Get your resolutions ready and pop the champagne — it’s almost New Year’s Eve! 2023 has absolutely flown by, and it’s time to welcome 2024. And if you’re looking for some local New Year’s fun, we’ve got you covered!
From daytime family-friendly events to ball drops at midnight, there are tons of options to celebrate.
READ: The South Central PA Mom’s ULTIMATE Guide to Winter Fun
Jump to: BERKS COUNTY – CUMBERLAND COUNTY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – LANCASTER COUNTY – LEBANON COUNTY – YORK COUNTY
New Year’s Eve in Berks County
- Noon Year’s Eve, Reading Public Museum: December 31st, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Join Museum Educators and other community partners as we ring in the New Year. Families will be able to create some fun props and noisemakers that are commonly used for this holiday. Children will also be able to dance the wait away as we count down to the noon hour. At that time we will have balloon drop in the Neag Planetarium. It is sure to be a great time!
- German New Year’s Eve Celebration, Reading Liederkranz: December 31st, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Join us for a unique way to greet 2024! Dave Kline and the Report will offer all your favorite types of music: fast, oldies, dance, slow/fast, polkas, etc. The first ever Liederkranz “Pretzel Drop” will take place at 6:00 pm with Champagne Toast. $50 for Members and $55 for Non-members; includes Happy Hour (cash bar with drink specials) and German pretzel bar from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Doors open at 3:00 pm, All-You-Can-Eat German Buffet starts at 4:00 pm.
- Boyertown New Year’s Bear Drop, Boyertown Area Historical Society: December 31st, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Make a care package for Veterans, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Count down to the Bear Drop at midnight in Germany at 6:00 pm. Also Phoebe the folk singer will be playing the guitar.
- New Year’s Eve On the Lanes, Hiester Lanes: December 31st, with family packages and ball drop celebrations available. Elevate your 2024 celebrations with our exclusive New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day packages! Say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of crowded venues and the hassle of planning — this year opt for a memorable experience on your terms at an unbeatable rate. Enjoy private lanes and non-stop fun, complete with food, drinks, and sparkling champagne toasts. This New Year, eliminate the stress of planning and focus on creating unforgettable moments.
- Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles, Reading Symphony Orchestra: December 31st, 7:30 pm. Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Reading has come to mean only one place, the Santander with your Reading Symphony Orchestra. And, returning by overwhelming and popular demand, the leading Beatles show on the road Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles with the Reading Symphony Orchestra will be back with us to get you dancing in the aisles and probably the streets too!
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration, Reading Pagoda: Watch the annual fireworks show over the Pagoda, with views available at multiple places around the city.
- New Year’s Eve Pajama Party, Santander Arena: December 31st, 3:00 pm. Roll out of bed and into Santander for our New Year’s Eve Pajama Party Game! Enjoy $2 Hot Dogs, Nachos, and Popcorn, a balloon drop, and don’t miss our specialty game jersey!
- New Year’s Eve Party, West Wyomissing Fire Co. Social Quarters: December 31st, 8:30 pm – 12:30 am. Ring in 2024 with Spectacular Celebrations! Prepare for a night of unmatched revelry. The Party Pros DJ: Get ready to dance the night away to an electrifying mix of tunes that will keep you grooving into the new year! Delectable Snacks: Indulge in mouthwatering bites to fuel your festivities. Crafted Drinks: Raise a toast to joy and celebration with our specially curated beverage selection. Countdown Champagne: As the clock strikes midnight, join us for a champagne toast to welcome 2024 with a sparkle! It’s an evening designed for laughter, dancing, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on the magic!
New Year’s Eve in Cumberland County
- Mechanicsburg Wrench Drop, Washington Fire Company: December 31st, 9:30 pm – 12:00 am. The result of an Eagle Scout project by Mechanicsburg Area School District graduate Sheldon Rodgers, this small town west of Harrisburg dropped its first wrench on New Year’s Eve in 2004. The galvanized steel wrench commemorates the borough’s founders — mechanics who settled in the area to make and repair wagons that were traveling west after crossing the Susquehanna River in the early 19th century. Mechanicsburg Wrench Drop has from the very beginning been a family affair. Because of that we have things scheduled that the entire family will enjoy. We have partnered with several local businesses and organizations to provide you with that special unforgettable night for you and your family.
