The snow has melted, the sun is shining, and birds are singing again. Spring has sprung in Lancaster, PA! If this season has you feeling rejuvenated, energized, and ready to shed that winter skin, we’ve got you covered.
From Easter celebrations and spring festivities, to miles upon miles of trails and adventure, you will have plenty of opportunities to soak up the fun.
To make your planning a little easier, we have compiled a list of activities and events that will be sure to keep you busy and enjoying this bird-chirping and sun-shining season!*
*Please confirm days and times on event websites in case of changes that may have occurred after this post's publication.
Opening Days
These Lancaster and Central PA area favorites open their doors soon!
Hershey Park - Spring Weekends
March 29 – May 19
Lake Tobias
Drive-thru ONLY: Weekends Starting Saturday, April 13
Official Season Opening: May 1
Dutch Wonderland
Spring Schedule: Weekends starting Friday, March 29
Full Schedule: May 25
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Saturday, May 25
Saturday Flea Markets
Root’s Old Mill Flea Market
Saturdays starting April 6
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Easter in Lancaster
Egg-stra Special Easter Event
Kitchen Kettle Village
Enjoy a yummy meal, egg hunt, and meet the Easter Bunny.
This family friendly event includes:
- Meal vouchers for use at the Harvest Cafe between 10am-5pm for lunch
- VIP Egg Hunt only open to children 10 and under registered for the event
- Photo opportunities with Yummy & the Easter Bunny. Don't forget your camera
- Egg-citing Easter scavenger hunt for the kids throughout the Village
- March 23, 29, and 30
- 10:00 a.m. OR 11:00 a.m.
Easter Celebration at The Star Barn
Stone Gables Estate
During the Easter celebration, enjoy egg hunts, a petting zoo, face painting, kids crafts, yard games, food vendors, artisan vendors, and MORE!
NEW this year! Enjoy the award winning, family focused, musical performer, Steven Courtney!
- Saturday, March 23
- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Easter Bunny Hop Express 2024
Stone Gables Estate
Enjoy a narrated train excursion through the center of Stone Gables Estate on the Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. On board the train, children will receive a special surprise visit as it journeys into a fully decorated train shed amassed with Easter characters, displays, and Bunnyland.
- March 23, 29, and 30
- 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast with The Easter Bunny
The Country Barn
Enjoy spring fun on the farm! The Easter Bunny will be visiting Barnyard Kingdom. You can meet the Easter Bunny and eat breakfast with him. Meet farm animals and experience farm festivities.
- March 23, 24, 29, and 30
- Breakfast with the Easter Bunny seating times: 9:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Bunny Village Adventures and Egg Hunts
The Country Barn
Experience Easter at the barn with Bunny Village, egg hunts, a train ride, adorable baby animals, a hedge maze, a straw pyramid, crank tractor ride, tire pyramid adventures, and the joy of digging in the dirt with their dirt diggers.
- March 23, 24, 29, and 30
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt
Terre Hill Park
Children ages 10 and under can enjoy this free egg hunt! Featuring thousands of candy and money filled eggs and even special prize eggs!
- Saturday, March 30
- 11:30: Food Stand Opens
- Noon: Visit with bunnies and sheep
- Noon – 2:00 p.m. – Visit with the Easter Bunny
- 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. – FREE Children’s Face Painting by Joyful Canvas
- 1:00 p.m. – Start of Egg Hunts
- 1:45 p.m. – Juggling show by The DK’ers
Easter Egg Hunt
Terre Hill Park
Children ages 11 and older can enjoy this free fun spin on an egg hunt! Grab your flashlight and hunt for eggs in the dark! Thousands of eggs will be hidden that contain candy and tons of special prizes including cash prizes, gift baskets, electronics, tasty treats, gift cards and other goodies!
- Saturday, March 30
- 7:00pm
Easter Bunny Trains
The Strasburg Railroad
Take a ride through the beautiful farmlands of Lancaster county as the Easter Bunny as your conductor!
- May 29 – 31
- Various times throughout the day
Spring Festivals in Lancaster
Murder Mystery
Mount Hope Estate
The 16th annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Mount Hope on the grounds of Mount Hope Estate & Winery kicks off on February 2 and continues Fridays, Saturdays, select Sundays, and select Weekdays through April 29. Accept this invitation to the interactive culinary "who-done-it," enjoy a sumptuous four-course meal and the opportunity to become the detective, interrogate the suspects, put the clues together and uncover the truth!
- Now through April 29
LAUNCH Music Festival
The Lancaster County Convention Center
Discover up-and-coming artists who might be the next-big thing. The Festival represents a variety musical styles - from rock to folk, from pop to punk, from country to funk.
There is also a conference featuring panels, seminars, parties, events and performances. This portion provides a unique opportunity for artists, music industry professionals and fans to meet, network and further their careers. From group panel discussions to direct one-on-one mentoring, artists are given ample opportunities to make long-lasting impressions and connections.
- April 25 – 28
Volksfest
Mount Hope Estate
Check out the best of air and water cooled Volkswagens and enjoy delicious food from the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire Kitchens and fresh Swashbuckler Ales at this large VW swap meet!
- Saturday, April 27
- 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pretzel Fest
Lititz, PA
Enjoy being outside in downtown Lititz with the Lititz Pretzel Fest. This festival Highlights the Lititz area's rich pretzel history. It will include more than 20 pretzel tastings and, along with beer and spirits beverage tastings, and music all around downtown Lititz.
