The snow has melted, the sun is shining, and birds are singing again. Spring has sprung in Lancaster, PA! If this season has you feeling rejuvenated, energized, and ready to shed that winter skin, we’ve got you covered.
Itching to get outside after a long winter? Lancaster is the place to be! From Easter celebrations and spring festivities, to miles upon miles of trails and adventure, you will have plenty of opportunities to soak up the fun.
To make your planning a little easier, we have compiled a list of activities and events that will be sure to keep you busy and enjoying this bird-chirping and sun-shining season!*
*Please confirm days and times on event websites in case of changes that may have occurred after this post's publication.
Opening Days
These Lancaster and Central PA area favorites open their doors soon!
Hershey Park - Spring Weekends
April 1 - May 21, 2023
Lake Tobias
Drive-thru ONLY: Weekends Starting Saturday, April 15, 2023
Official Season Opening: May 1, 2023
Dutch Wonderland
Spring Schedule: Weekends starting April 1, 2023
Full Schedule: May 9, 2023
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Celebrate Easter in Lancaster
Egg-stra Special Easter Event
Kitchen Kettle Village
Enjoy a yummy meal, egg hunt, and meet the Easter Bunny.
This family friendly event includes:
- Meal vouchers for use at the Harvest Cafe between 10am-5pm for lunch
- VIP Egg Hunt only open to children 10 and under registered for the event
- Photo opportunities with Yummy & the Easter Bunny. Don't forget your camera
- Egg-citing Easter scavenger hunt for the kids throughout the Village
- April 1, 7, and 8
- 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. OR 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Breakfast with The Easter Bunny
The Country Barn
Enjoy spring fun on the farm! The Easter Bunny will be visiting Barnyard Kingdom. You can meet the Easter Bunny and eat breakfast with him. Meet farm animals and experience farm festivities.
- April 1, 2, 7, and 8
- Breakfast with the Easter Bunny seating times: 9:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt
Terre Hill Park
Children ages 10 and under can enjoy this free egg hunt! Featuring thousands of candy and money filled eggs and even special prize eggs!
- Saturday, April 8
Noon – 2:00 p.m. – Visit with the Easter Bunny
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. – FREE Children’s Face Painting by Joyful Canvas
1:00 p.m. – Start of Egg Hunts
2:00 p.m. – Magic by Mr. Sneakers
Easter Bunny Trains
The Strasburg Railroad
Take a ride through the beautiful farmlands of Lancaster county as the Easter Bunny as your conductor!
- April 7, 8, and 9
- Various times throughout the day
Spring Festivals in Lancaster
LAUNCH Music Festival
The Lancaster County Convention Center
Discover up-and-coming artists who might be the next-big thing. The Festival represents a variety musical styles - from rock to folk, from pop to punk, from country to funk.
There is also a conference featuring panels, seminars, parties, events and performances. This portion provides a unique opportunity for artists, music industry professionals and fans to meet, network and further their careers. From group panel discussions to direct one-on-one mentoring, artists are given ample opportunities to make long-lasting impressions and connections.
- April 13, 14, 15, and 16
Pretzel Fest
Lititz, PA
Enjoy being outside in downtown Lititz with the Lititz Pretzel Fest. This festival Highlights the Lititz area's rich pretzel history. It will include more than 20 pretzel tastings and, along with beer and spirits beverage tastings, and music all around downtown Lititz.
Proceeds from Pretzel Fest will also fund other children's activities and charities, including Free Kids' Fun Day in Lititz Springs Park which will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
- Saturday, May 6
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Herb & Garden Faire
Landis Valley Farm Museum
Gardeners, come enjoy a faire just for you! The Faire offers heirlooms, natives, and other hard-to-find varieties to purchase from vendors.
- Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Rhubarb Festival
Kitchen Kettle Village
If you enjoy rhubarb, this festival is for you! Taste delicious rhubarb foods, listen to live music, watch the World's Only Rhubarb Race Car Derby, participate in the rhubarb baking contest, and enjoy great shopping.
- Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Flavor Fest
Mount Hope
Wine lovers rejoice! Enjoy sampling with over 25 wineries and distilleries. Shop with unique merchants of all types and grab a bite at one of the on-site kitchens.
- Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28
- 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Taste of Lititz
Main Street, Lititz
Celebrate Lititz with this fun filled block party! This event is a delicious night out taking in small town charm. The event invites you to try small tastes of our local restaurants’ very best bites. Stroll along Main Street treating your tastebuds, enjoy live music, and join in on family games!
