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Pennsylvania Dutch Country Visitors Center       501 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA 17601       717-299-8901       www.padutchcountry.com
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Towns & Heritage

Lancaster County Christmas - A Heartwarming Tradition

Join us for “A Lancaster County Christmas” 
for holiday memories that will last all year.

Lancaster County is home to many American Christmastime
traditions as well as celebrations filled with lights, music and
songs that draw families together to fulfill their holiday wish
list. Spend some time in Lancaster County and start
some new heartwarming traditions with your family and
friends this year and every year thereafter.

Read our Lancaster County Christmas Fun Facts
while exploring our site and watch our holiday video.

 
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Festivities - History & Heritage

Tucked into rolling Amish farmland are some of this country’s
oldest towns and villages. Each one has a story of its own,
history carved into the restored buildings, churches,
museums and attractions found in quaint downtowns that
come alive with the magic of the Christmas season.

Take candlelight tours, watch as the Christmas tree
gets lit and enjoy holiday music, seasonal readings
and so much more.

Fun Fact 1:

Christmas candles in windows of homes has always been a holiday tradition in Lancaster County. Several years ago a local tourist home left its candles in the windows as a sign of welcome in the off-season, starting a new tradition that brings a warm look to homes that can be enjoyed by local families and visitors year-round.

 
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Shows & Performances

American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows
American Music Theatre - Christmas Shows

American Music Theatre's critically acclaimed
Christmas Show is back with an all-new presentation
of your favorite sacred and secular holiday songs,
performed by professional artists from across the
country. This live, musical experience will feature
spectacular vocal harmonies, amazing musical
arrangements, magnificent dancing, and the
incredible sounds of the AMT Orchestra. The
warmth will embrace you, along with the breathtaking
scenery and elegant costumes that fill the stage. The
festive Christmas decorations will deck their “hall” in
bright seasonal colors that shimmer with holiday joy.
Share a few light-hearted moments with AMT, and be
ready for a special visit from dear old Santa Claus!
Come celebrate the wonder of the holiday season
at AMT with a show guaranteed to leave you in the
Christmas Spirit!

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Sight & Sound Theatres - Jonah Sight & Sound Theatres - Jonah Sight & Sound Theatres - Jonah Sight & Sound Theatres - Jonah

Unlike any show you've ever seen, this energetic
adventure will have you on the edge of your seat
from the time you step into the theatre. A new,
completely immersive experience, Jonah promises
to move you to laughter and tears. From the
enormous whale swimming over your head to the
thunderous effects of the powerful storm, and a
mighty 30-foot-tall ship that breaks apart right
before your eyes, the story of Jonah will astound
and captivate the young and young-at-heart alike.
Playing for one fantastic season only!

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Fun Fact 2:

The Pennsylvania Dutch had a different version of Santa Claus than the one we recognize today. His name was Belschnickel, a man dressed in furs and meant to be more scary than jolly. He would go door to door visiting children on December 26th to either treat those who were good or punish those who were naughty.

 
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Events & Light Displays

National Christmas Center National Christmas Center National Christmas Center National Christmas Center National Christmas Center National Christmas Center National Christmas Center
National Christmas Center

Window shop at “Woolworth’s 5 & 10”,
filled with vintage merchandise and fixtures;
discover “Christmas 1944 - The War Years”,
and more. Thousands of antiques and
collectibles stir memories of hearth and home.

Follow in Joseph and Mary’s footsteps as you
walk though breathtaking, life-sized scenes from
“The First Christmas”. Feel the sand under your
feet, hear the language and music of the time,
explore an oasis marketplace and, in the end, in a
humble grotto, behold the birth of Christ. Discover
how the crèche has been depicted throughout time
and around the world in “The Art of the Nativity”.

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Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms
Gift of Lights at Elizabeth Farms

This holiday season, start a new family tradition
by giving the gift of lights! Experience a nearly
mile long lights display with hundreds of thousands
of twinkling lights bringing the yuletide season to life! After you drive through the gorgeous light display,
you’ll also want to explore Santa’s Workshop, Bloomingdale’s Holiday Window display, and the
model train room all housed in the Christmas
Fantasy Barn. You can walk through the gift shop
filled with wonderful holiday items and enjoy the
festive courtyard adorned with lit Christmas trees!
Don’t forget about Elizabeth Farms horse-drawn
wagons to carry you throughout their acres of
Christmas trees which you can hand-cut.

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Dutch Winter Wonderland Dutch Winter Wonderland Dutch Winter Wonderland
Dutch Winter Wonderland

Celebrate the season at Dutch Winter Wonderland,
and make holiday memories as you enjoy rides and
attractions, games, festive entertainment, cookie
decorating, The Royal Light Show and more at
The Kingdom For Kids!

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Stasburg Railroad Stasburg Railroad Stasburg Railroad
Stasburg Railroad

The Strasburg Rail Road welcomes a very special
visitor this holiday season. That’s right, Santa himself
will climb aboard and visit with families as they travel
down the tracks to Paradise, PA and back. As a special
treat, children ages 3 to 11 will receive a gift from Santa
and his helper.

In addition, children are treated to storybook readings
of holiday classics. Visitors of all ages can also enjoy a
ride aboard the self-propelled motor car, Tinsel Trolley.

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Fun Fact 3:

The Moravian Star is a beautiful 26-point star that was brought to Lititz, PA as a Christmas custom of the Moravian religious community. This star can be seen hanging and lit at night on porches throughout Lancaster and a 110-point star can be found in the Moravian Church in Lititz. The original colors of the star were red and white.

 
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Shopping - Discounts & Packages

Rockvale Outlets Rockvale Outlets Rockvale Outlets

Rockvale Outlets is an award-winning
outlet shopping center located in the heart
of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Ranked
as one of the largest and most successful
factory outlet centers in the country,
and featuring more than 90 brand name
factory direct stores, 7 restaurants,
an on-site hotel and other amenities.

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Tanger Outlets

Great outlet shopping with more than 60
stores that feature apparel, collectibles,
food items, home furnishings, jewelry
and shoes.

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Fun Fact 4:

The first Christmas tree took root in “Penn’s Woodland” or Pennsylvania by German immigrants in the 18th century. The first written mention of the Christmas tree tradition in the United States took place specifically in Lancaster County in 1821.