Lancaster County Convention Center is a major convention and event venue in the heart of downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Located at historic Penn Square, it hosts conventions, trade shows, conferences, meetings, banquets, weddings, competitions and public events throughout the year.
The complex offers approximately 90,000 square feet of meeting and event space with 27 meeting rooms. Its principal spaces include Freedom Hall, the Commonwealth Ballroom, the Heritage Ballroom and Commons on Vine, supported by breakout rooms, boardrooms, pre-function areas, catering and audiovisual services.
Lancaster County Convention Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | Lancaster County Convention Center |
| Common name | Lancaster Convention Center / LCCC |
| Address | 25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 |
| Location | Historic Penn Square, downtown Lancaster |
| Total meeting/event space | Approximately 90,000 square feet |
| Meeting rooms | 27 |
| Largest event space | Freedom Hall |
| Freedom Hall area | Approximately 43,050 square feet |
| Freedom Hall theatre capacity | Approximately 5,000 |
| Freedom Hall reception capacity | Approximately 4,500 |
| Freedom Hall banquet capacity | Approximately 2,500 |
| Commonwealth Ballroom | Approximately 8,845 square feet |
| Heritage Ballroom | Approximately 9,873 square feet |
| Commons on Vine | Approximately 6,000 square feet |
| Trade-show booths | About 290 booths in the main exhibit-hall setup |
| Nearby parking | Penn Square Garage and other downtown public garages |
| Penn Square Garage capacity | 756 spaces |
| Nearest airport | Lancaster Airport (LNS), about 6 miles |
| Connected lodging | Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square |
Address and Location
The convention center’s main public address is:
- 25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
Lancaster County Convention Center is located at Penn Square in the center of downtown Lancaster. Its central location places restaurants, shops, theaters, historic attractions and hotels within easy walking distance.
Nearby destinations include:
- Lancaster Central Market
- Fulton Theatre
- Southern Market
- Gallery Row
- Lancaster County Courthouse area
- Downtown restaurants, cafés and shops
- Lancaster Amtrak Station
- Historic Penn Square
The convention center is integrated with the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, creating a combined meeting and lodging complex for conferences and multi-day events. Lancaster’s walkable downtown also gives attendees access to dozens of restaurants and local attractions without requiring a car for every trip.
Facilities at Lancaster County Convention Center
Lancaster County Convention Center combines large exhibition and ballroom spaces with smaller meeting rooms, boardrooms, pre-function areas and event-support facilities. The venue accommodates everything from intimate meetings to major conventions and trade shows.
Principal facilities and services include:
- Approximately 90,000 square feet of meeting and event space
- 27 meeting rooms and event spaces
- Freedom Hall for exhibitions and large general sessions
- Commonwealth Ballroom
- Heritage Ballroom
- Commons on Vine flexible event space
- Breakout rooms and boardrooms
- Pre-function and registration areas
- Full banquet and catering service
- Audio, video and event-lighting support
- Wireless internet
- Exhibitor and freight support
- Cashless bar and concession operations for public events
- Historic architectural elements incorporated into the complex
Hall Capacity and Layout
1. Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall is the convention center’s largest individual event space. Marriott’s current capacity chart lists the hall at approximately 43,050 square feet, with dimensions of about 287 by 150 feet and a ceiling reaching roughly 32.6 feet.
The full hall is listed for approximately 5,000 theatre-style attendees, 2,000 classroom attendees, 4,500 reception guests and 2,500 banquet guests. It can be divided into Freedom Hall A and Freedom Hall B for smaller events or concurrent functions.
For trade shows, the convention center promotes the exhibit area as capable of accommodating about 290 booths with different setup options. Final booth count and occupancy depend on aisles, stages, registration areas, production equipment and the approved floor plan.
2. Commonwealth Ballroom
The Commonwealth Ballroom is located on the second level and provides approximately 8,845 square feet of event space. It can be divided into four salons, allowing planners to use the full room for a large program or create smaller spaces for breakouts and meal functions.
The full ballroom is listed for approximately 800 theatre-style attendees, 400 classroom attendees, 800 reception guests and 500 banquet guests.
3. Heritage Ballroom
The Heritage Ballroom is located on the third level and provides approximately 9,873 square feet. It can be divided into five salon sections and is suitable for receptions, weddings, general sessions, dinners and conference programs.
The full Heritage Ballroom is listed for approximately 1,000 theatre-style attendees, 500 classroom attendees, 1,000 reception guests and 600 banquet guests.
4. Meeting Rooms and Boardrooms
The convention center provides a wide range of smaller meeting spaces for workshops, executive meetings and conference breakouts. Examples include the Independence Room, Federal Room, Hickory Room, Conestoga Room and dedicated boardrooms such as Constitution, Chestnut and Susquehanna.
