Fastnacht Day & Fasching: Your Family Guide to Pre-Lenten Fun in Lancaster County

If you’ve ever wondered why your Lancaster County neighbors go absolutely crazy for fried dough every February, you’re in for a treat, literally! Fastnacht Day is one of those beloved local traditions that makes living here so special, and this year, you’ve got plenty of ways to join in on the fun with your family.

Whether you call it Fastnacht Day, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or even Fasching, the celebration happening on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 is all about one thing: enjoying delicious indulgences before the Lenten season begins. And trust me, Lancaster County does it better than just about anywhere else!

Wait, What Exactly Is Fastnacht Day?

Let’s start with the basics, because if you’re new to the area (or just curious), this tradition has some seriously cool history behind it.

The word “fastnacht” literally translates to “fast night” in German. It marks the evening before Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the 40-day Lenten period leading up to Easter. Traditionally, many Christian families would give up rich foods during Lent, things like butter, sugar, lard, and eggs.

So what do you do with all those ingredients before you can’t use them anymore? You make the most delicious fried treats you possibly can, of course!

That’s how the fastnacht was born. These aren’t your average doughnuts from the drive-thru, friends. Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fastnachts are often made with mashed potatoes and fried in animal fat, giving them a richer, denser texture that’s uniquely satisfying. They’re typically square-shaped with no hole, no filling, and no fancy frosting, just pure, simple goodness.

Some folks eat them plain, while others enjoy them halved with butter and molasses or a dusting of powdered sugar. However your family likes them, the tradition of gathering together to enjoy these treats is what makes the day so special.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church: Columbia’s Fastnacht Headquarters

Now here’s some exciting news for all you fastnacht lovers out there, orders open January 21, 2026, for Holy Trinity Catholic Church’s famous annual fastnacht sale!

Holy Trinity Catholic Church has been making fastnachts for over 100 years!

If you haven’t tried Holy Trinity’s fastnachts yet, you’re missing out on one of the best-kept secrets in the county. This Columbia church has been making these traditional treats for years, and the community absolutely loves them.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Order online at holytrinitycolumbiapa.com/shop
• Options: Plain or glazed (why not get both and let the family vote on their favorite?)
• Sold by the dozen , perfect for sharing with neighbors, coworkers, or just keeping all to yourself (no judgment here!)

The church’s fastnacht sale is also a wonderful community fundraiser, so when you’re placing your order, you’re supporting a great local cause. It’s the kind of thing that makes Lancaster County feel like home, you know?

Pro tip: These tend to sell out fast, so don’t wait too long to place your order. Set a reminder, tell your friends, and get those fastnachts secured!

Other Fastnacht Sources:

There are a myriad locations in South Central PA to buy fastnachts.. here are a few more:

St. Celias Catholic Church, Lebanon PA 

St. Celia’s has been making fastnachts for over 100 years as well.

Beeman’s Baked Goods, Carlisle

Flinchbaugh’s Orchard and Farmers Market, Hellem

The Pennsylvania Bakery, Camp Hill

Other Churches: Salem Lutheran in Lebanon, St Paul’s UCC in Millersville, Christ Presbyterian in Camp Hill,

Firehalls: Lafayette Fire Hall in Lancaster, Robert Fulton Fire Company in Peach Bottom,

York County: Whitcomb’s Farm Markets in York, Saubel’s Markets

Maple Donuts, Giant Foods, Weis Markets, Wegmans, Oregon Dairy, Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill, Shady Maple in East Earl, Ric’s Bread in Lancaster,

I could go on and on about  places to buy home made fastnachts here in South Central PA – maybe you have one that you like that I failed to mention. Let me know and I’ll be glad to edit our published list.

 

 

Lancaster Liederkranz: Where Fasching Comes Alive

Now, if you want to take your pre-Lenten celebrations to the next level, let me introduce you to Fasching, the German Carnival tradition that’s alive and well right here in Lancaster County.

While Fastnacht Day focuses on the food, Fasching is like a full-blown festival. Think music, dancing, costumes, and a whole lot of German heritage pride. It’s the German-speaking world’s version of Carnival season, and it’s an absolute blast for families.

The Lancaster Liederkranz is your go-to destination for authentic Fasching celebrations in our area. This wonderful organization has been preserving German cultural traditions in Lancaster County for generations, and their Fasching events are legendary.

