Celebrate the Holidays with Lancaster County Dinner Theater
Lancaster County is a warm and welcoming place to visit during the holidays, perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle and focusing on the joy of the season. Lancaster County has a unique way of bringing holiday magic to life — from Christmas festivals and dazzling light displays to quaint seasonal markets in the heart of Amish Country. And nothing captures the enchantment of the holidays quite like a festive night out at one of the area’s dinner theaters.
When you stay with us at After Eight Bed and Breakfast, you're close to three outstanding dinner theaters. You can choose to enjoy a Broadway-style musical, a holiday tale with Amish charm, or a night of magic and wonder—each paired with a delicious meal to savor along with the show. If you’re looking for a memorable night out in Lancaster County during this most wonderful time of the year, here’s why a holiday dinner theater experience is the perfect way to celebrate.
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre has been captivating audiences since 1987 with fabulous food and spectacular Broadway-style shows. Their holiday shows bring the spirit of the season to life on stage, with classic carols, engaging storylines, and sets that sparkle with holiday cheer. Guests start their experience with an exceptional served or buffet-style dinner (depending on which performance you select), with a different menu created for each new show. Following a holiday feast, audiences head into the intimate yet elegant 328-seat theater for a top-notch musical-theater production.
This holiday season, Dutch Apple is bringing "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" to their Lancaster stage. It's a heartwarming musical about two former World War II soldiers who team up with a talented sister duo to put on a spectacular holiday show in a quaint Vermont inn. Along the way, they rekindle old friendships, find romance, and work to save the inn while celebrating the spirit of Christmas with beloved songs like "Blue Skies," "Sisters" and, of course, "White Christmas." Get your tickets and be among the more than 150,000 guests who will enjoy dinner and show at the Dutch Apple this year.
Bird-in-Hand Stage
Bird-in-Hand Stage presents wholesome, uplifting theatrical entertainment, and each year, they bring holiday-themed shows that highlight the beauty of family, faith, and tradition. Shows at the Bird-in-Hand Stage feature a central Amish character whose story intertwines the Amish and English worlds, creating intriguing dilemmas and soul-searching journeys—with plenty of laughs along the way! Audiences can expect a blend of humor, heartwarming tales and toe-tapping music that will leave them smiling long after the curtain falls. And arrive hungry because your dinner theater ticket includes a hearty, home-cooked smorgasbord of authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine.
Guests should take note that this season's Bird-in-Hand Stage shows are being performed at the theater's temporary home at the former Revere Tavern, due to a fire that destroyed the Bird-in-Hand Restaurant earlier this year. The restaurant and theater are being rebuilt and will reopen in time for the start of the 2025 theatrical season in the spring.
This season's holiday show, "The Christmas Candy Caper," is a sticky, gooey and hilarious holiday mess. When prankster candy store owner Sadie Graber is kidnapped by two men seeking her famous candy recipe, the townspeople dismiss the ransom note as yet another joke. Hilarity ensues as Sadie bonds with her captors, leading everyone involved to reflect on life’s unexpected turns and the risks of crying “wolf” too often. You can also catch the limited-run show of "Ryan & Friends: A Comic Christmas," where comedian and ventriloquist Ryan Bomgardner is joined by his daughter Madeline for festive, funny Christmas songs. Fan-favorite characters like Harold, Irene, and young Jeffrey add their own comedic twists, making this a lively, laugh-out-loud celebration of the season.
Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater
The shows at Magic and Wonder Dinner Theater bring together large-scale illusions, hilarious comedy and dynamic circus acts into each amazing performance. Master illusionist Brett Myers and his cast are ready to thrill you with extraordinary magic tricks and side-splitting commentary. Plus, you’ll see aerialists fly high above the stage and other circus performers create dazzling moments of wonder. These magnificent entertainers possess the talent and ability to keep you entranced through the entire show with their amazing antics. This is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to capture the wonder of the season with grand illusions, paired with festive music and storytelling.
Join the cast for their holiday-themed show, "Winter Wonderland." Go on a journey to the North Pole and Santa’s workshop where toys will come to life. As in every show, crowds will be delighted by astounding illusions and hilarious comedy, all wrapped neatly in a holiday bow. Magic and Wonder's holiday music variety show is "Holly Jolly Jukebox." This high-energy song and dance review will be rockin' around the Christmas tree and is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. All dinner shows in November and December feature a menu of classic seasonal dishes like roast turkey and honey-glazed ham to make the evening feel like a holiday feast.
Lancaster County’s dinner theaters bring together food, festivity, and fun in a way that’s unique to the area. If you’re ready for a night filled with holiday cheer, laughter, and a delicious meal, head to one of Lancaster County’s dinner theaters as part of your getaway with us at After Eight. The season is calling, and there’s a seat waiting for you!
