posted Jun 11, 2024

Things to do this July in Lancaster, PA

Embark on a road trip to Lancaster County, PA! There is a wide range of activities and attractions to enjoy during your visit, from immersive experiences with the Amish Culture and family-friendly attractions to upscale shopping, rooftop dining, and much more. There's something here for everyone!

Stay for a while at one of Lancaster's fun campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, farm stay, or a great hotel.

Book Your Stay

Special Events

Summer Fun!

Festival

Experience Trails

Fun For All

Shopping

See a show!

Special Events

Middle Creek Pop-Up Archery Event | Middle Creek WMA | July 3rd
Reading Railroad Days | Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania | July 3rd
15th Annual Blues & Brews | Mount Hope Estate & Winery | July 13th
Date Night in The Garden | Conestoga House & Gardens | July 18th
Pennsylvania Dutch Tasting Dinner—A Plant-Based Dining Experience! | The Imperial Terrace | July 24th
Back to School Bash | Tanger Outlets | July 26th
Exploring the Traditions and Features of Pennsylvania's Historic African American Burial Grounds | Historic Rock Ford | July 27th
The 57th Annual Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show | Lititz Springs Park | July 27th

More events!

Summer Fun!

Summer fun is plentiful in Lancaster, PA—whether you’re looking for family fun, outdoor adventure, or great ways to spend the evening. Start planning your summer visit with our list of top things to do this season in Lancaster County:

Below are some activities you can enjoy in Lancaster County this summer:

Visit local markets
Have a craft beer
Go camping under the stars
Indulge in some delicious ice cream
Explore Amish Country
and more!

20 Things to do This Summer

Visiting Amish Country

Amish Country is best visited in the summer with its fresh produce, lively attractions, and bustling atmosphere. Don't miss out when you're in Lancaster County!

Things to do:

Places to stay:

Where to eat:

Amish Owned Businesses

Festivals, Fireworks & Live Music

Who doesn’t love watching those bursts of color brighten up the whole sky? July is the time for fireworks and Lancaster County has them!

We have put together a list of places to see dazzling fireworks displays in Lancaster, not only on July 4th, but throughout the summer.

Fireworks near you

Festivals and fairs are happening in the county with abundance this month.

Blues & Brews Fest | Mount Hope Estate | July 13th
Lancaster International Piano Fest | Franklin & Marshall | July 19th - 26th
Sweet Corn Festival | Cherry Crest Adventure Farm | July 20th
Terre Hill Days | Terre Hill Park | July 18th - 21st
San Juan Bautista Hispanic Festival | July 24th - July 27th
Maker Festivals PA ft. Bead Fest & Fiber Arts | Lancaster Marriott | July 31st

From large-scale amphitheaters to smaller-scale live entertainment at some of our favorite restaurants, you’ll be sure to get your live music fix for this summer in Lancaster County.

Jazz on the Patio Summer Series at The Barn at Paradise Station | The Barn at Paradise Station | Thursday evenings all summer long
Decked Out Live | Vineyard at Hershey | June 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th
Summer Music Series | Long's Park Amphitheater Foundation | July 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
Nissley Summerfest | Nissley Vineyards | Friday and Saturday evenings all summer long
Wine by the Vine | Grandview Vineyard | Friday and Saturday evenings all summer long

Don't miss out on seeing a concert in Lancaster! American Music Theatre hosts a ton throughout the year, and Mickey's Black Box and Lititz Shirt Factory hosts a plethora of concerts. Just outside of the county is Giant Center in Hershey, which hosts big-name acts.

Summer Live Music

Lancaster County Experience Trails

Our experience passes offer exciting opportunities, deals, and discounts that are sure to elevate your visit to Lancaster. Check-in and redeem offers at various local businesses to earn points towards exclusive prizes.

When you've earned enough points, head over to the Discover Lancaster Visitors Center to pick up special prizes!

JOIN THEM ALL!

Fun For All!

Getting outside is easy to do this summer in Lancaster! If you're interested in activities by the river, like kayaking with kayakLanCo or want to explore new hiking spots, we've got you covered. If biking is your thing, you can rent a regular bike from Chiques Rock Outfitters, or if you prefer a smoother ride, you can rent an e-bike from Let's Roll in Columbia. Both rental places are located near the Northwest River Trail, so you can get moving from there.

There are lots of unique ways to get outdoors in Lancaster such as taking a hot air balloon ride, touring the wolf sanctuary, meeting critters at the Wildlife Center, going ziplining, or taking a backroads scooter tour! Make a pit spot to explore the foodie fun at Kitchen Kettle Village by taking a Picnic Tasting Tour.

