Tunkhannock’s Founder’s Day is one of the biggest and most well-known annual events in the area—a full-on downtown street festival that takes over Tioga Street and brings the entire community together. Organized by the Tunkhannock Business and Professional Association, it’s typically held in late June (for example, June 27 in 2026) and runs as a full-day event packed with activity.

At its core, Founder’s Day is about celebrating local heritage, businesses, and community, but the way it plays out is very high-energy and social. The entire downtown transforms into a walkable festival filled with 150+ vendors, food stands, artists, crafters, and live entertainment. You’ll find everything from handmade goods and boutique shopping to festival food, live music, and family-friendly activities happening all day long. It’s one of those events where you can just wander for hours and constantly find something new.

What makes it stand out is the small-town charm mixed with real scale—it’s not a tiny local fair, it’s a legitimately busy, well-attended event that draws people from all over NEPA. There are often special features like performances at places like the Dietrich Theater, community showcases, and themed attractions depending on the year. The overall vibe is festive, nostalgic, and very community-driven—think music playing through the streets, packed sidewalks, and that “everyone shows up” kind of energy.

The Festival of Lights at Stone Hedge Golf Course is one of the most popular holiday events in northeastern Pennsylvania—and honestly one of the most underrated experiences in NEPA. Every year from around Thanksgiving through New Year’s, the golf course transforms into a massive drive-through Christmas light display featuring millions of lights, themed scenes, and animated displays spread across a multi-mile route.

The experience is designed to be done from your car, making it easy, cozy, and perfect for all ages. You slowly drive through about a 2.5-mile route of lights, which typically takes around 30 minutes depending on traffic, with tunnels, glowing figures, and constantly changing displays each year so it never feels repetitive. It’s very nostalgic—think holiday music playing, windows down, and that classic Christmas movie vibe but in real life.

What really makes it stand out is everything beyond the lights. After the drive-through, you can stop at a heated pavilion with food, drinks, local vendors, and fire pits for s’mores (you even get a kit included with admission). There are also nights where kids can meet Santa and take free photos, which makes it a full experience rather than just a quick drive-by. 

The Tulip Festival in Tunkhannock, PA takes place at Brown Hill Farms and is one of the most popular spring events in northeastern Pennsylvania. Each year, typically from late April through early May, the farm transforms into a massive field of color with over 500,000 tulips across about five acres in bloom.

The experience is very interactive and aesthetic—visitors can walk through rows of vibrant flowers, take photos, and even cut their own tulips to create custom bouquets. With 60+ varieties of tulips, the fields constantly change as different blooms peak, which makes every visit slightly different. It’s designed to feel immersive, not just something you look at—more like wandering through a living spring display.

What really elevates it beyond just “flower fields” is everything else going on at the farm. There are photo setups, food stands, play areas, and farm animals, making it a full experience rather than a quick stop. Special weekends—like their Mother’s Day event—add vendors, live music, and more of a festival atmosphere layered on top of the tulips.