This weekend in Lancaster, PA

A broad festival devoted to combat sports, fitness, training, and resilience fills the day. Hands-on seminars led by experienced instructors cover multiple disciplines to help participants sharpen their skills. Competition features BJJ, wrestling, grappling, karate, ChickJitsu, Stack the Weight, and esports, with opportunities for competitors across disciplines and for spectators to see elite athletes in action. Keynote talks focus on resilience, post-traumatic success, leadership, and rebuilding life after the hardest moments, presented by speakers who have lived the topics they discuss. The RuckStack brings the GORUCK community into the mix with shared movement, grit, and camaraderie. The finale delivers live SubversivBJJ matchups highlighting Philly vs Pitt. Exhibitors and vendors add to the experience with gear, supplements, apparel, and brand showcases. Committed to training, building community, and giving back, the event directs 20 percent of every ticket to selected beneficiaries, so participation also supports a larger cause.

Get certified for Pennsylvania hunter-trapper education at Pequea Valley Sportsman Assoc in Willow Street. Registration is currently open, with limited seats remaining. Plan to arrive prepared for the training day.

Learn essential lifesaving skills during a CPR and AED certification class at Lancaster Stormers. Plan to arrive a little early for check-in and to pick up your training materials, as the class starts promptly. Be prepared for hands-on practice on the floor while learning CPR and AED use, so wear comfortable clothing suitable for kneeling. This course teaches chest compression only CPR and does not require giving breaths to the manikin. The registration fee helps cover the cost of materials. Payments are nonrefundable, but a credit toward a future CPR class is available if plans change.

Adoptees Connect Lancaster offers a monthly peer-supported meeting for adult adoptees from across central and southeastern Pennsylvania. The gathering provides a welcoming environment to share adoption experiences, talk through challenges, and express hopes for the future. Participants come from Lancaster and surrounding counties, and conversations focus on common themes adoptees encounter throughout life. The group operates as a self-help circle where everyone is invited to participate and share responsibility for guiding the discussion, building a small community that feels inclusive and supportive. For more information, text Julie at (717) 535-9065 or email AdopteesConnect717@gmail.com.

Instructor Donna Lashof leads a beginner friendly, one day workshop focused on creating a three dimensional stained glass succulent. The session starts with a safety overview and an introduction to the tools, then moves through each stage of the process, including selecting materials, cutting, shaping on a grinder, applying copper foil, positioning the pieces, soldering, and finishing. Participants will leave with a colorful piece for the home, and some may also have the opportunity to make a butterfly.

Collect a free box of food at this distribution, made possible by Blessings of Hope. No identification is required. Simply come by during the event to receive a box.

Rocks Cardio Box and Fitness LLC presents a free FITcamp session at Binns Park. This 60 minute, circuit based workout is led by certified trainers and blends cardio, strength, agility, mobility, balance, and core training. The lineup changes from week to week to keep the experience fresh, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to meet new people. The program emphasizes community health and wellness through accessible, high energy exercise suitable for all fitness levels. Pre-registration is preferred but not required.

This event is a Play! Pokemon tournament for the Pokemon Trading Card Game. Registration is completed through a Play! Pokemon account.

At the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, instructor Suzy Wurtz leads a four-hour sewing class focused on refreshing well-worn jeans with a quilted insert that features floral fabric and lace. The session is geared toward beginner and intermediate sewists who are already comfortable using their own sewing machines. Students should bring their own sewing notions, while all other materials are provided. A materials fee of $30 per student is due to the instructor at the start of class.

Pavaa Gallery presents an event that blends drumming with visual art, highlighting African art and original creations. Rhythm and creativity come together in the gallery setting.

Inside the Wild at Acorn Acres invites participants to blend creativity with science through a series of wildlife themed craft activities. Projects focus on native animals and nature, with participants creating take home pieces while discovering how traits like footprints, fur, feathers, and living spaces relate to how animals survive and behave. Each activity builds core learning skills, encouraging careful observation, pattern awareness, and an understanding of how form supports function. The session nurtures imagination and fine motor abilities, while fostering a closer connection to the animals that share our world.

Take a musical journey across the globe without leaving your seat as Allegro presents a Staycation program featuring works by Rossini and Mendelssohn, along with pieces by Brian Norcross, who is the ensemble’s conductor, founder, and Artistic Director. The performance traces how travel influenced these composers, weaving their explorations into a spirited, international program. Tickets start at $35, and children ages 5 to 18 attend free with a paying adult.

Music for Everyone hosts a free Silent Disco Night at Binns Park as part of a second Saturday series with a new theme each month. This edition centers on Yacht Rock Vibes, while past months have celebrated Disco, Loud and Proud, Bad Bunny, and Womxn of Pop. Lace up your dancing shoes and get ready to groove.

