Want to learn more about Amish traditions, culture, and heritage? Want to see how The Amish Village changes over the seasons? We pack our blog with helpful articles all about the Amish culture and some news about The Amish Village.
Do the Lancaster Amish Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday for many people – a popular time for family gatherings, reflection and gratitude, and delicious feasts.
If you’re planning a visit to Lancaster County, PA this fall, you might be curious whether our local Amish celebrate this festive November occasion! Well, let’s take a look at how the Amish community celebrates Thanksgiving.
Amish Traditions
The Amish are traditionally known for having diverse cultures and traditions depending on the region where they live. Practices can vary widely from one group to another, and that diversity extends to how they observe various holidays, such as Thanksgiving.
In some more conservative Amish communities, Thanksgiving may not be widely celebrated. However, more progressive Amish communities are likely to participate in common Thanksgiving traditions that most Americans are familiar with.
Many of the Pennsylvania Amish that you’ll see in and around Lancaster County observe the holiday in a similar way as non-Amish households – with large family gatherings, lots of food, and special celebration.
Quality Time with Family
Family and community are an important part of the Amish culture, and Thanksgiving is no exception for the Lancaster Amish.
The Thanksgiving holiday is a popular time for extended family members to come together, share a good meal, and enjoy each other’s company.
The Amish work six days a week, with Sunday always being a day of rest. But on certain holidays like Thanksgiving, they will take the day off from working on their farm or managing their business.
Those who gather together on Thanksgiving day will often say a group prayer, give thanks for their blessings, and share personal reflections of gratitude for family, friends, neighbors, and their local community.
And, like most Thanksgiving festivities, there will be a delicious feast.
Celebration with Food
The Amish are very well-known for their agricultural lifestyle and homemade culinary delights – whether it’s canned goods, baked items, milk and cheeses, locally grown vegetables, or farm-raised beef and poultry.
So, what kind of foods will you find at an Amish Thanksgiving gathering? Many are the same as what you’d see on the table at a typical non-Amish get-together.
A home-cooked meal at an Amish gathering may include turkey, perhaps raised right on their farm. But you could also find ham, chicken, or even venison on the table.
Typical Thanksgiving side dishes might include stuffing or mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, squash, and cranberry sauce.
And of course there’s never a shortage of desserts! Some popular classics may include pumpkin pie, apple pie, shoofly pie, as well as cookies and whoopie pies.
Visit the Amish Village this Holiday Season
If you’d like to learn more about the Amish and want to experience their way of life firsthand, plan a visit to The Amish Village in Lancaster County, PA!
Explore the Amish culture right on our property, taste the local flavors, and enjoy the beautiful fall landscape that makes the region a popular travel destination.