- Hotchee New Year’s Eve, Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center: December 31st, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Help us celebrate all that 2023 had to offer, while we look forward to so much more in 2024! Love Carlisle’s Hotchee New Year sponsored in part by Briggson Building Company is happening inside and outside of the Carlisle Theatre. We will be dropping a GIANT 6ft HOTCHEE DOG designed by the very talented AEDAN GRIFFITH who is a student at Big Spring High School. Hall Pass Hero will be performing on stage at the Carlisle Theatre from 6-8pm. DJ Rob will be outside playing tunes and counting down to the giant hotchee drop, happening at 9pm. Hot Dog Eating Contest begins at 8pm. Molly Pitcher Brewing Company will be serving their beer on-site. Helena’s Cafe and Creperie will be open late. 50/50 Raffle for cash and other prizes! Special guest appearances, Pinata Drop for the kids, Party Favors & SO MUCH MORE!!!
- Drop the Anchor New Year’s Celebration, Downtown Shippensburg: December 31st, 8:30 pm – 12:00 am. Everyone is invited to celebrate 2023 in style as we Drop the Anchor in Shippensburg on Saturday, Dec. 31. The event will take place on King Street between Penn Street and Earl Street. Festivities will begin at 8 p.m. This is a FREE family fun event, and all are welcome! There will be bounce houses, a disc jockey, and so much more. We cannot wait to welcome the New Year in with all of you!
- New Year’s Eve Party, Midway Bowl: Midway is throwing a NYE party this year that you won’t want to miss out on! There will be giveaways, a toast at midnight, DJ RX, & more! Space is limited and lanes sell fast so make your reservation online today at midwaybowl.com. We can’t wait to roll into 2024 with you!
- New Year’s Eve Drop, The Barn at Lower Allen Community Park: December 31st from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am. Come and enjoy a free evening of entertainment to ring in the new year. There will be fun and games for all ages. Free food and beverages. Dance to music provided by Dance Party DJ’s, Tim Delp. The count down for dropping the yellow breeches will begin just before midnight. A children’s countdown and drop will be held at 10pm with Baby Breeches. Please bring a non-perishable food item(s) for New Hope Ministries’ food bank. Monetary donations will also be accepted for the Lower Allen Township Fun Fort. Souvenir pictures with the breeches will be taken from 8-10 pm for a dollar. All proceeds to benefit the fun fort and children’s equipment and activities at Lower Allen Park.
New Year’s Eve in Dauphin County
- New Year’s Eve Celebration and Strawberry Drop, City Hall: December 31st. The City of Harrisburg will host the annual New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring the strawberry drop and fireworks at midnight along 2nd Street. There will also be a Kid’s Glow Party sponsored by Capital Blue Cross featuring a glow balloon drop, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, snacks, and more starting at 9pm inside City Hall. Kids should wear their brightest neon and white to glow under the blacklights!
- Hershey New Year’s Eve, Downtown Hershey: Hershey New Year’s Eve returns on December 31, 2023 for its 19th year with live bands, great food and drinks, more family-friendly activities, and a laser and pyrotechnics display. The celebration is held in the heart of downtown Hershey. It includes kid-friendly new year’s countdowns and bubble wrap stomps at The Hershey Story throughout the day. New this year is a community hour from 7:30 – 8:30 pm in ChocolateTown Square. The hour will feature local dance and music groups. At 8:30 pm, the HERSHEY’S Characters join for the final bubble wrap stomp and a dance party. The main stage entertainment kicks off at 9:00 pm with Fully Stocked and Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax. At 11:59, MC Denny Logan (WNNK 104.1) and the HERSHEY’s Characters will count down to the HERSHEY’S Kiss raise. Then, downtown revelers will enjoy the second annual laser and pyrotechnics display.
- New Year’s Eve Celebration, Hershey’s Chocolate World: December 31st, 3:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Join us for the family-friendly party as we count down to a sweet New Year! We’re celebrating with a DJ, visits from the HERSHEY’S Characters and more!
- Noon Year’s Celebration, State Museum of PA: December 30th, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. Join us, Saturday, December 30th 10:00AM – 12:30PM to ring in the Noon Year! Bring your family and enjoy crafts, games, Storytime, a planetarium show, and finally dance and sing your way to the Noon Year! This program is included with general admission.
- New Year’s Eve Celebration, Lyken Valley Children’s Museum: December 31st. We are ready to ring in the New Year with our museum goers!