Here are a few specific dates to get on your calendar (and yes, these are the kind of nights your family will talk about later):

• Friday, Jan 23 at 6:45 PM: Children’s Fasching Event (perfect for families!)
• Saturday, Jan 24 from 6–10 PM: Fasching Carnival Costume Party with music by Maria & John with Kompass Rose
• Tuesday, Feb 2 from 5–9 PM: Groundhog Day Celebration hosted by the Princess Committee, with music by the Grundsau Kapelle
• Saturday, Feb 7 from 6–10 PM: Lumpenball (the “Bums’ Ball” — come dressed down!) with music by the Alpenlaenders,  You’ve spent all your money on the Fasching Ball with costumes and food/drinks, and your pockets are empty.

And a couple more “members’ night” highlights if you’re connected with the club:

• Jan 31: Eisfest at the Pavilion (for members/guests)
• Jan 25 and Feb 8: Football/Super Bowl viewing (for members)

At lancasterliederkranz.com, you can find the latest details (and any updates), but the big theme is always the same: good music, good people, and a warm welcome.

Even if your family doesn’t have German roots, the Lancaster Liederkranz welcomes everyone who wants to experience these traditions. It’s a fantastic way to expose your kids to different cultures and maybe even pick up a few German phrases along the way!

Same Celebration, Different Names

One thing I love about this time of year is how it connects us to people all over the world. The same basic idea, celebrating before Lent begins, shows up in so many different cultures:

• Fastnacht Day , Our Pennsylvania Dutch tradition
• Fasching , The German Carnival celebration
• Shrove Tuesday , The British name (from “shriving” or confessing sins)
• Mardi Gras , The famous French tradition (literally “Fat Tuesday”)
• Carnival , Celebrated throughout Latin America and the Caribbean

Whether you’re eating fastnachts in Lancaster, beignets in New Orleans, or pączki in a Polish community, the spirit is the same: gather with the people you love, enjoy something sweet, and prepare your heart for the reflective season ahead.

Making It a Family Tradition

Looking for ways to make Fastnacht Day special for your kids? Here are some fun ideas:

Host a Fastnacht Taste Test
Pick up fastnachts from a few different local spots, Holy Trinity Church, Lancaster Central Market, Oregon Dairy, Achenbach’s Pastry, or Bird-in-Hand Bakery, and have the family vote on their favorites. Make score cards, get fancy with it, and crown a winner!

Learn the History Together
Take a few minutes to explain to your kids why we celebrate. It’s a great opportunity to talk about traditions, different cultures, and the meaning behind what we do. Plus, kids love knowing the “why” behind things.

Try Making Them at Home
Feeling adventurous? There are plenty of traditional fastnacht recipes online. It can get a little messy with the frying, but that’s part of the fun! Just make sure to supervise the little ones around the hot oil.

Attend a Fasching Event
Check out what’s happening at the Lancaster Liederkranz and make it a family outing. Experiencing live German music and cultural celebrations is something your kids will remember.

Mark Your Calendar!

Here’s your quick reference guide for this year:

Event	Date	Details
Holy Trinity Fastnacht Orders Open	TODAY – January 21, 2026	holytrinitycolumbiapa.com/shop
Fastnacht Day	Tuesday, February 17, 2026	Day before Ash Wednesday
Lancaster Liederkranz Events	Jan 23–Feb 8, 2026	Children’s Fasching (Jan 23, 6:45 PM); Costume Party (Jan 24, 6–10 PM); Members football viewing (Jan 25); Eisfest (Jan 31); Groundhog Day (Feb 2, 5–9 PM); Lumpenball (Feb 7, 6–10 PM); Super Bowl viewing (Feb 8) — details: lancasterliederkranz.com

Why I Love This About Lancaster County

You know, one of the best things about living in Lancaster County is how we hold onto these traditions. In a world that’s always rushing forward, there’s something really beautiful about a community that still gathers to make fried dough the way their great-grandparents did.

These aren’t just pastries, they’re connections to our past, reasons to gather with neighbors, and memories we’re creating for our kids. Whether you’re a lifelong local or just moved here last month, Fastnacht Day is your invitation to be part of something special.

So go ahead and place that order from Holy Trinity, check out what’s happening at the Lancaster Liederkranz, and maybe pick up an extra dozen fastnachts to share with a neighbor. That’s what community is all about.

Happy Fastnacht season, everyone! May your fastnachts be perfectly fried and your family time be sweet.

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New to Lancaster County or thinking about making it home? I’d love to help you find your perfect place in this wonderful community. Feel free to reach out anytime, and yes, I’ll happily share my favorite fastnacht spots!