Joy Scout

Lancaster County, PA

What can we do with the kids?

Family and kids' events across Lancaster County, plus selected outings beyond. Choose your town to see nearby events first, or browse by date.

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December 26, 2026
5:00-9:00 PM

Christmas Light Experience

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
From $6
September 3, 2026
December 26, 2026
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-26-refreshing-mountain-christmas-light-experien
Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
December 27, 2026
2:00-8:00 PM

Yuletide at Historic Rock Ford (day 2)

881 Rockford Rd, Lancaster
30
All ages
$12 kids (2025)
September 10, 2026
December 27, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
30
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-27-yuletide-at-historic-rock-ford-day-2
Seasonal & holiday; Music & shows
40.0379,-76.3055
December 27, 2026
12:45 PM

Cinderella at Dutch Apple

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster
20
3+
$21-$24
September 10, 2026
December 27, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
20
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-27-cinderella-at-dutch-apple
Music & shows; Books & story time
40.0379,-76.3055
December 27, 2026
2:00 PM

Ebenezer Scrooge's Big Lancaster Christmas Show: Closing

Fulton Theatre, Tell Studio (4th floor), 12 N Prince St, Lancaster
25
8+
Ticket
September 10, 2026
December 27, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
25
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-27-ebenezer-scrooge-s-big-lancaster-christmas-show-closing
Seasonal & holiday; Music & shows
40.0379,-76.3055
December 27, 2026
5:00-9:00 PM

Christmas Light Experience

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
From $6
September 10, 2026
December 27, 2026
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-27-christmas-light-experience
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
December 28, 2026
Full day (Dec 28, 29, 30)

Day Off Camps - winter break STEM

Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Ave
25
K-8
$80/day
September 3, 2026
Editor's pick
December 28, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
25
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-28-day-off-camps-winter-break-stem
Learning
40.046447
-76.296626
40.0379,-76.3055
December 28, 2026
10 AM-noon

GEARS Holiday Basketball Clinic

Daubert Gym, Elizabethtown
10
Grades 3-6
$20
September 3, 2026
Editor's pick
December 28, 2026
Paid
Elizabethtown
10
grade-school
tweens
2026-12-28-gears-holiday-basketball-clinic
Seasonal & holiday; Sports & active
40.1529,-76.6027
December 28, 2026
10:30 AM

Lapsit Story Time

Middletown Public Library, 20 N Catherine St, Middletown
20
0-1
Free
September 10, 2026
December 28, 2026
Free
Middletown
20
babies
2026-12-28-lapsit-story-time
Books & story time
40.1998,-76.7311
December 28, 2026
12:00-4:30 PM

Market Monday Drop-in Pretend Play

Manheim Township Public Library, 595 Granite Run Dr, Lancaster
20
2-7
Free
September 10, 2026
December 28, 2026
Free
Lancaster
20
babies
preschool
grade-school
2026-12-28-market-monday-drop-in-pretend-play
Play & games
40.0379,-76.3055
December 28, 2026
5:00-9:00 PM

Christmas Light Experience

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
From $6
September 10, 2026
December 28, 2026
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-28-christmas-light-experience
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
December 28, 2026
5:30-7:30 PM (Dec 28 & 30)

GEARS Winter Art Workshop

GEARS Community Center, 70 S Poplar St, Elizabethtown
10
6-12
$65
September 3, 2026
Editor's pick
December 28, 2026
Paid
Elizabethtown
10
grade-school
tweens
2026-12-28-gears-winter-art-workshop
Crafts & art
40.1529,-76.6027
December 29, 2026
10:00 AM

Tiny Tots Storytime

Middletown Public Library, 20 N Catherine St, Middletown
20
1-2
Free
September 10, 2026
December 29, 2026
Free
Middletown
20
babies
2026-12-29-tiny-tots-storytime
Books & story time
40.1998,-76.7311
December 29, 2026
1:00 PM

Wee Readers

Middletown Public Library, 20 N Catherine St, Middletown
20
3-5
Free
September 10, 2026
December 29, 2026
Free
Middletown
20
preschool
2026-12-29-wee-readers
Books & story time
40.1998,-76.7311
December 29, 2026
12:45 PM

Cinderella at Dutch Apple

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster
20
3+
$21-$24
September 10, 2026
December 29, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
20
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-29-cinderella-at-dutch-apple
Music & shows; Books & story time
40.0379,-76.3055
December 29, 2026
5:00-9:00 PM

