Nov26Thu
Millersville Turkey Trot
Millersville University · Millersville University, Millersville, PA
- Time
- See the race page
- Price
- See the race page
For kids: A children’s fun run before the 5K, and walkers and families are welcome.
Thanksgiving 2026Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey · Lancaster, Harrisburg and Hershey
Thanksgiving weekend in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey, with little ones.
We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey, but Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival is Friday, Nov 27. In all we found five Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey: one turkey trot with a kids’ race and four Black Friday weekend picks, and one is free.
The quick answersChecked
Is there a parade?No 2026 parade posted yet. We check weekly.Not yetTurkey trot with a kids’ race?Millersville Turkey Trot · See the race page1 raceWhat’s open Thursday?We haven’t checked holiday hours here yet.Not yetAnything free this weekend?Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival · Fri1 free
Thursday to Sunday
The weekend at a glance.
Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.
Thursday
Nov 26 · Thanksgiving
Friday
Nov 27
Monday to Wednesday, Nov. 23–25
Thanksgiving week with little kids
Many schools are off all week. The full Monday-to-Wednesday list goes up with the weekly update on Monday, Nov. 23; what’s already posted is below.
The Thanksgiving week list goes up Monday, Nov. 23.
Email me when it’s postedIt comes from the same weekly check as the Central PA this-week page.
Thursday morning
Thanksgiving parade in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
No 2026 parade posted yet.
Email me when it’s postedWe check the organizers every week. The 5 outings below are confirmed on their official pages.
Run it off
Turkey trots with kids’ races
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page. Kids’ turkey trots in other cities.
Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
Open or closed Thursday and Friday
Holiday hours from each place’s own hours page. “Not posted” means the page doesn’t list Friday hours yet. Worth a quick check that morning.
We haven’t checked Thanksgiving hours here yet.
Know a place that’s open?Museums, zoos and play places post holiday hours in November. We add them as soon as they do.
Friday, Nov. 27
The day after Thanksgiving
Tree lightings, parades, light-display openings and Santa arrivals on Black Friday.
Nov27to Dec 31
Christmas Spirit Light Show
Penn Medicine Park · 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603
- Time
- Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m.
- Price
- $25 per vehicle (up to 8 people)
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. You drive through the lights around the ballpark, then can park and walk Christmas Tree Lane in the concourse. Pictures with Santa there are free.
Nov27to Dec 19
Santa at Kitchen Kettle Village
Kitchen Kettle Village, Kling House Restaurant and the Holiday Hut · 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534
- Time
- Breakfast check-in 8:30 or 9:45 a.m.; free Santa photos in the Holiday Hut 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturdays (6–7:30 p.m. on Nov 27)
- Price
- Breakfast by reservation (fee); Holiday Hut visits free
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Santa arrives in the village after the 5:30 p.m. tree lighting on Nov 27. A real reindeer is out for photos 11–1 that day. Saturdays add carolers and candy-making demos.
Nov27Fri
Santa at Berkshire Mall
Berkshire Mall · 1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610
- Time
- During mall hours; reserve a photo time online or walk up
- Price
- Photo packages priced at the booking site
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Reserving a time online skips most of the line. Walk-ups are welcome when slots are open.
Nov27Fri
Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival
Penn Square · Lancaster
- Time
- Fri. Nov. 27, 5–8 p.m.
- Price
- Free
With littles: Santa arrives with a fire bureau escort, then the tree in Penn Square is lit with a sing-along. Central Market stays open late.
Saturday and Sunday
Thanksgiving weekend with little kids
Parades, lightings, light displays and other easy outings Saturday and Sunday.
Nothing posted for Saturday or Sunday yet.
Email me when it’s postedTree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We recheck every Thursday.
Keep planning
More for little kids in Central PA
November: things to do in Central PAEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Central PAEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Central PAFree days, free events and places that never charge
Library storytimes in Central PABaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in Central PAHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesChristmas parades in Central PAParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
The Nutcracker in Central PABallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Central PAChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursThis week in Central PADated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Thanksgiving in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey: the FAQ
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.
Millersville Turkey Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. A children’s fun run before the 5K, and walkers and families are welcome.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has Millersville Turkey Trot. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.
On Friday, Nov. 27: Christmas Spirit Light Show, Santa at Kitchen Kettle Village, Santa at Berkshire Mall and Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival. Times and prices are on each card.
Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, Fri. Nov. 27, 5–8 p.m., Lancaster. Times come from each organizer’s page.
Christmas Spirit Light Show, Santa at Kitchen Kettle Village, Santa at Berkshire Mall and Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival. Dates and times are on each card.
Mayor's Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival is free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in Central PA.
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 Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening: the best things to do with little kids in Central PA that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
