Elevate your next gathering or celebration with The Imperial Event Center

Conveniently positioned in the heart of Lancaster City, The Imperial Event Center houses a full-service event experience—with stunning ballrooms, a scenic terrace, conference spaces, and in-house experts. Located within the Holiday Inn Lancaster, this historic property is more than just venue spaces—it’s poised to be your all-in-one destination for conferences, weddings, galas, and celebrations of every kind.

All About Location

Just steps away from downtown landmarks, local shops, entertainment options, and restaurants, The Imperial Event Center’s central location creates a novel experience. When you host an event at The Imperial, you and your guests have easy access to Lancaster City favorites like the historic Lancaster Central Market (a short 7-minute walk), unique shops on the 300 block North Queen Street (a 4-minute walk), and the lively art galleries on Gallery Row (a 5-minute walk). Plus, you can enjoy a delicious meal at their onsite restaurant, The Imperial Restaurant, a local gem offering American cuisine with a dinner menu and happy hour specials, or explore one of the 150+ eateries throughout the city.

A Historic Gem

Beyond its central location, the property is steeped in history. Known formerly as The Hotel Lancaster and the Imperial Hotel, the current Holiday Inn property dates back to the 1750s, when the hotel hosted various dignitaries and U.S. presidents including Abraham Lincoln, William Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon.

Over the last decade, the hotel was rebranded and renovated by owners John Meeder and Sam Wilsker, whose vision was brought to life with the grand opening of the The Holiday Inn Lancaster, The Imperial Restaurant, and The Imperial Event Center in 2019.

“The Imperial Event Center has breathed new life into an underutilized property, transforming it into a vibrant hub in the heart of Lancaster City. I am proud to have contributed to this transformation, helping create a space that celebrates our community and stands as an asset Lancaster can be proud of.”

Sam Wilsker, Partner

Inside The Imperial

The Imperial Event Center features several thoughtfully designed spaces: two elegant ballrooms, a sun-lit atrium, private bridal suites, a scenic terrace, and conference rooms. The interior blends Art Deco and Midcentury Modern designs for a stylish atmosphere.

Design Your Dream Event

• The Imperial Grande Ballroom offers flexible layouts and can accommodate up to 275 attendees for sit-down dining and up to 360 attendees for lecture or theatre-style meetings. It features a built-in-bar, pre-function space, adjacent meeting rooms, and even a bridal suite nearby.
• The Imperial Blue Ballroom offers an eclectic ambiance with natural lighting from The Imperial Terrace. With direct access to the terrace, this space can be exceptionally versatile for all events. It also offers a fully decorated bridal suite nearby.
• The Atrium, a 35-foot-high skylight space, offers a unique touch to any event, with a stunning ornate chandelier by Italian designer, Massimo Scolari.
• The Imperial Terrace offers covered and uncovered open-air space, where 160 guests can be accommodated for table seating—which is great for weddings, ceremonies, private dinners, and more.
• Multi-use conference and meeting rooms are also available for corporate events. Both ballrooms can be used as conference spaces, and there are six executive conference rooms equipped with monitors, Wi-Fi, and built-in digital conferencing capabilities.

All-in-One Experience

Every detail at The Imperial Event Center, including the hotel’s Lancaster-inspired local art, contributes to a memorable experience. What truly sets The Imperial Event Center apart is their full-service offerings. From catering and bar service to event planning and even event decor, the center is an all-in-one experience like no other.

For weddings, couples can enjoy the ease of in-house coordination, group room rates, and the convenience of having the welcome party, ceremony, reception, and overnight stay in one location. The celebration doesn’t need to end there—as couples can also add an after party, or a bon voyage brunch for the next morning.

“The Imperial Event Center is full of charm and character. Once you are inside, the space has real ‘wow’ moments like the City View Terrace or the Grande Ballroom. The wonderful part about the Event Center is that every step of your event is in the hands of people who care about your experience. The entire staff are incredible hosts in hospitality. We’re here to take special care of your event vision.”

Cheila Huettner, Director of Marketing and Catering Sales

Book an Event

Booking an event with The Imperial Event Center is the first step to crafting an unforgettable experience designed just for you.

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