Many of these rooms can be divided into smaller sections, giving planners flexibility for simultaneous conference tracks and private meetings.
5. Commons on Vine
Commons on Vine provides approximately 6,000 square feet of modern flexible event space. Current capacity information lists about 200 theatre-style attendees, 300 reception guests and 250 banquet guests, making it useful for corporate programs, receptions, banquets and breakout events.
Parking at Lancaster County Convention Center
Parking for convention-center visitors is available in public garages and parking facilities throughout downtown Lancaster. The Penn Square Garage at 28 South Duke Street is one of the closest options and is specifically identified as serving the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.
Penn Square Garage has 756 spaces and operates 24 hours a day. Current posted rates are $2 for the first hour, $4 for up to two hours, $5 for up to three hours and then $1 for each additional or partial hour, with a maximum standard charge of $15 for up to 24 hours. Weekend evening rates may differ under the city’s parking programs.
Additional downtown garages include East King Street, Duke Street, Prince Street, Water Street and other city facilities. ADA-accessible spaces are available in Lancaster Parking Authority garages.
The Lancaster County Convention Center Authority also maintains a Vine Street lot for approved oversized and commercial vehicles. That lot requires advance arrangements and uses separate daily rates.
Reaching the Convention Center
1. From Lancaster Airport
Lancaster Airport is approximately 6 miles from the Penn Square convention-center complex. Taxis, rideshare services and rental vehicles can be used for the trip into downtown Lancaster.
2. From Harrisburg International Airport
Harrisburg International Airport is approximately 27 miles from the convention-center area and provides a larger selection of commercial airline service. Driving time varies with traffic and route conditions.
3. By Train
Lancaster Amtrak Station provides passenger rail service connecting Lancaster with Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York and other Northeast Corridor destinations. Taxis, rideshare services and local transit can connect the station with Penn Square.
4. Walking and Local Transit
Downtown Lancaster is compact and walkable, with restaurants, shops and attractions surrounding Penn Square. Red Rose Transit Authority provides local bus service, while taxis and app-based rideshare services are available throughout the city.
Popular Hotels Near Lancaster County Convention Center
Downtown Lancaster offers several lodging choices close to the convention center.
- Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square: Integrated directly with the convention-center complex and the most convenient lodging option for many events.
- Holiday Inn Lancaster: A downtown hotel located about two blocks from the convention center.
- Lancaster Arts Hotel: A boutique-style property featuring an extensive collection of original artwork.
- Cork Factory Hotel: A historic property created from former industrial buildings and located a short drive from Penn Square.
Large conventions often establish official hotel blocks, so attendees should review event registration materials before booking, particularly during busy weekends and major downtown events.
Dining at and Near the Center
The convention center provides full banquet and catering services for meetings, receptions, dinners and special events. The connected Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square also offers on-site dining, including Plough and The Exchange rooftop venue.
Downtown Lancaster has an extensive dining scene, with more than 60 restaurants within roughly three blocks of the convention center. Visitors can choose from cafés, casual restaurants, international cuisine, Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, breweries and fine-dining options.
Accessibility
Lancaster County Convention Center provides accessible routes and event spaces for guests with disabilities. Nearby Lancaster Parking Authority garages include ADA-accessible parking spaces, and the convention-center complex is served by elevators between its event levels.
Guests who require event-specific seating, mobility assistance, communication support or other accommodations should contact the convention center or event organizer in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Sustainability
The downtown location of Lancaster County Convention Center places lodging, dining, entertainment and meeting facilities in a compact walkable area. This allows many attendees to move between the convention center, hotel and nearby restaurants without requiring a separate vehicle trip.
The complex also incorporates preserved historic structures and architectural elements into a modern convention facility, allowing important parts of Lancaster’s built heritage to remain part of an active downtown venue. Event planners with specific recycling, waste-reduction or sustainability requirements should discuss those needs with the convention-services team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is Lancaster County Convention Center located?
A: The convention center is located at 25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603, at historic Penn Square in downtown Lancaster.
Q: How much meeting space does the convention center have?
A: Lancaster County Convention Center provides approximately 90,000 square feet of meeting and event space with 27 meeting rooms.
Q: How large is Freedom Hall?
A: Freedom Hall is listed at approximately 43,050 square feet and can accommodate about 5,000 theatre-style attendees, 4,500 reception guests or 2,500 banquet guests.
Q: How large are the convention center’s ballrooms?
A: The Commonwealth Ballroom provides approximately 8,845 square feet, while the Heritage Ballroom provides approximately 9,873 square feet.
Q: Where can visitors park?
A: The nearby Penn Square Garage at 28 South Duke Street has 756 spaces and serves the Marriott and convention-center area. Several other public parking garages are also available in downtown Lancaster.
Q: How far is Lancaster Airport from the convention center?
A: Lancaster Airport is approximately 6 miles from the Penn Square convention-center complex.