event sign ups
Fall Festival & Bark in the Park | October 18th, 2025
On October 18th, DDL will host Downtown Lancaster’s Fall Festival & Bark in the Park with free tractor rides, vendors, music, a scavenger hunt, and more!
We’re inviting businesses to join by hiding a Halloween figure we’ll provide (similar to the WinterFest snowman hunt). The goal is to encourage attendees to explore more of downtown beyond the North Broad Street area.
Please note: Fall Festival coincides with Wands & Wizards Weekend, bringing even more foot traffic downtown. Deadline to sign up: October 1st, 2025
No participation fee for this Scavenger Hunt.
Small Business Celebration Weekend | November 28th - November 30th
Participate in this co-op marketing campaign to encourage potential customers to shop local this holiday season. We ask that participating businesses consider extending their hours on Small Business Weekend (November 28th - November 30th) and offer a promotion, discount, or giveaway for us to promote. We will heavily market this event on various channels including social media, radio ads, printed ads, and more. We will create a shopping guide for shoppers to follow as they #shoplocal in Downtown Lancaster.
Deadline to sign up: November 7th, 2025
Participation Fee: $50 for DDL Members or $75 for Non DDL Members
Window Decorating Contest | November 22nd - December 5th
We encourage downtown businesses to decorate their store fronts just in time for the Holiday Parade that’ll make its way through downtown on Saturday, November 22nd. Beginning that Saturday, the community will be able to vote for their favorite display online through Friday, December 5th. The first, second, and third place winners will be announced during Downtown Lancaster’s WinterFest & Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 6th.
Deadline to sign up: November 14th, 2025
Participation Fee: FREE for DDL Members or $25 for Non DDL Members
Townie | December 1st - December 24th
If you would like to sign up to host Townie for a 24 hour period, please sign up below. Townie will make his first appearance on December 1st and will disappear on December 25th to head back to the North Pole until next year.
If you choose to sign up you must commit to setting Townie up in a creative and publicly accessible way (either in your storefront window or inside your place of business) by 10am the morning of your assigned day, and to take Townie down BEFORE 9am the next morning. Townie CANNOT stay up more than 24 hours in your business (we will make arrangements to pick him up to move him around). You must also send us a well staged photo of Townie by 10am on your assigned day so that we can share it on our social media outlets. This opportunity is on a first come, first serve basis! So sign up ASAP!
WinterFest and Tree Lighting | December 6th, 2025
On December 6th, DDL will host Downtown Lancaster’s WinterFest & Tree Lighting. During this event there will be free horse drawn carriage rides, holiday music, a scavenger hunt throughout participating businesses, pictures with Santa, and more!
We are asking businesses to come up with a family activity or offering to provide on the day of the event between 12:00pm to 5:00pm. This is a great way to showcase your business to potential and returning customers! Examples of past activities include make and take crafts, cookie samples, cookie decorating, coloring pages, discounts, games, etc.
Deadline to sign up: November 14th, 2025
Annual Gathering Silent Auction | January 22nd, 2026
Our Annual Gathering is quickly approaching, and we’re excited to return to The Mill Event Center for another unforgettable evening of celebrating the growth and vibrancy of the downtown, and honoring downtown's finest accomplishments and talent. Last year we introduced a live and silent auction for the very first time, and thanks to your generosity, it was a huge success. We’re thrilled to be bringing it back again this year as a way to raise funds for Destination Downtown Lancaster and highlight the amazing support of our community. We’re reaching out to our valued members to ask for donations of items, gift cards, or services to feature in the auction. Your contributions make this event possible and directly support our mission to keep downtown thriving. And as a nonprofit, your donation could be tax deductible! If you’re able to donate, please contact Sarah at 740-277-6607 or drop items off at our office (128 N. Broad Street) by Friday, January 16th, 2026. Every contribution—big or small—makes a difference, and we’re so grateful for your support. Thank you for helping us make this year’s Annual Gathering one to remember!
Deadline to sign up: January 16th, 2026