Tree Lighting Lancaster PA

October 21, 2022

There’s nothing more exciting and magical than the Christmas season, especially when you spend it in Lancaster County, PA! Our beautiful area boasts many gorgeous landscapes and rich culture, and when the holidays come around, all the local towns turn into winter wonderlands. If you want the ultimate holiday experience, join the fun at the many local Lancaster Tree Lighting Events! You can meet Santa, eat delicious cookies, participate in fun activities, and make precious memories with the ones you love. Read on to find out more about these fun events and start planning your visit today!

This blog is all about Lancaster Tree Lighting

Mayor's Tree Lighting, Downtown Lancaster

Date: Black Friday - the Day after Thanksgiving. November 25, 2022
Address: 23 N. Market Street, Lancaster
Time: 4 pm - 10 pm

Kick off the holidays in style at the downtown Lancaster Tree Lighting! Held on the Friday after Thanksgiving, this traditional ceremony allows locals and visitors alike to get in the Christmas spirit and prepare for the festive season ahead. Watch Santa parade into town, and marvel at the Christmas tree lighting at Penn Square! Experience all these exciting events to the sound of the Tuba Christmas carolers. You can head to the Central Market for more festivities following the ceremony. After all, celebrating Christmas at the oldest farmers market in the country makes for magical memories!

Ephrata's Christmas Tree Lighting

Black Friday - the Friday after Thanksgiving. November 25, 2022
Address: 16 E Main St, Ephrata
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Lancaster isn’t the only place you can experience holiday magic in this region. In fact, Ephrata has its fair share of exciting celebrations! Join us downtown for the Ephrata Christmas Tree Lighting on Black Friday in November and experience some local fun. You can watch a 30-foot spruce tree light up with more than 700 bulbs! Lasers are also projected from the tops of buildings, and it’s an incredible sight to behold.

While awaiting Santa’s arrival, enjoy the horse-drawn carriage parade and several holiday-themed games. Or, sing along to your favorite Christmas songs, eat cookies, and meet Belsnickel! In the German tradition, this character visits farms to check up on little children. He carries a switch with him, so make sure you’re on your best behavior!

PLUS: Saturday, 11/26 there's a Holiday Market from 10 am - 2 pm!!

Manheim Tree Lighting

Date: 1st Thursday of December, December 1, 2022
Address: Downtown Manheim | Website

The Manheim Chamber will kick off the evening in the Mini Park with live music by Steven Courtney from 5-6 pm. At 6:00 pm they'll be unveiling our new Christmas mailbox where they'll be collecting holiday cards for our local retirement communities. This will be followed by our second annual Holiday Story Hop!

Elizabethtown GEARS Holiday Parade

Date: Saturday December 10, 2022
Address: Market Street
Time: Festivities All day, Parade at 4:00 pm!

Join the community of Elizabethtown for an “Old Fashioned Christmas” themed parade up Market Street, Elizabethtown. Enjoy the fun and tradition!!

Mount Joy Tree Lighting & Winterfest

Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022
Address: Main Street Mount Joy
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm

Come out to downtown Mount Joy to help kick off the Holiday Season! Food, Live Music, Vendors and SANTA! Tree lighting at 7pm!

Marietta Candlelight Tour

Date: 1st Sunday in December - December 4, 2022
Website: https://marietta-pa.com/events/marietta-candlelight-tour/
Time: 11 am - 7 pm

Marietta Restoration Associates hosts one of the oldest holiday walking tours in Pennsylvania. A splendid array of 8 private homes, public buildings and a variety of special events make this a tour you will not want to miss. Free parking and convenient shuttle bus service is available. Advance tickets are available at a reduced rate prior to the tour, and may also be purchased on the day of the tour.

Lititz Tree Lighting & Caroling

Date: First Friday in December - December 2, 2022
Address: 24 N Broad St, Lititz
Time: 6:30 pm

Join in at the bandshell inside Lititz Springs Park for the annual Christmas in the Park celebration on the first Friday in December. This event includes a unique holiday performance, the countdown and lighting of the Community Christmas Tree, a carol sing, and even a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! This is a free event to the community and usually lasts approximately 30-40 minutes.

New Holland - Christmas on Main

Date: TBD
Address: Downtown New Holland | Website
Time: 9 am - 6 pm

Christmas on Main is a full day event that includes a Christmas Market, Live Music, Car Show, Food Vendors, children' activities, Carriage Rides and of course, Santa's arrival! The grand finale is the Tree lighting at the corner of N Roberts Ave and Main St at 6 pm.

West Reading Tree Lighting

Date: December 2, 2022 (Rain Date December 5th)
Address: 500 Reading Ave, West Reading
Time: 6:00 pm

Make plans to converge on Delaney Circle for 94th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in West Reading. The tradition began in 1928 when the first tree lighting was held in front of Borough Hall with only a few Council Members present. Little did their forefathers know that they launched what became a tree lighting tradition! The tree lighting ceremony was moved to Delaney Circle in the 1990's where they can celebrate the night air with music, dancing and warm wishes.

Following the ceremony at Delaney Circle join us at St. James Church for an opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Clause!

Have Yourself a Merry Lancaster Christmas at the Historic Smithton Inn!

Holiday decorations This season, treat yourself to a magical Christmas stay at our gorgeous B&B in Lancaster! The Historic Smithton Inn is in the heart of Dutch Country and offers an authentic experience from start to finish. Take advantage of our modern amenities while still enjoying our historic charm. Our location near downtown Ephrata gives you easy access to many attractions, including the Ephrata Cloister and Green Dragon Farmers Market. You can even take a virtual tour of the inn to get a feel for the B&B!

Browse our guest rooms and pick your favorite. They each have their own unique atmosphere, but all offer the utmost comfort. Take a look at our Chocolate Room, for example. This spacious, queen-size bedroom is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat. You can unwind in a hot bath, cozy up by the fireplace with a glass of wine, and get a good night’s sleep in our luxurious linens. The next morning, join us downstairs for a delicious homemade breakfast!

Book Your Stay Today

This blog is all about Lancaster Tree Lighting

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