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2025 Holiday Happenings in and around Central PA
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items Here are ideas for fun holiday things to do with your family this year. These are in and around the Central PA, Lancaster County, Berks County and surrounding areas. There is something for everyone!
Map
We always enjoy visiting Hershey around Christmastime. You can see Santa, the reindeer, thousands of lights and enjoy delicious food too.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane & Sweet Lights
We love going here every year to look at all the beautiful Poinsettias and other Christmas things. They have a fun train yard scavenger hunt for kids too.
Christmas Trees Poinsettias Wreaths Ornaments | Frysville Farms
We absolutely love Longwood Gardens during every season. Christmastime is always such a special treat and so much fun!
Experience a Gem of a Holiday Season During A Longwood Christmas
We have done this for the past 9 years and it’s been so much fun! You ride the train and see Santa and much more!
Santa Claus Express - Wanamaker Kempton and Southern ...
We absolutely love visiting the Strasburg Railroad! Christmastime is such a fun time there. There are so many fun events to go and enjoy. We’ve done the Night Before Christmas ride before and our son loved it.
Strasburg Railroad - Christmas Trains
Check out all the neat Christmas related events they have this year!
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Events
Such a fun thing for families with little ones. So much to see and do!
Winter Wonderland | Dutch Wonderland
This is a local to Lancaster event and is great if you want a drive thru light show.
Christmas Spirit Light Show - Lancaster, PA
Another fun Christmas event for families.
Christmas on the Farm - Barnyard Kingdom
Kitchen Kettle Village is such a fun place to visit especially during the holiday season.
Breakfast with Santa & Friends at The Kling House Restaurant | Kitchen Kettle Village
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre will be putting on two Holiday shows this year! Watch Irving Berlin's White Christmas from November 5th to December 5th, or Disney's Frozen Jr. on November 29th.
The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
There are all sorts of festivities going on in Lancaster City for the holidays. Check it out here!
Lancaster City for the Holidays - Visit Lancaster City
If you are into historical things and seeing how they are at the holidays then you'll want to check this out.
Yuletide at Wheatland - LancasterHistory
This is a really neat Christmas experience. Fun for the whole family!
🎄 Christmas Light Experience In Lancaster, PA | Family-Friendly Holiday Fun
The National Christmas Center will open on November 21st. What a fun place to visit and get in the holiday spirit!
National Christmas Center
Running from November 29th to December 30th, the Amish Farmhouse Christmas Experience features kid-friendly activities such as churning fresh butter and baking pumpkin pies. Venture through the idyllic grounds of the Old Windmill Farm on a horse-draw...
Amish Farmhouse Christmas Experience | Old Windmill Farm | Lancaster, PA
Experience festive fun with three beloved Christmas shows at the Fulton Theatre! Families will enjoy Elf from November 21st to December 28th and The Nutcracker from December 6th to December 27th. Another holiday classic we recommend is the live radio...
Fulton Theatre
Running from November 7th to December 30th at American Music Theatre, the 2025 Christmas Show: Deck the Halls holiday musical extravaganza celebrates the joys and merriment of spending the holidays with the ones we love. The show features dashing dan...
American Music Theatre
Bask in holiday cheer during the Village Christmas Market at Garden Spot Village on December 6th, and enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities. Stroll through local shops, finding handmade goods and keepsakes. Bring your little ones and marvel a...
Garden Spot Village Christmas Market
Far from traditional, this novel concert features fresh takes on holiday classics, weaving in powerhouse singers, synchronous instrumental solos, and Pentatonix-style acapella caroling. With a piano centered in the room, Illumination at Prima Theatre...
Illumination — PRIMA THEATRE
We’re leaving for the North Pole to find Santa on the Polar Bear Express! The Conductor shares a special Christmas story with the children. At the North Pole, Santa will board the train with a gift for every child (infant through 11 years). Have your...
Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
Spend a few moments in quiet reflection at the Ephrata Cloister with seasonal readings and holiday music in the historic Saal. Christmas at the Cloister is offered each night, December 8th & 9th, one starting at 6:30 p.m. and the other at 8:00 p....
Christmas at the Cloister - Historic Ephrata Cloister
An original concert experience at The Barn at Paradise Station that is sure to be an unforgettable part of your holiday season! Half-part musical theater nostalgia, half-part take it to church worship concert, Perfect Harmony sings stunning original ...
Christmas in Perfect Harmony — The Barn at Paradise Station
Get into the holiday spirit with this ever-popular event - -the New Holland Band Holiday Pops! Now in its 14th year, Holiday Pops is a wonderful way to gather with your family and friends, enjoy a meal,and then experience the sounds of the nation’s s...
The New Holland Band | Holiday Pops
We love going here every year before Christmas to see what new things they have and to pick out a special ornament for our tree.
Murdough's Christmas Barn | Robesonia PA
Wander through the light of Holiday Lights at Gring's Mill throughtou the month of December. Free parking, Santa, food trucks on-site, and nightly music. Visit our Facebook page for more info. Note: Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas
Holiday Lights At Gring's Mill
This has been one of our favorite places to visit. It is well worth the wait in line to get in. It's such a fun walk through of Christmas lights.
Koziar's Christmas Village
They have their igloos out for outdoor seating this time of year! Such a fun way to have dinner together as a family!
Pretzel Hut Local Ice Cream Restaurant Petting Zoo Newmanstown, PA
We've never been here but this looks like a very fun event!
Lights of Wonder - Kings Swings
We love going to any of the Esbenshade's Greenhouse locations for their Evening of Joy. It's always a great way to welcome in the Christmas holiday season! Right after Thanksgiving every year. Details coming soon.
Esbenshade's Holiday Evening of Joy - Mohnton
We went to the Lititz location last year and it was so much fun! It was so neat to see the reindeer and get a picture with Santa. They have snacks and drinks and live music too.
Esbenshade's Holiday Evening of Joy - Lititz
We've not been to the Fleetwood location but have always enjoyed when we've gone to their Mohnton or Lititz locations. If you're local to the Fleetwood area this is worth taking time to visit the day after Thanksgiving!
Esbenshade's Holiday Evening of Joy - Fleetwood
I've never gone to this but it looks so neat! Would be a really fun way to enjoy some holiday shopping time and find unique things for people!
Pennsylvania Christmas + Gift Show | December 3-7, 2025 | PA Farm Show Complex
I've not been here but it came highly recommended. Looks like a really awesome Christmas light display!
Christmas Magic Festival of Lights in York, PA | Holiday Cheer
I've not been to this event but it looks like a great way to kick off the Christmas season. Benefits the local community in Intercourse, PA.
28th Annual Village of Intercourse Holiday Celebration — The Village of Intercourse
There is so much to see and do at illumination at Coca Cola Park with 1.5 million lights, food, rides, curling, igloos, s'mores, live music and more. They also have a Christmas train.
Home - Illumination Holiday Lights
If you like to travel a little bit from the Lancaster area this is a really fun thing to do with your family. Enjoy holiday lights at the Lake in Altoona.
Holiday Lights on the Lake Ticket Booth
Join us on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 and 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 from 𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 – 𝟓𝐩𝐦 for our Frosty Run Open House. Bundle up and bring your family and friends for a ride through the woods on our miniature railroads...
Reading Society of Model Engineers | Fleetwood PA
Check out this awesome Christmas light drive through!
Stone Gables Estate