November might be getting cold for most outdoor activities here in Central Pennsylvania, but holiday parades and tree lighting ceremonies are events most residents try to attend. We tried to make it easier for those of you looking for dates and times for this year’s tree lightings and parades in Chambersburg and the surrounding towns.
Franklin County Tree Lightings and Holiday Parades
Chambersburg — 55th Annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
- Date / Time: Saturday, November 22, 2025 — 6:00 PM (parade & tree lighting kickoff).
- Location: Downtown/Main Street (Memorial Square area), Chambersburg, PA.
- Source: Downtown Chambersburg / DiscoverChambersburg event listing.
Greencastle — Heritage Christmas (Tree Lighting + Parade)
- Tree Lighting: Friday, November 21, 2025 — ~7:00 PM (Center Square / Greencastle Square).
- Christmas Parade: Saturday, November 22, 2025 (parade typically in the morning).
- Location: Center Square / Downtown Greencastle.
- Source: Greencastle-Antrim Chamber / Greencastle Heritage Christmas pages.
Mercersburg — Christmas Tree Lighting & Celebration
- Date / Time: Sunday, November 30, 2025 — (tree lighting & celebration; check local schedule for time, often late afternoon/early evening).
- Location: Mercersburg Town Square / Downtown.
- Source: Mercersburg town event page / Tuscarora Area Chamber listings.
Waynesboro — Holiday Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade
- Tree Lighting (Downtown): Appears to be November 21st between 5:30-7:30pm per a community group Facebook page as of October 27th.
- Parade: November 22nd, 2025 at 2:00pm
- Location: Downtown Waynesboro / Main Street.
- Sources: MainStreet Waynesboro / Facebook listings.
Adams County Tree Lightings and Holiday Parades
Gettysburg — A Gettysburg Christmas Festival
- Tree Lighting & Tuba Carol Fest: Friday, December 5, 2025 — Tree Lighting 6:00 PM; Tuba Carol Fest immediately after.
- Gettysburg Christmas Parade / Festival events: Festival weekend runs Dec 5–7, 2025 with tree lighting and evening programming on Dec 5.
- Location: Downtown Gettysburg / Lincoln Square area (official festival locations listed by Gettysburg Borough & Destination Gettysburg).
- Source: Borough of Gettysburg events calendar & A Gettysburg Christmas Festival / Destination Gettysburg.
Cumberland County Tree Lightings and Holiday Parades
Carlisle — Holiday Tree Lighting & “Making Spirits Bright” Parade
- Holiday Tree Lighting: Sunday, November 30, 2025
- Carlisle “Making Spirits Bright” Holiday Parade: Thursday, December 4, 2025 (evening parade on Hanover Street / downtown).
- Location: Downtown Carlisle / Hanover St. and Memorial Chapel (Carlisle Barracks tree lighting events also listed separately).
- Source: VisitCumberlandValley event calendar and Carlisle/Carlisle Barracks event pages.
Mechanicsburg — Community Tree Lighting
- Date / Time: Mechanicsburg Chamber lists a Community Tree Lighting (tentative — late November); specific 2025 date listed as tentative on the Chamber events page (watch the Mechanicsburg Chamber calendar for confirmation; many years it’s late November or Small Business Saturday weekend).
- Location: Downtown Mechanicsburg / Borough Square area.
- Source: Mechanicsburg Chamber events calendar (notes tree lighting as tentative for 2025).
Camp Hill — Parade of Lights (Toys for Tots) & Holiday Tree Lighting
- Date / Time: Holiday Tree Lighting — December 4, 2025 at 6:00pm and the Parade of Lights for Toys for Tots — December 5th-6th from 6:00-8:00pm.
- Location: Borough building for tree lighting and Willow Park for parade.
- Source: Camp Hill Borough Parks & Recreation
Shippensburg — Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
- Date / Time: Saturday, December 6 2025 at 5:00 PM in downtown Shippensburg.
- Location: Downtown Shippensburg, PA (E. King St / North Fayette St / King St corridor)
- Notes: Theme for 2025: “The Nutcracker”.
- Source: Downtown Shippensburg Facebook Page
This information could change and is pulled from various government and community pages. If you are looking to attend one of these events, be sure to confirm the event date and time on the specific municpality or town website or social media page.
Living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania
I have called Franklin County, PA home for over 30 years, and I love sharing about all the amazing events going on in the various towns. Whether it’s Chambersburg IceFest in the winter, or Greencastle’s Old Home Week in the summer. There are so many one-of-a-kind events happening in this beautiful part of the state. If you are considering moving to the area, I would be happy to help assist in finding you the perfect home in the town or neighborhood that fits your needs. Give me a call!
