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Celebrate the New Year in Harrisburg & West Shore

Find celebrations in the Harrisburg & West Shore area to ring in the new year!

By Kat Dinsmore, publisher, www.harrisburg.macaronikid.com December 15, 2022

Here in the Harrisburg & West Shore area, we're really lucky to have a bunch of great family-friendly celebrations to ring in the new year! I've rounded them up & have listed the scoop on each event below. Some events ring in NOON, while some ring in the new year early for kids so be sure to check out all of the details as not all events & happenings occur at midnight. 

I hope your family has a safe and happy 2023!


Noon Year's Eve Celebration (Harrisburg)
December 30th, starting at 10:00am

Museum visitors can ring in the New Year at this family-friendly event. Activities include crafts, trivia games, dancing, and the famous firefly and streamer drop at noon. Noon Year’s Eve is included with general admission. State Museum member and military discounts will apply.

In conjunction with Noon Year’s Eve, Curiosity Connection will have limited timed-tickets available for 45 minutes of play per hour starting on the hour from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Limited tickets must be picked up at the main entrance and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In addition, planetarium shows will be available for $3 per person, with shows scheduled at the Planetarium. Tickets must be purchased at the main entrance at least 10 minutes before showtime. The featured shows are Animals of the Night and Seasons.


New Years Eve Celebration + Hershey Kiss Raise (Hershey)
starting at 8pm

Head to downtown Hershey to enjoy a fun & FREE family-friendly event! Featuring kid-friendly new year's countdowns at Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue throughout the day and evening, then at 8pm there will be food & non-alcoholic beverages available with vendors. At 9pm the main stage entertainments include Fully Stocked and Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax.  Right at 11:59p, MC Denny Logan (WINK 104) and the HERSHEY’s Characters will count down to the raising of the HERSHEY’S Kiss! Right after, downtown revelers will enjoy an immersive, celebratory display.


New Year's Eve Wrench Drop (Mechanicsburg)
starting at 6pm

The town celebrates the New Year from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with the annual drop of a wrench in front of the Washington Fire Company at 53 E. Main St. There will be live music and fun for all downtown.

Enjoy a variety of children's activities at Mechanicsburg First Church of God from 6p - 8p.


New Years Eve Party for Children: Countdown to Noon (Harrisburg)
starting at 10:30am

Join the Popcorn Hat Players for our 30th Annual New Year’s Eve Party for Children, where we count down to NOON instead of midnight!

This year, our party is back at the Sunoco Performance Theater at the Whitaker Center in downtown Harrisburg. Tickets include admission to the show, noisemakers, party hats, a Hawaiian lei, and don’t forget the balloon drop!

Featuring this year’s show, The Princess and The Pea!


New Year's Eve Celebration (Harrisburg)
starting at 9:30pm

Celebrate the New Year in Downtown Harrisburg with a strawberry drop, fireworks, kids activities and more! The event kicks off at 9pm with a Countdown to Kid-Night event at City Hall featuring a balloon drop (10pm), milk & cookies toast, crafts, kids dance party, and more. Leading up to midnight we will do the annual strawberry drop at the Hilton followed by fireworks to welcome the New Year. #NYEHBG Be sure to make dinner reservations and enjoy performances, parties and more at businesses throughout the City. A list of all dining specials and events will be available soon at www.explorehbg.com/nye.


Countdown to Noon (Camp Hill)
starting at 10am

Count down to NOON to celebrate the New Year at Monkey Joe's with themed fun! There will be fun prizes & giveaways throughout the day.


New Year’s Eve Countdown (Hershey)
11am, 1pm, 3pm

Kids can celebrate New Year’s Eve throughout the day at The Hershey Story FREE! Kids can make some noise with "bubble-wrap stomps" at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Activities take place on the patio (weather permitting).


New Year's Eve Baby Pickle Drop & Pickle Drop with Fireworks (Dillsburg)
baby pickle drops at 7p for kids // main pickle drop and fireworks at midnight

Head to Dillsburg to enjoy a variety of family fun to ring in the new year! Be sure to head to Dillsburg Elementary at 7pm for a baby pickle drop for kiddos!

Dillsburg Elementary:

  • 4 - 7p: Kids' activities
  • 7p: Baby Pickle Drop for kids
  • 4p - 11p: New Hope food drive
  • 7:30 - 11:45p: BINGO

ACE Hardware:

  • 9p - 12a: DJ + live music
  • midnight: fireworks & pickle drop


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