Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Pennsylvania
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of Pennsylvania, including events in Punxsutawney, Philadelphia, Gettysburg and Harrisburg.Pennsylvania Farm Show
January
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in America, attracting more than 400,000 spectators with more than 270 commercial exhibitors, 10,000 animals and 8,000 competitive exhibitors.
From livestock shows to educational displays, the participants at the Farm Show help to keep Pennsylvania growing.
For more information visit: www.farmshow.state.pa.us
Groundhog Day
February
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Celebrating this day this 1886, every February 2, visitors gather in Punxsutawney for a weather forecast from internationally-recognized weather expert, Punxsutawney Phil - a groundhog.
On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter. Tradition has it that if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
Festivities also include the Woodchuck Whittle Carving Show, the Souvenir Show & Sale, Phil’s Wedding Chapel, Hay Ride Town Tours, Groundhog Day in the Park and much more.
For more information visit: www.groundhog.org
International Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous
February
Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Each year, 25,000 people flock to this town in the highlands known as the Pennsylvania Wilds to take part in a celebration of chainsaw carving.
More than 200 chainsaw carvers from all over the world display their talents, share and learn new techniques, teach the craft to others and raise money for charities.
Hosted by master carver, Rick Boni, and his wife Liz, the International Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous offers chainsaw competitions, safety classes, carving displays, an auction of chainsaw art, the chance to buy large and small pieces from the assembled artists, communal meals, and live music.
For more information visit: www.chainsawrendezvous.org
The Philadelphia Flower Show
March
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, established in 1827 is America's first horticultural society and in 1829 was responisble for producing the nation's first flower show.
Today, the Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation's largest indoor flower show, featuring the country's premier landscape designers and florists who turn 10 acres of the Pennsylvania Convention Center into a floral fantasy world with exotic plants and eclectic designs.
In addition to the major garden displays, the Flower Show hosts world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic arranging, hundreds of gardening lectures and demonstrations, special events, a mammoth indoor Marketplace, and a city-wide Flower Show Week celebration throughout downtown Philadelphia.
The Flower Show is also the major fundraiser for PHS’ Philadelphia Green, one of the most comprehensive urban revitalization programs in the nation.
For more information visit: www.theflowershow.com
FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest
March
Reading, Pennsylvania
This 10-day smooth jazz festival, a tradition for almost 20 years, is held annually in March, and offers more than 130 concerts, lunches, brunches, workshops, worship services, happy hours and midnight jam sessions to the public.
Past performers include The Manhattan Transfer, US Air Force Rhythm In Blue Jazz Ensemble, Jason Miles, Kim Waters, Jeff Kashiwa, Walter Beasley, Deodato, Marion Meadows, Paul Jackson Jr, David Mann, Jaared, Jay Beckenstein, Maria Muldaur, Paul Brown to name just a few.
More than 4,500 people attend the event each year.
For more information visit: www.berksjazzfest.com
Thunder in the Valley® Annual Motorcycle Rally
June
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
First offered to the public in 1998, Thunder in the Valley now hosts more than 125 vendors and 100,000+ bikers.
The event attracts the participation of many local motorcycle dealers including Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph and BMW.
Thunder in the Valley® features vendors offering a variety of leather products, cleaning products, helmets, stickers, accessories, jewelry and other goods. There are also live musical entertainments with bands playing rock, oldies, blues, country and jazz.
For more information visit: www.visitjohnstownpa.com/thunderinthevalley
The Kutztown Festival and America’s Largest Quilt Sale
June / July
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Featuring America’s largest quilt sale with over 2,500 local handmade quilts, the Kutztown Festival is where the whole family can learn about and enjoy Pennsylvania Dutch folk life.
The festival showcases fine furniture, miniatures, pottery,clothing, musical instruments, hand-painted art, iron ornaments, weavings, brooms, baskets, florals, hex painting, jewelry, leather, cut paper art known as “scherenschnitte,” Pennsylvania German calligraphic writing called "fraktur", beeswax candles and more.
For more information visit: www.kutztownfestival.com
Gettysburg National Civil War Battle Reenactment
July
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Re-enactors dressed in Union and Confederate uniforms commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg through living history encampments and battle reenactments.
The event features sutlers, entertainment, special guests, living history village and educational demonstrations.
For more information visit: www.gettysburgreenactment.com
Philadelphia Folk Fetsival
August
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A tradition for over 47 yeas, the Philadelphia Folk Fetsival offers over 75 hours of music for 3 days with more than 5 dozen great musicians. One of the oldest music festivals in the world, and the longest continuously running US festival of its kind, the Philadelphia Folk Fetsival is an extravaganza of traditional and contemporary music, dance, crafts, camping, and children’s activities.
For more information visit: http://www.folkfest.org
Bloomsburg Fair
September
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
This annual event is the largest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania, covering 236 acres.
Grandstand entertainment is available every evening. During the day visitors can check out the hundreds of exhibits, food stands, craft stands, livestock, poultry and rabbit exhibits, as well as the harness racing and dog show.
For more information visit: www.bloomsburgfair.com
Christkindlmarkt
December
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Visitors and locals alike celebrate the holidays at this unique Old World-style family marketplace voted one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association.
Christkindlmarkt features an amazing array of exquisite gifts and fine arts and crafts, from jewelry to hand-made quilts and the perfect atmosphere in which to relax, enjoy a hot cocoa or apple strudel and listen to the musicians performing an assortment of holiday classics and original Christmas music.
St. Nicholas is on-hand for the children, who can also explore rides, ice carving demonstrations and other holiday-related activities in the charming historic district of Christmas city.
For more information visit: www.christkindlmarkt.org
