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First Night State College
First Night State College will take place in downtown State College, Pennsylvania on December 31.
Visit the FIRST NIGHT OFFICIAL SITE to see a list of all events. You can also check out and add events to our Community Calendar throughout the year for Free!.
While outdoor events are free, a 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 $10 each, it’s the best deal in town. Children 12 and under do not need a button if accompanied by a button-wearing adult. (see official site for details)
Celebrating their twenty-seventh year, the First Night State College Ice Sculptors will carve nearly 90 blocks—that’s more than 10 tons!–of crystal clear Pennsylvania ice for this year’s First Night. he First Night Ice Sculptors include Jared McAlister, Robert Higareda, Mark Masterangelo, Mitch Shrader, Danny Kissel, Joshua Miller, Kenneth Frederick, Carlos Rivera and Isaiah Winters under the direction of Ice Captain Ernie DiMartino. The large walls and sculptures are created from blocks that are produced in a special Clinebell freezing process that makes beautifully clear ice.
At Mayor Welch Plaza, two carriages drawn by Percheron draft horses, take you back in time as they carry you through downtown State College. Dress warmly – it’s difficult to turn up the heat in an open carriage. Rides are offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. Due to high demand, not all of those wishing to ride may be accommodated. Carriage rides are $5 a person and require a First Night Button.
As all American children and adults know, Santa Claus’s reindeer pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Mr. Claus deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Visit the reindeer at Sidney Friedman Park on December 31 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.