As September wraps up and October begins, fair season continues, while Halloween events start to pop up on the calendar.
New Holland Farmers Fair
September 30-October 3
New Holland
The 94th edition of the fair includes a parade, midway, competitions, exhibits, livestock shows, kid’s events and plenty of tasty food. Hours vary. Fair is held along Main Street and intersecting streets. Information: Newhollandfair.org.
Beautiful, The Carole King Musical
September 30-November 7
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
This inspiring true story about Carole King spans from her early days as a Brooklyn teenager struggling to enter the record business to her years spent as a chart-topping music legend and one of the most successful singer-songwriters in music history. Before she was a star, Carole King was crafting chart-toppers for artists like The Shirelles, The Drifters, and Aretha Franklin. As her personal life shifted, so did her voice, culminating in the groundbreaking Tapestry album and a sound all her own. With unforgettable hits like It’s Too Late, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Beautiful is a moving, music-filled portrait of resilience, self-discovery and the healing power of song. This show is rated PG13. Days and times vary; lunch and dinner options available. 510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster. Information: Dutchapple.com
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
October
Ronks
The farm’s 5-acre corn maze offers 2.5 miles of pathways. This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Ring.” During October, the Flashlight Maze is offered Friday and Saturday nights until 10 p.m. Also on October weekends, guest breweries and wineries will be onsite. Fireworks will also be held Saturday nights through November 7, when Pumpkin Madness (10 a.m.-10 p.m.) closes the season with a thrilling quest to discover the ultimate pumpkin destruction techniques. From smashing and throwing to bowling, dropping and carving, there’s no shortage of excitement. Bring along your leftover Halloween pumpkins or use some of Cherry Crest’s. There’s a pumpkin drop at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 8:30 p.m. 150 Cherry Hill Rd., Ronks. Information:Cherrycrestfarm.com.
Strasburg Rail Road
October
Ronks
The Strasburg Rail Road has plenty of fun planned for October, including the Brakeman’s Curse ride that recalls a mysterious crash that occurred 40 years ago and gave way to tales of a mysterious curse that seemed to have followed the restored rail car. A cast of characters will be onboard to try and solve the mystery. Dates: Weekends October 2-25. The family-friendly Pumpkin Junction Fall Festival (weekends) will feature a train ride, games, food and a pumpkin-carving contest. 300 Gap Rd., Ronks. Information:Strasburgrailroad.com
Art & Wine Heist
October 2
John Wright Restaurant
Columbia Animal Shelter’s annual benefit returns for a ninth year. An evening of art, wine, mystery and meaningful impact will feature a Wine Pull for Purchase (will the mystery bottle be a fun everyday wine or a top-shelf treasure); art displays (and the Heist Countdown in which guests race to “heist” their chosen artwork!); and a live auction that will include once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including trips to destinations like Key West, exclusive private dinners and chef experiences, luxury items, etc. Finally, Fund the Need enables guests to make direct contributions that go straight to lifesaving medical care, food, equipment, and shelter for animals. 6 p.m. 234 N. Front St., Wrightsville. Information: Columbiaanimalshelter.com
Dine on Harvest Moon
October 2
Lancaster County Convention Center
The Lancaster Conservancy is hosting this all-important benefit that invites you to be transported to the treetops of our woodlands and the open skies of our meadows. The night will come alive with the vibrant beauty of nature in a space transformed to honor the feathered friends that grace our forests and fields. Protecting and restoring our natural lands is key to the Conservancy’s mission and to ensuring that our community and wildlife can thrive. The loss of birds has long been seen as a warning that something is not right in our natural world. But their return can offer an equally strong message, one of resilience and hope. The evening will include a reception, raffles, an auction, dinner and a program. 5:30 p.m. 25 S. Queen St., Lancaster. Information: Lancasterconservancy.org
Harvest Breakfast
October 3
Lancaster Central Market
The market’s standholders will have special harvest-themed, pay-as-you-go food stands set up outside the market house. Event also features live music, face painting, pumpkin painting and more! 8 a.m.-noon. 23 N. Market St., Lancaster. Information: Centralmarketlancaster.com
Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show
October 3
Moravian Church Square
Despite the change in scenery and season, the Lititz Art Association’s commitment to “Fine Art” remains unchanged. This show continues its legacy as one of the few strictly fine art exhibitions in the area, featuring original works and high-quality reproductions from over 130 local and out-of-state artists. The show features a diverse range of mediums. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Moravian Church Square along Main St. Information: Lititzpa.com
