Don’t let the winter blues keep you at home. Winter in Harrisburg is packed with low-cost and family-friendly events, indoor sporting events and even an Ice Festival! Check out a few of Harrisburg’s upcoming events and activities below or visit our calendar for a complete list of events and attractions.
Winter Events at the Farm Show Complex
Farm Show (Jan 4-11)
The largest indoor agricultural exposition in the country comes to Harrisburg! The PA Farm Show welcomes more than half a million visitors each ear, along with thousands of animals, hundreds of exhibits and vendors, dozens of demonstrations and contests, and one incredible sculpture carved from over 1,000 pounds of butter. Don’t forget to check out PA Dairymen Association’s new limited-edition flavor, Salted Caramel! Check out the full schedule of events here.
Auto Show (Jan 23 - 26)
The PA Auto Show will feature more than 800 cars, trucks, SUV's, motorcycles, ATVs and boats. Saturday and Sunday are "Family Fun Days" with mini electric vehicles for the youngest attendees, inflatable bounce houses, face painting, games and more.
The PA Home & Garden Show (Feb 27 - Mar 2)
Shop, compare and save while experiencing luscious gardens and outdoor living displays, designer rooms, informative presentations, special events, and abundant plant and artisan markets at the Farm Show Complex for a massive Home & Garden Show. Connect and learn from more than 200 trusted home and garden professionals. See celebrity guest Christopher Knight (Peter Brady from The Brady Bunch) of Christopher Knight Home on March 1st and 2nd, and expert renovator and carpenter Jeff Devlin (of HGTV, DIY Network and Magnolia Network) on February 28th and March 1st. Enjoy family events such as the Doggy Fashion Show on March 1, and Friends & Family Day on March 2. Bonus: Get a $4 off coupon with code, EXPLOR3
Discover the Harrisburg Heat (through March 30)
Bring the kids to a professional soccer game right here in Harrisburg. The Heat is PA's only Major Arena Soccer League Team and plays in Renu Solar Field, located within the PA Farm Show Expo Center. With family-fun nights, kids entertainment and much more, mark your calendars for one of their winter games.
Catch a Movie at the Midtown Cinema
For movie lovers, Midtown Cinema is the perfect spot to cozy up with a great film. This independent theatre showcases a mix of indie flicks, foreign films, and award-winning movies, offering something for everyone. Grab some popcorn and settle in for an intimate cinematic experience unlike any other. Whether you’re into thought-provoking dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, or inspiring documentaries, Midtown Cinema has you covered this winter.
Take an Improv Class
Laugh away the blues by joining a fun and interactive Improv Class at The Harrisburg Improv Theatre! Starting January 23rd, the "Level 1: Intro to Improv" class meets every Thursday evening from 7-10pm and runs for eight weeks. Led by the talented DuJuan Dixon, this in-person class is perfect for adults with no prior experience in improv or theatre. You'll learn the basics of long-form improv comedy, including scene creation, character development, and the art of saying "yes, and" to your fellow performers. It's a great way to break out of your comfort zone, make new friends, and enjoy some much-needed laughter. The course culminates in two exciting graduation shows on March 15th and 17th, where you'll get to showcase your newfound skills. Don't miss this chance to warm up your winter with creativity and fun! Get all the details here!
Watch a Show at the Many Harrisburg Theatres
Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Harrisburg theaters, offering a diverse array of performances to uplift your spirits. Open Stage invites audiences ages 7 and up to experience Peter and the Starcatcher, a whimsical and adventurous prequel to Peter Pan. Meanwhile, Gamut Theatre breathes new life into Shakespeare’s classic Much Ado About Nothing. This lively romantic comedy, filled with witty banter, mistaken identities, and loveable characters, is sure to warm your spirits and leave you smiling. From January 25 to February 9, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical takes the stage at Theatre Harrisburg, bringing the beloved book to life with high-energy songs, humor, and adventure.
Visit an Art Gallery or a Museum
Harrisburg is host to several art galleries and museums. Adults and kids alike can visit the Susquehanna Art Museum, PA State Museum, and PA Fire Museum, just to name a few. Every third Friday of the month, during Third in the Burg, Susquehanna Art Museum is free from 5-8pm. In addition, they even offer art classes on different days of the week for ages 4+ . Explore Pennsylvania's heritage, archaeological artifacts, and decorative arts at the State Museum. Visit the Planetarium for a show the whole family will enjoy or wander through the Hall of Geology for a look at our region's rocks and minerals. For children 5 and under, Curiosity Connection offers an educational play space for kids to learn and discover. The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum is in an historic 1899 Victorian Firehouse. It was once the home of the Reily Hose Fire Co. No. 10 of Harrisburg. Exhibits focus on the history of the fire service from the time of America's colonial days to the present.
Harrisburg’s Ice & Fire Festival (Mar 1)
On Saturday, March 1st, from 11am to 7pm, downtown Harrisburg will be filled with ice sculptures, street vendors, live musical performances and delicious food trucks! Dozens of ice sculptures will be clustered across the City in Downtown, Midtown, Shipoke, Italian Lake, Reservoir Park, and on City Island. Live ice-carving demonstrations will take place in front of City Hall, and Second Street (in downtown Harrisburg) will be packed with fire pits, an ice slide, and food trucks. Be sure to check out the fire dancers and the cocktail/coffee/cocoa crawl!
For more details, click here.