Proceeds from Pretzel Fest will also fund other children's activities and charities, including Free Kids' Fun Day in Lititz Springs Park which will take place on Sunday, May 19.
- Saturday, May 4
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Herb & Garden Faire
Landis Valley Farm Museum
Gardeners, come enjoy a faire just for you! The Faire, featuring plants from Landis Valley Museum’s Heirloom Seed Project, will also offer heirlooms, natives, and other hard-to-find varieties to purchase from vendors spread out over the historic village area of the site.
- Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Rhubarb Festival
Kitchen Kettle Village
If you enjoy rhubarb, this festival is for you! Taste delicious rhubarb foods, listen to live music, watch the World's Only Rhubarb Race Car Derby, participate in the rhubarb baking contest, and enjoy great shopping.
- Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Flavor Fest
Mount Hope
Wine lovers rejoice! Enjoy sampling with over 25 wineries and distilleries. Shop with unique merchants of all types and grab a bite at one of the on-site kitchens.
- Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26
- 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra in the Park
Lititz Springs Park
Beautiful music. Beautiful setting. Join them for a special Saturday evening at the Lititz Springs Park bandshell. The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert for the community.
- Saturday, May 25
- 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Baby Animal Festival
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Spring has sprung and that means baby animals are being born at Cherry Crest Farm! Come and meet the new little ones!
- Saturday, June 1
- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Lancaster's 8th Annual VegFest
Buchanan Park
Celebrate the plant-based lifestyle! This free event offers a wide selection of plant-based food, music entertainment, yoga, and kids activities.
- Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2
- 12:00 pm. – 5:00 p.m.
Cider Donut Festival
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
The day will feature special cider donut menu items including their delicious cider donut sundaes. Enjoy donut games and activities, and special donut photo ops. Plus, you will be able to feed donuts to the cows!
- Saturday, June 8
- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Unique Events in Lancaster
Garden Spot Half Marathon and 10k
Garden Spot Village
Run your way through beautiful Lancaster County. You can choose from a ½ marathon, 10k, or a virtual run. There is even an option for kids! This is a run for everyone whether you are a beginner, experienced, leisure or competitive runner. Friends, family, and spectators can watch the run take place easily.
- Saturday, March 23
7th Annual Rails and Ales
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
The sixth annual craft beer tasting event is held inside the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. The event features craft breweries and food vendors.
- Saturday, April 6
- 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Spring Car, Truck, and Cycle Show
Roots Country Market & Auction
Rain date is Tuesday, April 23.
- Tuesday, April 16
- 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Antique Tractor Pull
Rough & Tumble
This free event is sure to be one that adults and children alike can enjoy! Channel your inner child and come out to the pulling track and watch antique and classic tractors compete in a tractor pull! Enjoy food from a food truck while you watch.
- Saturday, April 27
- 8:00 a.m.
Picnic Tasting Tour
Kitchen Kettle Village
This self-guided culinary adventure will have you snacking, sipping, and strolling your way through Kitchen Kettle Village. This tour includes stops at participating restaurants, bakeries, and retail food shops in the Village.
- Saturdays, May 4 and June 1
- 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Music and Art with The Wolves
Wolf Sanctuary of PA
Celebrate music and art with wolves! This is a fundraising event and will feature self-guided tours, educational games and activities for children, art vendors, live music and more!
- Saturday, May 11
- 11:00 a.m.
The 5th Annual Spring Show – The Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show
Roots Country Market & Auction
Love arts? Love crafts? Love Roots? Then this event is perfect for you! The 4th Annual Juried Art & Craft Show will feature artists and craftsmen from across the country.
- Saturday, May 18
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Red Rose Run
Ewell Plaza, Queen Street
Lace up those running shoes and soak up the spring sun during this 5-mile race through Lancaster City and County Park. The Red Rose Run also includes a kids fun run and wheelchair race. Proceeds from the run will benefit the Lancaster Central Market Trust.
- Saturday, June 1
- 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Get Outside
Cold and gray winter days have you feeling cabin fever? If you're eager to get outside, take advantage of the spring weather and enjoy one (or many) of the numerous hiking or biking trails Lancaster has to offer.
Hiking Trails in Lancaster
- Turkey Hill Trail
- Chickies Rock
- Steinman Run Nature Preserve
- Lake Grubb Nature Park
- Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve
- Clark Nature Preserve
- Conestoga Trail
- Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Trout Run Nature Preserve
- Willis & Elsie Shenk Nature Preserve
- Ferncliff Wildflower and Wildlife Preserve
- Homewood Nature Preserve
- Rannels Kettle Run
Biking Trails in Lancaster
- Conestoga Greenway Trail
- Conewago Recreation Trail
- Enola Low Grade Trail
- Lancaster Junction Recreation Trail
- Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail
- Northwest Lancaster County River Trail
Adventure Explorations
Challenge yourself at Adventure Explorations!
Together the founders of Adventure Explorations wanted to create an environment helping people discover their full potential. ”We realized we could be a bridge…creating those chance moments between people’s discovery of their potential, of their possibilities and choices, and the freedom it creates.”
Their adventures include hiking, climbing, kayaking, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. They offer team building activities for school groups and corporate offices, and a “For Women, By Women” all-day adventure!
Ready, Set, Celebrate Spring in Lancaster!
We hope this guide to spring activities and events in Lancaster helps you and your loved ones enjoy this beautiful and rejuvenating season.
*Please confirm days and times on event websites in case of changes that may have occurred after this post's publication.
