Things To Do During Winter in York, PA

Lancaster County is home to Amish country, beautiful scenery, close-knit communities, and plenty of family-friendly fun. Just because the weather's getting chilly doesn't mean you have to retreat indoors to wait for spring. Pennsylvania Dutch Country has plenty of wintry events and festivities to keep your family entertained until the flowers bloom in April. Here are five seasonal things to do this winter in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Ride a Holiday Train at Strasburg Rail Road

0308 Strasburg Rail Road by Klaus Nahr is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg is always a charming local spot to visit if you want to soak up vintage visuals and celebrate the history of the area. It's never more magical than during the holiday months. Book a date night, neighborly outing, or family trip on one of the many thematic holiday trains offered. Themes include:

• Santa's Paradise Express: Share a meal onboard with Santa while your kids to exchange holiday greetings with the king of Christmas. Santa's Paradise Express is available Nov. 19 to Nov. 20, Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 3 to Dec. 14, and Dec. 24.
• Christmas Tree Train: The train heads to Leaman Place Grove, where you can pick out your perfect Frasier fir tree and enjoy Christmas carols and a bonfire. The Christmas Tree Train runs Nov. 25, Nov. 26, and Dec. 3.
• Night Before Christmas: If your family loves the iconic poem The Night Before Christmas, enjoy this magical ride based on it. You can ride this train Dec. 2, Dec. 9 to Dec. 11, and Dec. 16 to Dec. 23.
• Christmas Caboose Charter: Turn back time with a nostalgic Christmas ride in the Strasburg Rail Road's caboose from 1925. The Christmas Caboose runs Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 through Dec. 18.
• The Santa Claus Limited: This 45-minute ride runs all the way to Amish County, and kids get a one-on-one visit with Santa to share their wishlist. This train runs Nov. 1 to Nov. 2, Thursday and Fridays Dec. 1 through Dec. 16, and Dec. 19 through Dec. 23.

Watch the Mayor's Tree Lighting

The day after Thanksgiving, Lancaster City officially rings in the holiday season with a celebratory tree lighting downtown. It's a great opportunity to transition from fall to winter while connecting with family, friends, and neighbors. This year's annual Mayor's Tree Lighting takes place in downtown Lancaster city on Friday, Nov. 25. Leading up to the tree lighting, you can enjoy live music, wave hello to Santa Claus, and watch the skyscraping tree in Penn Square light up with multicolored lights to signal the beginning of the season.

While you wait for the official lights, you can wander around Penn Square and patronize local shops. The annual event occurs on Black Friday, so it's a great time to get some holiday shopping done while supporting local Lancaster City businesses. Aim to gather in Penn Square around 7 p.m., as the tree lighting happens after nightfall.

Shop the Amish Mud Sales

Whether you look forward to Amish mud sales every year or are new to the tradition, they're the perfect opportunity for some late winter shopping to spruce up your home. These popular auctions raise money for the volunteer fire departments that support many Lancaster County communities. You can feel good about a mud sale shopping spree because your money is going towards the health and safety of your area.

Items you might see at Amish mud sales include:

• Handmade furniture.
• Tools.
• Quilts.
• Gardening supplies.
• Craft items.
• Fresh food.

Mud sales usually happen outside in the late winter and early spring, hence the name. Dates vary, but plan on shopping the auctions beginning in February. Head to one or all of the local sales to snag some one-of-a-kind items while benefiting your Lancaster County neighbors.

Chase Thrills at Dutch Winter Wonderland

If you think Dutch Wonderland is a blast in the summer, just wait until you see it during the winter when it becomes Dutch Winter Wonderland. The park transforms into a twinkling, mesmerizing holiday paradise, with seasonal decorations decking out just about every corner of the amusement park. Over 20 different rides and attractions are open, so you can swing, slide, and zip through roller coasters and thrill rides. Plus, some rides get special holiday makeovers, like the bumper cars, which become sleighs.

You can take a train through the entire park to marvel at all the lights, trees, and decorations. Plus, Santa even visits, so it's a perfect place for little ones to share their holiday wishlists and snap a photo. We recommend dressing extra warm so the wind doesn't chill you too much on those fast-moving rides. Dutch Winter Wonderland is open to the public on select dates from Nov. 19 to Dec. 31.

Observe Ice Art at the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival

Lancaster County is a place of many charms, and the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival is one of them. This annual winter festival is a 10-day event that celebrates ice sculpture art, with one-of-a-kind creations from master artists. It's also a winter celebration that brings the town to life, with food trucks, shopping from local vendors, and live music.

If you have children, plan your visit around Winter FUNderland, a one-day event within the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival that features a host of family-friendly activities like bounce houses. Other must-attend events throughout the festival include a pub crawl, a market featuring local craftspeople and their artisan goods, a photography gallery, and a town scavenger hunt. The 2023 Lilitz Fire & Ice Festival will run from Feb. 17 to Feb. 26 in Lilitz.

Whether you're looking for a whimsical holiday celebration for little ones, a romantic wintry date activity, or an adventurous romp with friends, Lancaster County offers a little bit of everything this winter. Contact us at AutoOne Lancaster if you know of a can't-miss winter activity in the area. If you're looking for a reliable car to get you through the bitter weather without breaking the bank, check out our inventory of budget-friendly vehicles in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.