Christmas Light Experience

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
From $6
September 10, 2026
December 29, 2026
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-29-christmas-light-experience
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
December 30, 2026
5:30-7:30 PM

GEARS Winter Art Workshop (night 2)

GEARS Community Center, 70 S Poplar St, Elizabethtown
10
6-12
$65
September 10, 2026
December 30, 2026
Paid
Elizabethtown
10
grade-school
tweens
2026-12-30-gears-winter-art-workshop-night-2
Crafts & art
40.1529,-76.6027
December 30, 2026
2:00-4:00 PM

Homeschool Happening

Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 S Market St, Elizabethtown
10
Homeschool families
Free
September 10, 2026
December 30, 2026
Free
Elizabethtown
10
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-30-homeschool-happening
Learning
40.1529,-76.6027
December 30, 2026
Evening (timed entry)

Refreshing Mountain Christmas Lights: Last Night

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
$6-$12
September 10, 2026
December 30, 2026
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-30-refreshing-mountain-christmas-lights-last-night
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
December 30, 2026
Showtime not listed

Ryan & Friends: A Comic Christmas

Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand
35
All ages
Ticket
September 10, 2026
December 30, 2026
Paid
Bird-in-Hand
35
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-30-ryan-friends-a-comic-christmas
Seasonal & holiday; Music & shows
40.0345,-76.1822
December 30, 2026
3:00 PM

American Music Theatre Christmas Show "Winter Wonderland"

2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster
30
All ages
Ticket
September 3, 2026
December 30, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
30
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-30-american-music-theatre-christmas-show-winter
Seasonal & holiday; Music & shows
40.0379,-76.3055
December 30, 2026
5:00-9:00 PM

Christmas Light Experience

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
From $6
September 10, 2026
December 30, 2026
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-30-christmas-light-experience
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
December 30, 2026
7:00 PM

Hershey Bears vs. Rochester - winter-break weeknight game

GIANT Center
25
All ages
Ticket
September 3, 2026
December 30, 2026
Paid
Hershey
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-30-hershey-bears-vs-rochester-winter-break-week
Crafts & art; Sports & active
40.2859,-76.6502
December 31, 2026
9 AM-noon

Noon Year's Eve

Hands-on House, 721 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster
25
2-8
$13
September 3, 2026
Editor's pick
December 31, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
2026-12-31-noon-year-s-eve
Learning; Crafts & art
40.093770
-76.283939
40.0379,-76.3055
December 31, 2026
9 AM-5 PM

Hershey Gardens: New Year's Eve hours

Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd, Hershey
25
All ages
From $13.50
September 4, 2026
December 31, 2026
Paid
Hershey
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-hershey-gardens-new-years-eve-hours
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.298417
-76.658314
40.2859,-76.6502
December 31, 2026
Closes 3 PM

Lancaster Public Library: New Year's Eve early close

Lancaster Public Library, 151 N Queen St, Lancaster
25
All ages
Free
September 4, 2026
December 31, 2026
Free
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-lancaster-public-library-new-years-eve-early-close
Seasonal & holiday
40.040354
-76.306065
40.0379,-76.3055
December 31, 2026
Closed all day

Milanof-Schock Library: closed New Year's Eve

Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Rd, Mount Joy
0
All ages
Free
September 4, 2026
December 31, 2026
Free
Mount Joy
0
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-milanof-schock-library-closed-new-years-eve
Seasonal & holiday
40.101446
-76.513329
40.1098,-76.5033
December 31, 2026
10 AM-4 PM (2025 pattern)

Dutch Winter Wonderland: New Year's Eve hours

Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster
25
All ages
Ticketed
September 4, 2026
December 31, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-dutch-winter-wonderland-new-years-eve-hours
Seasonal & holiday; Play & games
40.026933
-76.218127
40.0379,-76.3055
December 31, 2026
12-4 PM (2025 pattern)

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane: New Year's Eve hours

Hersheypark, 100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey
25
All ages
Ticketed
September 4, 2026
December 31, 2026
Paid
Hershey
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-hersheypark-candylane-new-years-eve-hours
Seasonal & holiday; Play & games
40.288399
-76.661931
40.2859,-76.6502
December 31, 2026
Closed

