Christmas in Lancaster County

As Christmas quickly approaches, we are inundated with balancing work, family, and the true meaning of Christmas.

“It is the happiest season of all!” I totally agree with decorating, parties, get-together, preparing foods, and gift giving but we must remember it is the season worth celebrating again and again especially because of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Time with family is so important and we wanted to find a way that your family could share the season together and make some everlasting memories at the same time, We have partnered with Discover Lancaster for many years now and we came across some suggestions for great family outings this Christmas season.

Dutch Winter Wonderland | Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Winter Wonderland is the perfect place to celebrate the season and create special memories that last a lifetime. Enjoy themed rides, share your wish list with Santa, enjoy tasty holiday treats, or watch our dazzling Royal Light Show featuring hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights that dance to your favorite holiday tunes.

Santa and Goats | Amish Farm and House December 14th
Baby goats and hot cocoa, need we say more? Join us on December 14th to take pictures with Santa and his ‘elves’. After taking pictures with our goats, enjoy fun family activities on our farm. This event is free and open to the public. We encourage you to bring the whole family- pets included!

Kitchen Kettle Christmas | Kitchen Kettle Village
Whether you venture out and brave the cold or prefer the warmer climes of the great indoors - winter at Kitchen Kettle Village is a wonderland filled with exciting and unexpected things to do, see and experience. Enjoy breakfast with Santa Claus and our gingerbread man mascot, Yummie. Or add some magic to the hustle and bustle of your holidays by enjoying dinner with Mrs. Claus and Yummie. The night also features storytelling with Mrs. Claus and Yummie, a gift from Mrs. Claus, and photo opportunities.

Santa's Paradise Express | Strasburg Rail Road
Ride the rails with Santa and his helpers! Santa himself will climb aboard and visit with families as they travel down the tracks. At the station, children are invited to listen to storybook readings of holiday classics aboard a heated stationary caboose and will be charmed with rides aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motorcar.

Night Before Christmas Train | Strasburg Rail Road
Sparkling skies, warmth from a potbelly stove, smells of freshly baked cookies and magic in the air. This special train recreates the excitement and anticipation of Christmas Eve. A reader dressed in a Victorian nightshirt and cap will read Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem, The Night Before Christmas, as passengers enjoy cookies and milk while the train rolls along. At the station, children are invited to listen to storybook readings of holiday classics aboard a heated stationary caboose and will be charmed with rides aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motorcar.

Christmas Tree Train | Strasburg Rail Road
Start a new holiday tradition and ride aboard the Christmas Tree Train to Leaman Place Grove where you can choose a locally grown, fresh-cut Frasier or Douglas Fir and have the tree delivered by steam on a flatcar back to the station. At the station, children are invited to listen to storybook readings of holiday classics aboard a heated stationary caboose and will be charmed with rides aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motor car.

Home For The Holidays | Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania December 14th
Take a nostalgic glimpse at holiday rail travel. Meet costumed engineers, conductors, ticket agents, and passengers representing the past century and enjoy seasonal music, festive decorations, and more among our world-class collection of trains. Included in regular Museum admission.

Christmas with the Conductor | Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania December 14th
The conductor calls all aboard for classic holiday stories in one of the Museum’s historic passenger coaches. Kids will also delight in creating their own seasonal take-home craft and receiving a small bag of goodies. Advance registration is required and is offered on a first come basis.

Days of the Belsnickel Lunch Tour | Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Your day starts off with a guided tour of the decorated village of Landis Valley, followed by a delicious lunch in the historic 1856 Landis Valley House Hotel. After lunch, you'll head to the Firehouse for a visit from the Belsnickel. Who's bad and who's good? No one knows but the Belsnickel.

Yuletide at Rock Ford | Rock Ford Plantation
Step back in time and celebrate an 18th Century Yuletide... when Christmas Day was only the beginning of the season. The mansion will be decked in greenery and traditional music will fill the hallways.

Christmas Layout | Choo Choo Barn
Celebrate the holiday season as the Choo Choo Barn transforms Traintown USA to bring the magic of Christmas to its gigantic model train display.

