🟨 Weekly Wrap
Hey neighbors! Here’s what’s happening around the 717 this week
It’s finally Friday across the 717, and your weekend is peeking around the corner.
Whether you are chasing live music, local art, or a perfect cinnamon roll, there’s something happening in every corner of the region.
Here’s what has people talking this week:
Downtown Harrisburg is glowing again — the city just flipped the switch on its annual Holiday Parade floats and light tests, prepping for Saturday’s big show along Front Street.
Elizabethtown College announced it will freeze tuition for 2026, a small but welcome surprise for families.
The Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival returns this weekend with more than 60 acts — the first full-scale festival since 2019.
And yes, pumpkin spice season is officially giving way to hot chocolate. Midtown cafés are swapping menus faster than you can say “extra whipped cream.”
🟪 Quick Picks and News Items
Here’s your weekend line-up:
Markets, meet-ups, and community fun to keep you busy.
🎵 Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival
All weekend, Downtown Lancaster
60+ bands across 10 venues, from Tellus360 to the Chameleon Club.
👉 lancasterrootsandblues.com
🍺 Autos & Ales at the AACA Museum – Hershey
Friday, Nov 7 • 7–10 p.m. (VIP 6 p.m.)
Craft beer tasting + vintage cars = very Pennsylvania fun.
👉 aacamuseum.org
🎨 Lebanon First Friday Art Walk
Friday, Nov 7 • 5–8 p.m.
Downtown Lebanon galleries and shops open late with live music.
👉 visitlebco.com
🥁 Harrisburg Symphony: Orchestral Odysseys
Saturday, Nov 8 • 7:30 p.m. | Forum Auditorium
Britten, Strauss, Garrop, and Stravinsky in one concert.
👉 harrisburgsymphony.org
🎤 The Weeknd Tribute Night – Capital City Music Hall
Saturday, Nov 8 • 8 p.m. | Harrisburg
A full tribute night with hits and neon lights.
👉 capitalcitymusichall.com
🌳 Wildwood Park Habitat Work Day
Sunday, Nov 9 • 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join volunteers to clear trails and protect the wetlands.
👉 wildwoodlake.org
🌿 Native Seed Share at Camp Hill Giant
Sunday, Nov 9 • 1–4 p.m.
Hosted by Wild Ones South Central PA. Swap seeds and stories.
👉 wildonessouthcentralpa.org
🍞 Central Market Lancaster Saturday Morning Run
Saturday, Nov 8 • 6 a.m.–2 p.m.
Local produce, baked goods, and early holiday gifts.
👉 centralmarketlancaster.com
🩵 Neighbor Shoutout
This week we’re highlighting the momentum in downtown Harrisburg’s music and entertainment scene.
According to TheBurg, a “major renovation” has brought a new live-music venue to downtown Harrisburg, with the aim of reviving nightlife and supporting local artists.
We’d like to give a nod to the team behind this project — their vision is helping bring fresh energy to the 717 in a way that lifts up local talent and gives us more reasons to head downtown.
🟩 Good to Know
Local tip: Free Parking on Weekends
If you are heading out this weekend, a quick parking tip to make things easier:
Downtown Carlisle offers free parking after 4 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends (lovecarlisle.com).
Meanwhile in Lancaster, metered parking is enforced only Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so on Sundays it’s free across most of downtown (southernmarketlancaster.com).
🟪 Friday Fun Poll
We have to settle this once and for all
What’s the best fall comfort drink in the 717?
☕ Hot cider
🍫 Hot chocolate
🎃 Pumpkin cold brew
Hit reply with your pick and we’ll share the tally Monday morning.
✅ Sign-Off
Here’s to cozy mornings, local music, and finding joy in small places, a bakery reopening, a parade float, a new song echoing down Queen Street.
Your friends at Our Local 717
