The Fulton Theatre in downtown Lancaster holds two sensory-friendly family shows at a pay-what-you-want rate: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on Sunday, December 13, 2026 and A Year With Frog and Toad on Sunday, March 21, 2027, both at 11 am. A TV in the lobby lets kids keep watching during a break, a fidget is there for any child who needs one, and a theatre visit and tour can be set up the week before.
Sensory supports. Sensory-friendly family shows, lobby TV for breaks, fidgets.
Hours
Sensory-friendly performances: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 11 am; A Year With Frog and Toad, Sunday, March 21, 2027 at 11 am. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas plays Nov 28 to Dec 26 2026 and A Year With Frog and Toad Mar 20 to Apr 3 2027, typically on Saturdays. The house opens 30 minutes before each show; the lobbies, gift shop and concessions open an hour before. Box Office: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, and 2 hours before all performances.
“To accommodate these various abilities, the Fulton will provide a television monitor in the lobby for children who require a mid-program break.”
“A special fidget is available at the coat room in the lobby for any child who needs one.”
“A special visit and tour of the theatre can be arranged in the week prior to a performance your child is attending. Your child will get to know their seats, and may see/touch various set and costume pieces, or experience sounds and lights that will be part of the production.”
“Fulton Theatre invites all children to engage according to their current ability level.”
“Children are welcome to take lobby breaks during these shows and we encourage our audiences to participate in the storytelling.”
The Fulton has a parent version of its social story, What Happens When I Go to the Theatre (a child version with pictures is a printable PDF), and a list of possible triggers: alarm sounds, a bubble machine, fainting and death, full-body puppet costumes, large groups of people, light changes from dark to light, loud dancing such as tapping, loud instruments, skin-colored costumes, dream sequences and other fantasy moments, screaming and loud singing, smells, strobing lights, and wigs and hats. The list is general, not for one show.
The Fulton also has a Sensory Challenges Form where you can mark triggers, share strategies you plan to use (it passes them to staff and ushers), and pick seating preferences such as the first floor, the rear, by an exit or an isolated area; it seats you as close to those needs as it can.
Social stories and other resources go to families in the program, with follow-up help on request the week you attend.
Sensory-friendly performances at 11 am: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on December 13, 2026 and A Year With Frog and Toad on March 21, 2027, at a pay-what-you-want rate. Reserve on the access ticket request form.
A TV monitor in the lobby is there for a mid-show break, a fidget is available for any child who needs one, and a special visit and tour can be arranged the week before.
All sales are final, with no refunds; exchanges within the same run of a show cost $15 plus any extra ticket cost.
The weather lobby, where the box office is (it has an echo, and the Fulton encourages gum and earphones there)not stated
The end of the show (people may clap and cheer when the actors bow, and the aisles may be crowded as everyone leaves)not stated
Quieter, in the Fulton's words
First-floor seatsquiet zone
Tickets and discounts: every audience member needs a ticket. The regular Pay-What-You-Want performance of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 11 am (in person only on the day, sales start at 9 am, first come, first served, up to 4 tickets per person, and the line forms outside). Youth discounts are by phone with the Box Office (not online, non-refundable); seniors 60 and over get $2 off; groups of 15 or more get discounts. With an ACCESS/EBT card and photo ID, the card holder and up to four others can see a Mainstage Series production after its opening night for $5 each, paid by you, not through the ACCESS/EBT card. Show the card and photo ID in person at the Box Office or call 717-397-7425, and mention the ACCESS discount when ordering; it is not valid on online reservations or on tickets already bought.
Ages: Family Series shows are for all audiences, all ages welcome, while the Fulton's child policy sells Mainstage tickets for ages 3 and up and recommends no children under 3 at Mainstage shows; ask the Box Office about a child under 3. Children under 11 must be with an adult, and a child's seat must be next to the adult's. Groff Studio shows, in the 4th floor Tell Studio Theatre, sell tickets only for ages 10 and up.
Breaks and late seating: the lobbies have two live-feed TV areas so parents can still see the show when children need a break. Disruptive patrons, including children, may be asked by a House Manager to spend time in the lobby, with no refund. Late arrivals are seated at House Management's discretion and may not reach their own seats until intermission, if there is one.
Inside: there are bathrooms in the lobby and on the second floor, and water fountains on the first floor near the restrooms and on the second floor near the main elevator. A self-service coat room is to the right as you enter Culliton Tower. The Parquet, Mezzanine and Gallery have steps to the seats; the Fulton asks you to stay in your seats until the house lights come on. Food is permitted inside the theatre (the Fulton asks you to unwrap food before the show, since wrappers can be noisy), and drinks are permitted in a covered bottle or souvenir cup. Report a medical incident to the Front of House staff in the lobby.
Parking: Lancaster Parking Authority garages, private surface lots at generally around $4 an hour, and 946 metered street spaces with a 2-hour limit, 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday. The Fulton does not cancel performances for bad weather.
Other access services, such as audio description, open captions, ASL interpretation and assistive listening devices, are for blind or low vision and deaf or hard of hearing guests; ask the Box Office or access@thefulton.org.
