‘Tis the Season for a Lancaster County Christmas

(Lancaster, Pa.)  “Home for the holidays” is a heartwarming tradition for folks this time of year, so be sure to make time for Lancaster County this holiday season. After all, we’re “home” to American Christmastime traditions like the first Christmas tree, delicious springerle holiday “picture cookies,” and the mischievous Belsnickle – the Pennsylvania Dutch version of Santa Claus who gives coal to kids who’ve been naughty rather than nice.

 

Of course, there’s more than just history that makes a Lancaster County Christmas something truly special. We’ve got fantastic holiday shows, great shopping deals, unique seasonal attractions, and restaurants serving delicious PA Dutch dishes – all packaged up in ready-made itineraries, or for including in your own personalized exploration.

 

Plus, stay over to enjoy more of our good cheer for as little as $89/night at participating lodging, now through Dec 26.

 

After the more muted colors of harvest time, there’s a festive beauty to the spirited colors of red, green, silver, and gold splashed across the Lancaster countryside, its towns and villages, and the city of Lancaster.

 

The pure joy of the season shines through in classic Yuletide tales and lively holiday songs ringing out from a multitude of theatres, like the true spirit of the season captured by the Theater of the Seventh Sister’s uniquePay-What-You-Will production of A Christmas Carol (reservations recommended; Dec. 9-30), or the seasonal extravaganza that is the American Music Theatre’s 2010 Christmas Show (now through Dec. 30).

 

Colorfully-lit shops twinkle in the crisp air, full of holiday treasures and hand-crafted presents. Get good deals and great memories with an old-fashioned Christmas shopping trip to our artisans and Amish craftsmen, town and village Main Streets, brand-name outlet stores, and fresh country markets.

 

Decorated visitor attractions celebrate the sheer fun of Christmastime, as well as our Pennsylvania German and Amish seasonal heritage. Amuse yourself with great rides, entertainment, and other seasonal festivities at Dutch Winter Wonderland (now through Dec. 30), explore 15 different scenes from Yuletide days past and present at the National Christmas Center, or take a 45-minute journey with Santa on an authentic steam train on Santa’s Paradise Express at Strasburg Rail Road (weekends through Dec. 18-19).

 

And don’t miss out on Downtown Lancaster for the Holidays (Fri.-Sun. through Dec. 17-19), centered ‘round our community Christmas tree in Penn Square, visits with Santa in Binns Park, horsedrawn carriage rides, strolling musical entertainment, the Citizen’s Bank model train display, and special shopping hours at our distinctive city retailers.

 

It’s moments such as these and more that make a holiday trip to Lancaster seem like something out of the ordinary, yet feel just like home. So come “home” this year, to a Lancaster County Christmas.

 

Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, and the PA Dutch CVB is dedicated to promoting its many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our vibrant downtown city life – featuring galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music – or explore some of the surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and hands-on activities for which Lancaster is famous. Visit us at www.padutchcountry.com. Lancaster is also part of Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country Roads region, a true vacation destination where country meets city and the past lives side-by-side with the present.

Joel Cliff, Media Relations Manager
Phone: 717-735-0311
E-mail: jcliff@padutchcountry.com