Around Blakeslee · Fall 2026 through winter 2027
Fall festivals, days on the slopes, and holidays with the whole family. Find your reason to come to the Poconos.
Approximate drives from central Blakeslee, without heavy traffic. Allow extra time for snow, fall weekends, and parking.
Fall traditionsSeptember 26 – October 25
Country Junction · Lehighton · About 35–45 min
Pick pumpkins, take a hayride, and let the kids explore the corn maze. Weekends bring the full festival, food trucks, and live entertainment.
Ticketed · Reduced activities on weekdays
Event details
An autumn day outThrough November 15, 2026
Downtown Jim Thorpe · About 30–40 min
Ride through the Lehigh Gorge, then explore Jim Thorpe’s historic streets and restaurants. Autumn Leaf excursions run 45 minutes round-trip.
Autumn Leaf train excursions run September 26–November 15, with 45-minute rides. Train schedule & tickets
Train tickets required
Event details
Family funFall Saturdays & Sundays · Noon–6 pm
Kalahari · Pocono Manor · About 25–30 min
Pumpkin bowling, decorating, games, and bounce houses make an easy afternoon with the kids at Kalahari’s outdoor adventure area.
Free admission · Some activities cost extra · Weather permitting
Event detailsOctober weekends through October 31, 2026
Blue Mountain · Palmerton · About 45–55 min
Scenic lift rides, live music, pumpkins, and seasonal food. Festival admission is free; rides and some activities cost extra.
Event detailsOctober 9 – November 1 · Friday–Sunday, 7–9 pm
West End Fairgrounds · Gilbert · About 25–35 min
A glowing walk among thousands of carved pumpkins, designed for all ages with no scares. Advance tickets required.
Event detailsOctober 23–24, 2026
Quiet Valley · Stroudsburg · About 35–45 min
Follow a guide around the historic farm, meet suspects, and gather clues in an evening murder mystery. Tickets required.
Event detailsOctober 24 & 31, 2026
Blue Mountain · Palmerton · About 45–55 min
Take on the Summit Adventure Park after dark with a Halloween twist. Check activity requirements and reserve through Blue Mountain.
Event details
About 10–15 minutes from Blakeslee
Make a winter weekend of skiing and snowboarding at our local mountains. Spend the day on the slopes, then come back for dinner and games together.
Opening dates for winter 2026–27 have not yet been confirmed by the resort. Operations depend on weather and snow conditions.
Resort hours & opening updates
Holiday traditionsDecember 5–6 & 12–13, 2026
Quiet Valley · Stroudsburg · About 35–45 min
Follow lantern-lit paths through a historic farm, sing carols, warm up by the bonfire, and visit the live Nativity with farm animals.
Ticketed guided tours
Event detailsSelected dates November 27 – December 24, 2026
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway · Jim Thorpe · About 30–40 min
Santa and his elves visit passengers on a festive family train ride. Departures at 10:30 am, 1 pm, and 3:30 pm on scheduled dates. Tickets required.
Event detailsNovember 27–29; December 5–6, 12–13 & 19–20
Country Junction · Lehighton · About 35–45 min
Holiday hayrides, festive lights, and character visits for a day out with the cousins. Open 11 am–4 pm; tickets required.
Event detailsTree lighting December 4 · Weekends December 5–20
Downtown Jim Thorpe · About 30–40 min
Explore Victorian streets dressed for Christmas, browse local shops, and make an afternoon of holiday activities together.
Event detailsNovember 26, 2026 · 3–7 pm
Kalahari · Pocono Manor · About 25–30 min
Get everyone together for a holiday feast while someone else handles the cooking. Separate reservations required.
Event detailsNovember 29; December 6, 13 & 20 · 9–11 am
Skytop Lodge · Skytop · About 45–55 min
Bring the cousins for breakfast, crafts, music, and a visit with Santa. Tickets required; reserve together for group seating.
Event detailsDecember 25 & 31, 2026
Kalahari · Pocono Manor · About 25–30 min
Holiday buffets and a family New Year’s celebration. Book the specific event separately through Kalahari.
Event detailsSometimes the occasion is enough
A holiday, a school break, or a game everyone wants to watch. You don’t need a packed itinerary to make a few days together worthwhile.
November 26–29, 2026
Cook together, linger over dinner, and keep everyone under one roof after the plates are cleared.
December 24–27, 2026
Pajama mornings, family recipes, and time with the people you usually only see for a few hours.
December 31 – January 3, 2027
Bring the snacks, make a family countdown, and wake up to a relaxed New Year’s morning.
January 15–18, 2027
MLK weekend is a reason to gather for skiing, board games, and a few unhurried days away.
February 12–15, 2027
Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day both fall on February 14, with Presidents’ Day on Monday. Bring your favorite people and make a weekend of it.
February 15–19, 2027
NYC public schools have midwinter recess this week. Swap the usual routine for time together in the mountains; other school calendars vary.
Ideas for gathering at Driftwood; these dates are not a statement of house availability.
Music & markets
A concert, a good meal,
or a weekend browse.
Penn’s Peak · Jim Thorpe · About 30–35 min
A rock concert night at Penn’s Peak. Tickets required.
Penn’s Peak · Jim Thorpe · About 30–35 min
A night of Bob Seger favorites. Tickets required.
Penn’s Peak · Jim Thorpe · About 30–35 min
Big classic-rock anthems for a night out together. Tickets required.
Penn’s Peak · Jim Thorpe · About 30–35 min
An energetic tribute to Van Halen. Tickets required.
Penn’s Peak · Jim Thorpe · About 30–35 min
Kick off Thanksgiving weekend with a Grateful Dead-inspired concert. Tickets required.
Penn’s Peak · Jim Thorpe · About 30–35 min
An Irish dance Christmas show. Tickets required.
Penn’s Peak · Jim Thorpe · About 30–35 min
A holiday concert with special guest Braden Hull. Tickets required.
Boulder View Tavern · Lake Harmony · About 10–15 min
Dinner with a lake view and local live music, close to the house.