Things to do in Pennsylvania
Year Round

Explore your options with this listing of some of our favorite things to do in Pennsylvania.

Hershey Candylane - Amusement rides and the magic of the Christmas season combine for family fun. Open select days from mid-November through December

Christkindlmrkt - Held in historic Bethlehem, PA from late November through mid-December. One of the world's top holiday markets featuring fine artisans from around the globe. Live Christmas music, food and St. Nicholas round out the fun.

Philadelphia Mummers Parade - Legendary New Years Day parade features unique costumes, music, and pageantry on the streets of Philadelphia. Find a spot along Broad St. from South Philly through Center City. Judging takes place around City Hall.

Pennsylvania Farm Show - The country's largest indoor agricultural event held in Harrisburg each January. For over 90 years, visitors come to enjoy educational displays, cooking demonstrations, various contests and much more.

Punxsutawney Groundhog Day Celebration - Three days of family friendly activities including breakfast with Phil, kids crafts, entertainment and more. Of course the finale is seeing Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his burrow to predict the weather for the rest of winter.

Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival - Dozens of sparkling ice sculptures are featured at this winter festival held on Market Street in charming downtown Lewisburg, PA.

Ice-Tee Golf Tournament - Looking for something fun to do in Pennsylvania during February? Check out the Ice-Tee golf tournament on Lake Wallenpaupack in northeast PA. Golf 9 holes on the lake! Golf experience not required.

Philadelphia Flower Show - Held each year in March at the Philadelphia Convention Center, the show features eight days of beautiful blooms and amazing displays.

Berks Jazz Fest - 100+ events at over 35 venues, spanning 10 days means there's something here for almost everyone. The annual festival is one of the largest in the country and is held in Reading, PA.

Lewisburg Arts Festival - A multi-week celebration of the Arts held in late April/early May and featuring workshops, art exhibits, performances and Lewisburg Live! - multiple bands performing at various venues around Lewisburg.

Dad Vail Regatta - Cheer on your favorite team from the banks of the Schuylkill River at this major college rowing event of the year. Held in Philadelphia on during the weekend of the second Saturday in May.Note: For 2010 the Dad Vail Regatta has been moved to Rumson, NJ. Let's hope this Philadelphia tradition comes back home in 2011.

Fine Arts Fiesta - Juried art shows, live performances, an artists market, plenty of kids activities and a wide selection of ethnic food make this 4 day festival a must-do event. Held in mid-May in Wilkes Barre, PA.

Mayfair Festival of the Arts - Memorial Day weekend festival featuring arts, crafts, music, food and fun. Special performances and craft areas for the kids make this a family-friendly festival. Held in Allentown, PA.

Pocono 500 - Nascar Cup Series racing at its finest in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Held in June.

Kutztown Folk Festival - This popular Pennsylvania festival is a celebration of Pennsylvania Dutch culture, food, arts & crafts, music and folklore. A summer favorite for all ages. Don't forget to visit the Quilt Barn!

Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts - This State Collge celebration of the arts is held over four days in mid-July and features all forms of art including visual, dance, music and theatrical performances. Venues are located throughout downtown State College and Penn State's University Park Campus.

Global Fusion Festival - Celebration of diversity featuring cultural music, ethnic dance performances and traditional foods and crafts. This Philadelphia festival is held in mid-July and features a children's pavilion with kid-friendly activities.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix - This 10-day celebration spans six venues and two Western PA counties. It features skills tests, car shows, and thrilling racing events.

Musikfest - This eastern PA festival features ten days of eclectic music, unique foods and over 300 performers from around the globe. Held in July/August. One of our favorite things to do in Pennsylvania each summer.

West End Fair - A week-long family, friendly fair held in Gilbert PA. The fair is held during the last full week in August and features livestock and agricultural displays, amusement rides, live performances and more.

Pennsylvania 500 - The season's second Nascar Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway. Held in August.

Little League World Series - For two weeks every August, Williamsport PA welcomes youth baseball players from around the US and over 70 other countries to compete for the coveted Little League World Championship title. If you go, be sure to visit the Little League Museum near the stadium.

Kennett Square Mushroom Festival - Visit the "Mushroom Capital of the World" for this 2 day festival held each September. Enjoy mushroom farm tours, cooking demos and contests, kids rides, music, entertainment and great food.

Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival - For over 30 years, visitors have flocked to this charming northeast PA town each October to enjoy beautiful foliage, charming shops, scenic train rides, crafts, food, and unique attractions like the Asa Packer Mansion.

Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival - Take a peek into life in the 15th century with jousting, magic shows, artisans and more. Typically open from late August through early October in the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire - 16th century romance and adventure comes alive in Central Pennsylvania. Running on weekends from August-October, the faire features over 90 daily shows, skilled artisans, wine tasting and of course, men in tights!

Shawnee Balloon and Timber Festival - This weekend festival is held in October which is prime leaf peeping season in the Pocono Mountains. Take in the beautiful foliage while enjoying hot air balloons, skydiving exhibits, lumberjack shows, crafts, food and more.

Kennel Club of Philadelphia National Dog Show - Featuring over 2,000 leading canines from a variety of breeds along with kids activities, this is an event for the whole family. Held in November at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center near Valley Forge, PA. Dog Show Details

Hershey Candylane & Christmas in Hershey - Amusement rides and the magic of the Christmas season combine for family fun. Open select days from mid-November through December.

Bellefonte Victorian Christmas - Held in mid-December in historic Victorian Bellefonte. Arts and crafts, holiday home tours, concerts, horse-drawn buggy rides and more.

Christkindlmrkt - Held in historic Bethlehem, PA from late November through mid-December. One of the world's top holiday markets featuring fine artisans from around the globe. Live Christmas music, food and St. Nicholas round out the fun.

Old Time Christmas at Quiet Valley Farm - Experience an old-fashioned Christmas at Quiet Valley Farm in Stroudsburg, PA. On select weekends in December, join guides in period costume for a lantern-lit walk, roaring bonfire, living Nativity, Carolers, mulled cider, snacks and a visit from Belsnikel - a traditional Pennsylvania German figure.

Visit our Pennsylvania Attractions page for more Things to do in Pennsylvania