First Night 2013
State College First Night - New Years - 2013
First Night State College will take place in downtown State College, Pennsylvania and on the adjacent University Park campus of The Pennsylvania State University on December 31, 2011 - January 1, 2012.
View video of FirstNight 2010.
Below, you will find a list of events happening during First Night State College. If you have an event you would like to add feel free to contact us. You can also check out and add events to our Community Calendar throughout the year for Free!.
While outdoor events are free, a 2012 First Night State College button provides general admission to all indoor performances and provides essential funding for outdoor programming, too. Wearing a First Night State College button is a great way to show that you support this great home-grown event. At $8 each (or 4 for $30 through 4 p.m. on December 27 only), it's the best deal in town. (see official site for details)
First Night Events
SATURDAY DECEMBER 31: EVENTS
Resolution Exhibits: Noon - Midnight; Sidney Friedman Park | South Allen Street and State College Municipal Building.
Giant Ice Sculptures: 10 a.m. - midnight; South Allen Street and Sidney Friedman Park.
First Night® State College Ice Sculptors in Action: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; South Allen Street.
Below Centre
6:30 p.m. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
The public can name famous trumpeters and flutists, but it’s pretty difficult to name a famous euphonium player. The gentlemen of Below Centre might just change that, as they create a melodic presence for First Night State College.
Buffalo Valley Brass
Sponsored by Country Inn & Suites
10:15 p.m. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
As their name suggests, the members of the Buffalo Valley Brass hail from Lewisburg and Mifflinburg. Over the last twenty years, their repertoire has included classical transcriptions, marches, folk, jazz and even a rock and roll tune or two.
Sponsored by Hold-It Self Storage
4:00 p.m. State College Presbyterian Church
The band shares the music of their heritage and passes traditions along with Irish reels and jigs, polkas and hornpipes, and songs of love and longing for homeland. In addition to traditional Irish music, the band plays Scottish tunes and other traditional music of the British Isles.
Carriage Rides
Sponsored by Centre Area Transportation Authority, The Atherton Hotel and Downtown State College Improvement District
+ $ 7 p.m.; Mayor Welch Plaza
$3.00 per person plus a 2012 First Night Button
Three carriages drawn by Percheron draft horses will take you back in time as they take you through downtown State College. Dress warmly—it’s difficult to turn up the heat in an open carriage. Rides are on a first come, first served basis.
Contra Dancing with Bob Nicholson and Smash the Windows
8 p.m., 9:45 p.m. Canterbury Hall, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church | Map
Bob Nicholson is a long time favorite among "old timers" of the State College Contra Dance. His easy calling style, relaxed attitude and clear teaching makes him especially "dancer friendly" for all levels and ages.
Joshua Davis Group
8:00 p.m.; State College Presbyterian Church
Led by bassist/composer Joshua Davis, this band brings a balance of lyricism and ferocity to a modern jazz interpretation of tunes by composers as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Marvin Gaye, and Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Brahms.
2:00 p.m.; Faith United Church of Christ
The Deacons were formed in State College by John Kepler in 1988 in State College, Pennsylvania to play Dixieland music as a Christian ministry.
Chuck Flayhart: Comedy, Magic and Other Stuff
Sponsored by Babst/Calland Attorneys at Law
2:30, 4:30, 8:00 10:00 p.m.; Penn State Downtown Theatre
With more than 20 years experience, his show is a unique mix of comedy sleight of hand, misdirection, with amazing escapes and a fun personality that appeals to all ages.
Deirdre Flint
10:15 p.m.; Grace Lutheran Church
No two ways about it, Deirdre Flint is a perennial favorite with First Night-ers.
With songs about cheerleaders, the metric system and past life regression, Deirdre's music and humor land her at the intersection where folk music and stand-up comedy collide.
Bruce Foley and Mary Coogan
8:30 p.m.; Grace Lutheran Church • Celtic
Mary Coogan is well known to those who enjoy the music of Cherish The Ladies. She is a founding member of the group and has been playing guitar, banjo, and mandolin for enthusiastic audiences around the world for over 25 years.
Giant Puppet Display
6:00 p.m.; Canterbury Hall, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Discover the well-populated menagerie of giant papier-mâché creatures made to be worn or carried in the First Night Procession. Dragons, lions, fish, carousel animals and everything in between will be primping before their big moment in the First Night® procession.
Christopher Guzman, pianist
9:30 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Pianist Christopher Guzman has entertained audiences throughout North America, Europe and Asia. A prizewinner in many international competitions, he has performed as soloist with many large ensembles, including the San Antonio Symphony and the Fort Worth Symphony.
Hexagon Jazz Sextet
4:30 p.m.; St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Imagine the musical love child of Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Radiohead, and Charles Mingus. Or, save yourself the trouble and come listen to Hexagon.
Ice Skating – Accompanied by the sounds of Larry Moore Productions
Sponsored by Geisinger
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m.; Penn State Ice Pavilion
CATA Shuttle bus service runs to the rink from College Avenue.
One of FNSC’s most popular events, skating at the Ice Pavilion is a fun way to slide into 2011.
