(WHTM) — It’s almost time to ring in another year. While many will crowd Midtown Manhattan for the traditional crystal ball drop, Pennsylvanians statewide have their own twists on the celebration.
Hershey Kiss Raise
Downtown Hershey will play host to the annual Hershey Kiss Raise on New Year’s Eve.
As the clock strikes midnight in the Derry Township community, a laser and pyrotechnics display will accompany the rise of a Hershey Kiss.
For folks who might not be up until midnight, the main event begins with a family hour from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a children’s musician, face painting, and more.
Beginning at 9 p.m., entertainers including Burn the Jukebox take the stage leading up to the Hershey Kiss Raise.
Lewistown Chip Drop
After several years, a Juniata Valley staple event is back.
The Downtown Lewistown Chip Drop will take place on Monument Square in the borough beginning at 9 p.m.
The event features a Hartley’s Potato Chip Bag Drop as the clock strikes midnight. Hartley’s is based in nearby Maitland, just outside Lewistown.
Kids activities and a soup and chili cookoff lead up to midnight.
Mifflintown Bridge Drop
For the eighth year, Juniata County will ring in the New Year with the annual Bridge Drop.
It takes place beginning at 10 p.m. leading up to midnight.
At midnight, a crane lowers a facsimile of a segment of the former bridge that once spanned the Juniata River, connecting Mifflintown to Mifflin Borough. The segment is adorned in lights and “2026.”
Leading up to midnight, goodie bags and free hot dogs will be given out. There’ll also be live music.
Harrisburg Strawberry Drop
The Capital City’s annual New Year’s celebration is set for Dec. 31 in downtown Harrisburg.
At Midnight, the strawberry will drop, accompanied by a fireworks display.
There’ll also be a Kid’s Glow Party beginning at 8:30 p.m. at City Hall. Kids should wear their brightest neon and white.
Street parking downtown will be free after 5 p.m. and the Market Square Garage is $10 from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., provided you enter between 7 p.m. and midnight.
Lebanon Bologna Drop
A tradition inspired by the Pennsylvania Dutch delicacy will take place in downtown Lebanon once again this year.
Festivities begin at 10 p.m. on South Eighth Street between Chestnut and Cumberland Streets in the city.
At midnight, the bologna will drop to ring in the New Year.
Lancaster Red Rose Drop
The Red Rose City will, fittingly, drop a Red Rose at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
It’ll take place at Penn Medicine Park in Lancaster beginning at 8 p.m.
From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., there’ll be a kids party with face painters, balloon artists, photos with characters, and more.
At Midnight, the Red Rose will drop accompanied by fireworks to ring in 2026.
There’ll be free shuttles between the ballpark and four schools during the evening — Lafayette Elementary, Washington Elementary, Fulton Elementary, and J.P. McCaskey High.
York White Rose Drop
Speaking of roses, the White Rose City will also drop their namesake flora to ring in the New Year.
The event there begins at 10 p.m. on Continental Square with live music from Ralph Real and the Family Jam.
At midnight, the White Rose drops, ringing in 2026 in downtown York.
Dillsburg Pickle Drop
Staying in York County, the Dillsburg community will gather for the annual Pickle Drop.
The event begins at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church next to Ace Hardware with food trucks. Six Whiskey Revival takes the stage at 9 p.m.
At Midnight, the pickle drops.
There’s also a “baby” pickle drop beginning at 4 p.m. for folks who won’t be up at midnight. That takes place at Dillsburg Elementary with the “baby” pickle drop at 7 p.m.
Gettysburg Lincoln Hat Raising
This Adams County community will continue its tradition of raising President Abraham Lincoln’s top hat to ring in the new year.
The event takes place at the aptly named Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg.
Leading up to midnight, food trucks will be set up and the Good Samaritan Lodge No. 336 Free and Accepted Masons will serve up free hot chocolate and water.
Mechanicsburg Wrench Drop
A tradition dating back more than two decades in Cumberland County, Mechanicsburg will ring in the New Year with the drop of a wrench.
The event takes place from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve until 12:30 a.m. at the Washington Fire Co. firehouse on East Main Street.
Devised by a Mechanicsburg Eagle Scout, it honors the history of the borough’s founders — mechanics who settled in the area.
Carlisle Hotchee Dog Drop
Beginning at 6 p.m., the Carlisle community will ring in the New Year with a culinary staple of one of its restaurants: the Hotchee Dog.
There’ll be a giveaway of the hot dogs, courtesy of the Hamilton Restaurant, and a hot dog eating contest beginning around 8 p.m. Whoever can eat 20 the quickest — or the most in 10 minutes — will be crowned top dog.
At 9 p.m., they’ll drop a replica of the Hotchee Dog. This is so Tommy and the Hamilton Restaurant family can attend, according to Love Carlisle.
Also taking place as part of the event are carriage rides from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., among other events.
Bethlehem Peep Drop
Lehigh Valley-based Just Born Candy Co., makers of Peeps, will ring in the New Year dropping a massive Peep chick.
This will take place during PEEPSFest at Steelstacks in Bethlehem on Dec. 30 and 31.
The Peep — a 400-pound chick — will descend each night at 5:35 p.m., ringing in the New Year a little early to allow young kids to join in the fun.
Allentown Puck Drop
The Queen City will ring in the New Year with a Puck Drop outside the PPL Center.
While puck drops are obviously common at a hockey arena, they’re taking it up a notch with the world’s largest puck.
The event begins at 10 p.m. leading up to the Puck Drop at midnight and a drone show.
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Lehigh Valley Phantoms Mascot MeLVin will join in the fun.
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