See the festive season in York from a new perspective. Our guide highlights all the key holiday events. For those who know York's rhythm and those just learning its beat, our guide orchestrates holiday harmony.
This season, experience the enchanting Christmas Magic - A Festival of Lights, where dazzling light displays create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Featuring incredible holiday-themed installations, A Longwood Christmas offers stunning garden displays that captivate visitors of all ages. And the Christmas Spirit Light Show is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing synchronized lights and music that bring joy to the heart. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around York
- A Longwood Christmas (Kennett Square)
- Christmas Magic - A Festival of Lights
- Reading’s Christmas On the Mountain (Reading)
- Christmas Lights Experience at Refreshing Mountain (Stevens)
- Christmas Spirit Light Show (Lancaster)
- Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre Holiday Shows (Lancaster)
- Holiday Train Rides at Ma & Pa Railroad
- Holiday Train Rides at Northern Central Railway (New Freedom)
- Holiday Train Rides at Stewartstown Railroad Company (Stewartstown)
- Christmas Village at Stone Gables Estate (Elizabethtown)
See these and even more events listed below!
York Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Magic - A Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Half-mile ADA-accessible woodland trail with over 1 million twinkling LED lights.
Description:
Christmas Magic - A Festival of Lights is a spectacular holiday event featuring over 1 million twinkling LED lights and animated scenes along a half-mile ADA-accessible woodland trail. Visitors can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while taking advantage of various photo opportunities and spotting characters hiding among nature.
Where: York | More Info: Christmas Magic - A Festival of Lights
Christmas Spirit Light Show
What to Expect:
Immersive drive-thru light show with synchronized music.
Description:
The Christmas Spirit Light Show is a drive-thru light display at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, PA, featuring hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights synchronized to music, creating a breathtaking holiday experience.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Christmas Spirit Light Show
Christmas Lights Experience at Refreshing Mountain
What to Expect:
Family-friendly walking tour through a forest of light displays.
Description:
Explore Refreshing Mountain's Christmas Light Experience, featuring a family-friendly walking tour through beautifully lit trails and access to the Wildlife Center. Enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights in a serene forest setting.
Where: Stevens | More Info: Christmas Lights Experience at Refreshing Mountain
Reading’s Christmas On the Mountain
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday lights and decorations in a mountain setting.
Description:
Reading’s Christmas On the Mountain is a festive celebration featuring holiday lights, decorations, and activities in a picturesque mountain setting.
Where: Reading | More Info: Reading’s Christmas On the Mountain
A Longwood Christmas
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light display with new glasshouses and outdoor landscapes.
Description:
A Longwood Christmas features hundreds of thousands of lights, new glasshouses, and imaginative outdoor landscapes, offering a unique blend of horticulture, ingenuity, and creativity.
Where: Kennett Square | More Info: A Longwood Christmas
Quakertown Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Live nativity and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Description:
The Quakertown Christmas Tree Lighting Festival is an annual event featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, a live nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, and numerous food trucks and craft vendors. It offers a variety of activities for children and adults alike, making it a delightful holiday experience.
Where: Quakertown | More Info: Quakertown Christmas Market
York Holiday Markets and Shopping
Lancaster Shops Late
What to Expect:
Extended shopping hours in downtown Lancaster.
Description:
Lancaster Shops Late is an annual event where local businesses in downtown Lancaster stay open late to offer holiday shopping and dining experiences. Explore charming streets adorned with twinkling lights and discover unique treasures perfect for holiday gifts.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Lancaster Shops Late
Christmas Village at Stone Gables Estate
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday market with artisan vendors and train displays.
Description:
Stroll through the Christmas Village at Ironstone Ranch, featuring artisans, food trucks, children's activities, and train displays. Enjoy shopping for gifts and crafts, and take part in family photo opportunities amidst beautiful holiday decorations.
Where: Elizabethtown | More Info: Christmas Village at Stone Gables Estate
Village Christmas Market at Garden Spot Village
What to Expect:
Artisan handmade gifts and family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Village Christmas Market at Garden Spot Village offers a day filled with shopping at the Makers Market and stores, enjoying food from various restaurants and cafes, and participating in family-friendly activities like cookie decorating and readings of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Visitors can also explore the Train Room and Wood Shop, featuring model train layouts and artisan handmade gifts.
Where: New Holland | More Info: Village Christmas Market at Garden Spot Village
ChristKindlMarkt
What to Expect:
Traditional German Christmas market with local vendors and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Christkindlmarkt at Reading Liederkranz is a traditional German Christmas market featuring handmade crafts, local delicacies, and festive music. Vendors offer a variety of items including handmade jewelry, candles, ornaments, and gourmet food.
Where: Reading | More Info: ChristKindlMarkt
York Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Train Rides at Stewartstown Railroad Company
What to Expect:
Historic train rides with themed events.
Description:
Take a historic train ride through picturesque landscapes and enjoy themed events like Santa Trains, Pumpkin Patch Trains, and Halloween Costume Express. Each ride features authentic 1920s-era passenger coaches and live entertainment.
