Cumberland Valley Summer Festivals & Events
The hot sun means hot fun in Cumberland Valley. Check out some of our favorite summer festivals, events & activities below, and head to our events calendar for more information on dates and times.
June
Foundry Day is a juried arts festival that takes place along Children's Lake in the picturesque village of Boiling Springs. It is held annually on the first Saturday in June. (NOTE: in 2023, Children's Lake is undergoing construction for a repair project.)
The Newville Fountain Festival is a two-day family-friendly event centered around the town fountain in Newville. Festivities include a parade, antique and craft vendors, live music, contests, and delicious food. It is held annually on the third Friday and Saturday in June.
The Downtown Carlisle Ford Parade and Street Party is held during the annual Ford Nationals auto show. All makes and models of Fords cruise down Hanover and High Streets in Carlisle. Shops and restaurants are open late, and live music fills the streets.
Jubilee Day is the largest, longest-running one-day street fair on the East Coast. This annual event features over 325 vendors offering food, games, arts & crafts, business information, retail products, carnival rides, and more. There is a Children's Area with activities for young children and live entertainment on two stages. Jubilee Day takes place annually on the third Thursday in June.
The Iron Bridge Music Festival takes place the third weekend in June in New Cumberland and is a free event that celebrates all things music. Enjoy live music, a beer garden, food trucks, and more along the scenic Yellow Breeches Creek.
Carlisle Summerfair returns in 2023 with its commitment to providing the community with family-friendly events offered at no cost. There will be 30 events taking place over ten days. Activities include concerts, a craft show, a fishing derby, a mini-golf tournament, and a scavenger hunt.
July
Bluegrass on the Grass takes place each July on the Dickinson College campus. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy a full day of bluegrass music.
Activities during the six-day Shippensburg Community Fair include on-stage entertainment, numerous food vendors, rides and games, truck and tractor pulls, horse shows and pulls, a craft show, fair exhibits, and more.
There are also numerous July 4th celebrations taking place in communities through Cumberland Valley, including Stars Burst Over Carlisle and the Food Truck Festival & Fireworks along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg.
August
The Shippensburg Corn Festival is rated as the best one-day festival in Pennsylvania. This annual festival takes place on the last Saturday in August and includes more than 300 craft and antique vendors, performances, and every type of corn you can imagine!
The Annual Steam Engine Show in Mechanicsburg is a must for any railroad enthusiast. Watch steam engine and tractor parades, horse and tractor pulls, find a deal at the farmer's flea market or enjoy the nightly live music. The event is held the last week of August and usually concludes during Labor Day weekend.
The Carlisle Corvette Parade & Downtown Street Party is held on the Saturday of the annual Corvettes at Carlisle auto show and features over 40 Corvettes of all years and makes. Watch as there cruise through downtown and enjoy a street party atmosphere with live music and food and drink specials.
The Cumberland Ag Expo is a multi-day fair that celebrates Cumberland Valley's rich agricultural heritage and is usually held in mid-August at the Newville Lions Fairgrounds.