Festivals Are at the Heart of Pennsylvania’s Outdoors
There’s so much more to do when camping in Pennsylvania than just hiking, fishing, and hunting. Pennsylvania is also home to a huge number of outdoor festivals that make the experience of camping in this beautiful state lively and fun. Everything from fall festivals to live entertainment and live music, to quilt shows and the Pocono Raceway, there’s something for everyone.
Ameriserv Flood City Music Festival
In a park that has a view of Stone Bridge, commemorating the 1889 Johnstown flood, now covered with bright and festive animated LED lights, the Ameriserv Flood City Music Festival is always packed with live music for the two days it runs. Traditionally held in July, this festival has headlined artists like the Spin Doctors, Billy Price, the Gin Blossoms, Sugar Ray, and many many more over its more than 20 year history.
Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival
The Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival is held twice a year, once in May and once in August, so the organizers can cram in as much live entertainment as possible. Each festival lasts for three days and brings in the best names in bluegrass.
But the best news is that this festival partners with Granite Hill Camping Resort so that you can get a 4-day pass to the festival and up to 7 nights camping in the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside. More a camping resort than a traditional camp, Granite Hill has pools, golf, and cafes for visitors.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
Don’t let the name Philadelphia trick you into thinking this is in the heart of the city. This folk festival is located in the beautiful Upper Salford Township at the Old Pool Farm. Camping is available at the farm, and even though the festival is in August, the location has artists coming in every week all summer long. So if you can’t make the August 18-21 dates, you can still camp and see some amazing folk artists throughout the summer months.
Citadel Country Spirit
If you’re not into bluegrass or folk but want good solid country, then the Citadel Country Spirit festival is for you. Located at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds, Glenmore, PA (just off the PA turnpike), this festival was sadly canceled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. But it is an institution and will be back next year better than ever.
Night Lights Sky Lantern Festival in Pennsylvania
Want to experience the awe-inspiring joy that we saw in Disney’s Tangled? Those enormous candle-powered paper lanterns actually exist, and the Night Lights Sky Lantern Festival will bring out the child-like wonder in you when you see all the lights rise to heaven. Located at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA, you can get your fill of delicious food, live music, face painters, and balloon artists. Then, when the sun goes down, you’ll watch thousands of paper lanterns float up into the sky.
Maple Festival in Pennsylvania
Camping is available at this festival. You might call it a sugar camp. Located in Meyersdale, PA, this is a festival dedicated to maple syrup production, and it goes all-out. Crowning a Maple Queen and Maple King are only the beginning of the treats to be experienced at this sweet festival.
Lions Pancakes and Sausage are a must, but the festival park has everything maple flavored you could ever want. You can tour syrup production facilities or just enjoy the show.
Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival in Pennsylvania
A celebration of Japanese and African American cultures, this is one festival that you’re going to have to trek into Philadelphia to experience, but we promise it’s worth it. You won’t even realize you’re in the city when you’re immersed in Fairmount Park with the forest of Japanese cherry trees.
The park was a gift to Americans from the people of Japan in 1926 to mark the nation’s 150 year anniversary. Visit the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, watch the taiko drumming, and listen to the multicultural musical performances.