2024 Holiday Events in the Lebanon Valley
Thanksgiving has come and gone and, as our friend Mariah Carey reminds us each year, that means one thing: It’s Time!!! From holiday gift shows to horse-drawn carriage rides, this blog has got all the festivities (and all of their details) for getting into the yuletide spirit this year.
The holidays are here in the Lebanon Valley, and you should be too…
1. Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides in Downtown Lebanon
Head to downtown Lebanon on Friday December 6 or 13 for a festive horse-drawn carriage ride through the heart of the city! A cherished holiday tradition each year in Lebanon, these horse-drawn carriage rides are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, while also supporting the community. Each carriage holds 10-15 people, so bring the whole family, or finally get the friend group out of the group chat, for a magical ride around Lebanon. Carriage Rides will begin at 5 p.m. both nights, with the last carriage setting off at 7:30 p.m. Register online to reserve your spot before they sell out!
Dates & Times: 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 & Friday, Dec. 13, 2024
Address: 31 S. 8th St., Lebanon, PA
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children
2. Christmas at Cornwall
This annual holiday event takes place at the historic Cornwall Iron Furnace. Enjoy guided tours of the furnace, snack on seasonal refreshments, and snap a family photo in front of the furnace’s large Christmas tree. Across the street, venture inside the Paymaster’s Office for family crafts and visits from Santa, and then take a tour of the Buckingham Mansion or see the model railroad display in the former Coleman Stable.
Date & Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Dec. 7, 2024
Address: 94 Rexmont Road, Cornwall, PA
Cost: $8 for adults, $4 for youth (3-17), free for children 2 and under. Tickets will be sold on the day of the event at the Cornwall Iron Furnace Visitor Center. The walking tour costs an additional $5 per person.
3. Lebanon Christkindl Market
Take a stroll through an artisan craft market featuring handmade goods, seasonal wares, and jewelry at the Lebanon Christkindl Market. Located in the storied Coleman Memorial Park, the market will also give you a chance to experience live performances from a number of German and Austrian folk dancers and musicians. And be sure to take a swing at Buddy the Elf’s “School for Elves” before you go! Food and refreshments from Cool Beans Brew, Grilled Cheese Café, and Keller BBQ will also be available on site.
Date & Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024
Address: 1400 W Maple St., Lebanon, PA
Cost: Free
4. Christmas Open House at the Lebanon Historical Society
Explore the Lebanon Historical Society (with free admission!) during their annual Christmas Open House. Be sure to bring along the kids, and kids at heart, to check out the interactive model train set and crafting activities. Organized in 1898, the Lebanon Historical Society has grown immensely since it’s humble beginnings and is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, exhibiting, and publishing the history of the Lebanon Valley.
Date & Time: 1:30 – 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024
Address: 924 Cumberland St., Lebanon, PA
Cost: Free
5. Christmas on the Square in Schaefferstown
Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer in Schaefferstown at Christmas on the Square. Grab dinner from one of six food trucks, experience live music by Jake Sholl, gather around for the tree lighting at 6 p.m., and stick around for a visit with Santa afterwards! And if those festivities are not reason enough, might we add that Bouchette Vineyards & Winery will also be in attendance with drinks for friends 21 and over.
Date & Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024
Address: 200 S. Market St., Schaeffferstown, PA
Cost: Free
6. White Christmas at Lebanon Community Theatre
If you’re looking for a show to attend this December, consider a trip to the Lebanon Community Theatre for their run of the holiday classic, White Christmas. Not only will the performance get you into the holiday spirit with all its cheesy yuletide magic, but a night at the theatre is also a great way to support the arts in our community. You outta consider yourself plenty lucky, if you’re able to make it to one of these performances!
Dates & Times: Various showtimes, Dec. 12 – 15 & Dec. 19 – 22, 2024
Address: E. Maple St. at Theatre Drive, Stoever’s Dam Park, Lebanon, PA
Cost: Tickets start at $17
7. Christkindlmarkt
Hosted by Historic Schaefferstown in the Social Hall at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, this annual Christkindlmarkt honors the rich Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in the quaint village of Schaefferstown. Browse through early American and Pennsylvania German goods and crafts made by over 20 skilled artisans from the local region. Don’t miss this chance to find a unique, handcrafted piece for gifting (or keeping) this holiday season!
Dates & Times: 4 – 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13 & 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
Address: 1304 Heidelberg Ave, Schaefferstown, PA
Cost: Free
8. Christmas at the Homestead
Stop by the Isaac Meier Homestead, a location on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, for Christmas at the Homestead. This shopping experience will feature a variety of Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers, including penny rugs for all seasons, handmade brooms, crochet wool hats, goat milk soaps and lip balms, and gourd baskets. The homestead will also provide complimentary mulled cider and baked goods to enjoy while you shop.
Date & Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Dec. 14, 2024
Address: 524 S College St., Myerstown, PA
Cost: Free
9. Historic Lantern Walk at the Isaac Meier Homestead
After attending Christmas at the Homestead in the morning, head back to the Isaac Meier House in the evening for their Historic Lantern Walk. The jolly old fella will be in attendance, so be sure to bring the kids along to this festive evening of crafts, hayrides, and candlelight tours around the homestead. Tours will begin at 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., and there will be cookies, s’mores, hot dogs, mulled cider, and hot cocoa for refreshments.
Date & Time: 6 – 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
Address: 524 S. College St., Myerstown, PA
Cost: Free
10. Central Pennsylvania Symphony presents Home for the Holidays
Don’t miss your chance to see the Central Pennsylvania Symphony alongside the talented Annville-Cleona Secondary School Choir in their performance of Home for the Holidays: Decorating with Songs of the Season. Enjoy listening to holiday classics such as “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” performed under the guidance of the Symphony’s music director and conductor Stephen Czarkowski and Annville Secondary’s choral director Sarah Cranney. With 2024 being the Lebanon Valley’s Year of the Arts, these performances are the perfect way to ring in the holiday season while celebrating the arts in our community!
Date & Time: 3 – 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024
Address: 500 S. White Oak St., Annville, PA
Cost: Tickets start at $10
11. Drunken Smithy Yule Bazaar
Join the Drunken Smithy’s and the St. James Players for their annual Yule Bazaar at the Lebanon Valley Mall. Much like a renaissance festival, the Yule Bazaar will include live theatrical and musical entertainment, costume contests, family friendly activities, and costumed actors for all attendees to interact with. Plenty of vendors will also be in attendance with items ranging from handcrafted jewelry and metal masterpieces to board games and books!
Date & Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday Dec. 14 & Sunday Dec. 15, 2024
Address: 2231 Lebanon Valley Mall, Route 422, Lebanon, PA
Cost: Free
12. New Year’s Eve Bologna Drop
When you’re in Lebanon on New Year’s Eve, you celebrate by watching Lebanon Bologna fall from the sky. It’s just what you do. Join the City of Lebanon and Mayor Sherry Capello to ring (bologna) in the New Year in classic Lebanon fashion with the annual bologna drop, which features meat donated from Lebanon County’s own Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats. The evening’s free festivities will be held on South Eighth Street between Chestnut and Cumberland Streets, with a DJ playing music from 10 p.m. – midnight.
Date & Time: 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 – 12 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025
Address: S. 8th St., between Chestnut & Cumberland Sts., Lebanon, PA
Cost: Free
Happy Holidays from Visit Lebanon Valley!
Discover even more to do in the Lebanon Valley this winter on our event calendar!
