Days are longer, weather is warmer, and skies are brighter. It's time to get ready for fun-in-the-sun this summer in Lancaster County.
Between pool afternoons, beach trips, and barbecue celebrations, summer can definitely be a busy time of year! If you and your family are looking for ways to add some variety and adventure to your summer, Lancaster, PA is the place to be.
To make your planning a little easier, we have compiled a list of Lancaster summer activities and events that will be sure to keep you busy and enjoying this sun-shining warm weather season!*
*Please confirm days and times on event websites in case of changes that may have occurred after this post's publication.
Recurring Summer Activities in Lancaster
Wine by the Vine Summer Music Series
Grandview Vineyard
Join Grandview Vineyard for their 10th season of Wine by the Vine. Enjoy music from a wide variety of styles while you sip wine on the deck, watch the sunset, and relax with friends.
- Now through Oct 29
- Fridays and Saturdays, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Summer Drive-in Movies
Penn Cinema
Penn Cinema is bringing back their Drive-in movies! Enjoy a movie under the stars in the comfort of your own car. Select Fridays throughout the summer.
- What's playing:
- June 17: Bridesmaids
- June 24: Shrek
- July 1: Grease
- July 15: Happy Feet
- July 22: Elf
- August 5: The Goonies
- August 19: Back to the Future
Summerfest
Nissley Vineyards
Celebrate summer at these outdoor music events. Enjoy wine, beer, wine slushies, and food along with live music.
- Friday and Saturday nights, July 8 to Aug 27
Strasburg Scooter Tours
Explore Lancaster’s backroads, farmlands, covered bridges and more with this fun twist on tours! Grab a friend, hop on a scooter, and go! (no experience required)
- Summer Tours:
- Covered Bridge Tour: Various dates from now through November
- Bridges & Brunch: Saturdays and Sundays through Oct 30
- Ice Cream Experience: Various dates from now through September
- Date Night In Amish Country: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays thru Sept 3rd
Lancaster Special Summer Events
Family Farm Days
Oregon Dairy
Get outside and enjoy the farm life with this three-day family event at Oregon Dairy! Take a guided tractor or wagon tour of the Farmstead at Oregon Dairy. Partake in a stream study or enjoy special Barnyard Theatre Presentations. Have lots of fun at educational agricultural exhibits. Ride some ponies. Experience what it is like to live like a cow, and so much more!
- Tuesday, June 14 & Thursday, June 16, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Splash into Summer
Kitchen Kettle Village
Celebrate the beginning of summer! Kick-off the warm months ahead with live music, yard games and contests, great shopping and grilled food. This event raises money for Music For Everyone, a non-profit charitable organization based in Lancaster County that's dedicated to raising awareness and resources to strengthen the role music plays in our schools and communities.
- Saturday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
BBQ and Beer
Clipper Magazine Stadium
The Honey Brook Speedway will be hosting a BBQ and Beer at the Clipper Magazine Stadium. There will be raffles, silent auctions, delicious food, a gift bag, and they will also be pairing with the Barnstormer’s free event. You can also enjoy a live music, fireworks, games, and activities on the ball field.
- Sunday, July 3, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival
This two-day event is a celebration of music and art! Spread across 9 venues, numerous artists take the stage and bring the blues to Lancaster County. Grab your ticket today!
Alongside the music is ArtPart. Located in Freedom Hall in The Lancaster County Convention Center, ArtPart is the one event of the festival where you don’t need a ticket to enjoy. Support emerging artists as they display one-of-a-kind, primarily hand-made pieces.
- Varying times Saturday, July 9 & Sunday, July 10
- Festival Venues:
- The Village
- Fulton Theater
- Grande Ballroom @ Holiday Inn Lancaster
- Imperial Blue Ballroom @ Holiday Inn Lancaster
- Front Porch Stage @ Freedom Hall Art Expo
- Zoetropolis
- Tellus 360
- Main Stage Freedom Hall
- The Elks Lodge
Civil War Weekend
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
History buffs, this one's for you! Returning to Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum is Civil War weekend! This event is full of activities and demonstrations all centered around the Civil War. More details will be posted to their website closer to the weekend.
- Saturday, July 16 & Sunday, July 17
Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show
Lititz Springs Park
View original artwork and fine art from over 130 artists, both local and out-of-state. Visitors can browse the work of the artists and purchase the creations. All kinds of art from oils, acrylics, watercolors, drawings, ceramics, and sculpture of different kinds can be seen and purchased at this show.