Scootin with Santa | Strasburg Scooters
Santa has traded in his sleigh for a 50cc Scoot Coupe and leads the way through back roads of Lancaster County in search of the ever elusive " Amish Christmas Lights". We've fixed up our Scoot Coupes by extending the windshields to block the wind and added a small heater for extra comfort for you to join Santa as he travels over the brides and through the woods with exceptional views of the countryside, including Amish farms and schoolhouses.

Ice Cream with Santa | Turkey Hill Experience
The Turkey Hill Experience is beautifully decorated to celebrate the season, including several themed Christmas trees. Kids ages 2-12, will create a holiday card that will be mailed to their special someone, sit and listen while Santa reads Christmas stories, make a Christmas craft, enjoy a special Christmas ice cream treat and one of Mrs. Claus' freshly baked cookies!

Christmas at the Cloister | Ephrata Cloister
Spend a few moments in quiet reflection with seasonal readings and holiday music in the 1741 Meetinghouse at the Ephrata Cloister.

Lantern Tours | Ephrata Cloister
These special theatrical tours take you back in time to visit Ephrata Cloister as it may have appeared in the 1700s. Each year we offer a new story with a cast of junior and senior high school students playing the roles that bring history to life.

Yuletide at Wheatland | LancasterHistory
Experience the Yuletide traditions of years-past at President James Buchanan’s Wheatland! Yuletide at Wheatland will take visitors, figuratively, “below stairs” to learn about Buchanan’s domestic servants and how they would have celebrated the holidays in the mid-1800s. From advent calendars to mistletoe, enjoy a glimpse into merry Christmas traditions cherished by the German and Irish domestics at Yuletide at Wheatland: Christmas Below Stairs.

Christmas Lights & Ziplining | Refreshing Mountain Adventure Center
2019 marks the second annual Christmas Lights Experience at Refreshing Mountain. With twice as many lights, there over 4 miles of Christmas lights displayed. This year the opportunities have doubled with two package offerings including zipline courses, high ropes, and a giant swing. Come stroll through the Christmas light displays, and warm up by a campfire as you sip on hot cocoa. For a complete immersive experience stay in a cozy Christmas-y cabin suites.

Christmas Drive-Through Light Show | The Star Barn Village
Every Friday and Saturday from November 23 through December 29, enjoy a 2-mile drive with a plethora of Christmas Lights throughout the property including a CD of Christmas music and the Christmas Story.

Christmas at Clipper Magazine Stadium
Clipper Magazine Stadium is a Winter Wonderland of lights, family-fun holiday activities, yummy holiday drinks & snacks, plus, a lane of "giving" Christmas trees! Visit Santa and listen to holiday carols after you drive through the amazing Christmas Spirit Light Show. Festivities are held Friday, Saturday, and Sundays. The Spirit Lights Show are held Tuesday- Thursday from 5:30-9:30 PM, and on Friday-Sunday from 5:30-10:30 PM.

Sweet Holiday Celebration | Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe
Gingerbread cookies and carriage rides, caroling and Santa Claus - Join us for a very special event to celebrate the Christmas season – and 50 years of Smucker Family hospitality. Snap pictures of your family with Santa and decorate gingerbread cookies, enjoy a carriage ride around the village, take home holiday balloons for the kids and make a special craft together, And inspire imagination with kids’ face painting.

Lancaster Shops Late | Downtown Lancaster
The annual Lancaster Shops Late night is Thursday, December 12th, 2019! Lancaster Shops Late is a night where retailers are encouraged to stay open into the evening, bringing visitors downtown to dine and of course, shop! There will be roaming entertainment, and warm beverages & treats at select locations.

If you're visiting Downtown Lancaster this holiday season, don't forget about the free on-street parking for holiday shopping, December 15-26!

New Year's Eve Events

Ring in the New Year with us here in Lancaster County! There are many celebrations throughout the county to take part in, including live bands, street performers and games for the kids. Festivities begin early enough for the whole family to enjoy, so even the little ones who won’t be awake to count down to midnight can partake in the excitement and fun of New Year’s Eve in Lancaster.

NYE in Downtown Lancaster | Binns Park
Ring in the New Year in Downtown Lancaster with live music, lowering of the Red Rose, and fireworks at midnight! Event is free and open to the public.