June 25 – 27, 2026
(Thursday – Saturday)
The Heart 
of HanoverLand Festival’s Mission: On the last week and weekend of June each year, on or near the anniversary of the Battle of Hanover (June 30, 1863), the First Battle on Free Soil and the largest military engagement ever on York County soil,
-
An uber collaborative, whimsical, immersive, inclusive, cross-pollenating, all peoples-friendly epic, enlightening and enthralling experience of energetic civility, civic literacy, civic pride, fellowship and Beloved Community featuring living history, cosplaying, podcasts, commerce, public arts, live music, cinema and walking tours, and
- Honor and ‘knight’ valor, bravery, creativity and resilience in servant leadership to the Union; to kindness, compassion and empathy (to what Abraham Lincoln called ‘the better angels of our nature’); and to quality history and storytelling of HanoverLand.
The General’s Society of Presenting Sponsors
HanoverLand: The Mason Dixon Haven, the Hanover Area Historical Society; and the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center
The Colonel’s Cavalcade of Promotional Sponsors
Main Street Hanover, JackMatty Media, Parks and Recreation, Borough of Hanover, Colonel Richard McCallister Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Cultivated Essentials Co.
(All Events and Activities are Open and Free unless otherwise noted.)
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE for Thursday — June 25; Friday — June 26; and Saturday — June 27, 2026.
Thursday — June 25, 2026
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026
“Good ‘Ole HanoverLand Hospitality Day”
- 10 a.m. Official Heart 💜 of HanoverLand Festival Opening Ceremony at the Cake Bar. At 22 Carlisle St., a hardy Heart of HanoverLand Festival welcome, a proclamation by Mayor Hormel and the first laying of the wreath, accompanied by an honor guard and spoken word art, begin it all.
- Knighting of The Welcomer of Icon. Presented by 2025 honoree the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, this honor goes to the organization, enterprise or individual that or who goes well beyond expectations to personify and manifest a welcoming spirit of hospitality, warmth, kindness, amiability and generosity.
- Knighting of The Burke Medal of Freedom and Honor: Paying homage to Sergeant Thomas Burke of New York, whose valorous acts during the Battle of Hanover earned him the first Medal of Honor on Free Soil, this medal recognizes extraordinary service by [a] first responder/s and/or serviceperson/s for valor in the line of duty in Hanover.
- Knighting of The Uniter and Peacemaker. Honoring an organization that or individual who has done extraordinary work to make peace and cultivate Beloved Community in HanoverLand.
- 1-4 p.m. Hanover Fire Museum, 134 East Hanover St. Donations encouraged.
- 3-7 p.m. Mid-Week Summer Farmers Market Pop-up. Adjacent to Hanover Market House, 210 E. Chestnut St.
- 6 p.m. THE ANN ROTH EXPERIENCE. A Celebration of Hanover Native Daughter and Two-time Academy Award Winner Ann Roth at the Dolphin and Anchor.
- Knighting of the Brown-Long Literary Icon. Honoring Hanover native literary giants best-selling author and human rights pioneer Rita Mae Brown and John Luther Long.
- Knighting of The Ann Roth Creative Icon. Paying homage to Hanover icon, designer Ann Roth, this "HanoverLand" honors a brave, pioneering, extraordinary performing artist or designer with HanoverLand roots or a HanoverLand connection.
- 6:30 p.m. Screening of the movie "Barbie," in which Ann Roth, the Lady on the Bench, makes an unforgettable cameo.
Friday — June 26, 2026
Saturday — June 27, 2026