- Saturday, July 30
Nook Brew Fest
Spooky Nook Sports
This summer, Spooky Nook welcomes their 2nd annual Brew Fest. Enjoy brews from 40 breweries, plus music and games.
- Saturday, August 13
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VIP, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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General Admission, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
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Lancaster Staples for Summer Fun
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Cider Donut Festival
Who doesn’t love cider donuts?! This festival features a special cider donut menu, donut games and activities, and special donut photo ops! There is even an opportunity to take a wagon ride to the pasture and fed some donuts to the cows. That’s right, even the cows love the cider donuts!
- Saturday, June 18
Sweet Corn Festival
When you think summer in Lancaster County, you think sweet corn. This farm fresh, sweet and crunchy symbol of summer deserves to be celebrated!
The Sweet Corn Festival will feature specialty sweet corn menu items, corn crafts & games. Plus, a sweet corn eating contest.
- Saturday, July 16
Sunflower Festival
See beautiful sunflower and zinnia fields in full bloom at their annual Sunflower Festivals. There will be a winery & brewery, a live band, local craft vendors, and much more family fun.
- Saturdays, August, 20, 27, and September 3
Strasburg Railroad
Day Out With Thomas
Join Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends when they return to the Strasburg Rail Road this spring! Thomas the Tank Engine will pull your 45-minute excursion ride through the beautiful Lancaster County countryside!
- June 17 - 20, 2022
The Great Diamond Heist
"Hop on board as the Strasburg Rail Road makes its inaugural run to Chicago, and beyond! But something seems…off. Not everything is going according to plan. The US Marshalls on board clearly have a secret, but no one can figure out why they are there? Suddenly an explosion sets off a chain reaction, and the true bad guys reveal themselves. Can anyone help get the train back to the Strasburg station safely? Or is the danger too much for The Marshalls to handle? Will our superhero The Hawk make it in time?"
- Fridays thru Sundays, July 1 to September 4
Country Barn
Barnyard Kingdom
Visit a real working farm that has dedicated 10 acres to down home fun on the farm! Get lost (and hopefully find your way back out) in a 5-acre Corn Maze. Cheer on your favorite swine at the pig races! Take a wagon tour of the working farm and visit the farm animals; sheep, goats, chickens, ponies, bunnies and more! Barnyard Kingdom is great family fun on the farm!
- Opens Saturday, August 13
Mount Hope Estate
Celtic Fling & Highland Games
The Celtic Fling & Highland Games is a celebration of Celtic Culture which has captivated the world for many years. This festival offers a first-hand tour of these compelling cultures. Immerse yourself with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this spirited Celtic celebration. Enjoy traditional pipe bands, modern Celtic rock bands, and everything in between, plus delicious Celtic cuisine, fresh brewed ales, wines, ciders, and more!
- June 25 - June 26
- Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
Blues & Brews at Mt. Hope
Enjoy the taste of Maryland with an all-you-can-eat menu featuring crabs, brisket, and more (non-seafood options also available)! This summer staple welcomes guests to enjoy fresh seafood and other favorites while live music fills the air.
- Saturday, July 9
- Two Sessions: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. OR 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
A staple celebration in Lancaster, PA, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire will take you on an eventful ride back in time!! Meet kings and queens, watch an exciting joust, and enjoy a turkey leg as big as your head. Each week has a different theme and will showcase a different experience. With immersive experiences around every corner you will witness history right before your eyes.
- Starts Saturday, August 20
Dutch Wonderland
- Summer hours start June 3, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Hershey Park
- Summer hours start May 26, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. *closing hours may change. Check the website for exact times for individual days
Lancaster County 4th of July Celebrations
Friday, July 1
Lititz 4th of July at Lititz Springs Park (Lititz Lion's Club Patriotic Parade)
Movie in the Park & Fireworks in East Petersburg
Saturday, July 2
Independence Day Demolition Derby and Fireworks at The Buck
Lititz 4th of July at Lititz Springs Park (Firework show)
Marietta Fireworks
Mountville Fireworks
Sunday, July 3
Long’s Park
Monday, July 4
July 4th Celebration at the Star Barn Village
New Holland July 4th Celebration
Summer Fairs
York State Fair
- July 22 to July 31
Lebanon Area Fair
- July 23 to July 30
Kutztown Fair
- August 8 to August 13
Elizabethtown Fair
- August 22 to August 27
Allentown Fair
- August 31 to September 5
Ready, Set, Celebrate Summer in Lancaster!
We hope this guide to summer activities and events in Lancaster helps you and your loved ones enjoy this warm and sunny 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.