Where: Stewartstown | More Info: Holiday Train Rides at Stewartstown Railroad Company
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre Holiday Shows
What to Expect:
Broadway-caliber holiday performances with a buffet meal.
Description:
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre presents holiday shows featuring Broadway-style productions and classic American cuisine, perfect for families and groups.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre Holiday Shows
Mayor's Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa's arrival and live entertainment.
Description:
The Mayor's Tree Lighting at Lancaster Central Market is a cherished holiday tradition featuring the arrival of Santa, live entertainment, and a special evening snack from various Standholders. The event takes place in the city square and Market House, offering a delightful evening experience.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Mayor's Tree Lighting
Christmas at Joanna
What to Expect:
Interactive historical reenactments and Victorian dancing.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Joanna Furnace with reenactors, Victorian dancing, and performances by the Hay Creek Valley Gold Band and Hay Creek Dancers.
Where: Geigertown | More Info: Christmas at Joanna
York Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Train Rides at Northern Central Railway
What to Expect:
Historic train ride with Santa visits and festive treats.
Description:
Ride historic trains from the New Freedom Train Station to Glen Rock, where each child can visit Santa and receive a special gift. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, and explore the NCR Engine House and model train room. Strolling fiddler Keith Engle adds to the holiday atmosphere.
Where: New Freedom | More Info: Holiday Train Rides at Northern Central Railway
Holiday Train Rides at Ma & Pa Railroad
What to Expect:
Historic train rides through a preserved 19th-century village.
Description:
Take a scenic train ride through the historic Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village, offering a glimpse into the past with its vintage locomotives and charming village setting.
Where: York | More Info: Holiday Train Rides at Ma & Pa Railroad
Nissley Vineyards Holiday Wine Tasting
What to Expect:
Unique wine blends and winery estate tour.
Description:
Nissley Vineyards Holiday Wine Tasting offers a selection of Nissley's finest wines, including the popular Grapeful Red, in a sophisticated and intimate setting. Guests can explore the winery's estate and enjoy a variety of wine blends while learning about the winemaking process.
Where: Bainbridge | More Info: Nissley Vineyards Holiday Wine Tasting
Ice Skating at York Ice Arena
What to Expect:
Multi-purpose sports facility with NHL-sized ice rinks and diverse recreational activities.
Description:
York Ice Arena offers two NHL-sized ice rinks, hosting various hockey and skate programs, public skating, drop-ins, leagues, trade shows, and private rentals. The facility also includes private party rooms and on-site businesses like Top Shelf Sports and HHM Cafe.
Where: York | More Info: Ice Skating at York Ice Arena
Ice Skating at AvalancheXpress
What to Expect:
Unique ice skating experience with various resort amenities.
Description:
At AvalancheXpress, ice skating is available on weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons, offering a serene winter activity amidst the resort's amenities.
Where: York | More Info: Ice Skating at AvalancheXpress
Yuletide at Wheatland
What to Expect:
Guided tour of a historic mansion highlighting holiday traditions of the late 1800s.
Description:
Explore the holiday traditions of the late 1800s at President James Buchanan's historic home, Wheatland. Discover how Buchanan's niece and nephew celebrated Christmas during the early years of the Second Industrial Revolution, including the rise of electric tree lights and increased commercialization.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Yuletide at Wheatland
Polar Bear Express
What to Expect:
Live narration and Santa gift-giving on a festive holiday train ride.
Description:
The Polar Bear Express at the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad is a 75-minute holiday train ride through Swatara Creek Valley. The conductor shares a special Christmas story, and Santa boards the train to give gifts to every child on board. Snack concessions are available, and cameras are ready for pictures with Santa.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Polar Bear Express
Christmas at Barnyard Kingdom
What to Expect:
Interactive farm activities with festive elements.
Description:
At Christmas at Barnyard Kingdom, immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere with giant slides, cozy fire pits, friendly barnyard animals, exciting trike rides, and an Elf Scavenger Hunt. Enjoy train rides to Christmas tree fields and explore the thrilling hedge maze.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Christmas at Barnyard Kingdom
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lancaster (23 miles)
- Harrisburg (23 miles)
- Lebanon (31 miles)
- Hunt Valley (32 miles)
- Cockeysville (34 miles)
- Bel Air North (34 miles)
- Reisterstown (34 miles)
- North Bel Air (35 miles)
- South Bel Air (36 miles)
- Owings Mills (38 miles)
- Bel Air South (38 miles)
- Towson (39 miles)
- Eldersburg (40 miles)
- Perry Hall (41 miles)
- Pikesville (41 miles)
- Carney (41 miles)
- Randallstown (41 miles)
- Parkville (42 miles)
- Milford Mill (43 miles)
- Lochearn (43 miles)
- Gwynn Oak (44 miles)
- Edgewood (44 miles)
- Woodlawn (44 miles)