A down-home holiday in Lancaster County, PA

Pictured: Shopping near Lititz

Credit: Gabe McMullen

(Lancaster, Pa.) The warmth of home is something that resonates with all of us at Christmastime. But there are also a few special places that feel like home even when you’re visiting for only a few days or hours.

With its Yuletide traditions, festive activities, and inviting Main Streets, Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County is just such a place. If making those type of memories is your holiday wish this year, then we’ve got everything on your list. Here are a few of our favorites:

Lots of great holiday shows, particularly “Elf” at Fulton Theatre, “Illumination” at Prima Theatre, and “Deck The Halls” at American Music Theatre.

For unique shopping, we have several “incubators” that feature local makers: Building Character in Lancaster City, Prussian Street Arcade in Manheim, Artisan Village in Bird-in-Hand, and Artisan Mill in both Lititz & Lanc. City.

Ride with childlike wonder at Dutch Winter Wonderland or the Christmas trains at Strasburg Rail Road.

Experience “Lancaster City for the Holidays,” especially the Mayor’s Tree Lighting and the Ewell Plaza Winter (makers) Market, plus visits with Santa, festive music, and distinctive city retailers.

Visit Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum on Dec. 13th for two experiences with the Belsnickle – the mischievous PA German version of Santa Claus. An afternoon family session that includes making an ornament & a holiday reading, and then an evening tour for adults that has a little more zing!

Breakfast or visits with Santa, musical entertainment, special food features & demonstrations, and of course, incredible shopping – it’s all part of an old-fashioned Christmas at Kitchen Kettle Village.

Learn (in a delicious way!) how our local Plain community celebrates the holidays with the Amish Farm & House’s Amish Christmas Cookie Tour.

The Refreshing Mountain Christmas Light Experience is an awesome time, whether you’re simply walking through OR . . . ziplining! Now through January 3rd.

Celebrate the Yuletide season in 1790s style at Historic Rock Ford Dec. 27-29 with guided mansion tours, live traditional music & dance demonstrations, and open hearth cooking, plus NEW offerings & activities this year in the Rock Ford Barn.

Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, with many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our vibrant downtown city life – with galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music – or explore surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and attractions for which Lancaster is famous. Visit us at www.DiscoverLancaster.com.

For more information:
Joel Cliff, Dir. of Communications
Phone: 717-735-0311
E-mail: jcliff@discoverlancaster.com

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A down-home holiday in Lancaster County, PA

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