FRIDAY EVENING
Start your festival weekend with the opening ceremonies for Carlisle Summerfair, a 10-day wide community celebration featuring a variety of free, family-friendly events. Taking place on the Dickinson College campus from 6 pm to 8 pm, guests will enjoy an ice cream social, a kids' carnival, and a concert by Cheap Sneakers, a favorite local band -- all FREE.
Racing fans can catch Friday night racing at Williams Grove Speedway with the start of Pennsylvania Speedweek.
The comfortable weather is ideal for al fresco dining. With over 300 restaurants in the Cumberland Valley, you'll find a diverse range of cuisine types, including Belgian, Japanese, Nepalese, Thai, and more, alongside favorite American classics. Pictured: Dockside Willies
SATURDAY MORNING
Start your day with a delicious, seasonal treat. Cumberland Valley is bursting with farm markets and bakeries serving fresh produce and mouth-watering baked goods.
On the West Shore, check out the West Shore Farmer's Market. This 60,000-ft facility is home to 50 vendors selling a delectable and delightful array of produce, meats, cheeses, spices, and baked goods. If you have time, browse the upstairs shops for home decor, gifts, clothing, and more. Or visit the Dillsburg Farmers' Market, the New Cumberland Saturday Market, and Farmers' Market on the Lawn in Newville. These seasonal open-air markets feature locally-grown produce, baked goods, and other delightful treats.
Talking Breads (pictured) in Mechanicsburg mills their own flour and makes many baked items, including Old World European bread, scones, turnovers, and hand pies in an open-concept bakery.
Crazy Glazed Donut Shop in Carlisle is the perfect spot for a quick bite to eat and a delicious drink. Savor fresh-from-the-fryer, made-to-order vanilla cake donuts with specialty glazes in tasty flavors complemented by refreshing beverages.
SATURDAY EVENTS
Today's lineup of festivals means a full day of eating, drinking, shopping, and entertainment. It showcases all the reasons why Cumberland Valley is a wonderful place to live, work, play, and visit. Choose your favorite or hit all four stops if you're feeling ambitious.
First Annual Brews on the Breeches Festival (June 28)
Allenberry's inaugural Brews on the Breeches Festival is a celebration of craft flavors, live music, and artisanal vibes under the trees. Enjoy sips from local breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies, food trucks, an artisan market, and lawn games, all while listening to local musicians. Event hours: 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Event cost: $35. Click here for tickets.
Shippensburg Mac & Cheese Festival (June 28)
The Shippensburg Mac & Cheese Festival is back at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds, and it’s cheesier, creamier, and more delicious than ever with some of the area's best restaurants, chefs, and food trucks to serve up their boldest, most mouthwatering mac & cheese creations. From crispy-topped classics to wild, creative twists, this is your day to sample them all and vote for your favorites! Event Hours: 12 pm to 4 pm. Event Cost: $23 to $55. Click here for tickets.
Spirit of Schimmel Wood Carving Expo (June 28)
The Friends of Historic Heishman’s Mill are excited to host a demonstration and expo featuring regional woodcarvers who work in the folk art tradition of Wilhelm Schimmel. Schimmel was an itinerant folk art woodcarver who lived and worked in the area during the late 1800s. He was a personal friend of John Greider, who owned the Mill from 1868 to 1896. The Cumberland County Historical Society has several of Schimmel's carvings on display. Enjoy a day at the mill as top carvers showcase their skills and sell their creations. Event Hours: 9 am to 4 pm. Event Cost: Free
Appalachian Trail Arts & Culture Festival (June 28)
This inaugural event welcomes A.T. authors, photographers, painters, poets, musicians, storytellers, and woodcarvers. Guests will enjoy discussion, readings, exhibits, demonstrations, and artists at work. Outdoor enthusiasts and supporters of the Appalachian Trail will have the chance to interact with cultural figures and purchase works of art and signed copies of books. And, of course, a tour of the Appalachian Trail Museum, the only museum in the country dedicated solely to hiking, is a must. Event Hours: 10 am to 4 pm. Event Cost: Free
Carlisle Summerfair
A variety of family-friendly and free events continue on Saturday, including:
- Historic Baseball @ U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center, starting at 9 am
- Old Courthouse Tour, 10 am to 11 am
- Craft Show, Dickinson College campus, 9 am to 3 pm
SATURDAY EVENING
The fun continues Saturday night. Race go-karts, play mini-golf, compete in laser tag, and enjoy arcade games at the Carlisle Sports Emporium or catch a movie under the stars at the Cumberland Drive-In Theatre. End the evening with a flavorful dinner and artisan cocktails on the covered front porch of the Watershed Pub in Camp Hill.
Tap, tour, and try a pint on the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail. Sign up for a free passport and visit over 25 breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries spread out over the Valley. Check in at participating locations and earn prizes. With so many flavors to explore, you'll want to make a return visit.
SUNDAY MORNING
Start Sunday morning with peaceful Yoga on the Terrace ($10 donation suggested) at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. Afterward, stay around to take a free self-guided tour of the mansion and hike some of the 25 miles of trails. The park has numerous overlooks and picnic areas.
If you signed up for our Beer Trail passport, several locations along the trail offer delicious Sunday brunch options.
Or, begin your morning with a hunt for treasures at the Carlisle Antique Mall or the Antique Marketplace of Lemoyne. Find unique antiques or vintage gems from hundreds of different vendors. Pictured: Carlisle Antique Mall
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Fill your Instagram feed and capture the spirit of Cumberland Valley with images of downtown murals, tucked-away covered bridges, and other scenic spots when you explore the Cumberland Valley Photo Trail. Along the way, you're sure to find other happy surprises.
Or put on your hiking shoes and explore a section of the iconic Appalachian Trail. With 46 miles of the A.T. running through the Valley and easily accessible locations with parking, you can follow the white blazes for an outdoor adventure. Check out the A.T. Summer Bucket List Challenge for an opportunity to win prizes. Pictured: Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch
MAKE A RETURN VISIT
If you enjoyed your summer trip to Cumberland Valley, we hope you return later in the year to view our stunning fall foliage and attend a variety of fall festivals. Highlights include:
September 12: Uprise Fest
September 20: Shippensburg Beer & Wine Festival
September 27: Harvest of the Arts
September 27: New Cumberland Apple Festival
October 11: Pennsboro Pumpkin Fest
Peak fall foliage typically occurs in mid-late October. Whether you prefer to drive or hike, find the best viewing spots. Pictured: Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
