LANCASTER, PA — Families can race through a winter maze, climb an inflatable mountain and slide across a baseball field this holiday season as Penn Medicine Park transforms into Santa’s Ballpark, complete with a new Christmas Carnival, visits with Santa Claus and thousands of festive lights.
Christmas at Penn Medicine Park, presented by WellSpan Health, returns for its seventh year with an expanded celebration running Dec. 3–24. For the first time, the Lancaster ballpark’s playing field will become a winter amusement area featuring three attractions designed for children and adults.
The new Ride and Slide carnival joins returning favorites such as Christmas Tree Lane, free photos with Santa, live reindeer and special holiday character appearances. The drive-through Christmas Spirit Light Show will also return Nov. 27 through Dec. 31.
Winter Adventures Take Over the Baseball Field
The biggest addition to this year’s celebration is Ride and Slide, which brings three interactive attractions onto the playing field.
Snow Mazing challenges visitors to navigate a winter-themed maze, locate checkpoints, punch their passports and race back to the exit. Participants can try to improve their times with additional attempts.
Yeti Mountain offers an inflatable climbing experience where guests can race friends to the summit before returning for another climb.
Snowzilla Jr. brings the excitement of sledding to the ballpark with a giant winter slide designed for both children and adults.
Families can also enjoy the Budget Blinds Kids Park, which includes the ballpark’s carousel and slide.
Guests can purchase individual rides for $5 or choose an unlimited-ride wristband for $20 at the gate or $18 online.
A $50 Family Fun Pack includes two ride wristbands, two adult Holiday Maze passes and four hot chocolates.
For frequent visitors, a $75 Activity Wristband Season Pass provides unlimited rides throughout the Dec. 3–24 celebration, along with $2 off hot chocolate during the season.
Children ages 4 and younger receive free admission to the carnival attractions.
Santa, Reindeer and Christmas Trees Return
Santa Claus will welcome families for complimentary photos every evening from Dec. 3 through Dec. 23.
Christmas Tree Lane will once again fill the ballpark concourse with fresh-cut trees from Elizabeth Farms, each decorated by a local business or community organization.
Visitors can vote for their favorite trees for $2 per vote from Dec. 3 through Dec. 24, with all voting proceeds benefiting the nonprofit associated with each tree.
The competition also includes Judges’ Choice and Most Votes awards, with charitable prizes of $1,000, $750 and $500 available in each category.
Live reindeer will make special appearances Dec. 10, 17 and 20, offering additional opportunities for free holiday photographs.
The festivities begin with a soft opening Thursday, Dec. 3, followed by the official grand opening Friday, Dec. 4.
Holiday Characters and Special Events Fill December
Throughout the celebration, families can enjoy themed evenings featuring familiar holiday characters, storytelling and community activities.
The Grinch will visit Friday, Dec. 4, while Mrs. Claus will host story time on Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, the ballpark will host Bike Thru the Lights in partnership with The Common Wheel, the City of Lancaster and Penn Medicine.
The community event begins at 4 p.m., with cyclists invited to ride through the illuminated display from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Admission costs $5 per rider, while children younger than 5 participate free.
Dog owners can bring their four-legged companions for photographs with Santa during Wet Nose Wednesday, presented by LCM Subaru, on Dec. 9, 16 and 23.
The special photo opportunities will take place along Christmas Tree Lane.
Fans of winter-themed characters can meet Elsa and Olaf on Friday, Dec. 11, followed by appearances from Anna and Kristoff on Friday, Dec. 18.
Holiday 5K Brings Runners Through the Lights
The celebration will also feature the Dashing Through the Lights 5K, presented by Ivy Rehab Network, on Friday, Dec. 11.
The race begins at 10 p.m., giving participants an opportunity to run through the illuminated holiday setting.
Registration costs $40 for returning participants and $45 for new runners.
Runners can register at https://pennmedicinepark.com/events/dashing-through-the-lights/.
Drive-Through Light Show Returns
For visitors who prefer to enjoy holiday displays from their vehicles, the Christmas Spirit Light Show returns Nov. 27 and continues through Dec. 31.
The drive-through attraction operates separately from Santa’s Ballpark, extending the seasonal celebration beyond Christmas Eve.
Guests attending the carnival can also enjoy holiday concessions, including hot chocolate, mulled cider, soft pretzels, roasted nuts, popcorn, cotton candy and cookies.
Hot chocolate and mulled cider cost $5.25 each, with an optional alcoholic addition for $4 more. A souvenir-cup hot chocolate will be available for $10.
Concessions will operate inside Santa’s Ballpark from Dec. 4–24 and during drive-through light show evenings.
Event Details
- What: Santa’s Ballpark featuring the Christmas Carnival, with Ride and Slide attractions, visits with Santa, Christmas Tree Lane, live reindeer, holiday entertainment and the Christmas Spirit Light Show.
- When: Santa’s Ballpark runs nightly Dec. 3–24, 2026. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with closing at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Christmas Spirit Light Show runs Nov. 27–Dec. 31; drive-through operating hours were not provided.
- Where: Penn Medicine Park, 650 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.
- Cost/Tickets: Ride and Slide wristbands cost $18 online or $20 at the gate. Individual rides cost $5. Family Fun Packs cost $50, and season passes cost $75. Children ages 4 and younger participate free.
- More Info: Visit https://pennmedicinepark.com/ for ballpark event information. Dashing Through the Lights 5K registration is available at https://pennmedicinepark.com/events/dashing-through-the-lights/.
Special Events Calendar
- Nov. 27–Dec. 31: Christmas Spirit Light Show drive-through attraction.
- Thursday, Dec. 3: Santa’s Ballpark soft opening.
- Friday, Dec. 4: Grand opening and visit from the Grinch.
- Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19: Story time with Mrs. Claus.
- Sunday, Dec. 6: Bike Thru the Lights, beginning with a community event at 4 p.m. and cycling from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays, Dec. 9, 16 and 23: Wet Nose Wednesday dog photos with Santa.
- Dec. 10, 17 and 20: Free photographs with live reindeer.
- Friday, Dec. 11: Elsa and Olaf visit; Dashing Through the Lights 5K begins at 10 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 18: Anna and Kristoff visit.
- Thursday, Dec. 24: Final evening of Santa’s Ballpark and the Christmas Carnival.
With a baseball field transformed into a winter playground and holiday activities extending throughout December, Santa’s Ballpark offers families several ways to celebrate the season in Lancaster.
Whether visitors come to race through Snow Mazing, meet Santa, admire community-decorated Christmas trees or enjoy the drive-through lights, this year’s expanded festivities bring new attractions to a holiday tradition entering its seventh season.
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