Special Events

Shippensburg is home to a number of festivals and events that have become, or are fast becoming, annual traditions of locals and visitors alike. Here is a list of the more prominent attractions, along with links to further information.

March to Destiny
Civil War reenactments and activities held the last full weekend of June. Organized by the Shippensburg Civil War Roundtable www.marchtodestiny.org

SHAPE Solstice Arts Festival
Fine art, music, food, and fun, presented by Shippensburg Arts Programming and Education. Activities for the whole family in celebration of the summer solstice, held the third Saturday of June. Admission is free. www.shapeart.org

ArtSHIP: Shippensburg's Arts and Wine Festival
A part of Shippensburg University's annual Alumni Days event starting in 2008, ArtSHIP is held rain or shine on the campus lawn along Earl Street. The Saturday festival features wineries, microbreweries, live music, art demonstrations, food vendors and story-telling. A wristband must be purchased for wine and microbrew sampling. Cost of the wristband is $20.00 and includes your souvenir wine/beer glass, sampling and entertainment. Presented by Shippensburg University Alumni Association and Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce. www.ship.edu

Shippensburg Community Fair
An annual tradition since 1958, the Shippensburg Community Fair is held during the last full week of July and attracts thousands of visitors from throughout Central Pennsylvania. The fairgrounds straddles the line between Cumberland and Franklin Counties, making it the largest bi-county fair in Pennsylvania. shippensburgfair.com

Corn Festival
Every year on the last Saturday in August, Shippensburg's downtown hosts a huge street fair for a day, paying homage to one of the Cumberland Valley's primary agricultural crops with a few hundred juried craft and antique vendors, food booths featuring corn in every form, an antique car show, entertainment, and children’s activities. Admission is free. cornfestival.net

Spill the Beans
A fundraising event held annually in early October by and for DOIT and Shippensburg Area Boys & Girls Club on the Shippensburg University campus lawn along North Earl Street in Shippensburg. Participants include college fraternities and sororities, individuals, and local businesses or other organizations. www.beansoup.org

Dickens' Days
Experience a Victorian Holiday in Historic Shippensburg, events presented by D.O.I.T. The events start on the 3rd weekend of November and continue through the end of December. There is something for the whole family: Parade, Children’s Event, Santa in the Shops, the annual Fezziwig’s event, Store Specials and much more. Contact the Chamber at 532-5509 for a complete list of events and contact information.

Anchor Drop
On New Years Eve, downtown Shippensburg comes alive with family fun and entertainment.