Carlisle Fairgrounds is the home of Carlisle Events car, truck, and motorcycle shows and collector events, which are some of the largest in the country. These shows usually feature vehicles on display, demonstrations, stunt shows, vendors, live music, and kids' activities and are popular whole family events in the community.

The Carlisle Theatre is a 1939, Art Deco theatre which today provides the community with a historic place to see concerts, visual arts performances, lectures, movies, and rent event spaces.

Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet is an internationally and nationally recognized classical ballet school and puts on various performances throughout the year for the local community.

Mather's Theater at Dickinson College usually offers multiple performances each month by various student groups. Freshman plays are often free of charge and regular performances are very reasonably priced for this 240-seat theatre.

The Harvest of the Arts Festival features hundreds of artists displaying their work in juried and non-juried shows and is one of the biggest art shows in Cumberland County. There are food and craft vendors and live music while you stroll around and take in the arts.

Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg is the East Coast's longest running one-day street fair! Since 1928 this fair has entertained the community with arts and crafts vendors, fair food, carnival rides and games, kids' activities, and live music for the whole family.

The Shippensburg Corn Festival is a one-day street fair full of arts and crafts, live entertainment, food, antiques, and of course, a corn eating contest! The streets downtown are closed off to make room for plenty of visitors and fun, family activities.