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10 Great Things to Do in Pennsylvania in June

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June is the official start of summer, and there are many fantastic events happening throughout Pennsylvania for the whole family to enjoy.

Whether you like beautiful local art, heart-stopping excitement, or incredible scenery, there’s a lot to like about the events happening in Pennsylvania this June.

Here are my 10 top picks for great things to do in Pennsylvania in June.

(Article Updated May 11, 2023 for Pennsylvania events in June 2023.)

World War 2 Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading – June 2-4

Mid Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania
The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum hosts their World War 2 Weekend each June.

If you love history, the World War 2 Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading is a great thing to do in PA this June.

During the weekend, you can not only tour this fantastic museum, but you can also see hundreds of World War 2 reenactors representing nearly every aspect of the war experience. There will also be dozens of authentic planes from the era, and talks by veterans of the war.

On top of that, there will be a popular airshow during the event and the opportunity to ride on many of the planes on display.

For more information and tickets, visit the museum’s website.

Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh – June 2-11

Pittsburgh's Cultural District amongst the skyscrapers of the downtown core.
The Three Rivers Arts Festival will take place in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

The Three Rivers Arts Festival brings some of the best local and regional artists to Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Over the course of 10 days, Pittsburgh comes alive with free performances, hundreds of artist stalls, great food, and much more.

This year, the festival will feature free entertainment each day (including a concert by artist KT Tunstall), as well as hundreds of great art and food vendors throughout the 14 blocks that the festival covers. This is one of the largest free art festivals in the country and should be on every Pennsylvania traveler’s list.

For more information, visit the festival’s website.

Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in Butler County – June 9-11

Things to do in PA in June: Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival
The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in Butler brings Jeep lovers back to the vehicle’s birthplace.

Butler, Pennsylvania, is the birthplace of the Jeep, and every year, they host the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival to celebrate the community’s automotive legacy.

Jeep lovers from all over the country come to western Pennsylvania to explore the area’s automotive history and to participate in a wide variety of Jeep obstacle courses. There will also be a chance for visitors to see hundreds of Jeeps on display, learn about the area’s history, and enjoy food and live entertainment.

For more information, visit the event’s website.

The 160th Anniversary of the Shelling of Carlisle – June 10

Autumn trees surround the Old Courthouse in Carlisle, PA
Carlisle’s Old Courthouse, which still bears marks from the 1863 shelling, will be the focal point for the reenactment.

Downtown Carlisle will be transported back to 1863 this month when they reenact the shelling of Carlisle, which happened in the days leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg.

During this one-day event, there will be reenactor demonstrations, period music, kids’ activities, and vendors. However, the highlight is the reenactment of the shelling, which is sure to be a great time.

Find out more information on the event’s Facebook page.

Pennsylvania Laurel Festival in Wellsboro – June 10-18

Shops along the street in downtown Wellsboro, PA
The Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Festival will be held in the charming downtown area of Wellsboro.

For its 81st year, the Pennsylvania Laurel Festival will be returning to Wellsboro this June.

Celebrating the official state flower, the mountain laurel, the festival will feature concerts, a pageant, a pet parade, an art fair, and much more. However, the highlight of the event is always the two-hour-long Laurel Parade held on the streets of downtown Wellsboro on the afternoon of Saturday, June 17.

For more information, visit the event’s website.

Thurston Classic in Meadville – June 14-18

Things to do in Pennsylvania in June
Hot-air balloons take to the air during the Thurston Classic.

If you love hot air balloons, you won’t want to miss the fantastic Thurston Classic, which is returning to Meadville this June.

The event kicks off with the Night Glow when over 100 hot air balloons take to the sky after dark, which is truly a spectacular sight to see. There will also be other flights throughout the weekend, including balloon races on Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors are invited to come and watch the balloons get ready to take off for no charge, but there are no balloon rides during the event.

For more information, visit the event’s website.

