Several colorful hot air balloons float above a rural landscape with green fields, houses, roads, and a crop maze, under a clear blue sky during sunset. The largest balloon is decorated with stars and stripes.

Activities

Retiring in Lancaster County means your calendar can be as full as you want it to be. Between festivals, performances, farm tours, and historic sites, there’s genuinely something happening in every season and for every kind of interest.

To help future retirees discover what the Lancaster area has to offer, we’ve compiled a list of some of its most popular events and attractions. Some are well-known far beyond the county line, while others are the kinds of things longtime residents circle on their calendars every year without ever thinking to tell a newcomer about. Here, we’ve captured a bit of both.

The list is long and isn’t intended to be done within a single year. Think of it more like a menu of options: Skim the categories that interest you, bookmark a few things, and come back to it as seasons change. That’s all part of the irresistible charm of life in Lancaster County — there’s so much to do!

Plan by Season

Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer

Fall

Fall is the busiest stretch on the county calendar, and for many residents, it’s the best one. Agricultural fairs, harvest festivals, and art shows run almost every weekend from late August through November.

  • County fairs everywhere — Each fair brings its own local flavor. Most lean on exhibits, livestock, baking and canning competitions, and parades rather than midways, which makes them easy to enjoy at whatever pace you like. Just a few local fairs include:
  • Long’s Park Art Festival (Labor Day weekend, Lancaster) — A juried fine art and craft show laid out along the park’s paved walkways, with painting, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, photography, and more by artists from across the country.
  • Bird-in-Hand Hot Air Balloon Festival (September) — Bring a chair, watch dozens of hot air balloons take to the sky over beautiful farmland, and enjoy great food and music.
  • Harvest Days at Landis Valley Museum (October, Lancaster) — Historic Pennsylvania Dutch farm life is brought to life with demonstrations, wagon rides, music, and seasonal foods like apple butter and cider.
  • Fall antique shows — Adamstown and the surrounding area are especially active this time of year, with quilts, woodworking, primitive crafts, and collectibles alongside the usual antique markets (be sure to check out Renninger’s Antique Market and Shupp’s Grove).
  • Christmas craft shows — A perennial favorite, Christmas craft shows fill church basements and fire halls across the county with handmade goods and holiday décor starting in November.

Winter

Winter slows the pace, but a circuit of small-town Christmas celebrations kicks off the winter season, with more events running right through the coldest months. And don’t miss the late-winter migration of snow geese at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.

  • Christmas celebrations — Lititz, Strasburg, Ephrata, Mount Joy, Manheim, Marietta, New Holland, and Intercourse each play host to events and tours, usually built around decorated streets and sidewalks, local shops, food, and music.
  • Christmas concerts — The Lancaster Symphony, along with church choirs and community choruses throughout the county, put on holiday programs through December.
  • Pennsylvania Farm Show (January, Harrisburg) — From the category of “It needs to be seen to be believed,” this weeklong event is the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation, featuring exhibits from across the state, livestock judging, rodeo competitions, and a huge selection of Pennsylvania foods to enjoy. It’s outside Lancaster County (in the capital, Harrisburg), but so worth the trip.
  • Lititz Fire & Ice Festival (February) — Ice sculptures are displayed downtown, food from local restaurants is featured, and with the ability to duck into shops and restaurants along the way, this outdoor festival is a very comfortable and walkable winter event.
  • Fasnacht Day (February) — The celebration of this distinctly Pennsylvania Dutch–style donut falls on Shrove (or Fat) Tuesday each year, traditionally to use up lard, butter, and sugar before the start of Lent. Look for these pastries at local markets and bake sales.
  • Middle Creek snow geese migration (peaks late winter into early spring, Stevens) — Thousands of snow geese and tundra swans stage here before continuing north. It’s free, it’s one of the largest wildlife spectacles in the state, and you can watch most of it from your car if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Bring binoculars!

    Spring

    As the county wakes up from winter, spring is the season for gardens, art, antiques — and mud sales, a uniquely Lancaster County tradition.

