Photo courtesy ATOMIC
1. Extraordinary Give Lancaster
Think of it as a sort of fundraising New Year’s Eve, but instead of seeing a ball drop, at midnight Lancastrians can see how much money was donated during Lancaster County’s “largest day of online giving,” hosted by the Lancaster County Community Foundation and other generous sponsors. The event has amazingly raised over $31 million in under 10 years. Last year alone saw a record amount of $8.6 million distributed to more than 400 local nonprofits. Check out the website to see all of the organizations involved and the fun events throughout the day, then choose where you want to give extra.
November 16 / 717-397-1629 / Various locations, Lancaster County, PA / extragive.org
2. Family Campfire
Living in the city or the ’burbs makes building a campfire out back pretty tough, but sometimes a person just wants a s’more! Lancaster County Park to the rescue with not just the fire, but also a naturalist to discuss nocturnal animals at the Creatures of the Night themed evening. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and your s’more supplies, and be ready to listen for owls, enjoy a treat, and keep warm around the fire. Great for families or anyone looking to relax in nature after a long week. Register online or call.
November 10 / Lancaster County Central Park /1 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, PA / 717-295-2055 / apm.activecommunities.com/LancasterCountyParks
3. Lewisburg Stroll Through the Arts
Bringing guests a free visual and performing art show, the Lewisburg Arts Council invites attendees to Stroll Through the Arts and enjoy more than 30 various local artists. Expect an impressive array of presentations, like work displayed in shops, galleries (of painters, potters, jewelers, photographers, and poets) and studios. Dance to the Music features musical acts in the evening until midnight. To make the event even more fun, complete a passport denoting visits to all the specified businesses for a chance to win some exciting gift cards.
November 2 / Market St.,Lewisburg, PA / lewisburgartscouncil.com
4. Celebrate Women
Join Susquehanna Style on Thursday, November 1, to celebrate and honor empowering women across the region. Socialize, taste delicious treats, shop, and see the latest local fashions from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey. Celebrate Women in Style benefits Shalom House, which provides women facing difficulties with services to help them move toward self-sufficiency through basic needs and counseling to empower them and transform their lives. Limited tickets are available for $20 at SusquehannaStyle.com.
November 1 / Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel / 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA / susquehannastyle.com
Photo courtesy York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
5. Wine Just Off the Vine
Grab your souvenir glass and a couple of friends and hit the trail—the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail—for a tasty tour of various family-owned vineyards at Wine Just Off the Vine. South Central PA offers a bunch of options, with the heart of the trail running through York County. Attendees gain entrance to both weekends and can look forward to chatting with the wine makers, watching presentations, and of course sampling wine and munching light food that will be offered. Admission includes visits to all 10 participating wineries plus discounts on full bottles, so have some samples now, and pour some later.
November 10-11; 17-18 / Various locations / 717-852-9675 / yorkpa.org
6. Greek Food Bazaar
It’s that time of year again for everyone to say “opa!” as the ever-popular Greek Food Bazaar returns to serve up crazy amounts of Greek favorites. To accommodate all hungry visitors, there is an eat-in option (a great way to see all of the pastries and a la carte options), a drive-thru, and a take-out tent. Now in its 60th year, the festival continues to grow, and it is no wonder, with cookies made by the thousands, baklava by the pound, and a Greek experience for the masses. Enjoy food, music, and a little shopping, too.
November 3-4 / Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church / 64 Hershey Ave., Lancaster, PA / 717-394-1735 / annunciationorthodox.org
7. Great Giving Spree
Inviting the community to “Give Now, Give Big, and Give Forever,” the Adams County Community Foundation will once again host its Giving Spree to inspire people to donate to local nonprofits. Last year, more than 1,000 attendees showed up to listen to representatives from 70-plus local nonprofits, accumulating a total of more than $500,000. Now in its eighth year, the event hopes to see those numbers increase, while also hoping to connect people in the community to the work being done by the groups.
November 8 / Gettysburg Area Middle School / 37 Lefever St., Gettysburg, PA / 717-337-0060 / adamscountycf.org
Photo courtesy Washington Boro Creative Bazaar
8. Creative Bazaar
Washington Boro Creative Bazaar is a one-stop place for festive shopping focused on curated, vintage, and handmade items sold in an outdoor farm setting. The bazaar prefers organic farmers, fair-trade vendors, and local food makers and artists. Music and hot cider will warm up the chilliest of days (bringing your own mug is encouraged!). Not stopping there with the good vibes, 25 percent of the sales will also benefit two local families in need.
November 24 / 3909 Blue Rock Road, Washington Boro, PA / facebook.com/washingtonborocreativebazaar
9. Carmina Burana
The combined talents of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and the Lancaster Symphony Chorus unite to present the dramatic Carmina Burana. Based on a medieval collection of poems of the same name, the mostly secular Latin verse is combined with evocative, orchestral compositions. A timeless presentation of Carl Orff’s famous composition will have even those unfamiliar with the work recognizing “O Fortuna,” the opening and closing movement.
November 10 / McCaskey East High School / 1051 Lehigh Ave., Lancaster, PA / 717-291-6440 / lancastersymphony.org
10. Flavors of York
Visit more than 20 of York’s best restaurants in one evening under one roof at the 2018 Flavors of York from 6-9 p.m. on November 18 (must be 21 or over). For a $40 ticket, guests will enjoy tastes from Brewery Products, The Busy Bee, Copper Crust, The Fizzy Bee, Esaan Thai Restaurant, The First Post Public House, Gift Horse Brewery, Iron Horse of York, Mezzogiorno, Mi Caldero Restaurant, Revival Social Club, Sweet Willows Creamery, Tutoni’s Restaurant, Viet Thai Café, Wyndham Garden, Zwild Vegan, Zanelli’s, and more. Plus live music by York’s jazz standards band, Five/Four. Proceeds benefit Temple Beth Israel in York Township and its Doing Good for Goode™ project at the Alexander D. Goode Elementary School in York City.
November 18 / Wyndham Garden York / 2000 Loucks Road, York, PA / 717-843-2676 / flavorsofyork.com
