2025 Wally Lake Fest in the Pocono Mountains: What to Know Before You Go

What Should I Know Before I Go?

Be sure to book your room early! It’s worth staying overnight in the area to get the full experience. Treat yourself to a lakeside getaway and end the summer right. Reserve your accommodations in advance to secure a spot close to the fun. Stay within sight of the water at hotels in the Hawley area like Silver Birches Resort, East Shore Lodging, Loch Highlands, Cove Haven Resort, or Lakeside Cabins.

Both The Settlers Inn and Glass - Wine.Bar.Kitchen at Ledges Hotel in Hawley are hosting festival events, making them a perfect home base for the weekend. Have a big group? Find a multi-bedroom vacation home rental like Four Seasons For Fun Bed & Breakfast or retreats from Davis R. Chant Real Estate, Inc.

Remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuits and comfortable walking shoes. Reference the official website to find out what's happening, when and where to map out your can't-miss activities in advance. Watch the video below to get a preview of the fun to come.

How Do I Get Around the Festival?

With festival events on and off the water all along The Big Lake's 52 miles of shoreline, you’re looking at a lot of ground to cover. Fortunately, celebrations are set in three main areas, and free shuttles run to these locations on Saturday and Sunday. You’ll find hot spots in Downtown Hawley, the North End and the Lake Region.

Festival Areas

• Downtown Hawley covers the northernmost businesses located along Route 6 in town. Be sure to check out The Settlers Inn, Hawley Silk Mill, Cocoon Coffeehouse & Bakery, Ledges Hotel, Ritz Company Playhouse, Harmony in the Woods, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company, North of the Border Fireworks and Penny Lane Candies & Candles.
• North End venues are slightly south of Downtown Hawley, on the lake’s eastern shore along Route 6 between 507 and 590. Points of interest include Costa's Family Fun Park, Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours, Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals, Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center, David R. Chant Realtors, Palmyra Township Public Beach on Lake Wallenpaupack and Wallenpaupack Area High School. Gresham's Chop House, and Three Hammers Winery are also in this area.
• The Lake Region begins directly beneath the North End and curves around the water. It’s where you’ll find waterfront businesses along 507 like Silver Birches Resort, East Shore Lodging, The Dock on Wallenpaupack, and Lake Art. Continue further south and west to reach Lake Life Pursuit, Lighthouse Harbor Marina, and 1st Klas Marina.

Parking & Shuttles

Free parking is available at Wallenpaupack Intermediate, Primary and Middle Schools, and free shuttle buses pick up at these locations on Saturday and Sunday. The shuttle buses stop at the Wallenpaupack High School for the Boat & Outdoor Show and Vendor Market, Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center, Gresham’s Landing, Hawley Silk Mill and Wallenpaupack Brewing Company.

Ride the Train

Why not take a railroad outing with The Stourbridge Line during your visit? Railroad trips depart from Honesdale like the Pocono Express or Wine and Cheese Experience on Saturday and the Dinner and Theater Train running on Sunday. To experience a different side of the tracks when the trains aren't running, take a scenic railbiking trip with Pennsylvania Rail Bike.

Can I Get On the Lake?

Out on the water is the place to be during Wally Lake Fest! Bring your own boat, get a rental or purchase a new vessel from outfitters all around the lake including Pirate's Cove Marina, Lighthouse Harbor Marina, 1st Klas Marina, Rubber Duckie Rentals, Sterling Marina, and Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours. Relax in a family-size pontoon, give paddleboarding a try, or step up the adrenaline and skim over the water during a jet ski rental or waterskiing lesson with The Boat Shop.

Will There Be Live Performances?

The music never stops at Wally Fest. Check out the website for a complete schedule of live performances all weekend long! Hang out at Jam Room Brewing Company, Gresham's Chop House, or Wallenpaupack Brewing Company on Friday night to enjoy live music with your dinner and drinks or get tickets to see Tyler Reese Tritt at the beautiful Harmony in the Woods outdoor amphitheater.

You won't want to miss Wallypalooza on Saturday afternoon, which puts performers out on the lake with the help of a floating stage. Drop anchor free of charge or sit on the shore to catch a set of the musical acts. Sit back along the shore at Silver Birches Resort and savor Lakeside Live performances on Saturday and Sunday. To close out the festival on Sunday, head to Glass - Wine.Bar.Kitchen for Blues, Brews & BBQ which will feature a special craft brew from Runaway Train Brewery in Honesdale.

Where Do I Find Wally Lake Fest Food & Drinks?

Be sure to bring your appetite! You won't leave Wally Lake Fest hungry. Start your day with a latte and breakfast pastry from Cocoon Coffeehouse & Bakery or a farm-to-table brunch at The Settlers Inn or French Manor Inn and Spa. Great restaurants near Hawley like Crazy Country Club, The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Glass - Wine.Bar.Kitchen, Gresham's Chop House, and Jam Room Brewing Company will be serving up delicious meals all weekend long.

Enjoy the air conditioning and order a cold beer from The Wake Zone Indoor Golf and Taproom during their Wally Lake Fest Bash or build the perfect burger and pair it with a pint during Smash and Sip Sunday at Wallenpaupack Brewing Company. WBC is also offering a Wally Lake Fest Survival Kit with two dozen beers and lots of lake swag.

Are There Festival Fairs & Markets?

Shop for everything from homewares to watercraft at Wally Lake Fest. The festival features several outdoor markets and fairs, and local Hawley shops set up summer specials for the occasion.

Stop by the Hawley Farmer’s Market in Bingham Park on Friday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. for local and hand-made products or find something new to read at the Wallenpaupack Historical Society Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center. Take a short drive to visit the midway and check out the games, rides and more at the Greene Dreher Sterling Fair.

Pay a visit to the Boat & Outdoor Show in the parking lot of Wallenpaupack Area High School Friday through Sunday and check out the Vendor Fair on Sunday. You can also browse the Open Market Artisan Fair at the Visitors Center all three days of Wally Fest.

Plan Your Wally Lake Fest Trip

Visit the Wally Lake Fest website or the Wally Lake Fest Facebook page to learn more about daily schedules, activity centers and places to stay. Check out things to do in the area to experience all Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack have to offer.