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The Reading Symphony Orchestra<\/a> will continue a New Year\u2019s Eve tradition in Berks County when it performs its annual concert at the Santander Performing Arts Center. This year\u2019s concert is \u201cThe Music of James Bond<\/a>.\u201d It\u2019s set to begin at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 31. The SPAC is located at 136 N. Sixth St. in downtown Reading.<\/p>\n The RSO, conducted by Andrew Constantine, will be joined by special guest world-class vocalist Morgan James<\/a>.<\/p>\n This special evening will feature unforgettable selections spanning more than five decades of Bond films \u2014showcasing the work of legendary artists such as Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, and Adele. From soaring ballads to powerful pop anthems, the audience will experience the thrill and elegance that have defined one of cinema\u2019s most enduring franchises.<\/p>\n Morgan James<\/p>\n James is a classically trained vocalist, Broadway veteran, and recording artist. She recently paid tribute to Judy Garland for her centennial, performing \u201cGet Happy\u201d with Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Nashville Symphony.<\/p>\n The evening of entertainment will begin with a pre-concert party that will feature a casino-inspired experience. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.<\/p>\n Also, the RSO has teamed up with the DoubleTree Hotel on Penn Street for a special room rate that will include an overnight stay with breakfast for two, complimentary parking, and shuttle service to and from the performance. The hotel will also host a post-concert reception.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $25 to $95.<\/p>\n PeepsFest in Bethlehem<\/p>\n ArtsQuest<\/p>\n PeepsFest<\/a> will return next Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 30 and 31, to the SteelStacks<\/a> campus in Bethlehem with two days of family-friendly activities. The festival will run from 3 to 6 p.m. both days and feature live musical performances, activities, the Peeps chick drop, and fireworks.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Peep, weighing 400 pounds and standing 4 feet, 9 inches tall, will descend to a countdown at 5:35 p.m.<\/p>\n Events also will include Peeps-themed games, crafts by local nonprofit groups, and interactive shows by the Wildlands Conservancy and the Da Vinci Science Center. Kids can get creative at a friendship bracelet creation station or step into the kitchen with Peeps in the Kitchen, where they\u2019ll learn to make recipes from Chef Julie of Levy Restaurants.\u00a0<\/p>\n Children under 12 can get a special Peeps tote bag to fill with goodies throughout the event. There also will be meet-and-greet sessions with Lehigh Valley mascots.\u00a0<\/p>\n To ensure an inclusive experience for everyone, the festival also will offer a sensory-friendly room, where guests can relax and unwind in a quieter, comfortable space.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $7.<\/p>\n Hockey puck drop in Allentown<\/p>\n Downtown Allentown will present a block party with fire pits and a drone show before it drops a giant hockey puck at midnight on New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n The Allentown Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the city and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, will present its New Year\u2019s Eve celebration<\/a> from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the Hamilton Street Plaza, which is located at 47 S. Seventh St. in Allentown.\u00a0<\/p>\n For the first time, drones will take flight high above Seventh and Hamilton streets in a custom show produced by Lehigh County-based StarFlight Drones<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The free event will also feature music by DJ Menace, DJ Meltdown, and DJ Express.<\/p>\n Downtown restaurants along Hamilton Street will offer drink specials.<\/p>\n Crayola New Year\u2019s Eve<\/p>\n The Crayola Experience at 300 Northampton St. in Easton will present the Jazzberry Jamming New Years\u2019 Eve from noon until 4 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 31.<\/p>\n Families can ring in the new year with colorful fun, including countdowns with a streamer launch at 1 and 3 p.m.<\/p>\n There will be special crafts, and families can star in their own coloring page at Be A Star and create a 2026 resolution list at Colossal Caddy. There will be a DJ dance party from noon to 4 p.m. with DJ Ray.<\/p>\n Crayola Experience will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature character appearances at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.<\/p>\n Crayola Experience will also be open on New Year\u2019s Day with special crafts and coloring pages from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $30.99 online<\/a> or $33.99 at the door.<\/p>\n Fireworks in Reading<\/p>\n Reading will present its 29th annual New Year\u2019s Eve fireworks celebration\u00a0next Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. near the Pagoda atop Mount Penn.<\/p>\n \u201cThe New Year\u2019s Eve fireworks are a long-standing tradition in Reading and a moment for our community to come together,\u201d said Mayor Eddie Mor\u00e1n, (D) Reading. \u201cI want to thank our Fire & Police Department, and Berks Festival Inc. for their continued coordination to ensure this event is both safe and enjoyable for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n The Pagoda gates will remain closed for the evening, so people are encouraged to enjoy the fireworks from the comfort of their homes, porches, or favorite neighborhood spots.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we turn our gaze upward, we welcome the New Year with hope and optimism for what lies ahead,\u201d said William Koch Sr., president of Berks Festival Inc., which is collaborating with the city to host the celebration.<\/p>\n WEEU 830 AM<\/a> will broadcast music synchronized with the fireworks. The radio station will also stream the music online<\/a> and on the Audacy app.<\/p>\n 69 WFMZ-TV is one of the event\u2019s sponsors.<\/p>\n Fireworks at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown<\/p>\n Illumination<\/a> at Coca-Cola Park will host a New Year’s Eve celebration<\/a> at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs\u2019 stadium, which is located at 1050 IronPigs Way in Allentown, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n The IronPigs have transformed the ballpark into a walk-thru holiday lights display with more than 1.5 million lights, immersing visitors in a winter wonderland that features dazzling themed light displays, synchronized shows, and festive activities. There are optional private igloos, hayrides, carousel rides, curling lanes, and Polar Express train rides. The fireworks will begin at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $14.50.<\/p>\n Pip the Mouse\u00a0<\/p>\n For decades, \u201cPip the Mouse\u201d has been a holiday staple of the Lehigh Valley, and this year, the beloved puppet show can be seen at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum<\/a>, which is located at 432 W. Walnut St. in Allentown.<\/p>\n \u201cPip: The Mouse Before Christmas,\u201d a show created by Dr. George Creegan, will be presented at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.<\/p>\n The show premiered at Hess\u2019s Department Store on Hamilton Street in Allentown on Oct. 27, 1962. This \u201cunusual puppet show\u201d inaugurated a holiday tradition that continues to this day.<\/p>\n Each show will include a performance and a live appearance by Pip the Mouse.<\/p>\n Museum hours are\u00a0from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children age 2 to 11.<\/p>\n New Year\u2019s Eve Under the Stars<\/p>\n The Reading Public Museum<\/a>\u2019s Neag Planetarium will host New Year\u2019s Eve Under the Stars<\/a> from 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $100 and include food stations by Anthony\u2019s Kitchen, an open bar with PJ Bartending, a photo station, New Year\u2019s Eve props, dancing under the stars with DJ Girl\u2019s Best Friend, and a champagne toast midnight. Other experiences and activities will be available at additional costs, including a glitter bar, hair tinsel, and temporary tattoos by WePaintFaces and specialty jerky tasting and sales by SnackKing.<\/p>\n Noon Year\u2019s Eve at Reading Public Museum<\/p>\n Families will ring in the new year a little earlier at the Reading Public Museum<\/a>\u2019s sold-out Noon Year’s Eve<\/a> celebration.<\/p>\n The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to noon for guests to visit the galleries, play games, and gather some goodies to take home.\u00a0<\/p>\n Families will be able to create some fun props and noisemakers commonly used for the holiday. Children will also be able to dance the wait away as everyone counts down to the noon hour.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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