Seasonal Festivals & Events

Cumberland Valley is home to an array of festivals and events covering interests ranging from history to crafts to food. Held in a variety of settings, all of these annual festivals and events are family-friendly and most are free! 

Pick Your Season

Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter 

Please note: Event dates are tentative. Please search for the event on the current Events Calendar before planning your trip.

The fall season in Cumberland Valley has no shortage of fun activities. Check out the upcoming fall festivals below or check out our fall trip ideas for some more seasonal fun!

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• On the first Sunday of December, the picturesque village of Boiling Springs lights a floating Christmas Tree. Santa rows across the lake to greet the children and all ages warm up with hot cocoa.
• First Night is a family-oriented New Year's Eve celebration in Carlisle. From music to children's activities to performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The evening culminates with an Indy Car drop and fireworks!
• Drop the Anchor is a family-fun New Year's Eve event in Shippensburg. The downtown comes alive and the night ends with a giant anchor drop.
• The Mechanicsburg Wrench Drop pays tribute to the mechanics that settled the town. Families will love the music, food and 10.5 foot wrench dropped to welcome the new year!

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• Car Show season kicks off with Spring Carlisle at the end of April. Other spring auto shows at the Carlisle Fairgrounds include Import & Performance Nationals.
• Every April join the town of Mechanicsburg for their Earth Day Festival, honoring our planet with music, workshops, kid's activities and more.
• Each Spring, the Appalachian Trail Museum Festival celebrates another season of hiker culture with guest speakers, kids programming and more.
• If you enjoy Greek food, be sure to visit the Greek Fest of Holy Trinity. Whether you're partial to spanakopita, saganaki or gyros, you will find plenty of traditional choices to eat or take home. Be sure to tour the cathedral and enjoy a performance by the traditional dance troupes.
• In May, learn about the Army's history through living-history exhibits, reenactments and special demonstrations at Army Heritage Days at the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center.
• Artists set up along the streets of downtown Camp Hill during the Plein Air Competition and Arts Festival at the end of May. Purchase freshly painted artworks, catch a theatrical performance, enjoy demonstrations and take in a musical performance during this event. There are plenty of activities for the kids too!

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The hot sun means hot fun in Cumberland Valley. Check out some of our favorite summer festivals, events & activities below.

• A juried arts festival, Foundry Day takes place along Children's Lake in the picturesque village of Boiling Springs. Held the first Saturday in June, there is also a quilt festival held in conjunction with Foundry Day every other year.

• Pennsylvania Fly-Fishing Heritage Day is a special treat for outdoorsmen of all ages. Regionally and nationally known experts give presentations and demonstrations, vendors are available and antique tackle dealers are available for appraisals. The day also includes the crowd-pleasing rubber fish race! Held in June; children under 15 admitted free.

• Newville Fountain Festival is a two day festival centered around the town fountain in Newville. Festivities include a parade, antique and craft stands, music, contests, kids' activities and delicious food. Held the third Friday and Saturday in June.

• The Ford Parade is held the Saturday of the annual Ford Nationals auto show. All makes and models of Fords cruise down Hanover and High Streets in Carlisle, shops and restaurants offer specials and are open late and live music fills the streets.

• Held in June, the Solstice Arts Festival features artists displaying, selling and demonstrating their art; live music, interpretive dance, drumming and open mic on the amphitheater stage; children's tent; Eco-Village and Wellness Circle; an Art Wall to be covered in paint by visitors and the culinary court full of delicious goodies.

• Jubilee Day is the largest one-day street fair in the eastern United States. This all-day event is held the third Thursday in June, and features live music, food, arts and many local businesses.

• Carlisle Summerfair is a ten day festival held over the Fourth of July weekend in Carlisle and Boiling Springs. Filled with (mostly) free, family-fun activities, the annual highlights include a parade, fireworks, community theater performances in the Carlisle Theatre, a craft festival, music, ice-cream social, performance by Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and the Anything Floats Race.

• The Corvette Parade is a downtown Carlisle staple. Held the Saturday of the annual Corvettes at Carlisle auto show, spectators line Hanover and High streets to watch over 400 Corvettes of all years and makes cruise through downtown. The night culminates into a street party.

• Shippensburg Corn Festival is rated as the best one-day festival in Pennsylvania. This annual festival takes place 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. There is a fee for this event.

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