There’s something about late spring in Pennsylvania that just feels right. The air warms up, back roads start calling, and suddenly—everything is strawberries.

For me, strawberry festival season is one of those simple joys that turns into a full day adventure. You’re not just getting fresh berries… you’re getting homemade shortcake, small-town charm, live music, and that unmistakable feeling of summer just beginning.

If you’re looking for a reason to hit the road this May and June, here are some of the best strawberry festivals across Pennsylvania to add to your list.

Strawberry season in Pennsylvania typically runs from late May through mid-to-late June, with peak harvest in early June.

That’s exactly why you’ll find festivals popping up all over the state during this time—celebrating the sweetest harvest of the year.

  ANNUAL MAY EVENT -SINCE 1978

Peddler’s Village is one of those places that shouldn’t work as well as it does — 42 acres of colonial-inspired winding brick paths, perfectly tended flower gardens, boutique shops, and a lovely inn that looks lifted straight from a Bucks County daydream. And yet it works, magnificently. The annual Strawberry Festival has been the unofficial launch of summer here since 1978, and the community shows up for it with genuine enthusiasm. Seven stages of live entertainment, fresh-baked pies, strawberry desserts in every conceivable form, axe throwing , face painting, kids’ crafts, and a pie-eating contest a  pure delight to watchand  fascination. Admission and parking are completely free — which, for an event this polished in Bucks County, 

  A real working fram since 1913

The multi-weekend format is a gift if you have the freedom to shift your schedule — which is one of the quiet luxuries of this stage of life. Pick-your-own strawberries with wagon rides to the fields, live music across the grounds, craft beer from local breweries, locally produced wines, and children going completely joyful on the inflatables and pedal go-karts. As a solo traveler who sometimes raises a mild eyebrow at her own presence at family-heavy events, I’ll say plainly: I have never felt anything but completely at home at Shady Brook Farm. There are couples, grandparents, groups of old friends, people who clearly make this an annual ritual. The farm has the quality of a place where everyone belongs.

  ANNUAL MAY EVENT -SINCE 2005

This festival has that beautiful unpretentious quality I seek out wherever I travel — wagon rides through the orchard, live music chosen by people who clearly love it, strawberry ice cream sundaes and milkshakes made from fruit grown right here on these rolling Adams County acres. And here’s what seals it for me: Hollabaugh Bros. sits just fifteen minutes north of Gettysburg National Military Park. I’ve done the combination twice — morning at the battlefield, afternoon at the strawberry festival — and it delivers one of the most distinctly, beautifully Pennsylvanian days imaginable. History and harvest, all in a single long June afternoon.

      FAMILY FARM SINCE-  1914

One of the most well-known strawberry festivals in eastern Pennsylvania is held at Linvilla Orchards, and it’s the kind of place that turns a simple day into a full experience. Just outside of Philadelphia, this family-friendly festival celebrates peak strawberry season with everything from pick-your-own berries and wagon rides to live entertainment and a huge lineup of sweet treats. The highlight—and something you absolutely have to see—is their famous oversized strawberry shortcake, served as part of a long-standing tradition during the festival. Beyond the desserts, you’ll find pony rides, a petting zoo, train rides, and plenty of food options, making it one of those festivals where you can easily spend the entire day without rushing.

  ANNUAL JUNE EVENT  35+ YEARS STRONG

Tucked away in south-central Pennsylvania, the Fulton County Strawberry Festival in McConnellsburg is one of those classic small-town events that feels like stepping back in time. Held each spring, this festival brings the community together around homemade strawberry shortcake, local food stands, and a full lineup of crafts and vendors lining the streets. It’s not flashy—and that’s exactly the charm. You’ll find neighbors catching up, families strolling through town, and that unmistakable sense of community that makes these smaller festivals so special. If you’re looking to experience the heart of Pennsylvania during strawberry season, this is the kind of stop that reminds you why the back roads are always worth taking. 🍓

  ANNUAL MAY EVENT -SINCE 2005

The Grove City Strawberry Festival is one of those feel-good events that perfectly captures the spirit of a small Pennsylvania town kicking off summer. Held in Memorial Park, this multi-day festival brings together live music, food vendors, and a welcoming community atmosphere that makes you want to linger a little longer. Of course, strawberries are the star—served up in shortcake, desserts, and sweet treats throughout the event—but it’s the little extras that make it special, like the “Shortcake Patch” for kids and the laid-back evenings filled with music and conversation. It’s the kind of place where you grab a plate, find a seat in the park, and just enjoy the moment—and honestly, those are the best kinds of festival days. 🍓

