Community Calendar

The Community Calendar

A central part of LancasterHistory’s mission is to support the needs and interests of history-oriented organizations in our region and to bring into greater focus the extraordinary opportunities for learners of all ages to experience America’s past in Lancaster County and the surrounding region. LancasterHistory is proud to provide this Community Calendar to highlight upcoming events of history-focused institutions and organizations.

Looking for LancasterHistory’s main events calendar? View events calendar.

How To Submit An Event

If you are an authorized representative of a Lancaster County-based, history-focused institution or organization, please fill out our Community Calendar Submission form to submit your event for inclusion on this webpage. Before submitting, however, we highly recommend you review our Community Calendar Guidelines [PDF, 217kb].

A LancasterHistory staff member moderates this Community Calendar. Questions about this calendar can be directed to info@lancasterhistory.org.

Submit Event to Community Calendar

COMMUNITY CALENDAR GUIDELINES [PDF, 217KB]

Calendar Guidelines & Disclaimers

Each submission will be reviewed and must be in compliance with our Community Calendar Guidelines [PDF, 217kb]. LancasterHistory will do its best to make sure all information on this calendar is correct and up-to-date. Despite our efforts, some information may be incorrect or may have been submitted incorrectly to us. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Listings below may contain URLs to other organizations’ or institutions’ websites or ticketing pages, or other third-party URLs. These URLs do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of LancasterHistory and are for informational purposes only. LancasterHistory is not responsible for those URLs, the content found on those webpages being linked to, or those website’s privacy policies and policies on collecting data.

 

African American Heritage Walking Tours

Who: African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania
What: Tours
When: Saturday, August 9 | 11-2pm 
Where:  Depart from Crispus Attucks Community Center
Cost: Adult$17/ Senior (65 and older) $10 / Students (6-18) $5 / Under 6 Free. Registration is required.
 
Southeast Lancaster 

The Southeast Area tour highlights that liberation is up to African Americans, whose experiences represent a complex connection to their past—both the trauma of enslavement and the resilience of their heritage. This tour brings to life the triumph of the African American community as it built a culture of service, faith, and social activism, alongside the tragedy of Urban Renewal, which saw the demolition of 14 square blocks of thriving businesses, churches, and civic associations. The fabric of the community was ruptured as individual homes were replaced with public housing and vibrant community spaces were obliterated. This tour traces the life stream and economic castration of that community, which was attacked by the policy of Urban Renewal, but which has not been forgotten or erased. No reservations needed.

Saturdays: August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8 | Depart from Crispus Attucks Community Center

Downtown Lancaster 

Focused largely on the Underground Railroad, including four authenticated sites, tour features African agency and resistance to an institution that has kinship to economic, political, and social/cultural forces which fueled the nation’s early growth and beyond; an institution which dehumanized the enslaved and enslaver alike. Because the Underground Railroad was by necessity secret, uncovering the details of its existence has required a great deal of detective work. Local African American history, such as that shared on this tour, is the vital lifeblood that gives rise to an authentic national history. This tour includes the latest research and recent discoveries which further reveal the rich fabric of African American history in Lancaster before and after the Civil War. No reservations needed.

Saturdays:  September 6, October 4, November 1 | Depart from City of Lancaster Visitor Center


Manheim Historical Society’s Annual Ice Cream Social

Who: Manheim Historical Society 
What: Presentation 
When: Sunday, August 17| 1-4pm 
Where: Manheim Railroad Complex 
Cost: Ice Cream requires purchase, free museums

Manheim Historical Society’s Annual Ice Cream Social is held every year on the third Sunday of August at the Manheim Railroad Complex, 210 South Charlotte St. Manheim from 1 – 4 PM. It benefits the Historical Society’s Acquisition Fund to continue to acquire Manheim-related historical items celebrating the town of Manheim, PA. This year’s event features music by the Stone Soup String Band, Kreider’s ice cream and Celebrity Dippers-Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society from Manheim Central High School. Free tours of the air-conditioned railroad complex, which contains items from Henry W. Stiegel’s iron and glassmaking companies, the restored 1881 railway station with men’s and women’s waiting rooms and offices, and Manheim businesses throughout history. The Birney trolley will be available for rides depending on the weather. All ages are welcome.

100 Years of Popcorn

Who: Reist Popcorn Company
What: Special Event
When: Saturday, September 13| 4pm-9pm
Where: The Reist Farm
Cost: No, tickets or registration is not required.
 

Join us to celebrate 100 Y’EARS of Popcorn with a special Community Day on Saturday, September 13, 2025! We’re hosting an unforgettable event at Reist Farm in Mount Joy, PA to thank you, our amazing community, for being part of our journey. Entry is free for everyone!

The day will be filled with excitement, including free hot air balloon rides, a corn maze, hayrides, and fun games for all ages. There will be food vendors, live performances, and fireworks to close out the night. We’re planning to make the evening truly special.