Maize & Snitz Fest
October 3
1719 Museum
The festival brings Lancaster County’s early Indigenous and European cultures to life with historical demonstrations, local vendors and tours of the Herr House and Lancaster Longhouse. Artisans will showcase traditional crafts originating from Europe and the Indigenous Peoples of the Eastern Woodlands. Crafts such as apple butter making, blacksmithing, beadwork and music helped to shape Lancaster County’s history and now tell its story. Throughout the day, interpreters will lead demonstrations near the Herr House and the Lancaster Longhouse, offering insight into historic art forms, industries, and traditional cooking. Guests can also bid on silent auction items, courtesy of local donors, artists and businesses. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 1849 Hans Herr Dr., Willow Street. Information: Mennonitelife.org
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
October 3
Binns Park & Ewell Plaza
Event will feature live music, dancing, food trucks and vendors, and a marketplace, where unique crafts, arts and products that highlight the beauty and creativity of Hispanic heritage will be on display. 3-8 p.m. 2nd block of North Queen St., Lancaster. Information: Visitlancastercity.com
One World Festival
October 4
Lancaster
Back for its 5th year, the festival that celebrates the world’s cultures will feature food, vendors, music, dancing, live performances and more. There will also be a Kids Zone, featuring a variety of activities. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Alumni Sports & Fitness Center, F&M College, 929 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster. Information: Oneworldfestivallancaster.org
Garden Railways Tour
October 4
Various locations
Back for its 19th year, this self-guided tour of operating model trains takes you to six outdoor and garden settings. The tour makes for a fun outing for train enthusiasts of all ages. Sponsored by the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. (Note: This is a ticketed event.) 1-5 p.m. Information: RRmuseumpa.org
I-105 Fallfest
October 4
Overlook Community Park
WIOV’s annual country music extravaganza will feature such artists as Tyler Hubbard, Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Harper Grace and Trent Becker & The Collective. Food trucks and beverage vendors will be onsite. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 605 Granite Run Dr., Lancaster. (Note: This is a ticketed event.) Information: Fallfestconcert.com
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Mark Your Calendars: September 28-October 4
As September wraps up and October begins, fair season continues, while Halloween events start to pop up on the calendar. New Holland Farmers Fair September 30-October 3 New Holland The 94th edition of the fair includes a parade, midway, competitions, exhibits, livestock shows, kid’s events and plenty of tasty food. Hours vary. Fair is held…
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October Thrills and Chills
There’s nothing quite like October’s crisp weather and colorful scenery. Put them together and you have the perfect backdrop for harvest celebrations, fairs, festivals, fundraisers and, of course, Halloween festivities. Photos are from Social Media and LCM files Fall/Harvest New Holland Farmers Fair September 30-October 3 New Holland The 94th edition of the fair includes…
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Mark Your Calendars: September 21-27
Fall officially starts this week and with it comes community celebrations and farmers fairs, the return of a hot air balloon festival, the launch of a new season of music and theatre, and a salute to the day on which Lancaster served as the nation’s capital. Ephrata Fair September 22-26 Ephrata In Ephrata, you get…
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October’s Spooky Happenings
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm October Ronks The farm’s 5-acre corn maze offers 2.5 miles of pathways. This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Ring.” During October, the Flashlight Maze is offered Friday and Saturday nights until 10 p.m. Also on October weekends, guest breweries and wineries will be onsite. Fireworks will also be held Saturday nights…
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Fulton Theatre’s Gala Goes Revved-up and Retro
Give Lancaster’s theater-loving crowd a theme and get out of the way! When the Fulton Theatre announced its 2026-2027 season of productions to its most ardent supporters – the Producer’s Circle – and community member patrons, the vibe was totally 60s: The Beat Goes On! With flashy, nostalgic Hairspray serving as the Fulton Theatre’s kickoff…
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Yellow Buggies and Goose Day
Come along with me as I discover both the familiar and the unique as a tourist in Pennsylvania’s other Amish country. It is well known that Lancaster County is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. With approximately 40,500 Amish residents, Lancaster is home to the oldest and largest continuous Old Order Amish and Mennonite settlements in…
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