The holidays have finally arrived, with festive lights, ugly sweaters, and get-togethers with family and friends. As December is nearing its end, families are not only looking forward to enjoying their usual traditions but are also discovering new places to travel to and festive activities to do. In and nearby Lancaster County, there are unforgettable experiences awaiting. 

Places of Great Beauty: 

       During this magical season, beauty thrives despite the harsh weather and frigid temperatures. In fact, millions of Americans start the holiday season by putting up lights to bring brightness to the world. Like these individual displays, the lights at Longwood Gardens inspire all who come there.

      Longwood Gardens hosts a display of unique and dazzling flowers, trees, and fountain shows year-round. However, during the holidays, extra effort is made to create a breathtaking trip with thousands of lights, train displays, decorated treehouses, a variety of holiday flowers, and festive fountain shows. 

      The holidays at Longwood Gardens are for all ages, with interactive activities in the Indoor Children’s Garden, artistic holiday train displays, and natural wonders for kids and parents alike. 

      To enjoy a visit to Longwood, there is a fee for tickets. Tickets for people ages five to 18 are $16, tickets for adults over 19 years old are $30, and tickets for seniors over the age of 65 as well as active military and veterans are $27. Holiday displays at Longwood Gardens take place until January 8th.

       In addition to Longwood Gardens, Jim Thorpe hosts a breathtaking display of colors and lights. The town itself is a Victorian-aged masterpiece containing two mansions, one of which Disney designed its Haunted Mansion off of; a railroad through the Poconos Mountains; about a hundred miles of trails; and cozy shops and restaurants. During the holidays, the historic town becomes extremely beautiful and showcases its history and quaint charms.

      Additionally, Clipper Magazine Stadium organizes a drive-through light show known as the Christmas Spirit Light Show. The drive is one mile long and contains a variety of colorful lights and splendors that change color with the holiday music that plays.

      Tickets for a small or medium-sized car cost $25 with an additional fee of $2.38. For a large vehicle or mini bus, tickets cost $35 with an additional $2.89 fee. 

      This list of holiday displays is certainly not exhausted. According to “Top Drive-Thru Holiday Light Shows in Lancaster, PA.,” other showcases include the Hershey Sweet Lights, Christmas Lights at Refreshing Mountain, and Herr’s Christmas Lights Display. 

Historic Holiday Activities: 

      Beauty is certainly a monumental element of the joy the holidays bring, but the holidays themselves hold special historic meaning in Pennsylvania. For those that enjoy learning about the classic traditions of years long past, Lancaster County is definitely the place to be.

      At President Buchanan’s Wheatland mansion, Victorian-style and character is extremely prominent year-round. During the holiday season, extra flare is added to make Wheatland magical. 

      From November 22nd to December 30th, the historic team at Wheatland hosts Yuletide, which is an old-fashioned form of Christmas. The team gives tours of the festive Victorian mansion, teaching children and parents alike about the history of Victorian-aged Christmas and about President Buchanan’s own holiday traditions.

      Tickets for Yuletide at Wheatland are free for children under the age of five, $8 for children from ages six to 13 as well as Lancaster History Members, and $17 for people 14 years or older.

      In addition to learning about the holidays at Wheatland, Lancaster also offers an historic experience at Rockford, the home of General Edward Hand. 

      Like Wheatland, Rockford also hosts a traditional Yuletide. Rockford offers guided tours running from December 27th to December 29th; these tours include harpsichord music, Victorian-style dancing, and cooking demonstrations. The tours are free for children below the age of five, $10 for Rockford Members, $12 for children ages six to 17, $13 for seniors aged 65 or older, and $15 for adults.

   The Holidays in Lancaster City:

      Beauty and history can be found throughout Lancaster County, but Lancaster City itself holds its own unique treasures. As Lancaster City prepares for the holidays, lights have been hung, the city’s Christmas tree and menorahs have been lit, and plays have been performed. 

      One of the many splendors of Lancaster City is the Fulton Theater. The Fulton hosts a variety of shows throughout the holiday season, such as Irvin Berlin’s White Christmas, which will be playing until December 31st. Evening gallery tickets for the play are $31, evening mezzanine tickets range from $67 to $92, and evening Orchestra and Parquet Circle tickets also range from $67 to $92. 

      In addition to the shows at the Fulton, Lancaster City hosts a traditional Menorah Lighting. The Jewish Community Alliance of Lancaster organizes Menorah Lightings running through December 25th. These ceremonies take place at Penn Square in Lancaster City at 5:30 every day until the 25th. 

         The holidays are certainly a magical season, and it is important to experience new traditions and explorations in order to fully appreciate the season. Holiday fun can be found throughout Lancaster and beyond, waiting to be explored.