‘Tis the Season for a Lancaster County Christmas

“Home for the holidays” is a heartwarming tradition for folks this time of year, so be sure to make time for Lancaster County this holiday season.  After all, it’s “home” to American Christmastime traditions like the first Christmas tree, delicious springerle holiday “picture cookies,” and the mischievous Belsnickle – the Pennsylvania Dutch version of Santa Claus who gives coal to kids who’ve been naughty rather than nice.

Of course, there’s more than just history that makes a Lancaster County Christmas something truly special.  There are fantastic holiday shows, great shopping deals, unique seasonal attractions, and restaurants serving delicious PA Dutch dishes – all packaged up in ready-made itineraries, or for including in your own personalized exploration.

After the more muted colors of harvest time, there’s a festive beauty to the spirited colors of red, green, silver, and gold splashed across the Lancaster countryside, its towns and villages, and the city of Lancaster.

Colorfully-lit shops twinkle in the crisp air, full of holiday treasures and hand-crafted presents.  Get good deals and great memories with an old-fashioned Christmas shopping trip to our artisans and Amish craftsmen, town and village Main Streets, brand-name outlet stores, and fresh country markets.

Decorated visitor attractions celebrate the sheer fun of Christmastime, as well as our Pennsylvania German and Amish seasonal heritage.  Amuse yourself with great rides, entertainment, and other seasonal festivities at Dutch Winter Wonderland (now through December 30), explore 15 different scenes from Yuletide days past and present at the National Christmas Center.

For more information about top events in Pennsylvania take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania.       

Come “home” this year, to a Lancaster County Christmas.

Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest Spotlights Wineries

With food, flavors, and free fun, the third annual Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest™ will spotlight area wineries, and so much more, on Memorial Day Weekend May 29 and 30 in Lancaster County.

This tasty feast for the senses will offer some of the region’s finest wineries sampling their vintages, cooking demos by area chefs, specialty foods for taste and sale, master artisans, live music, the Crafty Kid’s area, and free admission & parking.

The FlavorFest will be held on the grounds of the Mount Hope Estate and Winery and is organized in collaboration with the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In addition to sampling wines and foods, there will be a host of unique PA-based artisans demonstrating their crafts, and local attractions with mascots in tow to highlight the marvelous day trip options in the area. Fun and educational cooking demonstrations and “side dish” talks will be served up by regional and local chefs and vintners. To round out the celebration, a mix of Pennsylvania-based musicians will provide fabulous musical entertainment, creating an “entertainment in the park” atmosphere.

At the Crafty Kid’s area young patrons can get hands-on in exploring Pennsylvania’s culinary and artistic world. They can decorate a t-shirt using locally grown fruit and vegetables, learn about healthy eating options and the food pyramid, create their very own chef hat for helping out in the kitchen, and much more.

Mount Hope Estate and Winery is located on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, Route 72, ? mile south of PA Turnpike Exit 266, 15 miles north of Lancaster and 14 miles east of Hershey.


For more information about top events in Pennsylvania, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Pennsylvania at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-pennsylvania.html

For more information on the Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest™ visit www.parenfaire.com/flavorfest.html