Central PA creative New Year’s Eve drops to welcome 2025
YORK, Pa. — If you're looking for unique ways to ring in 2025, there's no shortage of options in Central Pennsylvania.
Here's a list of some of the free, public New Year's Eve celebrations planned in communities across the region and how you can join in the fun.
ADAMS COUNTY
Gettysburg
Good Samaritan Lodge No. 336 will sponsor the New Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31, 2024, in Lincoln Square in Downtown Gettysburg.
This year’s festivities begin in the late afternoon with a Vendor and Craft Show, followed by a Community New Year's Eve Party.
Local artist Nick Mich plays live music and DJ Travis hosts on the square from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
This year’s event also features a jumbo screen projection showing live festivities in Times Square in New York City.
A series of planned activities will culminate in the raising of Abraham Lincoln’s Hat at the stroke of midnight.
Several local food truck vendors, including Uncle Moe’s Soul Food, CJ’s Takeout and Late Nite Bites, LFS Latin Fusion, Ziggy Donuts, and Bantam Coffee Roasters will be onsite. Hot chocolate and water will also be provided for free by Good Samaritan Lodge No. 336 at 9 Lincoln Square.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Carlisle
The public is invited to celebrate all that 2024 had to offer and ring in 2025 as the borough of Carlisle hosts a Hotchee Dog Drop, beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Carlisle Theater.
There will be live music on stage from 6-8 p.m., as DJ Rob will be outside playing tunes and counting down to the giant hotchee drop at 9 p.m.
There's a Hot Dog Eating Contest, a 50/50 Raffle, and more fun events planned.
Go here for more details.
Lower Allen Township
Some municipalities drop roses, strawberries, or bologna.
In Lower Allen Township, they drop their pants.
Okay, not really. Lower Allen Township promises a night of fun for the whole family, beginning at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 at Lower Allen Community Park, 4075 Lisburn Road.
Attendees to the celebration, which will be held at The Barn inside the park, will enjoy food and beverages, games for all ages, and crafts for the kids.
The township's iconic yellow breeches will be dropped at midnight (a drop for the kids will be held at 10 p.m.)
Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable items to donate to the New Hope Ministries Food Bank.
Mechanicsburg
The result of an Eagle Scout project by Mechanicsburg Area School District graduate Sheldon Rodgers, Mechanicsburg's annual Wrench Drop began 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.
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.
Shippensburg
Get ready to ring in 2025 in style as the Borough of Shippensburg celebrates with an Anchor Drop on Tuesday, Dec. 31 on King Street between Penn Street and Earl Street.
This free family event is open to all and begins at 8 p.m., culminating with the Anchor Drop at midnight.
DAUPHIN COUNTY
Harrisburg
On Tuesday, December 31, 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 balloon drop, face painting, balloon animals and crafts – all of which will glow under the blacklights! There will also be free snacks. Kids should wear their brightest neon and white to glow under the black lights.
Hershey
Hershey's New Year’s Eve celebrates its 20th anniversary with a jam-packed celebration for all to enjoy on December 31, 2024.
The celebration is a free, family-friendly event that kicks off with a family hour at 7:30 p.m. for younger guests who may not make it until midnight, featuring children’s musician Holly Serio, face painting, vendors and more.
At 8:30 p.m., the HERSHEY Characters join for the final bubble wrap stomp and a dance party.
Five-person cover band Fully Stocked will take the main stage at 9 p.m., pumping out energy and fun with rock and pop songs from the 1970s to today.
Headlining this year’s event is Pennsylvania quartet and TikTok sensation Burn the Jukebox, performing crowd-pleasing pop and rock hits spanning over five decades along with their original alt-rock songs.
To round out the evening, at 11:59 p.m., MC Denny Logan and the HERSHEY Characters will count down to the HERSHEY’S KISS raise.
Go here for more details.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Chambersburg
Downtown Chambersburg and Martin's Potato Rolls will ring in 2025 with a free, public celebration in the borough's downtown area on 100 Lincoln Way East.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. They'll drop a Martin Potato Roll to ring in 2025 at 9 p.m.
More details will be available here.
LANCASTER COUNTY
Lancaster
After the City of Lancaster announced that its annual Red Rose Drop was going away "for the foreseeable future," the Lancaster Barnstormers stepped up to the plate.
The Atlantic League baseball team and the City of Lancaster announced earlier this month that they're teaming up to move the Red Rose Drop to the Barnstormers' home field at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
The free event promises a "new take" on the iconic Red Rose Drop and will end with a dazzling fireworks display, lighting up the sky as the community rings in the new year.
The celebration, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Part of the Lancaster City for the Holiday series, the event will include music, food and festive entertainment. A special kid's New Year's Eve countdown will be held at 10 p.m.
Free transportation will also be available from Lancaster City neighborhoods to Clipper Magazine Stadium.
Ephrata
On Tuesday, December 31, Mainspring of Ephrata is hosting its 3rd Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration from 9:30 p.m. to midnight in the borough's downtown area.
Celebrants will ring in 2025 by raising its beloved Green Dragon.
Live music will be provided by Big Fat Meanies, voted “Best Rock Band” in Central Pennsylvania, Big Fat Meanies offers a high-octane dose of horn-driven progressive rock with each impressive performance. The independent eight-piece ensemble hailing from Lancaster wields an on-stage energy that can only be matched by their catalog of exhilarating songwriting. Drawing inspiration from genres of all nature – including pop, punk, funk, metal, ska, and even musical theatre – Big Fat Meanies’ signature episodic songwriting archetype blends the varied musical backgrounds of each member in perfect harmony.
There will be food trucks, a beer garden, and fireworks at midnight after the Green Dragon helps welcome in 2025.
LEBANON COUNTY
Lebanon
The City of Lebanon invites the public to join Mayor Sherry Capello in ringing in the new year at its annual New Year's Eve Bologna Drop.
Festivities will be held on South Eighth Street between Chestnut Street and Cumberland Street.
A DJ will provide music from 10 p.m. to midnight.
The bologna drop will be donated by Seltzer's Smokehouse Meats.
Admission is free.
YORK COUNTY
Dillsburg
The borough's New Year's Eve celebration returns with another awesome Pickle Drop, made possible this year thanks to the generosity of Depalma Roof & Construction.
The 'baby' pickle drop also returns at Dillsburg Elementary beginning at 4 p.m. with a drop at 7 p.m. The event promises fun, food and games for kids of all ages.
Afterward, the focus turns to the main pickle drop event in the Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church parking lot next to Ace Hardware beginning this year at 7 p.m. until midnight.
Food vendors followed by the famous pickle drop and awesome fireworks display are sure to delight all families!
City of York
The city invites the public to gather to ring in the New Year in Continental Square for the final hours of 2024 and the debut of 2025.
At midnight, watch the White Rose Drop, followed by a colorful fireworks display.
STREET CLOSINGS AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS:
- Market Street from Beaver to Duke will be closed from 9 p.m. on December 31 until approximately 1 a.m. on January 1
- George Street from Philadelphia to King will be closed from 9 p.m. on December 31 until approximately 1 a.m. on January 1
- Parking will be restricted in that area beginning at 5 p.m.
