2nd Annual Christmas Festival

Get ready for a season of holiday cheer with Christmas in Hanover! Our festive lineup includes exciting events and activities that will bring the community together to celebrate the holidays.
Friday, November 27, 2026
Santa’s Cabin Opens
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 28, 2026
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Santa Parade
- 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Inflatable Bounce House & Letters to Santa Post Office Open
- 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Ride “Birch,” the Mechanical Reindeer! Take a festive spin on Birch, Hanover’s mechanical reindeer! Riders must be 48" tall or taller and must complete a waiver before riding. $5 per person, all proceeds benefit 501(c)3 non-profit Main Street Hanover
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Santa’s Cabin Open
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Photos with Mrs. Claus. Capture a little Christmas magic with Mrs. Claus! Each participant will receive a special homemade cookie recipe, one of Mr. Claus’s favorites, to take home and bake throughout the holiday season.
-12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) movie screenings at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center. $7 per ticket.
- 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Live Music by Bob Cratchit and the Bookkeepers in the Square
- 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Christmas Carolers Singing Downtown
- 4:00 PM - 6:00PM Tree Lighting Performances
- 6:00 PM Tree Lighting Countdown
Free Holiday Parking
To make your holiday visits easier, the Borough of Hanover is offering free parking in all metered spaces throughout the downtown district on Saturdays, from November 28 to December 26. This is our way of encouraging you to enjoy the holiday activities and support local businesses while extending your time in downtown Hanover.
Santa’s Cabin Hours
- Opening Day: Fri. Nov. 27: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m., 6-8 p.m.
- Sat. Nov. 28: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Mon. Nov. 30: 6-8 p.m.
- Fri. Dec. 4: 6-8 p.m.
- Sat. Dec 5: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2-6 p.m.
- Mon. Dec. 7 thru Fri. Dec. 11: 6-8 p.m.
- Sat. Dec. 12: 10 a.m.-1 p.m & 2-6 p.m.
- Mon. Dec. 14 thru Fri. Dec. 18: 6-8 p.m.
- Sat. Dec. 19: 10 a.m.-1 p.m & 2-6 p.m.
- Mon. Dec. 21: 6-8 p.m.
- Tues. Dec 22: 6-8 p.m.
- Wed. Dec 23 6-8 p.m.
Join us in celebrating the season and making memories with family and friends during Christmas in Hanover!
For more information, please visit ChristmasInHanoverPa.com or MainStreetHanover.org
Interested in volunteering for the Christmas Festival? Join us in creating a magical holiday experience for our community, whether you’re helping with Santa’s Cabin, activities, setup, or welcoming visitors, every helping hand makes the celebration brighter! Sign up for a shift here: https://www.christmasinhanoverpa.com/volunteer
Interested in sponsoring the Christmas Festival? Your support helps bring the magic of the season to downtown Hanover while creating memorable experiences for families, supporting local businesses, and strengthening our community. Find out more about sponsorships here: https://www.christmasinhanoverpa.com/sponsor