Refreshing Mountain: closed New Year's Eve

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
September 4, 2026
December 31, 2026
Not listed
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-refreshing-mountain-closed-new-years-eve
Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
December 31, 2026
2:00 & 7:30 PM

"Annie" - closing day at the Fulton

Fulton Theatre, Lancaster
25
6+
Ticket
September 3, 2026
December 31, 2026
Paid
Lancaster
25
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-annie-closing-day-at-the-fulton
Music & shows
40.0379,-76.3055
December 31, 2026
3:00-8:30 PM

New Year's Eve Celebration at Hershey's Chocolate World

101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey
25
All ages
Free
September 3, 2026
Editor's pick
December 31, 2026
Free
Hershey
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-new-year-s-eve-celebration-at-hershey-s-choc
Fairs & festivals; Seasonal & holiday; Play & games
40.288076
-76.661019
40.2859,-76.6502
December 31, 2026
8 PM-midnight

Lancaster New Year's Eve - Red Rose Drop and fireworks

Penn Medicine Park, 650 N Prince St, Lancaster
25
All ages
Not listed
September 3, 2026
December 31, 2026
Not listed
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-lancaster-new-year-s-eve-red-rose-drop-and-f
Seasonal & holiday; Music & shows
40.0379,-76.3055
December 31, 2026
Doors 8:30 PM · balloon drop 9:30 · fireworks midnight

Harrisburg New Year's Eve - Kid's Glow Party

City Hall, 10 N 2nd St, Harrisburg
35
All ages
Free
September 3, 2026
Editor's pick
December 31, 2026
Free
Harrisburg
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2026-12-31-harrisburg-new-year-s-eve-kid-s-glow-party
Farms & animals; Fairs & festivals; Seasonal & holiday; Crafts & art
40.2732,-76.8867
January 1, 2027
Jan 1-2

Refreshing Mountain: open New Year's Day weekend

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
See the site
September 4, 2026
January 1, 2027
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-01-refreshing-mountain-open-new-years-day-weekend
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday; Sports & active
40.2270,-76.1622
January 1, 2027
12-10 PM (2025 pattern)

Laserdome: New Year's Day hours

Laserdome, 2050 Auction Rd, Manheim
15
All ages
From $24.99
September 4, 2026
January 1, 2027
Paid
Manheim
15
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-01-laserdome-new-years-day-hours
Seasonal & holiday; Play & games
40.114073
-76.447057
40.1634,-76.3950
January 1, 2027
Sat-Sun Jan 23-24, 4-8 PM

Mount Joy Chocolate Stroll

Downtown Mount Joy
0
All ages
$15
September 3, 2026
January 1, 2027
Paid
Mount Joy
0
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-01-mount-joy-chocolate-stroll-200-tickets-15-be
Fairs & festivals
40.1098,-76.5033
January 1, 2027
5:00-9:00 PM

Christmas Light Experience

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
From $6
September 10, 2026
January 1, 2027
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-01-christmas-light-experience
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
January 1, 2027
Sat Jan 2, 6 PM · Sun Jan 10, 3 PM

Hershey Bears knit-hat night (first 5,000) · GIANT Teddy Bear Toss

GIANT Center
25
All ages
Ticket
September 3, 2026
January 1, 2027
Paid
Hershey
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-01-hershey-bears-knit-hat-night-first-5-000-gia
Crafts & art; Sports & active
40.2859,-76.6502
January 2, 2027
Evening

Koziar's Christmas Village: last night of the season

Koziar's Christmas Village, 782 Christmas Village Rd, Bernville
50
All ages
Tickets on the site
September 4, 2026
January 2, 2027
Paid
Bernville
50
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-02-koziars-christmas-village-last-night
Seasonal & holiday
40.4326,-76.1113
January 2, 2027
Jan 2-3 (2025 pattern)

Ephrata Cloister: Lantern Tours

Ephrata Cloister, 632 W Main St, Ephrata
35
All ages
Tickets on the site
September 4, 2026
January 2, 2027
Paid
Ephrata
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-02-ephrata-cloister-lantern-tours
Learning
40.1798,-76.1789
January 2, 2027
5:00-9:00 PM

Christmas Light Experience

Refreshing Mountain, 455 Camp Rd, Stevens
35
All ages
From $6
September 10, 2026
January 2, 2027
Paid
Stevens
35
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-02-christmas-light-experience
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.2270,-76.1622
January 3, 2027
Sun Jan 3

