Holidays in Lancaster

Spend the Holidays in Lancaster County

Q: When is the best time to visit Lancaster for holiday events?

Most events run from mid-November through New Year’s Day, with peak weekends in early to mid-December.

Q: Are holiday shows in Lancaster family-friendly?

Yes! Many shows are perfect for kids. Click here to get the upcoming show schedule.

Experience the magic of the holidays in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. From sparkling lights and Christmas markets to family-friendly shows and cozy inns, Lancaster is the perfect place for a festive weekend getaway. Whether you're shopping for handmade gifts or sipping hot chocolate by the fire, this is where holiday memories are made.

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Events

Festive Events

From Santa trains to light-filled adventures, Lancaster is full of festive events for all ages:

CHRISTMAS TRAINS

Meet Santa onboard Santa's Paradise Express and Santa Claus Limited at the Strasburg Rail Road! You can also get excited while seeing the classic story come to life onboard the train during the Night Before Christmas Train! Operating from November to December, these series of holiday trains offer festive fun for all visitors.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS & ZIPLINING

Enjoy the Christmas Lights Experience at Refreshing Mountain, which will run from November 13th to January 2nd. With twice as many lights, there 8 miles of Christmas lights displayed. Walk through the Christmas light displays or zipline through the spectacle. For a complete immersive experience stay in a cozy Christmas-y cabin suite.

AMISH FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

Make your way to the Old Windmill Farm and dive into rustic holiday traditions! Running from November 19th to December 18th, the Amish Farmhouse Christmas Experience features kid-friendly activities such as churning fresh butter and baking pumpkin pies. Venture through the idyllic grounds of the Old Windmill Farm on a horse-drawn sleigh ride!

THE 2026 CHRISTMAS SHOW: WINTER WONDERLAND

Running from November 3rd to December 30th at American Music Theatre, the 2026 Christmas Show: Winter Wonderland holiday musical extravaganza celebrates the joys and merriment of spending the holidays with the ones we love. The show features dashing performers and merry musicians singing your favorite holiday songs.

INTERCOURSE VILLAGE CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Stroll through the Intercourse Village Christkindlmarkt, a traditional European-style Christmas market on December 4th & 5th. Shop for handmade gifts at the Maker's Market, enjoy festive live performances and carolers, a tree lighting ceremony and a Shepherd's Walk leading to a live nativity.

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Holiday Gift Shopping

The perfect gift awaits in Lancaster. Our locally owned shops are filled with so many one-of-a-kind items that you can only find in Lancaster.

FOODIE FUN

Wilbur Buds
Gift these famous chocolates.
Lancaster Cast Iron
Elevate your cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet and high-quality kitchen utensils.
Deerfoot Downtown
Award-winning micro-winery.

EXPERIENCES & ACTIVITIES

Horst Arts
Personalized wood-engraved ornaments and gifts.
Unique Lancaster Experiences
Take an international food tour, scavenger hunt, or electric bike.

AMISH INTERESTS

Local Quilt Shops
Quilted Wallhanging or Quillows from Family Farm Quilts or Lantz Homestead Quilt Barn.
LoKal Experiences
Amish Tour and Food Tours

GET LANCASTER GIFT GUIDE

Places to Stay

From cozy inns to family-friendly accommodations, Lancaster offers dozens of places to stay for your holiday getaway. Book early if you plan to visit popular events - rooms fill fast!

Find pet-friendly places to stay.
Book your stay at a property with an indoor pool.
Discover some of the coolest places to stay.
Stay at one of the best family destinations.
Cozy up at one of Lancaster's gorgeous bed & breakfasts.

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Get Holiday Ready

Whether you’re hosting guests or prepping for holiday meals, Lancaster has what you need:

CUT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE

Head to a local tree farm like Abe’s Tree Farm or Elizabeth Farms where you can cut your own perfect evergreen and enjoy cider, bonfires, and festive photo ops.

TOUR THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS CENTER

This nostalgic museum brings holiday history to life with full-scale vintage scenes, thousands of ornaments, and a choir of 400+ angel figurines. It’s a must-see experience this season!

ATTEND A TREE LIGHTING OR SMALL TOWN FESTIVAL

Visit Lancaster's small towns traditional tree lightings, European-style Christmas markets, and community festivals bursting with small town charm and community.

DRIVE THROUGH A LIGHT SHOW

From the 3-mile trail at Stone Gables Estate to the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Penn Medicine Park, these drive-thru spectacles light up the season in a big way.

HOLIDAY-THEMED ESCAPE ROOM

Step into the world of a beloved holiday classic with Escape on Queen’s newest escape room, where nostalgia meets fast-paced fun as you outsmart the bandits with clever traps before time runs out!

Holiday Bucket List

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the best time to visit Lancaster for holiday events?

Most events run from mid-November through New Year’s Day, with peak weekends in early to mid-December.

Are holiday shows in Lancaster family-friendly?

Yes! Many shows, are perfect for kids. Click here to get the upcoming show schedule.

Where can I see Christmas lights in Lancaster?

Many areas of the County will be lit up with Christmas lights for the holidays. Check out of the renowned drive-thru light shows happening this season!

Do the Amish celebrate Christmas?

Yes! The Amish do celebrate Christmas - though it looks a little different than what you may be used to. Take a deeper dive into Amish Christmas traditions.