- June 2
- 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Lancaster's 7th Annual VegFest
Buchanan Park
Celebrate the plant-based lifestyle! This free event offers a wide selection of plant-based food, music entertainment, yoga, and kids activities.
- Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4
- 12:00 pm. – 5:00 p.m.
Baby Animal Festival
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Spring has sprung and that means baby animals are being born at Cherry Crest Farm! Come and meet the new little ones!
- Saturday, June 3
- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Cider Donut Festival
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
The day will feature special cider donut menu items including their delicious cider donut sundaes. Enjoy donut games and activities, and special donut photo ops. Plus, you will be able to feed donuts to the cows!
- Saturday, June 10
- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
BrewFest
Mount Hope
If you love beer, you won’t want to miss this event! Enjoy tasting beer from a wide selection of breweries, as well as delicious treats!
- Saturday, June 10
- 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. OR 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Unique Events in Lancaster
Garden Spot Half Marathon and 10k
Garden Spot Village
Run your way through beautiful Lancaster County. You can choose from a ½ marathon, 10k, or a virtual run. There is even an option for kids! This is a run for everyone whether you are a beginner, experienced, leisure or competitive runner. Friends, family, and spectators can watch the run take place easily.
- Saturday, March 25
6th Annual Rails and Ales
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
The sixth annual craft beer tasting event is held inside the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The event features craft breweries and food vendors.
- Saturday, April 1
- 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Lancaster Springtime Market
Tanger Outlets
Enjoy live music, food trucks, kids activities, bounce houses, local businesses, crafters and artisans, Nonprofits, magic show, and more!
- Saturday, April 1
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Restaurant Week
City of Lancaster
Foodies, this one is for you! Participating restaurants will offer signature specials and Restaurant Week options for both budgets and culinary adventures. Experience the rich diversity of the culinary community of the city of Lancaster.
- April 17 to April 23
Antique Tractor Pull
Rough & Tumble
This free event is sure to be one that adults and children alike can enjoy! Channel your inner child and come out to the pulling track and watch antique and classic tractors compete in a tractor pull! Enjoy food from a food truck while you watch.
- Saturday, April 22
- 8:00 a.m.
Picnic Tasting Tour
Kitchen Kettle Village
This self-guided culinary adventure will have you snacking, sipping, and strolling your way through Kitchen Kettle Village. This tour includes stops at participating restaurants, bakeries, and retail food shops in the Village.
- Saturday, May 6 and June 3
- 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The 4th Annual Spring Show – The Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show
Roots Country Market & Auction
Love arts? Love crafts? Love Roots? Then this event is perfect for you! The 4th Annual Juried Art & Craft Show will feature artists and craftsmen from across the country.
- Saturday, May 20
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Spring Car, Truck, and Cycle Show
Roots Country Market & Auction
- Tuesday, May 23
- 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Red Rose Run
Ewell Plaza, Queen Street
Lace up those running shoes and soak up the spring sun during this 5-mile race through Lancaster City and County Park. The Red Rose Run also includes a kids fun run and wheelchair race. Proceeds from the run will benefit the Lancaster Central Market Trust.
- Saturday, June 3
- 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Get Outside
Cold and gray winter days have you feeling cabin fever? If you're eager to get outside, take advantage of the spring weather and enjoy one (or many) of the numerous hiking or biking trails Lancaster has to offer.
Hiking Trails in Lancaster
- Turkey Hill Trail
- Chickies Rock
- Steinman Run Nature Preserve
- Grubb Lake
- Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve
- Reed Run Nature Preserve
- Conestoga Trail
- Middle Creek Millstone Trail
- Trout Run Nature Preserve
- Fishing Creek Nature Preserve
- Ferncliff Wildflower and Wildlife Preserve
- Homewood Nature Preserve
- Rannels Kettle Run
Biking Trails in Lancaster
- Conestoga Greenway Trail
- Conewago Recreation Trail
- Enola Low Grade Trail
- Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail
- Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail
- Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
Adventure Explorations
Challenge yourself at Adventure Explorations!
Together the founders of Adventure Explorations wanted to create an environment helping people discover their full potential. ”We realized we could be a bridge…creating those chance moments between people’s discovery of their potential, of their possibilities and choices, and the freedom it creates.”
Their adventures include hiking, climbing, kayaking, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. They offer team building activities for school groups and corporate offices, and a “For Women, By Women” all-day adventure!
Ready, Set, Celebrate Spring in Lancaster!
We hope this guide to spring activities and events in Lancaster helps you and your loved ones enjoy this beautiful and rejuvenating season.
Download this free event calendar to make your planning easier!*
*Please confirm days and times on event websites in case of changes that may have occurred after this post's publication.