Billy Kelly & the Blahblahblahs
3:00 p.m.; University Baptist & Brethren Church
Billy Kelly is a singer/songwriter from Lewisburg, PA. Since then I've been busy making videos for kids, writing more songs for kids, and playing shows for kids with my band Billy Kelly and The Blahblahblahs.
Live Mannequins
6 p.m; Appalachian Outdoors
You won’t want to miss the State College High School Thespians as live mannequins in the windows.
Middle-earth Studios presents The Gypsy Princess
2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., & 7:30 p.m., Westminster Hall, State College Presbyterian Church
Since ancient times storytelling has enchanted people of all ages. Middle-earth Studios’ kind of story-telling is an interactive celebration that brings out the kid in everyone. Anyone can be a part of our story and they costume up to 100 people from the crowd.
Nittany Highland Pipe Band
7:30 p.m.; St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
The Nittany Highland Pipe Band was founded in 1973. Based in State College, it draws its members from across Central Pennsylvania.
8:00 p.m.; Faith United Church of Christ
The Nittany Knights are living proof of the enduring popularity of barbershop music. Barbershop music, with its close, unaccompanied four-part harmonies, is a uniquely American musical folk art.
One Block Ice Sculpture Exhibit
10 a.m. – midnight; Downtown and Sidney Friedman Park
The One-Block Ice Sculpture Exhibit runs through noon on January 1st. Sponsored by State College area businesses, over seventy-five one-block ice sculptures are displayed for your enjoyment.
Sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield
5:00 p.m.; University Baptist & Brethren Church
Pepper Lotus Tribal is a professional belly dance troupe based in State College, PA. Directed by Shannon Bishop, Pepper Lotus performs Improvisational Tribal Style Belly Dance, every performance is unique!
The Puppet Factory presents The Precious Pearl
Sponsored by
1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., & 5:00 p.m. Days Inn Penn State
Since 1970, master puppeteer Carolyn Koerber has presented puppet theater that excites the imagination.
Ron Ray – Organ Grinder
7:00 p.m.; State College Municipal Building Plaza
The hand cranked street organ was developed in 18th century Europe as a small instrument used to aid in training songbirds to sing specific songs.
RockFest
8 p.m., Fairmount School Auditorium. Use Fairmount Avenue Entrance
ROCKFEST- the ZOMBOCALYPSE
Now celebrating its 8th year, Rockfest features eight fantastic high school bands who are dying to show off their talent in showcase of music that is sure to raise the dead.
Amazing Feats of Comedy by Michael Rosman
Sponsored by StateCollege.com
7, 8:30 & 10:15 p.m.; State College Municipal Building
From a high school start in 1984 with juggling and unicycling, through a University Of Delaware Finance degree, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown College, street performing in Europe and a year in the circus, Michael has become one of the most respected and sought after performers from the east coast.
10:15 p.m.; University Baptist & Brethren
The up and coming Zak Sobel Band is starting to make a splash at festivals and clubs on the East Coast.
Phil Spangler & Joel Blunk
10:00 p.m.; State College Presbyterian Church
Phil and Joel perform original songs that help us understand that our everyday hopes, fears, joys, and sorrows are anything but pedestrian.
State College Area High School Jazz Band
Sponsored by Connections Clothing
6:30 p.m.; Grace Lutheran Church
The State College Area High School Jazz Band is among the finest in the United States and has an international reputation for excellence.
Anne Sullivan
8:30 p.m.; St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Anne Sullivan began her career as a concert harpist at age twelve when she appeared twice as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
10:00 p.m.; Faith United Church of Christ
The group has been playing together for over fifteen years and has been a fixture at First Night® Wilmington, Delaware. Their shows typically include bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, country, and old time fiddle tunes.
Toot-in-Common
3:30 p.m.; St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
After returning from a tour of the Baltic States with the International Flute Orchestra, Judy Moore was inspired to form State College’s flute choir, Toot-in-Common.
Tr-HANDS-formation
6:00 p.m State College Presbyterian Church
Tr-HANDS-formation is a State College musical group devoted to creating music in the moment for healing, transformation and joy. Using instruments from around the world and around the home, they delight, inspire and challenge their audiences to find rhythm and music all around them.
Trombone Chowder
4:00 p.m.; Faith United Church of Christ
Trombone Chowder is a trombone quartet based in the State College Area. The group performs a wide variety of music styles, including traditional chamber music, folk songs, marches and jazz, and some which are just plain fun.
8:00 p.m.; University Baptist & Brethren Church
Kevin Neidig and Les Vonderlin make up this award-winning duo. The band has played at music and arts festivals in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Arkansas, Virginia, West Virginia and Utah.
ZUMBA
4:00 p.m.; State College Municipal Building Upstairs Lobby
Ditch the workout and join the party! Are you ready to party yourself into shape? That’s exactly what the Zumba® program is all about.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Borough of State College Giant Ice Sculpture Exhibit & One-Block Ice Sculpture Exhibit
10 a.m. - Noon. South Allen Street and Sidney Friedman Park | Map
Sponsored by the Borough of State College and Downtown and State College area businesses, ice sculptures are displayed for your enjoyment.