  ANNUAL MAY EVENT -SINCE 2005

The strawberry festival at Soergel Orchards is one of my favorite early-summer traditions in the Pittsburgh area. It’s the kind of place where you can start your day picking fresh strawberries and end it relaxing with a glass of wine or cider while enjoying live music. The festival blends that classic farm feel with just enough extras—think homemade strawberry desserts, a market full of local goods, and family-friendly touches like farm animals and open space to wander. It’s easy, it’s local, and it’s one of those stops where you don’t feel rushed—you just settle in and enjoy everything that makes this season so sweet. 🍓🍓

  FAMILY FARMING-SINCE 1865

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  ANNUAL JUNE MORNING EVENT 

The strawberry festival at Lancaster Central Market is a little different from the others—and that’s exactly what makes it special. Held right in the heart of one of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the country, this one-day event is all about fresh, local flavor. Vendors throughout the market create their own strawberry-inspired dishes, from classic shortcake to creative twists you won’t find anywhere else. It’s busy, it’s lively, and it has that unmistakable Lancaster energy, where history and food come together in the best way. If you’re already planning a day in Lancaster, this is the perfect sweet stop to add to your itinerary.

The most popular festivals — Peddler’s Village, Shady Brook, Linvilla — hit serious capacity by mid-morning Saturday. I am a 7:30 AM festival person during strawberry season. You will want to be one too.

Shady Brook Farm charges per-person ticket entry. Most others — Peddler’s, Hollabaugh, McConnellsburg, Grove City, Trax, Soergel, Lancaster — are free to walk in. Confirm before you drive so you’re not surprised at the gate.

Many small-town vendors, church stands, and farm booths are cash-only—and you don’t want to miss out on that homemade strawberry pie.

You’ll be walking more than you think—through fields, parks, or uneven ground—so leave the fancy sandals at home.

It’s tempting to grab everything at once, but trust me… you’ll want to try multiple strawberry treats. Start small and sample your way through.

Non-negotiable. A small cooler in the car keeps your quarts fresh on warm June afternoons and makes the entire drive home smell absolutely wonderful.

Most festivals are outdoors. A hat, sunscreen, or even a light jacket can make your day much more enjoyable.

Turn your festival visit into a mini road trip—add a state park, small town, or roadside attraction nearby to make a full day of it.

If you’re not sure where to start, look for the longest line—that’s usually where the best strawberry shortcake is.

You’ll likely leave with more than strawberries—local goodies, crafts, maybe even plants. Be sure to check out the ones in my shop.

It’s tempting to grab everything at once, but trust me… you’ll want to try multiple strawberry treats. Start small and sample your way through.

This is the part most people rush past and I never do. Ask how the season is going. Ask what’s coming next. These are people who know their land in ways that are genuinely fascinating if you give them thirty seconds to tell you about it. It’s the part of the trip I remember longest.

If you love strawberry festivals as much as I do, why not take a little piece of that sweetness home with you? I’ve created a collection of strawberry festival t-shirts inspired by some of my favorite events—not just here in Pennsylvania, but from festivals all across the country. Each design has that nostalgic, small-town feel that reminds me of warm summer days, fresh-picked berries, and roadside stops you didn’t plan but were so glad you made. Whether you’re heading out to a local festival or just dreaming about your next one, these shirts are a fun way to celebrate the season—and trust me, they’re just as comfortable as your favorite go-to travel tee. I even created some matching tote bags.🍓American Mile Market

“Pennsylvania strawberry season is brief. But for those who show up for it — really show up, cooler in the car, no agenda, willing to stay for one more piece of shortcake — it offers something rare: the feeling that the whole Commonwealth has paused, just for a few weekends, to celebrate something simple and sweet and completely real.” 

Maybe I will see you out an about at one of the Strawberry Festivals this season, I ‘m the one with strawberry juice dripping down the front of my strawberry festival tee shirt, be sure to stop and say hi, who knows i just might have a few extra shirts on me.