Good morning, Lancaster County. Spring is doing its best impression of fall today - a little foggy, a little cloudy, but there's plenty going on indoors to keep the energy up. From a landmark music conference announcement to comedy, classics, and science, we've got your Thursday covered.

In today's Lancaster Local:

The LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival is back in downtown Lancaster from April 23–26, 2026 - and it's shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Now in its 18th year, LAUNCH brings together hundreds of emerging artists performing across downtown venues alongside four days of panels, seminars, and industry networking. Powered by The CI Companies - which also runs the event in Dallas each November - LAUNCH has cemented its reputation as a major economic and cultural driver for Lancaster's spring calendar. If you're a music fan, a local business owner, or just someone who loves seeing downtown come alive, mark those dates. More info →

Tonight and this weekend, Lancaster County's stages are firing on all cylinders.

🍔 Randy's Cheeseburger Picnic Tour (Trailer Park Boys) - Phantom Power - 121 West Frederick St., Millersville, PA 17551. Tonight, doors 7:00 PM / show 8:00 PM. Randy from the cult-classic Trailer Park Boys brings his live comedy tour to Millersville, complete with songs, contests, prizes, and maximum shenanigans. 21+ only; tickets $30. Get tickets →

🎸 The Simon & Garfunkel Story - American Music Theatre - 2425 Lincoln Hwy East, Lancaster, PA 17602. Tonight at 7:30 PM. This critically acclaimed concert-style production has toured 50 countries, tracing the journey of two kids from Queens who became the world's most iconic duo - featuring a full live band, stunning video projection, and every hit from "Mrs. Robinson" to "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Tickets $39–$69; VIP experience available at $172–$182. Get tickets →

🎤 Slick Rick w. Shaw Calhoune - Phantom Power - 121 West Frederick St., Millersville, PA 17551. Friday, April 3, doors 7:00 PM / show 8:00 PM. Hip-hop legend Slick Rick - the storytelling icon behind "Children's Story," "La Di Da Di," and "Teenage Love" - takes the Phantom Power stage alongside Shaw Calhoune for a night of classic rap. 21+ only; $35 advance. Get tickets →

🤘 Game of Lies Release Show: IARA, Fallbright & Death In Paris - Zoetropolis Cinema - 112 N. Water St., Lancaster, PA 17603. Saturday, April 4, at 7:30 PM. Catch a proud Lancaster moment as IARA - a female-fronted modern metalcore band born right here in the county - celebrates their album release alongside Fallbright and Death In Paris. Local music, live energy, and a night you can tell your friends you were at first. More info →

🎵 Two Great Philly Rock Musicians & Bands - The Lititz Shirt Factory - 5 Juniper Lane, Lititz, PA 17543. Saturday, April 4, 7:30–10:00 PM. Cosmic Guilt's Jimmy Everhart debuts a brand-new band and album, followed by the rock/funk powerhouse Owen Stewart and his super band for a full night of high-energy live music in one of Lititz's coolest venues. Tickets $25, no added fees. Get tickets →

🏠 "What is Home?" Exhibition Opening - Willie Baronet & Leah den Bok - The Ware Center, Lancaster. Opening reception Friday, April 3 at 5:00 PM. Two artists, two powerful bodies of work, and one question that lands differently depending on where you've been: What is home? Mixed-media installations and intimate portraiture invite viewers to sit with the human stories behind homelessness and belonging - it's the kind of art that sticks with you. More info →

🔬 Lancaster Science Factory First Friday - Free Admission - Lancaster Science Factory - 454 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, PA 17602. Friday, April 3, 5:00–7:00 PM. Free admission for the first 300 guests every First Friday - that means 80+ interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and this month's special Chemistry Magic demonstration with Eurofins Lancaster Labs. Perfect for curious kids and adults who never quite grew out of asking "but why does that work?" Free; first 300 guests only. More info →

WEATHER

Thursday, April 2 - Patchy fog and a chance of light showers will give way to a cloudy afternoon with a high of 55°F. Pack a layer, stay cozy, and let the indoor options on today's calendar work for you - tonight is made for live music.

Thanks for spending part of your morning with the Lancaster Local. This county never runs out of reasons to get out, show up, and be part of something - and we love getting to point you toward them. Thanks for reading Lancaster Local. If you found something useful, forward it to someone who still gets their news from a Facebook group.