For 100 years, Reist Popcorn Company has been proud to bring farm-to-table, non-GMO popcorn to your homes. We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community and can’t wait to celebrate this milestone together.

Please note that seating will not be provided, so we encourage you to bring your own chairs or blankets to enjoy the event comfortably.

Let’s make some amazing memories, stay tuned for more updates as we count down to the big day!


Traditional Crafts Market 

Who: Manheim Historical Society
What: Special Event
When: Sunday, September 14| 1-4pm 
Where: Fasig & Keath Houses
Cost: No, tickets or registration is not required.

A Traditional Crafts Market will be held on the grounds of the Fasig and Keath Houses on Sunday, September 14th from 1 to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The market and museums are located at 30-32 East High Street, Manheim, with free parking at the back of the museums. There is no admission fee for the house tours or market. Plan to meet the artists as they demonstrate their handiwork, which will be available for purchase. The Manheim Historical Society will offer light refreshments.

“Digging Deeper into the Hessian Ditch: Revolutionary POWs at Elizabeth Furnace”

Who: Manheim Historical Society
What: Presentation 
When: Sunday, September 21| 1-4pm 
Where: Manheim Railroad Station
Cost: No, tickets or registration is not required.
 
Dan Snyder, a long-time docent at the Manheim Historical Society, will give a presentation at 2 p.m. about the Hessian POWs detained at Elizabeth Furnace during the American Revolutionary War. One of their responsibilities was to dig the now-named Hessian Ditch, which brought water to the ironworks. Explore the museums featuring ironwork stove plates, Stiegel-type glass, numerous Manheim relics, and the 1881 train station offices and waiting rooms filled with fascinating train memorabilia. The ever-expanding Model Train Museum is a must-see. Take a moment to immerse yourself in history and charm. Take a trolley ride and enjoy a walking tour, weather permitting. Best of all, they’re completely free.

Brew-HaHa Walking Tour & Zoetropolis 

Who: Lancaster Vice 
What: Tours
When: Sunday, September 21| 5:30-7pm
Where:  Old Wacker Brewery
Cost: $19. Yes, tickets or registration are required in advance.
 
On this history tour, walk the streets of Lancaster with an expert guide and learn about the brewers, bootleggers, federal agents, and “dry” activists during Prohibition. In the 1920s, Lancaster citizens scoffed at Prohibition, set up elaborate bootlegging operations, and usually refused to help federal agents.
 
After the tour, enjoy a flight of three local beers (4-ounce pours) at Zoetropolis, which is a significant site in the history of Prohibition in Lancaster (We’ll tell you why on the tour!) At Zoetropolis we’ll also examine some historical artifacts from Lancaster brewing.

Brew-HaHa Walking Tour

Who: Lancaster Vice 
What: Tours
When: Thursday, September 25 | 5:30-7pm 
Where:  Old Wacker Brewery
Cost: $19. Yes, tickets or registration are required in advance.
 
On this history tour, walk the streets of Lancaster with an expert guide and learn about the brewers, bootleggers, federal agents, and “dry” activists during Prohibition. In the 1920s, Lancaster citizens scoffed at Prohibition, set up elaborate bootlegging operations, and usually refused to help federal law enforcement. Learn about the German immigrants who ran Lancaster’s main breweries and hear stories about the corrupt judges and police officers who profited from illegal alcohol.

Brew-HaHa Walking Tour & Happy Hour

Who: Lancaster Vice 
What: Tours
When: Saturday, October 4 | 5:30-7pm 
Where:  Old Wacker Brewery
Cost: $29. Yes, tickets or registration are required in advance.

On this history tour, walk the streets of Lancaster with an expert guide and learn about the brewers, bootleggers, federal agents, and “dry” activists during Prohibition. In the 1920s, Lancaster citizens scoffed at Prohibition, set up elaborate bootlegging operations, and usually refused to help federal agents.After the tour, enjoy a flight of three local beers (4-ounce pours) at Zoetropolis, which is a significant site in the history of Prohibition in Lancaster (We’ll tell you why on the tour!) At Zoetropolis we’ll also examine some historical artifacts from Lancaster brewing.


Backstreet Brothel Tour

Who: Lancaster Vice 
What: Tours
When: Friday, October 17| 5:30-7pm 
Where: City Welcome Center
Cost: $19. Yes, tickets or registration are required in advance.
 
Did you know Lancaster was once infamous as a “wide open” city for vice? Around 1900, police and other officials encouraged and even participated in prostitution, gambling, and drinking.

On this history tour, walk the streets of Lancaster with an expert guide and learn about the brothel keepers, bartenders, and pool hall hustlers who shared the streets with corrupt politicians and righteous reformers a century ago.

Discover the history of wage-earning women, Lancaster nightlife, and changing sexual values through the stories of the men and women of Lancaster’s red-light districts.