Family events in Cumberland County, PA

A festive Halloween celebration in Downtown Carlisle features a packed lineup of activities suitable for every age group. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Celebrate the season with a Halloween parade float. Participants who would like to walk can dress in a spooky costume and help distribute candy. A float-decorating session at the Aerie is planned ahead of the parade, and volunteers are needed to lend a hand. The weekly drawing has been rescheduled.

Food Truck Fridays at Winding Hill Park North is a community gathering with a rotating mix of food trucks and live music. Each edition brings different vendors serving tacos, barbecue, sweet treats, and other specialty bites, so there is always something new to try. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, enjoy dinner in the park, and spend a relaxed evening with friends, family, and neighbors while listening to performances by Cahoots and Two of a Kind.

Take part in a festive Trick-or-Treat held as part of Fall Fest weekend. It is free to participate, and there is no fee to set up and hand out candy, just bring your own treats. Food trucks will be available, and rides are offered with the purchase of a wristband.

Tire Rack Street Survival offers a real world, hands on driving school for teens using their own car. The program focuses on vehicle control at the limit and the practical side of driving physics, helping new drivers build quicker reactions, sound decisions, and awareness of other road users. The day blends about two hours of classroom spread across three sessions with extensive seat time alongside a coach. On course, students practice skid recovery on a wet pad, rapid lane changes to avoid hazards, hard braking to understand ABS, and a slalom to feel weight transfer. When conditions allow, instructors also run two wheels off recovery and safe following distance drills. In the classroom, topics include seating and hand position, mirror setup, tire contact patches, weight transfer theory, long range vision, and overall situational awareness, along with discussion about distractions from music, phones, or crowded cars. Demonstrations may include exploring a semi truck’s blind zones by sitting in the cab to see how many nearby vehicles are out of view, and an airbag deployment to reinforce safe hand placement. Parents are encouraged to spend the day with their student and are welcome in the classroom, and instructors are available throughout to answer questions about each activity. It is a full day, the fee is $175, and lunch is provided for students, parents, and volunteers along with brief educational demos during the break.

Gear up for the Mechanicsburg Wrestling Boosters first annual dodgeball tournament, featuring two divisions: Junior High for grades 6 to 8 and Adults for grade 9 through adult. Expect prizes, concessions, and plenty of fun. The entry fee is $20 per person. Register on your own, with free agency available but not guaranteed, or team up with friends to enter together. A signed waiver is required. Use the QR code or the provided link to complete registration.

Spooky Saturday welcomes children ages 12 and under to trick or treat with participating downtown Carlisle merchants. Families can pick up a map of the treat stops at the Town Square to see which locations are handing out candy. It is all about sweet surprises without the tricks.

Glow Getter Studio is part of Downtown Carlisle’s Spooky Saturday with a family-friendly Halloween celebration inside the studio. Stop in between candy stops to enjoy Koya’s hand-drawn henna with Halloween motifs like pumpkins, ghosts, bats, moons, and florals. Kids can sparkle at the glitter bar, pick a glitter tattoo, build a keepsake at the charm bar, and add shimmering hair tinsel. Browse while sipping a Witch’s Brew as a cocktail or a mocktail. Every child receives a sweet treat, and shoppers can take part in the Pumpkin Pick Surprise for prizes and special offers. Support local makers, create lasting memories, and celebrate the season. Costumes are encouraged at Glow Getter Studio in Carlisle.

As New Cumberland's downtown businesses host trick or treating, a creative shop becomes a spooky walkthrough experience with sweets and treats. Expect a couple of scares, activities, and a little treat. Suitable for kids and adults who feel brave.

Enjoy a free, family-friendly Trunk or Treat at THRIVE in Faith Church in Mechanicsburg. Explore decorated trunks filled with treats, play games, get your face painted, and grab a bite from concessions. Costumes are encouraged, and the focus is on Halloween fun in a welcoming community setting.

An annual Halloween parade brings seasonal fun to Shippensburg with a festive community celebration. The Shippensburg Kids Events Committee organizes the event, and a backup date is planned in case of rain.

Part of the 7th Annual Fall Fest, this car show features music and seasonal activities. Registration is $10. The first hundred registrants receive a Fall Fest keepsake, and prizes are awarded to the top two Halloween-themed decorations. General admission is free, and guests can browse the flea market and choose from multiple food vendors on site. Take in the show or enjoy a train ride. Online preregistration is available with payment due upon arrival, though it is not required.

A brief session that includes reading a board book, singing, and time to play. Parents and caregivers take part alongside their children, with activities designed to be shared together. It is held in the Play Room.

Castlerigg is part of the Downtown Camp Hill Association’s Market on Market, an outdoor market featuring local farmers and producers, wine from Castlerigg Wine Shop, a featured food truck, and a kids activity tent. Families and dogs are welcome for a friendly, all-ages experience. Special orders are accepted with a minimum of 24 hours notice.

Enjoy a Halloween-themed craft, a seasonal storytime, trick-or-treating, and other festive activities in the community room.