5 Things To Do This Weekend In Cumberland County, PA (September 11-13, 2026)

September’s tipping into early fall across Cumberland County—carnival lights in Carlisle, Army Expo on Soldiers Drive, and Uprise filling the Shippensburg fairgrounds with music. Here are five solid ways to spend Friday through Sunday.

1. Uprise Festival – Shippensburg Community Fairgrounds
Friday, September 11 – Saturday, September 12 | Gates noon Fri / 9:00 AM Sat | Tickets at UpriseFest.com (kids 6 & under free; day-of +$25)
Head to the fairgrounds for two rain-or-shine days of Christian music, speakers, kids’ activities, a petting zoo, and food vendors. Friday leans rock with Skillet and TobyMac; Saturday brings CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake, Crowder, and more across multiple stages. Grab GA online before prices jump $25 at the gate.
📍 Shippensburg Community Fairgrounds, 10131 Possum Hollow Rd., Shippensburg, PA 17257

2. Carlisle 275th Anniversary Community Carnival – Carlisle Fire and Rescue
Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13 | Fri 5–10 PM; Sat 11 AM–10 PM; Sun noon–7 PM | Free admission (ride tickets sold on-site)
Celebrate Carlisle’s 275th with rides, games, food, vendors, face painting, and adoptable pets—plus a 7:00 PM Friday 9/11 memorial with the mayor, honor guard, and National Anthem (rides pause at 6:45). Bring canned goods for local pantries and make it a full family weekend out together.
📍 Carlisle Fire and Rescue, 177 Carlisle Springs Rd., Carlisle, PA 17013

3. Army Expo ’26 – U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
Saturday, September 12 – Sunday, September 13 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM both days | Free (parking free)
Spend a day on the 54-acre USAHEC campus exploring the Armys past, present, and future—static and live armor, modern kit, 300+ living-history reenactors, artillery demos, regional food trucks, and lunchtime music from the 82nd Airbornes Riser Burn. Rain or shine; museum store open both days.
📍 U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, 950 Soldiers Dr., Carlisle, PA 17013

4. Speranza Septemberfest – Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association
Saturday, September 12 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Free
Support Speranza Animal Rescue with live music, food trucks, 80+ vendors, kids’ crafts, farm tours, raffles, and adoptable dogs on the Williams Grove steam-engine grounds. Free entry and handicap parking are available—come ready to shop, snack, explore the grounds, and maybe meet your next best friend.
📍 Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association, 1 Steam Engine Hill, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

5. Mechanicsburg Sunday Market – Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
Sunday, September 13 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (food trucks until 1 PM) | Free
Fall market hours kick off this Sunday on the library lawn—grab fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, honey, handmade crafts, and specialty foods from rotating local vendors. Admission is free, parking is easy nearby, and 20% of vendor fees support the Simpson Public Library’s community programs.
📍 Mechanicsburg Sunday Market, 16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Cumberland County’s packed this weekend, whether you’re chasing music, carnival lights, or a quieter Sunday stroll. For even more options, check out the full calendar at: https://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/events/

Would you like a FREE copy of the Cumberland County Home Price Report for September 2026? Just email me at josh.schoenly@exprealty.com or shoot me a text at 717-571-0456

- Josh Schoenly
http://JoshVIPs.com
Realtor® - eXp Realty, LLC
Call/Text: (717) 571-0456
Office - 888-397-7352 x1034