Theatre & Arts Movies Performing Arts Visual Arts

Artisans have made Cumberland County their home since the 18th century. That tradition continues today, and you can see the work of local painters, photographers, sculptors, potters, weavers, and jewelry makers at more than 20 studios and galleries in Carlisle, Boiling Springs, Mechanicsburg, and Camp Hill. Exhibits of fine art can be viewed at the Trout Gallery at Dickinson College as well as the art galleries at Shippensburg University and Messiah College .

Cumberland County has long been home to both community and professional theater. Allenberry Playhouse, which opened in 1949, produces live professional theater ten months of the year as well as Murder Mystery weekends during the winter. The Oyster Mill Playhouse, located in an 1820s mill, and the Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, situated in an 1863 school house, both present seasons of high-quality community theatre.

Everyone loves to go to the movies. Cinema complexes are scattered throughout the county, but if you want a delightful dose of nostalgia then see a movie in one of Cumberland County's two theaters that were built in 1939. You can catch current movies at the West Shore Theater in New Cumberland or foreign and independent films at the Carlisle Theatre.

Music lovers can hear everything from classical, big band, jazz, country western, blue grass and alternative rock at Cumberland County 's nightspots and yearly fairs and festivals. For those who like the rousing music of John Philip Sousa and other greats, a round of band concerts in the park are held during the summer in Carlisle , Camp Hill, and other communities. The West Shore Symphony, the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and choral groups such as Cantate Carlisle round out Cumberland County 's cultural arts scene.