Three, two, one…Happy New Year! People all over the world celebrate New Year’s Eve, but the Happy Traveler knows no one drops more unusual items than Pennsylvanians. From a Marshmellow Peep in Bethlehem to a pickle in Dillsburg, celebrate the New Year in style! Get ready to say hello to 2020 and welcome another prolific year of pursuing your happiness in Pennsylvania at our unique New Year’s Eve drops across the state.
Mushroom - Philadelphia and the Countryside
Kennett Square
Bring in the New Year at the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” Kennett Square. For the sixth time ever, a 700-pound stainless steel mushroom will be lowered to count down the New Year as a nod to the town’s acres of fungus fields. The “Midnight in the Square” event will feature music, food and entertainment and will culminate with the mushroom drop at midnight.
Marshmallow Peep® - Lehigh Valley
Bethlehem
www.steelstacks.org/festivals/peepsfest/
For a truly one-of-a-kind New Year’s celebration. PEEPFEST® is an annual two-day New Year’s Eve event that incorporates New Year’s Eve traditions and the love of PEEPS® brand. Fans travel from all over the country to partake in the family-friendly activities and of course, a 4-feet, 9-inches tall, 400 pound PEEPS® Chick Drop that descends at 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 31 to commemorate the beginning of a sweet new year.
Hershey’s Kiss - Dutch Country Roads
Hershey
http://www.hersheynewyears.org/
Begin the New Year at the “Sweetest Place on Earth!®” The Hershey’s Kiss Raise is ranked second by USA Today Travel for great places for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve. This well-known chocolate town pulls out all the stops for its New Year’s Eve in Hershey event. At 11:59 p.m., a Hershey’s Kiss is raised amongst a sweet-toothed crowd, and a midnight fireworks display completes a family-friendly night in beautiful downtown Hershey.
Bologna - Dutch Country Roads
Lebanon
It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve in central Pennsylvania without a famous Pennsylvania Dutch treat descending from the sky. Join the excitement in Lebanon as crowds count down the seconds with the famous 16-foot Lebanon Bologna coming to a stop at the stroke of midnight. Start off the year by being amazed, amused and maybe even hungry.
Pickle - Dutch Country Roads
Dillsburg
Although Dillsburg has nothing to do with pickles, the town sure does know how to have fun with its name. Get into a real “pickle” as Dillsburg celebrates its annual Pickle Drop at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Once the delicious dill has descended into the barrel, the party continues with a fireworks display lasting until 12:30 a.m. If the kiddos have a bedtime, get an early start with their very own Baby Pickle Drop at Dillsburg Elementary School at 7 p.m., plus an ice sculpture live on Dillsburg Square at 8 p.m.
Yuengling Beer Bottle - Upstate PA
Pottsville
http://www.city.pottsville.pa.us/html/ccoe.htm
New Year's Eve in Pottsville is marked by the raising of the Yuengling© beer bottle to the top of the flagpole at Garfield Square. Ring in the New Year with a toast to the oldest brewery in America.
Strawberry - Dutch Country Roads
Harrisburg
The New Year’s Eve celebration in Harrisburg will begin at 11:45 p.m. outside the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Harrisburg. At 60 seconds before midnight, a giant, lit strawberry starts its descent from the top of the downtown Hilton Harrisburg to ring in the New Year. The evening includes live entertainment, dancing, children’s arts and crafts and fireworks.
Recycled Ball - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
Pittsburgh
https://firstnightpgh.trustarts.org/
Join the city of Pittsburgh for their signature New Year's Eve Parade, celebrating Highmark First Night Pittsburgh's 26th anniversary with a ball raise minutes before midnight, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. The “Future of Pittsburgh” ball is a 1,000-pound, illuminated orb made entirely of recycled materials, symbolizing Pittsburgh’s continuous efforts to be a “green” city. A kickoff celebration for the New Year’s festivities begins at 6 p.m., followed by the New Year's Eve Parade at 8 p.m., accompanied by ongoing comedic, musical, and theatre performances throughout the evening, sprawling downtown’s renowned 14-block Cultural District.
Red Rose - Dutch Country Roads
Lancaster
https://visitlancastercity.com/new-years-eve/
Lancaster starts the New Year when its signature red rose ascends at Binns Park. Symbolic of the War of Roses between Lancaster and York, the red rose celebration starts early and lasts through the evening. With more than 20 indoor performances, enjoy a family-oriented event filled with visual and performing entertainment ending in a midnight fireworks display.
White Rose - Dutch Country Roads
York
https://www.yorkcity.org/visitor/annual-york-city-events/nye/
Attendees of York’s New Year’s Eve celebration are sure to have a blast bringing in 2019. Enjoy a children’s countdown to the balloon drop from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with complimentary hats and noisemakers, perfect for the youngsters. Join the crowd in smelling roses all the way until midnight as a white rose descends from the sky in Continental Square, symbolic of the War of Roses between Lancaster and York.
Wrench - Dutch Country Roads
Mechanicsburg
The town celebrates the New Year from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with the annual dropping of a wrench on Main Street. The tradition commemorates the borough’s founders — mechanics who settled in the area to make and repair wagons in the early 19th century