughout the fall season. This year, don't miss Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on stage at the Fulton Theatre. This Tony and Grammy award-winning musical phenomenon will have you dancing in the aisles with unforgettable classics like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Natural Woman,” and many more.

For more musical fun, head to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatres to catch Hairspray and Jersey Boys, both renowned shows that promise to entertain with catchy tunes and captivating performances. Whether you're a fan of nostalgic hits or contemporary classics, there's a show in Lancaster that will make your evening unforgettable.

Even More Shows!

2. Small Town Fun

Enjoy small-town fun with First Fridays in downtown Lancaster, First Thursdays in Manheim, and Second Fridays in Lititz every month!

Arts Around Lancaster

3. Visit a Cozy Coffee Shop

Lancaster County has plenty of great coffee spots to check out, like Passenger Coffee. It's the perfect place to grab a hot drink and relax as the fall weather sets in.

4. Culinary Perfection

Foodies love Lancaster County for its wide variety of restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, including Asian, Mexican, Peruvian, Indian, Moroccan, African, and much more. Whether you prefer fine dining, an authentic Pennsylvania Dutch meal, or indulging at a casual restaurant, you'll find it all here.

5. Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

What's better than a good ole corn maze? Head to Oregon Dairy to join in on the fun with their "Discover Lancaster" corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Don't let the fun stop, let the kids run free with Fall related farming activities at Corn Cob Acres and have even more farm fun at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm.

Top 7 Corn Mazes

6. Experience Farm Life

Immerse yourself in farm life with a guided tour of an authentic Amish house and farm at The Amish Farm & House. You can also stay overnight at a working farm, such as Verdant View Farm Bed and Breakfast.

7. Celebrate Hometown Heroes

Celebrate Hometown Heroes with Cherry Crest Adventure Farm on September 16th.
The festival includes:

Meet & greets with EMS, fire department, police, & health workers
A parade
Touch-a-truck
Fireworks at night

8. Pick Up Seasonal Produce at a Farm Market

Lancaster County is home to a variety of farm markets, like Lapp's Farm Market, offering a wide selection of seasonal produce, fresh-baked goods, and more. They are the perfect spot to enjoy the flavors of fall and support local farmers.

9. Fairs & Fests

Enjoy family fun, rides, delicious fair food and drinks, and more at the New Holland Fair and at the West Lampeter Fair. Catch a film at the Red Rose International Film Festival. Attendees will enjoy a variety of shorts, documentaries, and feature-length films, bringing global perspectives to the Lancaster community.

more festivals & fairs

10. Take a Ride, a Thomas The Train Ride

Spend a Day Out With Thomas at the Strasburg Railroad! Take a ride through the beautiful Lancaster countryside on a steam train, enjoy family fun activities, and more while Thomas is in town September 14 – 15; 19 – 22, 2024.

11. Experience The Fantasy

Head out to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire through October 27 for delicious food and drinks, great entertainment, shopping, and fun! Tickets need to be purchased in advance.

12. Apple Picking Fun

Whether you really like apples, enjoy the activity itself, or like taking photos in the orchard; apple picking is a fun activity for all.

Kauffman Orchards and Cherry Hill Orchards both offer fruit-picking fun, fruit and ripening dates vary. Be sure to stop at Cherry Hill Orchards Market where you'll find pumpkins, fresh cider, baked goods and so much more.

13. Shop Till You Drop

Browse the shops at Kitchen Kettle Village and celebrate autumn at their Tailgate Festival on September 15th & 16th. Head out to their last Summer Siorre and enjoy Yummie's Boo Bash on October 28th.

GREAT FOR GIFTS

14. Unlock Adventure with Experience Trails

Fall is the perfect time to explore Lancaster County at your own pace with our Experience Trails. Enjoy exclusive deals and discounts at local farms, orchards, cafes, creameries and more while collecting points for a chance to win a prize.

15. Enjoy Live Music

Enjoy live music as Decked Out Live continues until the end of September, and Wine by the Vine continues through the end of October.

16. Happy Haunting!

Get into the spooky spirit by checking out Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland on Saturdays and Sundays in October and Monday, October 9th.

17. Spooky Scoot Through Strasburg

Go for a late-night ride and listen to local folklore and ghost stories during Strasburg Scooter Tours' Spooky Scoot.

18. Visit Lancaster Central Market

Enjoy a Harvest Breakfast at Lancaster Central Market on October 5th. Explore local farm stands for fresh produce.

19. The Legacy Of Sleepy Hallow

Discover the true Legacy of Sleepy Hollow as it comes to life onboard the Strasburg Rail Road! Join Isabel Crane as she takes you on a frightful journey about her family.

20. Harvest Days

Save the date for Harvest Days at Landis Valley on October 12th and 13th. Demonstrations, exhibits, live music, and more will be waiting!

21. Ride The Rails

All aboard the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin onboard the Pumpkin Patch Train!

22. Touch of Science

Get a Taste of Science on October 17th at the Lancaster Science Factory! Trivia, Frisco's, homebrew competition, and more!

23. Pumpkin Madness!

Find out how many ways you can demolish a pumpkin during Cherry Crest Adventure Farm's Pumpkin Madness Festival on November 2nd! Pumpkin bowling, carving, chucking and more.

24. Taste of A Lancaster Fall

Lancaster's rural roads are lined with roadside stands brimming with fresh produce. Take a leisurely drive, handpick your favorites, and savor a delicious meal made from your bounty.

25. Get Outdoors!

Fall in love with our scenic hikes and cute farm animals. Join Keystone Hiking for an outdoor weekend on October 18 - 20! Enjoy 3 days of activities and explore 2 shores along the Susquehanna Riverlands.

You can also enjoy an outdoor ziplining adventure at Refreshing Mountain or visit Eastland Alpacas for a fun day meeting friendly animals in a natural farm setting.

There is so much to do outdoors this fall in Lancaster County.