    • Mud sales (February–May) — Volunteer fire companies throughout the county hold auctions known as “mud sales,” a nickname inspired by the muddy conditions that often come with early spring weather, outdoor auction grounds, and plenty of foot traffic. Shoppers can browse and bid on everything from Amish-made quilts, furniture, crafts, and canned goods to flowers and plants, building materials, farm equipment, and much more.
    • Wonders in Wood (March, Millersville) — More than 120 tables of carving, painting, and wildlife art, with working demonstrations throughout the day. This is for people who appreciate traditional craft and hobby work and tends to draw a quieter crowd.
    • Spring Antique Extravaganza (April, Adamstown) — Adamstown bills itself as Antiques Capital USA, and this is the weekend that proves it. Plan on a full day between the show and the town’s year-round antique markets, with lunch somewhere in between.
    • Marietta Cherry Blossom Festival (April, Marietta) — The cherry trees along Front Street are the stars of this weekend, with live music, food, and vendors set against the Susquehanna riverfront. Small, walkable, and easy to enjoy without a big crowd.
    • Herb & Garden Faire at Landis Valley Museum (May, Lancaster) — Shop for heirloom plants, garden tools, pottery, and more. A good one for anyone who still keeps a garden or misses having one.
    • Rhubarb Festival (May, Intercourse) — This quirky festival at Kitchen Kettle Village celebrates the emergence of this tart vegetable in spring gardens across the county. Featuring the crowning of a rhubarb king and queen, rhubarb baking contests, plus rhubarb-based sweets, foods, and even wine, you might go for the rhubarb, but you’ll stay for the fun!

    Summer

    Summer in Lancaster County is the time for outdoor concerts, car shows, the Fourth of July, and a celebration of produce grown right here in the garden spot of Pennsylvania.

    • Long’s Park Summer Music Series (Lancaster) — Free concerts every Sunday, all summer long, in “Lancaster’s backyard,” plus a huge fireworks display and concert for the Fourth. Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic, and treat it as a standing summer plan rather than a one-time event. The lush, shady park itself is worth visiting even when nothing’s scheduled.
    • Intercourse Heritage Days (June) — A full weekend of heritage craft demonstrations, live music, a local food fair, and community tradition in the heart of Amish Country.
    • Riverfest (June, Columbia and surrounding towns) — A celebration of Susquehanna River heritage with tours, talks, trolley rides, and a run-and-paddle race, culminating with the Burning Bridge Bash, a recreation of the intentional burning of Columbia’s wooden bridge in 1865 that prevented Confederate troops from crossing the river in the days preceding the Battle of Gettysburg.
    • Lititz 4th of July — Experience the second-oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in the nation! Since 1818, Lititz has made Independence Day sparkle with a parade, a full day of food and fun, and fireworks after dark. Widely considered one of the best small-town Fourth celebrations in the region, and it certainly earns that reputation.
    • Washington Boro Tomato Festival (July) — There’s something about the soil along the Susquehanna that makes tomatoes grown here extra special. Go taste why this fire company fundraiser, built around local produce, food, music, and genuine small-town community spirit, continues to attract more and more tomato lovers every year.
    • Lancaster International Piano & Chamber Music Festival (July) — Enjoy classical music and professional performances, and a nice change of pace from the county’s louder summer festivals.
    • Rough & Tumble Threshermen’s Reunion (August, Kinzers) — Antique tractors, steam engines, gas engines, a sawmill, blacksmith, and two steam-powered train rides make this a festival of the way things used to be. See harvest demonstrations, enjoy Amish foods, shop the huge flea market, and don’t miss the boisterous noon whistle.
    • Classic car shows and cruise-ins — Summer is peak season for community car shows across the county. See the Antiques, Art, Airshows & Car Shows section below.

    Explore by Interest

    Performing Arts & Theater | Antiques, Art, Airshows & Car Shows | Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries & Beer Fests | Food Festivals | Markets, Farms & Local Flavor | Outdoor Activities & Nature | History & Culture | Sports & Recreation

    Performing Arts & Theater

    Lancaster County has a performing arts scene that punches well above its weight, with everything from a historic downtown theater to an open-air amphitheater tucked into the hills.

    • American Music Theatre (Lancaster) — A regular stop for national touring acts, tribute shows, and comedians, with a busy year-round schedule. People travel from all over the state for its Christmas show.
    • Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre (Lancaster) — Dinner and a show in one outing, and a genuine longtime local favorite.
    • Ephrata Performing Arts Center — A smaller venue with a strong community theater tradition and a loyal following.
    • Fulton Theatre (Lancaster) — One of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the country, staging Broadway-caliber musicals and plays in its historic and beautifully restored downtown building.
    • Gretna Theatre (Mount Gretna) — An outdoor amphitheater nestled into the quaint and quiet village of Mount Gretna, worth the short drive for a summer evening performance. (And a sweet treat at the nearby Jigger Shop!)
    • Lancaster Symphony Orchestra — A full concert season, including a well-loved holiday program each December.
    • Sight & Sound Theatres (Ronks) — Large-scale biblical productions staged with elaborate sets, live animals, and special effects that have made it a must-see destination for visitors from well beyond Lancaster County.

