New Year’s Eve in downtown Harrisburg includes a strawberry drop and fireworks. Photo: Explore HBG
Fireworks and the annual strawberry drop will ring in the New Year in downtown Harrisburg, as the calendar turns to 2020.
As in recent years, Market Square will be the center of activities for the city celebration.
Downtown, the fun begins at 9 p.m. with “Countdown to Kid-Night” activities inside the MLK City Government Center at 10 N. 2nd St. The free events include crafts, a balloon drop and a milk-and-cookies toast.
At 10 p.m., a DJ will set up outside for music and dancing, in preparation for the midnight drop of the giant strawberry from the top of the Hilton Harrisburg, followed by fireworks.
Aside from the city celebration, many restaurants and other venues are holding special New Year’s activities and menus.
“There are a number of New Year’s Eve events happening in the city,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “From Gamut Theatre’s ‘Countdown to Noon’ family event to the Great Gatsby party at Rubicon featuring dining specials and performances, there is plenty of fun for all ages.”
For those driving in, the Market Square parking garage will offer a discounted parking rate of $10 from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Also, attendees can use the ParkMobile app to get up to four hours of free street parking using the “LUVHBG” code. Street parking also will be free after 5 p.m.
Motorists should be aware that, beginning at 6 p.m., 2nd Street from Chestnut Street to Walnut Street will be closed. Traffic will be permitted to enter the Market Square garage or detour west onto Blackberry Street if exiting the garage. Market Street from Front to 2nd streets also will be closed, in addition to 2nd Street from Market to Walnut streets.
“I would like to give special thanks to our title sponsor, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg,” Papenfuse said. “Without their support, we would not be able to put together this wonderful New Year’s Eve celebration.”
To learn more about New Year’s Eve activities in Harrisburg, visit ExploreHbg.com/NYE.
