Holiday Magic in the Most Famous Small Town in America

If you are dreaming of a Hallmark holiday with small-town charm and loads of heart, Gettysburg is the place for you to get into the holiday spirit. Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays in Gettysburg, PA.

#1 Book Your Cozy B&B Room

We may be a bit biased, but we think there’s no home away from home for the holidays like a bed & breakfast. Enjoy all the coziness of home with the amenities of a hotel as we pamper you as only innkeepers know how. Expect delicious plated breakfasts each morning, warm cookies at check-in, and warm conversation throughout the day. Book your room online or with the help of our staff at 717.334.8804. Want to share the coziness with someone special? We also offer gift certificates!

#2 Go on a Historic House Tour

The Adams County Historical Society is sponsoring a joyous, self-guided tour of historic buildings that have been decorated for the holidays. Stops include inns, bed & breakfasts, and private homes — each one with a unique story for you to discover along the way. This is a two-day event, with one ticket guaranteeing admission on both days. The tour usually takes place the second weekend in December. That weekend also happens to open with the Friday night Gettysburg Tuba Carol Fest. Be sure to stay at least 2 nights to make the most of the weekend.

Visiting another weekend (or can’t get enough of historic homes)? The Shriver House Museum offers Candlelight House Tours from Thanksgiving through New Years Eve.

#3 Play Reindeer Games

Gettysburg’s annual A Gettysburg Christmas Festival takes place the first weekend in December. The town is a a flurry of excitement, filled with family-friendly activities, entertainment, and special events. It feels like walking into a holiday movie that you don’t want to miss. Note: the B&B sells out quickly for this weekend, so be sure to book your room in advance!

#4 Support Small Businesses

Gettysburg is chock-a-block full of adorable shops and quaint boutiques where you can find unique gifts, handmade crafts, and local art, providing a delightful shopping experience. Expect wonderful customer service and thoughtful suggestions to make your gifting experiences easy as pie. The Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association has a helpful list of members, but we also recommend just strolling through Lincoln Square and the main roads which lead to and from it, as well as checking out the gift shops in the local museums. Plus, our staff is happy to recommend personal favorites, many of which are pictured below, or to tell you their favorite items from the B&B’s gift shop, replete with jams, jellies, salad dressings, old fashioned sodas, goat milk lotions, and more.

#5 Christmas Like a President

The Eisenhowers loved the holidays and the National Park Service honors their traditions with decorations and programs to share the spirit of the season. Whether it’s an in-person December visit to their Gettysburg farm The Eisenhower National Historic Site or a virtual tour, make sure to include the Eisenhowers in your holiday plans.

#6 Treasure a Holiday Tradition

The Totem Pole Playhouse brings their award-winning and heartwarming production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol to Gettysburg’s Majestic Theater. Treat your family to this dynamic and fast-paced spectacle that is jam-packed with magic, Christmas spirit, and warm feelings!

#7 Explore the Great Outdoors

Along with all of its history and charm, Gettysburg is a stunning piece of nature in its own right. Be sure to take time in the fresh air- just be sure to bundle up!

#8 Enjoy Holiday Spirits & Holiday Spirits

Gettysburg is home to ghost tours galore. Hear the history of the town while you connect with those on an the ethereal plane, strolling through historic Gettysburg. Afterwards, warm up with a hot toddy (or other festive beverage) at one of the town’s local craft distilleries, wineries, and breweries. Prefer to connect with your spirits by the fireside? Battlefield B&B can have a bottle of your favorite Adams County Winery wines waiting for you in your room when you arrive, which you can savor by the fire while listening to Ghost Stories with Lance Windish, our resident storyteller. Prefer a sweeter accompaniment to your haunted tales? Just request marshmallows and roasting sticks when you book your ghost stories with our staff and be sure to bring enough layers to stay cozy at the firepits! We can also add on a Hot Chocolate Bomb Platter for warm, delicious decadence!

#9 Indulge in Delicious Feasts

After we do our best to stuff you over breakfast at the inn, there is still more festive feasting to be done! Gettysburg has delicious restaurants ranging from fine-dining to casual fare and everything in between. Our B&B staff is happy to recommend favorites and you can also explore Destination Gettysburg’s dining guide.

#10 Elope

Hear me out! Do you LOVE Christmas? Do the winter holidays fill your heart with joy? Do you want to fill your wedding memories with the sparkles of the season? What better way to celebrate your love than to elope during the Christmas season?! The town sparkles with lights and magic from top to bottom and the B&B explodes with love and merriment. Fill out our event inquiry form or call 717.334.7330 to start planning your magical holiday elopement today! Our energetic and experienced staff can pull together an elopement or microwedding with minimal notice and we can’t wait to be a part of your happy ever after! Don’t wait. It’s time to celebrate!