Dutch Winter Wonderland: last day of the season

Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster
25
All ages
Ticketed
September 4, 2026
January 3, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-03-dutch-winter-wonderland-last-day
Seasonal & holiday; Play & games
40.026933
-76.218127
40.0379,-76.3055
January 3, 2027
Sun Jan 3, 9 AM-5 PM

Hershey Gardens Tree Showcase: last day

Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd, Hershey
25
All ages
From $13.50
September 4, 2026
January 3, 2027
Paid
Hershey
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-03-hershey-gardens-tree-showcase-last-day
Outdoors; Seasonal & holiday
40.298417
-76.658314
40.2859,-76.6502
January 3, 2027
Sun Jan 3

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane: last day (unconfirmed)

Hersheypark, 100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey
25
All ages
Ticketed
September 4, 2026
January 3, 2027
Paid
Hershey
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-01-03-hersheypark-candylane-last-day
Seasonal & holiday; Play & games
40.288399
-76.661931
40.2859,-76.6502
January 16, 2027
Daisies 12:30-1:30 PM; Brownies 2-3 PM; Juniors 3:30-4:30 PM

Girl Scout Mechanical Engineering workshops

Lancaster Science Factory, Lancaster
25
Girl Scouts
$15 a Scout
September 6, 2026
January 16, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
preschool
grade-school
tweens
2027-01-16-girl-scout-mechanical-engineering-workshops
Learning; Crafts & art; Sports & active; Play & games
40.0379,-76.3055
February 13, 2027
6:30 PM-8:30 AM overnight

Night Shift sleepover

Lancaster Science Factory, Lancaster
25
Ages 5-12
$65 per person
September 6, 2026
February 13, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
preschool
grade-school
tweens
2027-02-13-night-shift-sleepover
Learning
40.0379,-76.3055
February 27, 2027
3pm show; free activities preceding

Milo the Magnificent

Ware Center for the Arts, Lancaster
25
Children / families
$10–15
September 5, 2026
February 27, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-02-27-milo-the-magnificent
Fairs & festivals
40.0379,-76.3055
February 27, 2027
Daisies 12:30-1:30 PM; Brownies 2-3 PM; Juniors 3:30-4:30 PM

Girl Scout Mechanical Engineering workshops

Lancaster Science Factory, Lancaster
25
Girl Scouts
$15 a Scout
September 6, 2026
February 27, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
preschool
grade-school
tweens
2027-02-27-girl-scout-mechanical-engineering-workshops
Learning; Crafts & art; Sports & active; Play & games
40.0379,-76.3055
March 20, 2027
Selected performances; check ticket calendar

A Year with Frog and Toad

Fulton Theatre, 12 N Prince St, Lancaster
25
Families
Ticketed
September 5, 2026
March 20, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-03-20-a-year-with-frog-and-toad
Music & shows
40.037997
-76.307912
40.0379,-76.3055
March 20, 2027
Daisies and Brownies 1:30-2:30 PM; Juniors 3-4 PM

Girl Scout Robotics badge workshops

Lancaster Science Factory, Lancaster
25
Girl Scouts
$15 a Scout
September 6, 2026
March 20, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
preschool
grade-school
tweens
2027-03-20-girl-scout-robotics-badge-workshops
Learning; Crafts & art
40.0379,-76.3055
April 17, 2027
6:30 PM-8:30 AM overnight

Night Shift sleepover

Lancaster Science Factory, Lancaster
25
Ages 5-12
$65 per person
September 6, 2026
April 17, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
preschool
grade-school
tweens
2027-04-17-night-shift-sleepover
Learning
40.0379,-76.3055
April 18, 2027
3pm show; free activities preceding

TAIKOPROJECT

Ware Center for the Arts, Lancaster
25
Children / families
$10–15
September 5, 2026
April 18, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-04-18-taikoproject
Fairs & festivals
40.0379,-76.3055
May 1, 2027
Selected performances; check ticket calendar

The Lightning Thief

Fulton Theatre, 12 N Prince St, Lancaster
25
Families
Ticketed
September 5, 2026
May 1, 2027
Paid
Lancaster
25
babies
preschool
grade-school
tweens
teens
2027-05-01-the-lightning-thief
Music & shows
40.037997
-76.307912
40.0379,-76.3055