​Always the first weekend in December!

-- Annual Tree Lighting
-- Tuba Carol Fest
-- A Victorian Christmas on Steinwehr Avenue
-- Gingerbread Celebration at Adams County Arts Council
-- Ice Avenue on Baltimore Street
-- Holiday Popup Market at Rec Park
-- Breakfast with Santa at Seminary Ridge
-- Historic House Tour at the Daniel Lady Farm
-- Ice Avenue on Baltimore Street
-- Festival Tavern on Lincoln Square
-- Music, Entertainment, Shopping, Dining, Santa
​and much more!

Our annual holiday celebration features activities, ​entertainment, games, prizes, ​and small-town holiday charm! ​We encourage you to stroll through our historic downtown and ​enjoy all ​the activities, ​events, entertainment, specials, ​decorations, ​​and lights of the holiday season.

Activities

free activities ​thanks ​to our sponsors!

Santa's Shanty
Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 8 Lincoln Square
DESCRIPTION: Santa wants to know your wish list this Christmas!
​Come and visit with him in his seasonal Shanty. Click here for other hours in December!

Live Reindeer From Spruce Ridge
Steinwehr Business Improvement District
Gettysburg Heritage Center
​297 Steinwehr Avenue

Saturday, December 6, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Visit the reindeer for FREE!
Cell phone pictures are welcome for FREE!

Get an up-close and personal for a photo op for just $10.00. ​

Bring the family to meet and learn about Santa's reindeer friends!

Free Historic Dobbin House Tour
DATE & TIME: Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Dobbin House, 89 Steinwehr Avenue
DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a FREE, guided, hour plus tour of the Dobbin House. This popular and highly rated presentation highlights the house built by the Rev. Alexander Dobbin. View all the decorated rooms while interacting with period antiques to understand how the home's occupants lived during the beginnings of America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Face Painting By Elizabeth
Steinwehr Business Improvement District
DATE & TIME: Saturday from ​12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: ​​Civil War Diorama (in lobby), 241 Steinwehr Avenue
DESCRIPTION: Free face painting by the talented Elizabeth McBride! ​Choose from a variety of festive holiday designs!

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire
Shriver House Museum
DATE: Saturday 11:00 a.m. - while supplies last
LOCATION: 309 Baltimore Street
COST: ​$1 donations appreciated.
DESCRIPTION: ​Enjoy the old Christmas tradition ​of freshly roasted chestnuts!

S'mores
Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield
DATE & TIME: ​Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 380 Steinwehr Avenue
COST: ​Free
DESCRIPTION: Come create and enjoy roasting smore's!

Holiday Photo Booth
​Dobbin House
DATES & TIMES: Saturday 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 89 Steinwehr Avenue
COST: Free
DESCRIPTION: Get a memorable holiday photo, complete with props, with your friends and family!

Human Foosball
Baltimore Street
Steinwehr Avenue

​Come be a part of the life size version of the popular table game found in many basements and game rooms! Line up with friends and family as players attempt to kick the ball past their opponents and into the goal. An exhilarating way to stay warm!

Letters To Santa
Drop off your letters to Santa Claus!
​
​If you provide an address, your letter will be answered by Santa!

Location
Best Western
301 Steinwehr Avenue

Wishing Well Giveaways
Sponsored by Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association

​Drop your name in one or all three wishing wells and you could be a winner! GARMA will be drawing winners for First Friday prizes, including gift cards from local businesses and three grand prize winners will receive an overnight stay in Gettysburg including dining and activities.

Selfie Stations
Stop by one of our custom holiday selfie stations handpainted by local sign maker, Marty Mummert. Strike a pose and get that perfect instagram snap of you and your crew! Be sure to tag your pic with #GettysburgChristmas

Can you get a selfie with all of Santa's Reindeer?

DASHER * CUPID * DANCER * DONNER * PRANCER * BLITZEN * VIXEN * COMET * RUDOLPH

​Be on the ​LOOK OUT for many more holiday characters!