Key Takeaways: Autumn Fairs & Harvest Festivals in Lancaster
Community Fair Season: Experience the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch culture through local annual fairs featuring agricultural exhibits, traditional parades, live music, and classic fair foods like handmade funnel cakes.
Signature Arts & Entertainment: Plan your visit around prestigious regional events, including the juried Longs Park Art Festival over Labor Day weekend and the immersive Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, which runs from late summer through October.
Harvest Traditions: Embrace the season with family-friendly activities like apple picking at local orchards, navigating massive corn mazes, and visiting pumpkin patches at iconic spots like Cherry Crest Farm and Oregon Dairy.
A “Next-Door” Harvest Experience: Enjoy unmatched convenience when staying at AmishView Inn & Suites, located directly next to local favorites like Kauffman’s Fruit Market for fresh apple butter and cider.
Autumn is here, and in Lancaster County that means fairs! Almost every town in the area runs their own fair during the fall. To help you plan your trip to Amish Country, here are some of our favorite events.
Community Fairs and Festivals
Throughout September and the rest of autumn, communities across Lancaster county hold their annual fairs. Contests, rides, parades, food, and agricultural exhibits are just a few of the attractions available to fair-goers. The specifics of each fair vary from town to town, with some boasting live music and competitions in addition to the more traditional events.
If you like dunk tanks and funnel cake, take a look at this listing of farm shows and fairs that are held in Lancaster County for more details!
We also love all the arts and craft festivals. Labor Day weekend is the Annual Longs Park Labor Day Art Festival – this 3 day event is a juried art festival. Get your tickets today.
Plus, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire kicks off mid-August and runs Saturdays and Sundays until late October.
Music and Festivals
Lancaster MusicFest happens every September in Buchanan Park (Lancaster City). It is a lively outdoor celebration featuring live music, local food, craft beverages, street performers, artisans, and plenty of room to relax with friends. This festival is produced by the SmartHub Foundation, whose mission is to support a more engaged, healthy, and vibrant Lancaster community. Proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network and Schreiber Pediatric, making Lancaster MusicFest a fun and meaningful way to enjoy the best of Lancaster County.
I-105 FallFest happens the first weekend in October in Lancaster, PA. This Country Music fest bring is big headliners. Check out the list and schedule here.
One World Festival – The One World Festival in Lancaster celebrates the rich cultures, traditions, and communities that make Lancaster County such a welcoming place to visit. Guests can enjoy a colorful day of international food, music, performances, and family-friendly activities while learning about the heritage of neighbors from around the world. This inspiring community event is a wonderful way to experience the spirit of Lancaster—joyful, diverse, and connected
Plus, there are a ton of places that have outdoor music during the cooler fall months.
Harvest – Apples to Pumpkins
Try picking apples at any of the many orchards in Lancaster County. And don’t forget to get some tasty apple cider and apple butter. Check out Cherry Hill Orchard or Kauffman’s Fruit Market (located right next to AmishView).
Plus, end of September is a great time to start getting pumpkins and gourds for fall decorations whether you stop at a roadside stand or hit one of the many pumpkin patches. We love heading to Cherry Crest Farm with all the kid activities and the corn maze. Or over to Oregon Dairy for pumpkin chucking, pumpkin picking and the corn maze. It will also be the last Homestead Days at Plain & Fancy Farm for the year in September.
Don’t miss Harvest Days at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum which happens the 2nd weekend in October. Demonstrations, live music, activities and more!
Lancaster County may be tranquil, but it sure isn’t boring. If you attend one of these events and have a blast, remember to come back next year! Follow us on social media for even more great events here in Lancaster.