Root for the home team this summer at a Lancaster Stormers game at Clipper Magazine Stadium!

Hop on the historic train and head out to Stone Gables Estate on July 4th for the Harrisburg, Lincoln, & Lancaster Railroad and a firework celebration. There will be lots of fun activities such as face painting, live music, self-guided tours of both Ironstone Ranch and The Star Barn, axe throwing, and much more! If you're interested in the history of trains, you might also enjoy exploring the inner workings of clocks at the National Watch and Clock Museum.

Take the day and hang out and enjoy a playwright at Grenta Theatre or see a traditional movie at Reel Cinemas Lancaster!

Outdoor Attractions

Don't Miss Out!

Christmas in July is here, so head out and enjoy the many unique offerings of our small businesses. Whether you're shopping downtown in our city or heading out to the countryside to visit the Amish-owned businesses, or traveling to the corners of the county in Columbia and Adamstown to partake in the unique antique shopping that this county is famous for.

Here are a couple of businesses to get you started and take you around the county:

Shop small businesses

Catch a Show

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Fulton Theatre | June 14th - July 21st
The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory… but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels, and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas.

Beauty and the Beast | Fulton Theatre | June 22nd - July 20th
The actors have gone rogue, and the Director is here to ensure the beautiful story of Rose and Chadwick is told in the most magical way. This behind-the-scenes, and in front-of-the-scenes, musical will capture your heart and share its message that imagination, not technology, is the key to unlocking your dreams!

The Sound of Music | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre | June 28th - August 10th
Follow Maria, the high-spirited nun, sent from her convent to be the governess to seven unruly children of a strict father, Captain von Trapp. The timeless score includes “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “Edelweiss,” and “The Sound of Music.”

Ryan & Friends: All-star Comedy | Bird-in-Hand Stage | April 6th - October 19th, 2024
Comedy rules when Ryan returns to our stage with every one of his friends: witty 8-year-old Jeffrey, who lives in a suitcase and travels Third Class on airplanes; Harold and Irene, who have way more opinions than your average grandparents; and not-so-silent beasts Ardy the Skunk and Randy the Rooster, plus a new mystery guest—all hilarious and high-energy friends who barely let Ryan get a word in edge-wise.

The Confession | Bird-in-Hand Stage | April 4 – August 3, 2024
Katie Lapp’s parents have been keeping a secret. When Katie learns the truth, she heads to New York to find her birth mother— a wealthy woman who is battling a life-threatening illness and who aches for her long-lost daughter. What follows is a brilliant love story full of music, mystery, and mistaken identities. If you haven’t seen it, don’t miss it—and if you have, fall in love all over again.

Daniel | Sight & Sound Theatres | March 14th - December 31st
Taken from his people, Daniel is exiled far from home in the powerful kingdom of Babylon. Now this faithful servant must navigate his new life inside a palace filled with golden statues and shifting empires. As royal pressures mount, Daniel is faced with a dangerous choice. Will his trust in the one true God remain steadfast through every test of faith?

Jukebox Jive & IMAGINARIUM at Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater playing until this fall.

Chess in Concert | Gretna Theatre | July 11th - 20th
Featuring the music of ABBA members Andersson and Ulvaeus, as well as lyrics by musical theatre icon Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Aida), this gripping musical was inspired by the political and international spectacle of the 1972 World Chess Championship between American Bobby Fischer and Russian Boris Spassky. Set in the 1980s at the height of the Cold War, Chess illustrates how something as trivial as a game of chess can mean so much more when fueled by the threats and propaganda of nations at war.

More Upcoming Shows

Free Things To Do

Head downtown on the First Friday of the month to explore local artists and galleries, independent retailers, music, and entertainment. You can even turn it into a night out on the town by checking out some downtown dining! On the same night, from 5-7pm on First Fridays, the Lancaster Science Factory is free for you to explore over their 70 interactive exhibits.

Similarly, you can explore our small towns on their select days. Manheim hosts First Thursdays, Lititz Second Fridays, and Ephrata First Saturdays.

On select Saturdays of each month, the Shops @ Rockvale hosts their Baby Goat Yoga by the Stream. Join them for an hour of yoga surrounded by adorable baby goats in a beautiful outdoor setting at The Shops @ Rockvale down by the stream. Get ready to stretch, relax, and maybe even cuddle some cute baby goats from Swartz’s Farm!

Free in Lancaster

Keep up to date by checking out our events calendar, signing up for our e-newsletter, and requesting your free copy of the Visitors Guide.