Event-Full: September-October 2023

“So much to do” essentially sums up fall in Lancaster County. Events are back in a big way!

Art, Crafts, Makers and More

Long’s Park Art Festival, being held September 1-3, will feature 200 juried exhibitors from across the country. Longspark.org/art-festival.

That same weekend (September 2-3), the Heart of Lancaster Arts & Craft Show’s 100-plus select craftspeople and artists will take over Root’s Country Market. Hlcshows.com.

The Shank Shoppe will be reviving a fall favorite with an abbreviated name and new home. The Bust, which is being held in Columbia River Park on October 21, will feature 100 vendors. Theshankshoppe.com.

“Shop ’til you drop” defines the Best Kept Secrets Tour, with this fall’s Lancaster version taking place October 5-21. Bestkeptsecretstour.com.

Fall Art Walk, October 21-22, provides the perfect opportunity to explore the city’s galleries, studios and other creative venues. Lancastercityart.com.

Salud!

Beer lovers … On September 23, the Lititz AMBUCS will be hosting the annual Lititz Craft Beer Fest (80+ craft breweries, food, music and a homebrewing competition). Lititzcraftbeerfest.com.

Wine lovers, you are not forgotten … the Vintage Wine & Food Fest is coming to Steinman Park on September 10, providing guests with “global sips” (60+ wines) and “local eats” (regional restaurants/vendors), as well as live music. Vintagewinefest.com.

Connect to Your Roots

The African American Cultural Fair and Parade will be held in Reservoir Park, September 5-9. The event will feature food, music, rides, games, vendors and a parade. Aacal.org/fair.

Vikings, Celts and Germans! The PA Renaissance Faire’s Viking Weekend lands September 9-10, while descendants of Celtic nations can gather to celebrate Shamrocks & Shenanigans, September 23-24. Oktoberfest will salute German culture, September 30-October 1. Parenfaire.com.

Celebrate all things German – food, drink, music and dancing – at the Lancaster Liederkranz’s annual Oktoberfest celebration, September 15-17. Lancasterliederkranz.com.

On September 16, the L’Italia Festival of Lititz will acquaint visitors with all things Italian, including food, drink, imported goods, cars, crafts and music. Lititz.it.

A Ukrainian Festival, sponsored by Inna’s Pierogi Shop on September 23, will feature a traditional meal, music, dancing and craft vendors. Innaspierogishop.com.

Music

Lancaster Music Fest returns to Buchanan Park on September 9, with live music, food, craft beer, street performers, artisans and more. Lancastermusicfest.com.

As Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have proven, girls rule. Prima Theatre will second that notion when Girl Group Greats takes to the stage September 22-October 1. Primatheatre.org.

Doing Good

The annual Labor Day Auction will be held at the Solanco Fairgrounds in Quarryville, September 2 and 4. Proceeds from auction items, food sales and a raffle will benefit Hospice & Community Care. Labordayauction.org.

The 35th-annual Schreiber Rubber Duckie Race to benefit Schreiber Pediatric will see thousands of rubber ducks race down the Conestoga River on September 10. Schreiberpediatric.org.

Join with the American Heart Association to fight heart disease by taking part in the annual Lancaster Heart Walk on September 23. Heart.org/lancasterwalk.

Moravian Manor Communities will host its annual Engaging Community event at The Ware Center on November 1. The event will feature dinner (Upohar World Kitchen is the caterer) and keynote speaker, John Quiñones, from ABC News. Proceeds benefit MMC’s Benevolent Care Fund. Moravianmanorcommunities.org.

Balloons, Pumpkins and Pawpaws

The skies over Lancaster will be filled with hot air balloons during the Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival and Country Fair, being held in Bird-in-Hand, September 14-17. Lancasterballoonfest.com.

At Horn Farm Center in Hellam, the pawpaw will reign supreme during the annual Pawpaw Festival, September 23-24. Food, tree sales, educational exhibits, farm/orchard tours and more will be offered. Hornfarmcenter.org.

LancasterHistory will host Past, Present, Pumpkins! on September 30. Learn why we decorate with pumpkins and then decorate a jack-o-lantern of your own. Lancasterhistory.org.

Have you ever wanted to create your own Glass Pumpkin? You can do it at Lancaster Creative Factory, which is offering classes (perfect for beginners) just in time for Halloween. Lancastercreativefactory.com.