Christmas lights and holiday events in Lancaster, PA 2026

A 3-mile drive-through with more than 1 million LED lights; the 2026 theme is Nativities Around the World. It is drive-through only, with no parking or walking.

A drive-through light show at the ballpark with displays synced to Christmas music, now in its 9th season. Christmas Tree Lane, a free walk inside the stadium past more than 100 decorated trees, runs alongside it.

Hundreds of thousands of lights fill the park, with a quarter-mile lighted walking trail and nativity display, live music, food and children's crafts. A heated shuttle runs from the parking lot in New Holland.

Cyclists ride the Christmas Spirit Light Show route before it opens to cars. Payment is on site, and donations go to The Common Wheel bike programs.

A 5K run or 1-mile stroll through the Christmas Spirit Light Show route, with Christmas attire encouraged. Open to all ages.

The village stays open late for a tree lighting, live music and a Holiday Tasting Tour with samples in its food shops.

Santa arrives on the back of a Lancaster City Bureau of Fire truck, and the Mayor leads the countdown to light the Penn Square Christmas tree with a community sing-along. Live performances and a DJ dance party fill out the evening.

The New Holland Business Association's 19th annual Christmas on Main, which includes a craft market. The association has posted the date but not yet the schedule.

Lancaster's Southeast neighborhoods unveil colorful holiday displays along the South Duke Street Mall. Part of the City's Lancaster City for the Holidays series.

An outdoor program at the band shell with local performers, a carol sing with candle lighting and the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree. Food vendors and restrooms are on site.

The Jewish Community Alliance of Lancaster lights the menorah in Penn Square each night of Hanukkah.

The borough's community tree lighting, held at the Strasburg Borough Municipal Building.

Music, food, shopping, Santa and the annual tree lighting on Main Street. Run by a committee of the Rotary Club of Mount Joy, Mount Joy Lions Club, Kiwanis Club of Norlanco-Rheems, Friends of Donegal and the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce.

An evening departure of the Stone Gables Santa Express that lets riders see the estate's Christmas lights from the train.

A narrated ride on the decorated Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad replica train across the estate, with a stop at Santa's Toy Shop in the engine house. St. Nick visits and hands each child a gift.

An after-dark steam train ride past Christmas lights where a storyteller reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and carolers visit each car. Milk and cookies are served, and Santa stops by.

A 45-minute steam train round trip to Paradise with carolers and brass musicians in every car and a visit from Santa for each family. On weekends through Dec. 20, Christmas revue shows run on the Town Square Stage between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

A calmer weekday Santa train with no carolers or live musicians and usually fewer passengers. Santa visits every family's seat for wishes and a photo during the 45-minute ride.

The Lititz Art Association's annual show and sale of fine art and handmade gifts by its members.

Stands with jewelry, handmade items, baked goods, Christmas decorations and gift baskets, plus more than 20 artisan vendors. Proceeds support the Luther Acres Residents' Council's charitable activities.

Root's annual Christmas vendor show, held in place of the regular Saturday flea market that day.

Downtown shops stay open into the evening for one night of holiday shopping. Presented by the City of Lancaster and Lancaster City Alliance; the list of participating businesses has not been posted yet.

A German Christmas market with more than 30 craft and gift vendors, German food and Gluhwein, and pictures with St. Nick and Ruprecht. Held outdoors under the pavilion and tents, with seated dining inside; food and drinks are cash only.

A buffet breakfast with caroling, a scavenger hunt and a visit with Santa. Reservations are required and non-refundable.

The Millersville Business Association and Millersville University host photos with Santa, gift-filled stockings, kids' crafts and holiday gift vendors.

Four chances to meet Santa downtown at Ewell Plaza or the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. The City has posted the 2026 dates; times and the location for each date had not been updated for 2026 when checked.

The Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce's Santa visit at the Milanof-Schock Library. The chamber has posted it as a save-the-date.

Dutch Wonderland's holiday season, with the park open on select days in November and December. The park lists the event through Jan. 3, 2027, but its calendar does not yet show January hours.

A three-hour class on clear toy candy and other Pennsylvania German holiday confections, using antique molds. Participants must be 18, or 16 with a parent.

A guided holiday tour of James Buchanan's Wheatland about Christmas traditions from his years there, 1848 to 1868. Tickets also include the self-guided museum exhibits.

A Friday buffet dinner of Lancaster County dishes, followed by storytelling with Mrs. Claus and Yummie, the village's gingerbread man mascot, at 7:15 PM.

A self-guided sampling tour through the village's food shops on the night of its holiday kickoff and tree lighting. It is the only holiday tasting tour of the season.

A holiday day at LancasterHistory with a children's storytime, a greens and bake sale for the Tanger Arboretum, and self-paced Wheatland visits with guides sharing Buchanan-era Christmas stories. Tickets and details are due in November.

A screening of The Polar Express in the museum's main exhibit hall among its historic trains. Tickets include popcorn and hot chocolate.

A Lessons and Carols service in the 1741 Meetinghouse with readings, music by the Ephrata Cloister Chorus and carols for all. Advance tickets are required; non-member sales open Nov. 8.

Guided tours by lantern light through several historic buildings, with actors portraying figures from Ephrata's history. Tours last 45 to 60 minutes and are capped at 25 people; tickets go on sale Dec. 1.

A morning New Year's party for kids with glow wands, low-light museum play and a countdown with a bubble drop at noon. Registration is required, and proceeds support museum access programs.

A new holiday musical from Blue Gate Musicals set in a small-town department store during a Christmas Eve sale. Meal packages at the Bird-in-Hand restaurant are available.

American Music Theatre's Christmas production, moving from a Bavarian village to the North Pole with a live orchestra, sacred and secular holiday songs and a visit from Santa.

An original Christmas revue on Dutch Apple's main stage with singing, dancing and a visit from St. Nick. Runs about 2 hours with intermission.

The Fulton's holiday-season mainstage musical, the Tony-winning story of the orphan Annie with the song "Tomorrow." Nov. 18 is a community preview night and Nov. 19 is pay-what-you-want.

Comedian and ventriloquist Ryan Bomgardner's Christmas edition, with parody carols, his cast of characters and his daughter Madeline. Runs 90 minutes with no intermission.

A family-series holiday musical in which Charlotte journeys through Toyland with Santa, snowmen and reindeer. Nov. 28 is a pay-what-you-want performance.

A holiday buffet in the Star Barn followed by Servant Stage's Christmas revue Joy to the World (Dec. 1-3) or its Christmas Cabaret (Dec. 4, 8, 9 and 14).

A five-actor comic version of A Christmas Carol with local Lancaster references, staged with general admission seating in the Fulton's studio theatre.

A holiday buffet and concert with Grammy winners Reggie & Ladye Love Smith (Dec. 15-18) or Irish tenor Mark Forrest (Dec. 21-22). The ticket includes the Stone Gables Christmas Light Drive-Thru.

Karen Hester's tribute to Dolly Parton with a live country band. The evening show includes a dinner buffet, party favors and a midnight champagne toast.

A family New Year's Eve celebration from the City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Stormers with music, food, entertainment and the Red Rose Drop. It ends with fireworks at midnight.