Penguin Plunge
Jan. 1: Take a plunge into the Susquehanna River to welcome the New Year with hundreds of Humane Society of Harrisburg supporters. The 29th annual event begins at 10 a.m. at City Island beach in Harrisburg with the plunge taking place at noon. Enjoy drinks, food, raffles, music, games and more. www.humanesocietyhbg.org
Photo Display
Jan. 1-23: View photographs entered in Friends of Wildwood Park’s annual contest in the Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. Vote for your favorite photos. Winners will be announced at a reception on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m., and People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Teens Tech
Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts “Teens Teaching Tech,” a pilot program that connects local students with adult patrons who seek support using today’s technology. Students will provide friendly, one-on-one assistance with digital devices in an open-house format from 4 to 5 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Winter Discovery
Jan. 2-30: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to see special exhibits and activities that highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow self-guided signs along the Towpath Trail and learn the natural history of the park and animals in winter. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
HBG Flea
Jan. 3: Explore the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com
Book Sale
Jan. 3, 17: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Foundation House, across the shared parking lot from the library. Shop for books, vintage items, jewelry, DVDs and CDs, kids’ books, vinyl and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Wellness Walk
Jan. 6: Take a moderate walk led by a volunteer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to see the park’s trees and animals, 1 to 2:30 p.m. This will be a walk on paved, gravel and dirt surfaces. Walks will be cancelled if the weather is inclement or if there is snow or ice on the trail. Pre-registration is required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Calm the Mind
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Start the New Year learning short, easy 15-minute calming meditations at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, on Thursdays, 12 to 12:30 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Fredricksen Knits
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Meet up with other enthusiasts for an afternoon of knitting in an atmosphere of congeniality and inspiration at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, on Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your project and see how much progress you can make. No registration necessary. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Contra Dance
Jan. 9: Harrisburg Area Contra Dance Association hosts a 2nd Friday Contra Dance with live music, 8 to 10:30 p.m., at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Rd., Mechanicsburg. There will be a free beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m. No partner is needed. www.harrisburgcontra.org
Curiosity Kids
Jan. 9, 23: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum of Pa., 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn about crayons on Jan. 9 and 1970s and magnetism on Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Curiosity Kids events are included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org
Birds & Coffee
Jan. 10: Stop by the Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, for a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa, 10 to 11 a.m. Join a naturalist and Appalachian Audubon to observe and count common feeder birds as part of Project FeederWatch. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
LGBTQ+ Book Club
Jan. 10: Join Dauphin County Library System to discuss LGBTQ+ books in sci-fi, contemporary, romance and YA genres, and more, at the LGBT Center of Central PA, 1323 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. For attendees aged 18 years and older. www.dcls.org
Farm Show
Jan. 10-17: Head to the PA Farm Show to milk a cow, enjoy a Farm Show milkshake, learn about science and skills used in agriculture and discover new events and features at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. www.pa.gov/agencies/farmshow/pa-farm-show
Civil War Dance
Jan. 11: Take the whole family to a free Civil War-era dance class at the National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, 2 to 4 p.m. [email protected]
Sip and Speak
Jan. 15: Sip tea and talk life, especially how we persevere, find hope and define ourselves through it all, at the East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, 3 to 4:30 p.m. This book club features non-fiction titles with themes of pain, loss, love, strength and triumph. Light refreshments will be served. www.dcls.org
3rd in The Burg
Jan. 16: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Minds Matter Harrisburg
Jan. 17: Join the East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, for The BGH Foundation for Minds Matter Harrisburg—an inclusive workshop series celebrating the resilience, strength and brilliance of women and girls on their mental health and wellness journeys, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. www.mindsmatter.bghf.org
Franklin Inventions
Jan. 17: Explore the innovations created by Benjamin Franklin at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Test these innovations that were used to improve people’s lives and create your own copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Family programs are included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org
CPR Course
Jan. 17: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts a CPR Heart Saver course for those who want to be prepared for an emergency or need a course completion card for job, regulatory or other requirements, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Space is limited to six adults. Cost is $55. To register, call Melinda Shultz at 717-761-3900, ext. 242. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Dance Night
Jan. 18: Harrisburg USA Dance Chapter #3009 invites dance enthusiasts to a Nightclub 2-Step lesson at 2 p.m., followed by three hours of social dancing, at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. All levels are welcome. Admission is $15, $10 for members and $5 for students. Facebook: USA Dance Chapter #3009 Harrisburg Area PA
Library Cinema
Jan. 18: Escape the winter chill and enjoy a free movie at East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, 3 to 5 p.m. Enjoy popcorn, snacks and the classic film, “The Sound of Music.” Space is limited, so register today at the library’s website. www.dcls.org
MLK Service Day
Jan. 19: Save the date for the annual Central PA MLK Day of Service, with projects taking place throughout the Harrisburg area. Visit the Central PA MLK Day of Service website for details about the opening ceremony and this year’s events. www.mlk-365.org
Evening Mixer
Jan. 20: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for a networking mixer at Healthy You Cafe 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This free event is open to chamber members. Potential members are welcome to attend. www.wschamber.org
Let It Snow!
Jan. 21: Find out how a snowflake forms, how the museum makes snow in the museum dioramas and create snowflake art at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, at 11:30 a.m. Family programs are included with general admission and designed for all ages. www.statemuseumpa.org
Terrarium Workshop
Jan. 24: Craft your own terrarium with low maintenance succulents and provided substrates, plants and decor at William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. 2nd St., Hummelstown, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your own container. Registration is required. www.dcls.org
Craftivism
Jan. 24: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts Book Dragon Club—Craftivism for teens ages 13 to 18 to discuss civic engagement and empowerment, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Attendees will then create something to express their own cause. Registration is required and begins one month prior to each session. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Burns Night
Jan. 24: Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania hosts the 70th Annual Burns Night Supper, a celebration of the life, poetry and music of the Scottish bard at Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass. A social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. www.pennscots.org
Adult Coloring
Jan. 27: Guests 18 years and older are invited to spend a soothing afternoon getting creative with fellow coloring enthusiasts at the Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Registration is not required. www.dcls.org
Lecture Series
Jan. 27: Friends of Wildwood hosts the first lecture in its 2026 Winter Lecture Series, “Intro to Homesteading: Start Where You Are,” at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Learn why you should homestead and how to create a garden in 400 square feet. Pre-registration is required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
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