We found three Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey with 2026 dates: two parades and one tree lighting or lighting night, two free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Parade · Sat27NovFriMayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival
Tree lighting · Fri5DecSatElizabethtown Holiday ParadeParade · 4pm to 8pmNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Front and 2nd streets, Market to North Street · Harrisburg, PA · downtown
Good to know: Giant balloons, marching bands and decorated floats. After the parade, Santa is at Strawberry Square.
Downtown Elizabethtown, Market St. · Elizabethtown, PA · about 18 miles from Lancaster
Good to know: A downtown parade with Santa's Workshop open the same evening.
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Penn Square · Lancaster
Good to know: Santa arrives with a fire bureau escort, then the tree in Penn Square is lit with a sing-along. Central Market stays open late.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Keep planning
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Library storytimes in Central PABaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in Central PAHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in Central PAParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
The Nutcracker in Central PABallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Central PAChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in Central PADated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Harrisburg Holiday Parade: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, Sat. Nov. 21, 10 a.m. (Harrisburg, PA · downtown). Elizabethtown Holiday Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 4pm to 8pm (Elizabethtown, PA · about 18 miles from Lancaster).
Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival at Penn Square: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, Fri. Nov. 27, 5–8 p.m.
Two of the three we list are free to watch: Harrisburg Holiday Parade and Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Harrisburg Holiday Parade. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Central PA that weekend, parades included.
