ART UNDER THE TREES

Nationally ranked in Sunshine Magazine’s “200 Best”, the historic Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show takes place during the summer in Mt. Gretna, PA. Enjoy artwork and items hand-crafted from artisans all over the country and enjoy the beautiful, wooded splendor of Mt. Gretna!

The 50th annual Mount Gretna Art Show, will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, on the streets and in the parks of Mt. Gretna. Show hours are 9am to 6pm, Saturday, and 9am to 5pm, Sunday, rain or shine. Held on the historic grounds of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, the Art Show is consistently ranked highly by artists’ trade publications. The show was ranked in the 200 Best nationwide by Sunshine Artist. The Mt. Gretna Art Show features 200 exhibitors, as well as an “Emerging Artists” section. Parking will be at Soldiers Field on Timber Road, in Mount Gretna, (the fields near the lake) and shuttle service will be available from dedicated parking compliments of WellSpan Philhaven hospital.

Upon arrival, patrons will be directed to the appropriate parking area. The Mount Gretna Volunteer Fire Company will provide shuttle service for handicapped visitors. During the Art Show weekend, traffic flow in and out of Mt. Gretna is substantially altered. Route 117 will be closed during show hours. All routes are clearly marked and staffed. The Art Show features a gourmet food court with outstanding local restaurants. Snitz Creek Brewery will offer craft beer and wine in the Hall of Philosophy during the show. The Kids Art Show, created with family in mind, is scheduled for both days, 10 am to 2 pm, at the Chautauqua Playground. Children will be invited to participate in make-and-take art activities, a, spin art, and more.

Proceeds from the Art Show are used to support cultural programs of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua. The Art Show has an admission charge of $15 for adults and is free for children under 12. The admission fee includes parking in designated parking locations. Please note that no pets are permitted on the Art Show grounds.

Mt. Gretna is a small Victorian community founded in the late 1800s as a summer resort. Initially, the only way for residents to reach their cottages in the woods was to travel by train. The streets in Mt. Gretna were footpaths until automobiles became the regular mode of travel. Many of the original cottages surround the Mt. Gretna Playhouse, an open-air theater where numerous cultural events are held. The quaint atmosphere attracts many visitors every summer for music, theater, miniature golf, a walk in the woods, a ride on the rail-trail, a hike to Governor Dick (an observation tower on top of the mountain), a local ice cream parlor, and of course, the Art Show! Patrons who want to explore more of the Lebanon Valley can check out https://visitlebanonvalley.com/.

For additional information, including images of the artists’ work, posters, puzzles and admission tickets, as well as directions to the show, visit the Art Show website at http://www.mtgretnaarts.com. Mt. Gretna is located on Pennsylvania Route 117 approximately three miles north of Exit 266 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike; seven miles south of Lebanon; 15 miles east of Hershey; or 20 miles north of Lancaster.  GPS address is 101 Chautauqua Drive, Mt. Gretna, PA, 17064.