Discover the best of the holidays in Lancaster! Our guide has all the must-see festive events and activities. For those deeply connected to Lancaster and those just making connections, our guide is your festive roadmap.
Experience the magic of Lancaster with the enchanting Christmas Light Show at Longwood Gardens, where illuminated displays transform the gardens into a winter wonderland. Dive into the holiday spirit with the Victorian charm and live performances at Dickens of a Christmas. And Koziar's Christmas Village is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring thousands of twinkling lights and festive scenes. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Lancaster
- Christmas at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
- Dutch Winter Wonderland
- Christmas Tree Lighting & Tuba Christmas
Lancaster Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Tree Lighting & Tuba Christmas
What to Expect:
Tuba concert combined with tree lighting ceremony
Description:
Lancaster's annual tree lighting ceremony takes an unexpected turn with the addition of Tuba Christmas, a concert featuring an ensemble of low brass instruments. The deep, resonant tones of tubas and euphoniums fill the air with familiar carols, providing a unique soundtrack to the illumination of the city's Christmas tree. Visitors can join in singing along to holiday favorites. This event, part of a nationwide celebration started in 1974, honors the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day in 1902. The unusual combination creates a memorable and distinctive holiday tradition.
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Christmas Tree Lighting & Tuba Christmas
Lancaster Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
What to Expect:
Living history Christmas celebration
Description:
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum breathes life into Pennsylvania German holiday traditions. Costumed interpreters demonstrate 18th and 19th-century crafts and customs, from candle-making to cookie baking. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities like creating traditional ornaments. The museum, founded in 1925, preserves the rich cultural heritage of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Period-decorated buildings showcase how different social classes celebrated the season, offering a unique glimpse into historical holiday practices rarely seen in modern celebrations.
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Christmas at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Dutch Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Amusement park transformed for winter
Description:
Dutch Wonderland, typically a summer destination, transforms into a winter playground. The park's royal theme takes on a frosty twist, with the addition of holiday lights and seasonal attractions. Visitors can enjoy over 20 themed rides, including a special holiday train journey. Established in 1963, Dutch Wonderland continues to evolve its offerings while maintaining its family-friendly charm. The park's mascot, Duke the Dragon, dons his winter attire to greet guests, adding a whimsical touch to this unique holiday experience.
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Nearby Events
Christmas Light Show at Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed into a holiday spectacle
Description:
Longwood Gardens transforms into a dazzling holiday spectacle, blending horticultural expertise with artistic illumination. Stroll through meticulously designed gardens adorned with over half a million twinkling lights. Visitors can warm up in the heated four-acre conservatory, showcasing rare plants and seasonal displays. The gardens, founded by Pierre S. du Pont in 1906, continue his legacy of innovation and beauty. Experience the mesmerizing fountain shows choreographed to holiday music, a signature feature that sets Longwood apart from other light displays.
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Christmas Light Show at Longwood Gardens
Dickens of a Christmas (Wellsboro)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era Christmas celebration
Description:
Wellsboro steps back in time, recreating a Victorian-era Christmas celebration that Charles Dickens himself would recognize. The town's gas-lit streets buzz with costumed characters, from chimney sweeps to royalty. Visitors can join in traditional parlor games or savor roasted chestnuts from street vendors. This immersive event, inspired by Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," has been a cherished tradition since 1984. The air fills with the sound of carolers, transporting you to 19th-century England amidst the charm of small-town Pennsylvania.
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Koziar's Christmas Village (Bernville)
What to Expect:
Family farm transformed into a Christmas wonderland
Description:
A family farm in Bernville sparkles to life each holiday season, continuing a tradition that began in 1948. Over one million lights illuminate intricate displays, from fairy tale scenes to religious tableaux. Visitors can ride the Santa Claus Express train through the glowing landscape. The Koziar family's labor of love has grown from a local attraction to a nationally recognized display, earning accolades from publications across the country. Hand-crafted figurines and animated characters bring each scene to vibrant life, creating a unique holiday experience.
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Hershey Sweet Lights (Hershey)
What to Expect:
Drive-through chocolate-themed light display
Description:
Hershey Sweet Lights offers a unique twist on holiday illuminations with its chocolate-themed drive-through experience. Wind through two miles of wooded trails, encountering over 600 animated displays that celebrate both the holiday season and Hershey's confectionery legacy. Visitors can tune their car radios to synchronized holiday music as they explore. This attraction, part of Hersheypark's Christmas Candylane, pays homage to Milton Hershey's vision of creating a community around his chocolate empire. The sweet aroma of cocoa seems to permeate the air, enhancing the chocolate-centric holiday atmosphere.
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National Christmas Center Family Attraction & Museum (Paradise)
What to Expect:
Comprehensive museum dedicated to Christmas history and traditions
Description:
The National Christmas Center in Paradise offers an immersive journey through the history and traditions of Christmas. Elaborate exhibits showcase everything from vintage decorations to international customs. Visitors can explore a recreation of a 1950s Woolworth's store during the holiday season. Founded by collector Jim Morrison, the center houses over 20,000 square feet of Christmas memorabilia. Each display tells a story, from the evolution of Santa Claus to the origins of beloved carols, providing a deep dive into the cultural significance of Christmas celebrations.
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National Christmas Center Family Attraction & Museum
Strasburg Rail Road Christmas Trains (Strasburg)
What to Expect:
Vintage train rides with holiday themes
Description:
Strasburg Rail Road's Christmas trains offer a journey through time on America's oldest short-line railroad. Vintage steam locomotives, adorned with holiday decorations, chug through the picturesque Amish countryside. Passengers can choose from themed rides, including encounters with Santa or readings of classic Christmas stories. The railroad, dating back to 1832, combines historical authenticity with holiday cheer. The rhythmic clacking of wheels on rails provides a soothing backdrop to the festive atmosphere, creating a unique holiday experience that harkens back to a bygone era.
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Strasburg Rail Road Christmas Trains
Christmas Magic – A Festival of Lights (York)
What to Expect:
Walking trail through animated light displays
Description:
Christmas Magic in York transforms Rocky Ridge County Park into a illuminated winter spectacle. A half-mile walking trail winds through the woods, showcasing nearly 600,000 LED lights and animated displays. Visitors can warm up with hot chocolate while enjoying nightly entertainment in heated pavilions. This event, which began in 1984, has become a cherished tradition for many Pennsylvania families. The trail's design takes advantage of the park's natural landscape, creating a harmonious blend of nature and holiday artistry that sets it apart from other light displays.
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Christmas Magic – A Festival of Lights
Christkindlmarkt (Mifflinburg)
What to Expect:
Authentic German-style Christmas market
Description:
Mifflinburg's Christkindlmarkt recreates the atmosphere of a traditional German holiday market in the heart of Pennsylvania. Wooden huts line the streets, offering handcrafted gifts, traditional foods, and mulled wine. Visitors can watch artisans demonstrate centuries-old crafts or join in folk dances. This event, established in 1989, pays homage to the area's German heritage. The market's authentic touches, from the food to the entertainment, transport you to a European Christmas celebration, providing a unique cultural experience rarely found in American holiday events.