These 6 Pennsylvania Towns Have The Most Unique Festivals

Pennsylvania, founded in 1681 by William Penn, has played an important role in shaping U.S. history. It was the birthplace of American independence, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution drafted there in 1787. Fast forward almost 250 years and the Keystone State’s past is reflected in its small towns, where history, food, and life are celebrated in the most unique festivals. Lititz, home to the first commercial pretzel bakery, celebrates with an annual Pretzel Fest. Kennett Square hosts a lively Mushroom Festival, while Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day tradition captures the world’s attention every February 2. Here are the six Pennsylvania towns that have the most unique festivals.

Punxsutawney

The most famous festival in the state of Pennsylvania is Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. Held every February 2 since 1887, the one-day event was inspired by a German custom imported by the Pennsylvania Dutch called Candlemas. In German-speaking countries and parts of Europe, February 2nd is Candlemas Day, wherein the day’s weather conditions, plus a hibernating animal, can be used to predict how long cold weather will continue after that date.

Punxsutawney lays claim to the longest ongoing Groundhog Day tradition, and much of North America tunes in to see if Punxsutawney Phil, the town’s groundhog in residence, sees his shadow. If he does, six more weeks of winter are forecast; if he doesn’t, it’s an early spring. Today, the small town revolves around the weather-forecasting rodent, as does much of its economy. It is home to Gobbler’s Knob and Trail, the heart of the Groundhog Day celebration, where Phil makes his predication in a quirky quasi-formal ceremony. Beyond Phil and the party, there’s a Weather Discovery Center to visit, hidden ceramic statues of Phil all over town, and Punxsutawney Phil's Official Souvenir Shop.

Kennett Square

Kennett Square is a charming small town about 40 miles from the capital city of Philadelphia. It is known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World” because more than 60 percent of all mushrooms grown in the United States are grown in Kennett Square and the surrounding region, including parts of northeastern Maryland. Since 1986, the town has hosted the Mushroom Festival, which started as a one-day event designed to bring attention to the mushroom industry. Fast forward to 2025, and the festival has grown into a nationally recognized two-day festival held on the 6th and 7th of September 2025 that attracts thousands of fungi lovers to see mushrooms grow in the Mushroom Growers’ Tent, enjoy mushroom-themed food, watch a mushroom-eating contest, and participate in a Food Network-style “Chopped” mushroom challenge.

The Mushroom Festival shines a spotlight on mushrooms, the undisputed stars of the show, but Kennett Square is much than just its fungi fame. For shopping enthusiasts, visit Marché, a lifestyle boutique carrying curated candles, jewelry, and home decor; Textile sells vintage and contemporary on-trend clothing; and the independent Kennett Bookhouse has selected books and gifts. Trendy Philter offers handcrafted coffee and baked goods.

Kecksburg

Kecksburg was thrust into the spotlight in December 1965 when a UFO supposedly crash-landed in the small community in Mount Pleasant County Township, and locals have celebrated its arrival ever since. The UFO, perceived as a giant, brilliant fireball as it streaked across the sky, dropping metal debris over Michigan and Ohio, was accompanied by sonic booms before finally landing in Kecksburg. For years, many speculated that it was a UFO, but after examining metallic fragments discovered in a nearby field, NASA claimed it was part of a Soviet satellite.

Whether you believe in aliens or are simply extraterrestrial-curious, Kecksburg was the new Roswell, albeit briefly. Though the incident never made the list of the most famous UFO sightings, the television show "Unsolved Mysteries" filmed an episode about the Kecksburg incident, and its art department created a bell-shaped metallic model for the show. The model was later donated to the town, where it currently sits behind the local fire station, and is the star attraction at the quirky annual Kecksburg UFO Festival. This year’s festival takes place from July 18 to July 20, 2025, and it promises to be out-of-this-world with costume contests, food and craft vendors onsite, and bed races.

Lititz

Known as the “Pretzel Capital of the World,” Lititz is in the heart of Amish Country in Lancaster County. It is the location of the first commercial pretzel bakery in the U.S., the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. The bakery was founded by Julius Sturgis in 1861, around the beginning of the Civil War. Today, the little bakery is synonymous with Lititz, attracting visitors from far and wide to try and buy pretzels. In 2003, the governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, declared April 26th “National Pretzel Day,” recognizing the twisted treat’s importance to the state’s history and economy.

While the exact inception date of the annual Lititz Pretzel Fest isn’t known, it is a cherished celebration in the community and is celebrated on or near National Pretzel Day. This year’s festival, with sweet and savory tastings, adult beverages, and live music, takes place on April 26, 2025, in the Lititz Springs Park, a historic park founded in 1792. The park is famous for its natural spring and connection to Lititz’s rich Moravian history.

Mars

Mars (not that Mars) is a quirky town about 25 miles north of Pittsburgh that prides itself on being a little bit out of this world. The town’s most iconic landmark is a funky little Mars spaceship, a replica of a flying saucer in the town square. Once a railroad hub, the historic Mars Train Station is a reminder of the town’s past, and while the station is a museum run by the Mars Area History and Landmarks Society (MAHLS), the Mars Shortline Railroad operates during the summer season, offering short rides around town.

Mars New Year is a two-day community festival in Mars with a mission to celebrate the Martian New Year on the red planet. There are NASA-themed events, fun and interactive science demonstrations, STEAM presentations, a costume contest, otherworldly live music, and more. Mars New Year takes place from June 6 to 7, 2025.

Pittston

Pittston is a small, picturesque town along the Susquehanna River. Founded in 1800, the town played a significant role in the growing coal industry in northeastern Pennsylvania throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 1930s, it became known as the “Quality Tomato Capital of the World,” thanks to its ability to satisfy the high demand for tomatoes in New York City. A friendly and walkable town, Pittston has recently experienced a resurgence with a mix of new trendy shops like the candle shop Designs by Olivia Grey, the Blind Cat Beer Co., and the Asian fusion restaurant Fujiyama.

Since August 1984, Pittston has been home to the Pittston Tomato Festival, which welcomes about 100,000 tomato lovers to the popular 4-day farewell-to-summer event. This year’s festival takes place from August 21 to 24, 2025, with four days of tomato treats, live entertainment, a costumed tomato parade, a fun run, arts & crafts, carnival rides, and a tomato fight.

In Pennsylvania, small towns know how to celebrate life’s quirks and joys in the most charming ways. As the birthplace of American independence, the state has a proud history of turning tradition into festivity, whether it’s predicting the weather with a groundhog in Punxsutawney or celebrating mushrooms, pretzels, and tomatoes in towns like Kennett Square, Lititz, and Pittston. These six small but vibrant communities embrace their heritage with the most unique festivals, proving that every small town has a big reason to celebrate in Pennsylvania.