Kempton Fair in Berks County – June 15-17

The Kempton Fair is once again returning to eastern Berks County this June, one of the many PA fairs you’ll find this summer.

This three-day fair will feature a variety of livestock events and competitions, multiple tractor pulls, and a live entertainment stage. And, of course, there will also be rides, great food, and vendors throughout the grounds.

To find out more, visit the fair’s website.

The Chinese Lantern Festival in Philadelphia – Starting June 21

Dragon at the Chinese Lantern Festival in Philadelphia
The large Chinese-style lanterns are the highlight of the Chinese Lantern Festival in Philadelphia.

One of my favorite events of the year is the Chinese Lantern Festival in Philadelphia’s Franklin Square.

Each evening from June 21 through August 13, dozens of giant Chinese-style lanterns will be lit and are sure to delight. The highlight of these is the 200-foot phoenix lantern and a walk-through dragon tunnel.

In addition to the lanterns, each evening will feature special cultural entertainment, fountain shows, and unique food and beverage options.

Find out more and get tickets on HistoricPhiladelphia.org.

Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally in Johnstown – June 22-25

Johnstown Inclined Plane in front of Johnstown PA
Thunder in the Valley will return to Johnstown, PA this June.

Motorcycle enthusiasts will want to make their way to Johnstown in June for the Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally. The largest motorcycle rally in Pennsylvania, the event is centered around Johnstown with other events happening throughout the region.

In addition to enjoying group rides through the mountains around Johnstown, there are numerous events held throughout the region featuring live music, food, and motorcycle-related activities.

For more information, visit the rally’s website.

Celtic Fling and Highland Games in Lancaster County – June 24-25

Held on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in northern Lancaster County, the Celtic Fling and Highland Games is sure to be a lot of fun.

The faire grounds will be filled with great activities and live entertainment, all with a Celtic theme. You can also watch athletes compete in many fun and unusual competitions during the Highland Games.

For more information and to get tickets, visit the event’s website.

Do you know of a great event happening in Pennsylvania in June? Let us know in the comments section below!

Looking for more things to do in Pennsylvania? Check out the best things to do in PA in May and our favorite Pennsylvania events in July.

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13 thoughts on “10 Great Things to Do in Pennsylvania in June”

  1. I love reading your posts and have something for you to check out, if you haven’t already – WaterFire Sharon. It is a truly unique family friendly festival with over 50 fire braziers lit at sunset on the Shenango River as well as an arts and music festival.. Learn more at waterfiresharon.org There are three opportunities to attend WaterFires this summer (each one with a different theme). July 15th, August 19th, and September 23rd. I promise you will not be disappointed!

    Reply
  2. The motorcycle rally sounds like tons of fun Jim. Gotta love that rumble of thunder in the valley. June is a solid month too; summer just kicking in so you avoid the more brutal heat experienced in July and August.

    Ryan

    Reply
  3. +1

    WW II Weekend at Reading Airport

    If you can, go on Friday.

    You’ll avoid the regular air show crowds.

    And you’ll see many more planes flying since they are giving airplane rides all day Friday.

    And make sure to visit the reenactor’s encampments. You will find lots of very interesting people to talk to there.

    Reply
  4. Thunder in the Valley is a hometown event for me. We avoid downtown and go to some of the peripheral events in nearby communities. Love the Addison National Road Chainsaw event. Saw you were going to Ringing Rocks. That was a kick with our little boy back in the day. Be sure to go on the trail and down the semi dry creek bed. In addition to Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown, this year the second, third and last weekend of June there is a Bible convention in the 1st Summit Bank War Memorial open to the public and free. The theme is Be Courageous.

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  5. Jim Cheney: Can you please help me asap. I’m trying to remember a quaint restaurant out east it was an old train station. I may plan a june 2nd trip. Thank You

    Reply
  6. Arts in the Park , a juried art show the 4th weekend in June in Kane , McKean Co. Evergreen Park in beautiful downtown Kane is the setting for this show.

    Reply

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