    Antiques, Art, Airshows & Car Shows

    Classic cars and antiques bring out a real crowd countywide, especially in spring and fall.

    • Antique markets — Adamstown’s shops and markets beckon to collectors and the curious throughout the year, but Columbia is also becoming a hot spot, with shops like Burning Bridge Antique Market, Tollbooth Warehouse, and Bootleg Antiques.
    • Car shows — These shows run countywide from spring through fall. A few notable shows that regularly draw crowds include the New Holland Classic Car Show, Show in the Grove in Kinzers, and the John Sauder GM Car Show, cohosted by the Susquehanna Valley Camaro & Firebird Club.
    • Lancaster Airshow (September, Lancaster) — See planes from the past as well as air acrobatics and wing walkers taking to the skies.
    • Long’s Park Art Festival (Labor Day weekend, Lancaster) — A juried fine art and craft show, and one of the region’s most respected, featuring textiles, ceramics, paintings, and much more, as well as food vendors.
    • Antiques Extravaganza  (Adamstown) — Held three times a year, it’s the biggest antique event in the region, easily a full day on its own.
    • Wonders in Wood (March, Millersville) — Carving, artwork, tools, and demonstrations.

    Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries & Beer Fests

    Lancaster County’s wine and craft beverage scene continues to grow, with tasting rooms and sampling opportunities scattered from downtown Lancaster to the countryside.

    • Cullari Vineyards & Winery (Brickerville) — An Italian-rooted winery with a tasting room at Bricker Village.
    • Glasshouse Wineworks (Manheim) — A relaxed indoor-outdoor tasting room pouring wines, ciders, and a rotating selection of Pennsylvania beers.
    • The Lancaster Ale Trail — A countywide network of breweries promoted by the Lancaster County Brewers Guild. It’s worth exploring a stop or two at a time rather than all at once — don’t forget to get your passport stamped!
    • Lancaster Craft Beerfest (August) — More than 35 breweries, local food trucks, and live music in downtown Lancaster’s Binns Park.
    • Lititz Craft Beer Fest (June) — A Lititz tradition featuring a strong beer festival lineup, music, and food, with proceeds going to local charities.
    • Mount Hope Estate & Winery (Manheim) — Pennsylvania’s original winery, brewery, cidery, and distillery, set on the historic grounds shared with the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.
    • Nissley Vineyards Winery & Estate (Bainbridge) — A long-running, Pennsylvania-grown winery with tastings, tours, and regular musical performances on the grounds.
    • Rural City Beer Co. (Reamstown/Lancaster) — An independent, family-run brewery known for its rotating selection of traditional and creative craft beers, with a brewery and taproom in Reamstown and a second taproom in downtown Lancaster near Central Market.
    • Spring House Brewing Co. (Lancaster) — An award-winning, community-minded brewery with a rotating lineup of their own craft beers, a wood-fired pizza kitchen, and a lively taproom in a restored warehouse. (They also have a location in Strasburg, called The Tavern.)
    • Thorn Hill Vineyards (Lancaster) — A cozy tasting room known for bold reds and balanced whites, with a monthly trivia night.
    • Thistle Finch Distillery (Lancaster) — Gin, vodka, and white rye distilled in a historic downtown building, with a quieter cocktail bar feel.
    • Waltz Vineyards (Manheim) — A family-owned estate winery producing wines from Pennsylvania-grown European varietals, with hilltop tasting room views.

    Food Festivals

    Lancaster County’s food heritage goes beyond Amish and Mennonite influences to today’s mélange of Latin American, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern foods.

    • Lancaster VegFest (June, Lancaster) — Features a wide range of vegan and vegetarian-friendly plant-based foods, products, and resources.
    • Celebrate Lancaster (June, Lancaster) — The flavors of the many cultures of the city and county are yours to try at this downtown festival. Several blocks of Queen Street are turned into a pedestrian zone and lined with vendors, with a stage in the square featuring music throughout the day.
    • Strawberry Festival (June, Lancaster) — Central Market is host to this sweet celebration with food vendors, music, and more.
    • Washington Boro Tomato Festival (July, Washington Boro) — Plump red tomatoes abound, ready to take home —or sample deliciously fresh tomato dishes.
    • L’Italia Festival (September, Lititz) — Enjoy Italian food, culture, cars, dancing, and live music.
    • Tailgating Festival (September, Intercourse) — This two-day food festival in Kitchen Kettle Village features plenty of fall foods and fun.
    • Whoopie Pie Festival (September, Ronks) — Maine may claim they invented this cakey, creamy treat, but we know it was born right here in Lancaster County.
    • OneWorld Festival (October, Lancaster) — Held on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College, this event brings together Asian, African, Jewish, Italian, Greek, Irish, and German standholders selling food and sharing their culture.

