Celebrate July!

By Sue Long | Photos: Facebook

July-August 2025

Fireworks! Festivals! Food! Music! Fun! July has it all. 

Note: A full slate of July 4th events, which began June 18 and end July 13, is available here as well as this summer’s lineup of music events, which can be found here. 

Goat Yoga

July

Amish Farm & House

You haven’t worked out until you’ve taken a goat yoga class! Classes are offered through the summer on Fridays (7 p.m.), Saturdays (12 and 7 p.m.) and Sundays (10 a.m.). Don’t worry, plenty of cuddle time is built into the classes. 2395 Covered Bridge Dr., Lancaster. Information: Amishfarmandhouse.com

Sunset Dinner Tour on an Amish Farm

Through August

Amish Farm & House Event

No doubt you’ll have visitors this summer and are wondering how to entertain them. The Amish Farm & House has the solution: you and your guests can tour the 15-acre farm and 1805 farmhouse and then board a bus for a ride through the country that will take you to the home of an Amish family. There, you’ll enjoy a traditional Amish dinner and end the visit with dessert and conversation with your hosts. Fridays and Saturdays; 3:45 tour/5 p.m. bus boarding. 2395 Covered Bridge Dr., Lancaster. Information: Amishfarmandhouse.com

East Pete Summer Fest

July 11

East Petersburg Community Park

Celebrate summer at this annual event that includes a beer/wine garden, food trucks and music provided by Modern Day Pharaohs. 5:30-9 p.m. Pine St., East Petersburg. Information: Eastpetersburgday.com

Washington Boro Tomato Festival

July 12 & 19

Washington Boro

You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted a Washington Boro Jet Star tomato! Washington Boro has been celebrating its tomato heritage for decades with a festival whose house specialty is tomato sandwiches (adding bacon is an option). Event also features games, raffles, live music and tomato sales. Proceeds benefit Blue Rock Fire & Rescue. 3-9 p.m. Washington Boro Park, 2010 River Rd., Washington Boro. Information: Facebook.com    

Haiti Benefit Auction

July 18-19

Bird-in-Hand

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the collaborative effort on the parts of churches and individuals to raise funds for mission projects in Haiti. Friday’s events include a dinner (chicken BBQ, pulled pork, pizza, burgers), gospel singing and an auction of tools, crafts, quilts and specialty items. Saturday will feature breakfast fare, food stands and auctions entailing furniture, quilts, play-sets, tractors, gardening needs, sheds and more. A craft auction will feature a 3D painting (1976) by Abner Zook. Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, starting at 6:30 a.m. 338 N. Ronks Rd., Bird-in-Hand. Information: Pahaitiauction.com

Farm-to-Table Dinner

July 19

Inn at Twin Linden

Chefs John and Don will craft a menu highlighting local produce – notably tomatoes and peppers – at its summer peak. The complementary cocktail for the heart of summer is the Hugo Spritz, a light, bubbly and refreshing cocktail that entails a delicate floral sweetness from the elderflower and a hint of herbal freshness provided by mint. 6:30 p.m. 2092 Main St., Narvon. Information: Innattwinlinden.com/events

A Day with Doug Tallamy

July 22

Mount Gretna

He’s back! The renowned University of Delaware professor, entomologist, conservationist, wildlife ecologist and author returns to the area to share his vision of how we all can play a role in saving nature. At 10 a.m. he will discuss his initiative, Homegrown National Park, through which homeowners can create nature-friendly environments in their own backyards. At 3:30 p.m., he will address the question of How Can I Help? and provide information on the whys and hows of creating your own eco-friendly environment. Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave. (A $5 donation is requested; hosted by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua.) Information: Pachautauqua.info

Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show

July 26

Lititz Springs Park

Presented by the Lititz Art Association, this remains as one of the definitive “fine art” shows in the area. Visitors will see original artwork and fine art reproductions from more than 130 artists. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, drawings, ceramics and sculptures can be seen and purchased at this show. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 24 N. Broad St., Lititz. Information: Lititzartassociaiton.com

Cruisin’ Cuisine Car Show/Taste of Mount Joy

July 26

Mount Joy

Now in its 22nd year, the event kicks off with a Pancake Breakfast at St. Mark’s UMC (8:30-10:30 a.m.).
The car show will include classes such as classic, antique and muscle cars; street rods; Corvettes; motorcycles; and trucks. Local restaurants and vendors will comprise the “Taste of Mount Joy” portion of the event. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Downtown Mount Joy. Information: Voyagemountjoy.com

Bicentennial Candlelight Dinner & Period Ball

July 27

Trust46

The historic Trust46 building will be the setting for a Dinner and Ball event that commemorates the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Lancaster in 1825. The event will feature a French-inspired candlelight dinner catered by former White House chef, John Moeller, as well as an elegant period ball with English Country Dance caller, Jenna Simpson, and musicians Mara Shea, Kathy Talvitie and Bob Pasquarello. (Period attire is optional.) 5-9 p.m. 46 E. King St., Lancaster. The event is being hosted by The American Friends of Lafayette. For information about this and other Lafayette-related events, visit Lafayette200.org

A Summer Evening With Lafayette

July 28

Ware Center

Take a musical journey that depicts the life and times of the Marquis de Lafayette. Meet the important people in Lafayette’s life through this production that will feature the Allegro Orchestra, MFE Community Chorus, Central York Middle School Fife & Drum Corps and well-known guest performer, Lancaster’s own James Wolpert. 7 p.m. 43 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Information: Friendsoflafayette.wildapricot.org

Lafayette Day

July 28

Historic Rock Ford

Historic Rock Ford welcomes the Marquis de Lafayette with fanfare and celebration, partnering with the organization, The American Friends of Lafayette, which is re-creating the bicentennial of Lafayette’s exact step-by-step farewell tour through America that began in August 1824 and concluded in September 1825. Historic Rock Ford’s participation commemorates Lafayette’s stop in Lancaster in July 1825. Event also will feature live music, fife & drum performances, house tours, garden talks, re-enactors, guest speakers, food and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 881 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. Information: Historicrockford.org