This event features fireworks presented by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, a teddy bear toss, and Youth Hockey Night presented by Dicks Sporting Goods. It also highlights Chester County night.

Nationally acclaimed comedian and former public school teacher Chad Thornsberry takes the stage at Landis Hall at The Junction Center with his There Are No Stupid Questions Tour. Expect clean, family-friendly stand-up built on relatable storytelling about everyday life, parenting, marriage, and real-world experiences. The setting is warm and welcoming, making it a good fit for families, groups, date night, or an outing with friends. The show is presented in historic Landis Hall at The Junction Center near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Tickets are available with early entry, general admission, and reserved mezzanine options, and accessible seating is offered.

Get ready for a summer bash party with live music and plenty of dancing. Doors open at 6:45 PM, and the event runs from 7:00 PM to late night at the Lancaster County Convention Center in downtown Lancaster. This is an all-ages, in-person event.

Bad Sneakers brings music to Annie Bailey's Irish Public House. Enjoy the downtown Lancaster vibe as you take in the performance.

Enjoy a free, weekly drop-in creative series at Binns Park that invites the community to slow down, explore downtown Lancaster, and engage in hands-on artmaking. Each Sunday features a new focus guided by local artists, educators, and guest instructors. Sessions are semi-guided and open to all experience levels, concluding with an optional group reflection and time to share work. The program emphasizes creativity, accessibility, and connection, using the park as both classroom and inspiration. Monthly themes rotate through the month, with the first Sunday devoted to painting and drawing, the second to sketchbook practice, the third to journaling, and the fourth to photography. Admission is free, and participants should bring their own supplies.

This community event serves students in grades K through 8 from the School District of Lancaster, Manheim Township School District, Hempfield School District, and Penn Manor School District. Attendees can receive free backpacks, clothing, shoes, school supplies, books, haircuts, and more. Staff from Rep Rivera and Rep Smith-Wade-Els will be on site to answer questions about state-related issues. Pre-registration is available. Those interested in volunteering, donating, or contributing can contact Kristian Williamson at kwilliamson@pahouse.net or 717-283-4218.

Recharge with a ReSet Day Retreat designed for women who want time to reconnect, realign, and have some fun. This is a day retreat experience with other women, focused on taking a meaningful break and getting back into a better headspace. Tickets are $30, or free with membership. The cancellation policy states there are no refunds.

These free historic walking tours explore Manheim on foot. Led by a well informed guide, the group hears engaging stories from the town’s past as the walk begins on the museums’ lawn, weather allowing. Please arrive a little early so everything can start smoothly. Tours are offered on select dates. An announcement about haunted walking tours is coming soon.

Cathedral of Funk brings the groove outdoors with a four-part patio series packed with sunshine, soul, and dance floor energy. Jam Hot Radio teams up with rotating special guests for multi-genre sets that blend styles and keep bodies moving. The sessions lead into the West Art Bloc Party and highlight different guest DJs along the way. More than a party, Cathedral of Funk is a welcoming community where people from all backgrounds can let stress fade, move freely, and connect with joy, without expectations or judgment. For this run, entry operates on a suggested $10 donation, contribute what you can, and no one is refused for lack of funds. Look forward to a relaxed patio vibe, a fun drink in hand, new faces, and fresh tunes to discover.

Music Director Lars Potteiger leads an engaging, hands-on drum circle in the Rader Park Pavilion. Open to all ages, this gathering provides drums on site, while participants bring their energy and love of rhythm. Celebrate community through shared beats in a welcoming park setting.

Catch Jay & The Americans and Classics IV at American Music Theatre in Lancaster for a Sunday afternoon show. The event listing puts the performance at 3:00 PM, with local venue time shown on the page.

A Back To School Game features Youth Softball and Baseball Camp and Clinic Appreciation. The celebration recognizes youth camps and clinics and the young players who participate, adding a supportive, upbeat atmosphere to the game.

The Long’s Park Summer Music Series features Low Cut Connie, led by Philadelphia rock and roll artist Adam Weiner. The performance showcases piano-forward rock, energetic sets, and crowd-moving showmanship. Food will be available during the concert from JR’s Brisket, Brickers’ French Fries, OBX Lemonade, Scoops, Traveling J’s, and Walko Taco. Admission is free thanks to support from Hammond’s Pretzels, Kegel’s Produce, WGAL, High Hotels Ltd., Citadel Credit Union, Oaktree Outdoor Advertising, City of Lancaster, Miller’s Ale House, and Wegmans.