STATE COLLEGE — First Night State College will once again provide central Pennsylvania with a great way to mark the passing of the old year and the ringing in of the New Year. This alcohol-free community celebration of the visual and performing arts will take place in downtown State College on Dec. 31, 2025.

A production of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 2026 First Night State College is a creative and healthy New Year’s celebration meant to replace watching television and alcohol-fueled New Year’s Eve revelry. First Night is an old-fashioned community celebration where all are welcome; young and old, singles and families, townsfolk and visitors.

2026 First Night State College will feature a display of outdoor ice carvings, including large sculptures located in the 100 block of South Allen Street, while the ever-popular Giant Ice Slide will be in Sidney Friedman Park. At the end of the event, the First Night State College ice carving team will have carved over 30,000 pounds of ice! Watch these carvings evolve from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This year, the First Night State College ice carvers will create a wide array of giant ice displays that showcase their artistry, and many of them will be interactive!

Displays of smaller, one-block ice sculptures can be found in front of many local sponsoring businesses, on the Mayor Welch Plaza at 243 South Allen Street, and in Sidney Friedman Park. There will be more than 85 of these sculptures this year! Ice will be on display commencing on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 31.

First Night State College will present a few variety acts this year:

Step into the wonder of Cirque Celebration — a dazzling showcase of aerial artistry and acrobatic talent brought to life by two of Pennsylvania’s premier performance studios.

From gravity-defying aerial silks to breathtaking acrobatic displays, Cirque Celebration blends strength, grace and imagination in a family-friendly performance that captures the spirit of the New Year.

Dance on Air, based in Montoursville, offers aerial acrobatics training for students of all ages — from children as young as four to adults of all experience levels — and has performed at venues and competitions across the United States. Allison’s Dance Company, from Berwick, specializes in youth acrobatics and has represented the U.S. on global stages in Poland, Mexico and beyond, with students training with the best in the industry, including Cirque du Soleil professionals

Together, these talented performers invite audiences to celebrate movement, artistry, and community in a spectacular start to 2026.

Dance on Air will present performances at 12:30, 3 and 5 p.m. A First Night Button is required for this performance.

Amazing Feats of Comedy brings Michael and Ethan Rosman to the Downtown Theatre. They have performed together all over the world — from cruise ships in the Caribbean to ski resorts, hotels, The White House and to a movie filmed in Sri Lanka. Audiences everywhere have laughed at their antics and been amazed by their skills. Their act blends high skill circus stunts and magic with fresh, original comedy that entertains audiences of all ages.

There will be shows at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. A First Night Button is required for this performance.

Enchanted New Year’s Eve presented by the State College High School Thespians is back again this year! A family favorite, join the State College Area High School Thespians for an enchanted New Year’s Eve ball, where the audience is part of the fun! Featuring everyone’s favorite princesses, princes and a few surprise guests, each scene has a whimsical, musical story to share. Prince and princess dress up encouraged! The program is especially suitable for children.

Performances will take place at 12 and 2 p.m. in the Community Room of the State College Municipal Building. A First Night Button is required for this performance.

Penn State Extension Centre County 4-H was selected to start a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team in 2012, when it earned a “highest rookie Seed” award. During the following years the team focused on building a committed group of students, mentors and community sponsors in an effort to improve our performance in FRC and expand into other STEM areas. The students have participated in local educational and outreach activities.

Come to the Municipal Building Lobby between 12-4 p.m. to witness ongoing robotic demonstrations and to learn more about the club or how you might get involved!

There is something for every musical taste at First Night State College. Musical venues include St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, University Baptist & Brethren Church, Sanctuary at State College Presbyterian Church and the Community Room, State College Municipal Building.

Some highlights include Cabaret standouts Natascha and the Spy Boys will perform at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. The PennSoulvanians will perform from 4-5 p.m. in the Sanctuary at State College Presbyterian Church and consider closing out your night with Adam & the Armadillos from 8-9:30 p.m. in the State Theatre. More information on these performances and the entire First Night lineup can be found at firstnightstatecollege.com.

Happy Valley Improv is State College’s premier longform improv company, bringing the art of improv comedy to Centre County through performances, classes, workshops and community outreach. Started by four improvisers in the basement of a church in early 2017, the group now consists of over twenty local company members performing weekly at their new home in Calder Way, The Blue Brick Theatre. Come experience joy and expect the unknown!

Several show times to choose from at 2:30, 4:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. A First Night Button is required for this performance.

Resolution sculptures are located in the lobby of the State College Municipal Building, in Sidney Friedman Park and on the 100 block of South Allen Street. These installations are meant to provoke wistful recollection of former resolutions and optimistic dreaming about new ones.

This year there is no ice skating at Pegula Arena due to Penn State University’s decisions to close the facility over the holiday break. We are hopeful ice skating will return at next year’s First Night!

Runners and walkers are welcome to join us for one of the most popular events of First Night State College, the annual Resolution Run 5k race presented by Mount Nittany Health. This year’s course will take participants onto the University Park campus, following the traditional, speedy route you all know and love with a minor adjustment at the finish line. First Night has worked closely with Penn State University and the State College Borough police to ensure the safety of all runners and walkers. The course will combine both roadways and sidewalks across campus. Walkers will begin behind runners and will be asked to remain on the sidewalks for the duration of the 5k. First Night State College also encourages runners and spectators to wear costumes. Each of the first 400 registrants will receive one 2025 First Night State College button and some running swag from our sponsor, Mount Nittany Health! More information is available online at: firstnightstatecollege.com/resolution-run.

Those wanting a more theatrical trip through downtown can join our Grand Procession. Participants bring to life a menagerie of large and small papier mache fantastic creatures or join in the fun playing one of our African drums. Procession participants will gather and pick up puppets and drums in St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 208 West Foster Avenue before heading off on the procession route through downtown State College! The procession will proceed through Sydney Friedman Park, down Allen Street and along College Avenue before turning the corner on Fraser and ending at the MLK Plaza. The procession steps off at 6:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand, kids crafts will be available in the Social Hall of State College Presbyterian Church, from 2 to 4 p.m. For those who like to be reminded of their resolution throughout the year as they drink their morning coffee, First Night presents The Resolution Mug at 2000 Degrees, 202 W. College Avenue. 2000 Degrees provides almost everything needed to immortalize a New Year’s resolution in ceramics. Audience members provide the missing piece — the creativity! Stop at 2000 Degrees on Dec. 31 and pick a time for your visit. Admission is a First Night button plus $7.

The official warm up station of First Night State College is in the Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., State College. It will be staffed with friendly volunteers who can answer all your First Night questions from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Admission to all indoor performances is with the 2025 First Night State College button. Buttons are $15 and can be purchased at the door of events and select downtown businesses. When accompanied by an adult, children 12 and under are free. First Night State College button retail outlets include: 2000 Degrees, Appalachian Outdoors, Blue Brick Theatre, The Corner Room, The Happy Valley Store, Otto’s Pub & Brewery, Penn State Federal Credit Union, Schlow Centre Region Library, State College Framing Company & Gallery, Stuckey Mitsubishi, Stuckey Nissan, The State Theatre, The UPS Store and The Original Waffle Shop.

First Night relies on volunteers to staff performance venues on Dec. 31. Volunteers should be at least 18 years of age or 16 when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Those interested in volunteering should contact the First Night office by telephone at (814) 237-3682 or sign up at: www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FACA