With two time slots to choose from! (2pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7pm). Family-friendly event with lots of celebrating to enjoy! Fun NYE’s activities with a ball drop and balloon drop! (3:30pm and 6:30pm) Bring the family and celebrate a little early! More details coming soon!
$5 a person, children under 2 are free!
New Year’s Eve in Lancaster County
- Ephrata Unexpected New Year’s Celebration, Mainspring of Ephrata: December 31st, 9:30 pm – 12:00 am. The Square in downtown Ephrata will come alive to ring in the New Year! We’ll have dancing in the streets to live music and cheer to fireworks bursting on the hour. And the drop? Well, how about a raise? And, how about we keep that a secret again for now? There will also be food, hot beverages, a beer garden, activities and so much more. No worries for those who may already be in their footie pajamas by 9:30pm! Come as you are and celebrate a fresh, new year with your neighbor.
- New Year’s Eve in the Village, Historic Acres of Hershey [Elizabethtown]: December 31st, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Join us for a whimsical New Year’s Eve countdown at the enchanting Village of Lights! This magical evening is specially tailored for children, promising an unforgettable start to the year. The event begins at 6:00pm, with the countdown happening promptly at 8:00pm. A ticket includes face painting, popcorn, a visit from baby goats, a noisemaker, and, of course, a stroll through our Village of Lights! Available for purchase will be hot cocoa, cold beverages, s’mores (to roast over one of our 4 fire pits!) and glow-in-the-dark wands as a fun souvenir! There will be food trucks on site with delicious food choices, and local vendors in our Village Shoppe. Tickets are $30 for children aged 4-12, and $20 for adults and children aged 13+. Children under 4 are free.
- Family New Year’s Eve Party, Laserdome: December 31st, 8:00 pm – 1:00 am. Happy New Years Eve! Who’s ready to party?! Join us as we ring in the new year Laserdome USA style – with a Laser Countdown, Party Hats, Noise Makers, Leis, Balloons, Dome Dance party and so much more! Reserve your tickets now by clicking the button above. Reservations guarantee service. There is a $5 per player deposit, which will be applied to the final purchase when you arrive. $29.99 Ticket also includes unlimited Laser Tag*, unlimited arcades*, XBOX zone, Pinball Alley, Laser Maze, Rollercoaster sim and Racing zone. Our snack bar will be open.
New Year’s Eve in Lebanon County
- New Year’s Eve Bologna Drop, Downtown Lebanon: December 31st. Join Mayor Sherry Capello to ring in the new year at the New Year’s Eve Bologna Drop. Festivities will be held on South Eighth Street between Chestnut Street and Walnut Street. DJ Jim Payne will provide music from 10:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight. The bologna will be donated by Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats. Admission is free.
New Year’s Eve in York County
- Welcome 2024, Continental Square: December 31st, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am. Join us in Continental Square for the final hours of 2023 and help ring in the new year at midnight. York’s New Year’s Eve celebration is sponsored by UPMC. At 9:30 p.m., we’ll have music for your listening enjoyment. At midnight, watch the white rose drop followed by a colorful fireworks display.
- Dillsburg Pickle Drop, Dillsburg Elementary School and Ace Hardware: December 31st. Join us for the NEW and IMPROVED Dillsburg PICKLE DROP brought to you by your community volunteers with Dillsburg Community Association (DCA). The celebration is held at two locations and times. The first is at Dillsburg Elementary School beginning at 4pm with food including Dillsburgs famous Pickle Soup, kids games and “baby pickle drop” at 7pm followed by bingo from 730-1130pm. The second, and main stage, offers entertainment with Buckskin Whiskey that kicks off at 9:00 pm and runs until midnight. Followed by our almost world famous Pickle Drop and Fireworks!!Located just a short walk from Dillsburg elementary to the Ace Hardware parking lot!! This year we will also have food vendors such as Award winning Trailer Trash Chili and Dogz, Kay Melts, Derby Dash Kettle Corn, Choco L’ more. So, come early and enjoy great music and food all night!!
- New Year’s Eve Party, Keystone Kidspace: December 31st, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Come say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024 the Keystone Kidspace way! Bring the family out for a kid-friendly New Years Eve celebration! Activities include: Ball drop at 1:00 pm, Snowball fight at 2:00 pm, Dance party as we watch celebrations around the world, Resolution fire tiles, Plus more activities and surprises! Purchase a day pass online or at the front desk the day of your visit! All activities included with admission.