    Markets, Farms & Local Flavor

    In a county with some of the most fertile soil and productive farms in the country, it’s easy to find the freshest, most delicious produce, baked goods, and prepared foods available.

    • Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market — A staple for local produce, baked goods, and Pennsylvania Dutch specialties.
    • Central Market (Lancaster) — The oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country, with produce, baked goods, prepared food, and crafts under one historic roof. Open on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
    • Kitchen Kettle Village (Intercourse) — Shops, food, and seasonal events built around a walkable village green.
    • Roadside farm stands — Scattered throughout the county’s back roads, especially in summer and early fall, these stands selling flowers and vegetables are a big part of what makes a simple countryside drive worth taking.
    • Root’s Country Market & Auction (Manheim) — This weekly open-air market features produce, baked goods, a flea market, and a genuine local auction. Open on Tuesdays.

    Outdoor Activities & Nature

    The countryside is one of the county’s biggest draws, and there’s plenty to do here beyond taking a scenic drive.

    • Chickies Rock County Park (Columbia) — A well-known overlook of the Susquehanna River, with various trail options and views from 200 feet above the water.
    • Conestoga Trail (Holtwood & Pequea) — A long-distance hiking trail winding through the county’s rolling countryside, walkable in shorter sections if you’d rather not tackle it end to end.
    • Lancaster County Central Park (Lancaster) — This park offers trails, picnic areas, and easy access from the city. Don’t miss the unique Garden of Five Senses, with paved walkways that can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.
    • Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (Stevens) — While it’s best known for its dramatic spring waterfowl migration, Middle Creek is a rewarding spot to visit year-round for its trails and open water views. Its Visitors Center includes intriguing displays and the Conservation Heritage Museum.
    • Scenic drives — One of the simplest and most reliably enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon in the county, with or without a specific destination in mind.

    History & Culture

    Lancaster County played a real role in the country’s early days, and that history is easy to step into on almost any afternoon.

    • 1719 Museum (Willow Street) — Also known as the Hans Herr House, this is one of the oldest buildings in Lancaster County and one of the oldest Mennonite meetinghouses in the country.
    • Amish Farm & House (Lancaster) — The original Amish tourist attraction, it’s an accessible, well-grounded introduction to Amish life and culture.
    • Historic Ephrata Cloister — A former religious community established in 1732, with an unusual and fascinating history, maintained as a state historic site.
    • Historic Rock Ford (Lancaster) — The restored 18th-century home of Revolutionary War General Edward Hand. Its John J. Snyder Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts features exquisite furniture, silver, paintings, and other works.
    • Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (Lancaster) — A recreated 19th-century Pennsylvania German village, home to both the Herb & Garden Faire every spring and Harvest Days every fall.
    • Marietta Cherry Blossom Festival — A small-town spring tradition set against the town’s well-preserved 19th-century streetscape.
    • National Watch & Clock Museum (Columbia) — This niche but genuinely engrossing collection is easy to underestimate until you’re inside.
    • President Buchanan’s Wheatland (Lancaster) — The historic home of 19-century diplomat and President James Buchanan. Be sure to visit the LancasterHistory Museum and Tanger Arboretum as well, both located on the grounds of the mansion.
    • Stevens & Smith Center for History & Democracy (Lancaster) — The home and law office of Congressman Thaddeus Stevens — and an Underground Railroad stop — where the Civil Rights Movement began to take shape.

      Sports & Recreation

      Between baseball games, high school and college sports, and community races, there are many ways to play or watch your favorite sports in person.

      • Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon (September) — This race takes a scenic route through the county’s farmland and is popular with runners, walkers, and spectators alike.
      • Golf — A wide range of public and semiprivate courses dot the county, as well as private clubs and country clubs. Find your favorite and get into the swing of things!
      • Lancaster Ice Rink — Enjoy leisurely public skating sessions, learn to skate, or see a hockey game throughout the week.
      • Lancaster Stormers — Catch professional Atlantic League baseball at beautiful Penn Medicine Park in downtown Lancaster, three-time winner of Ballpark Digest’s MLB Partner League Ballpark of the Year.
      • Red Rose Run (June, Lancaster) — Downtown Lancaster’s signature summer race, and a lively one to watch from the sidelines even if you’re not running it.

      Make Fun Part of Your Retirement

      No matter how you like to spend your time, the Lancaster area has a full calendar to match it. Many of our participating life plan communities conduct group outings to local festivals, markets, and shows year-round. Or, you can explore them on your own with friends and family and join the fun of life in Lancaster County!

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