As we transition from spooky season to the holiday season, there’s no lack of fun and interesting things to do across Pennsylvania.
Love bacon? There’s a Lehigh Valley festival for that! Love Rocky Balboa? There’s a race for you in, where else, Philadelphia.
There’s also the National Dog Show outside of Philly, a celebration of Erie County’s wine scene, and an event to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Here are 10 November events to put on your calendar.
Longwood Gardens’ Chrysanthemum Festival – Kennett Square (Chester County)
Dates: through Nov. 15
Longwood Gardens’ Chrysanthemum Festival celebrates the colorful autumn staple with thousands of blooms nurtured and trained into extraordinary forms from elegant spirals and cascading baskets to floating clouds and towering columns. Visitors can walk beneath a double chrysanthemum arch, and experience a chrysanthemum curtain and more supersized surprises.
Three Rivers Film Festival – Pittsburgh
Dates: Nov. 4-15
Western Pa.’s largest and longest-running film festival showcases Pittsburgh’s bold cinematic energy with a diverse lineup of feature-length comedies, documentaries, and drama, along with compelling shorts playing at venues throughout the city. The festival also features Q&A events and receptions, and an awards ceremony.
Lake Erie Wine Harvest Celebration Weekends – North East (Erie County)
Dates: Nov. 6-8, 13-15
Did you know that the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies is in Erie County? The Lake Erie Wine Country is a certifiable hidden gem, and more than a dozen winemakers from the region are participating in the Harvest Celebration Weekends, where guests can explore wineries, and enjoy locally crafted wines paired with sweet and savory harvest-inspired dishes.
PA Bacon Fest – Easton (Northampton County)
Dates: Nov. 7-8
Downtown Easton is going to be sizzling for the 15th anniversary of PA Bacon Fest. The weekend celebration features just about any kind of bacon-based treat you can imagine, along with live music, family-friendly activities like bacon bingo and a pet costume contest, cooking demos and more.
The Rocky Run – Philadelphia
Date: Nov. 14
Philly is putting on quite a show to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film most identified with the City of Brotherly Love, Sylvester Stallone’s underdog classic “Rocky.” The festivities include The Rocky Run, where thousands of runners from across the world will take to the streets of Philly to compete across three races: a 10-miler, a 5K, and a half marathon.
717 Vintage Fest – York
Dates: Nov. 14-15
Looking for vintage clothes, home decor, furniture, collectibles, and more? You’ll likely find what you’re looking for at the 717 Vintage Fest. Held at Old Main at the York Expo Center, the vendor market is a treasure trove of 20th century pieces, in-demand Y2K items and everything in between.
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show – Oaks (Montgomery County)
Dates: Nov. 14-15
You know it, you love it. That Thanksgiving television ritual, The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show, actually takes place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center two weeks prior, with 2,000 dogs representing more than 200 breeds from across the country gathering to compete for Best of Breed, First in Group and, of course, Best in Show.
Dedication Day – Gettysburg
Dates: Nov. 18-19
To commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States, this year’s Dedication Day ceremony in Gettysburg will fully recreate President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 visit, beginning with his arrival by train on Nov 18. The following day will feature a procession from Lincoln Square to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where the dedication ceremony recreates the original music, prayers, Edward Everett’s oration and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Will Huffman Toy Train Expo – Williamsport
Dates: Nov. 21-22
Toy train lovers of all ages will find plenty to love at the 35th Will Huffman Toy Train Expo. The weekend event at Park Place and the Thomas T. Taber Museum showcases dozens of working train layouts of all scales and size, along with the famous Shempp Model Train Collection. You can even get an early dose of Christmas cheer thanks to an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade – Philadelphia
Date: Nov. 26
While the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York may get the most viewers, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest in the US, first rolling in 1920. Today, it’s known as the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade. You can watch the parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway early on Thanksgiving Day—or you can stay in your pajamas and watch it at home at 8:30 a.m.
