SPECIAL EVENTS

The City of Harrisburg continues to be Central Pennsylvania’s leader in special events by staging quality events not just for the citizens of Harrisburg, but for the entire region. This is accomplished by producing annual favorites such as the American Musicfest, Kipona, the Harrisburg Holiday Parade, and our Countdown New Year’s Eve Celebration. In addition, the City works closely with local event organizers to stage events such as the Greater Harrisburg Arts Festival, African Family Festival and the Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival. The City of Harrisburg is committed to helping ensure the long-term success of special events and recreational opportunities, thus benefiting everyone in the entire region.

THE MARTIN LUTHER KING ESSAY COMPETITION

The Martin Luther King Essay Competition is an academic event commemorating the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The competition is open to students in the seventh through twelfth grades in the Harrisburg School District, Bishop McDevitt High School, and other city parochial schools. It is designed to increase youth awareness of the teachings and goals of the late civil rights leader.

Entries are submitted voluntarily, and winners are eligible for U.S. Savings Bonds and other prizes for the top three selected essays in each grade. All entries are reviewed and selected by a panel of judges comprised of local elected officials, educators, and community leaders. Selected essay authors are then invited to a reception in their honor at the Martin Luther King City Government Center.

AMERICAN MUSICFEST

The American Musicfest is the largest holiday commemoration of July Fourth weekend in Central Pennsylvania. The event is filled with over five stages of continuous, diverse music; other activities include CrabFest, a riverfront festival of food, kiddie rides, sporting exhibitions, riverboat rides, and the region’s largest fireworks display.

ITALIAN LAKE CONCERT SERIES

Set among the beautifully restored Renaissance gardens of Italian Lake, the concert series features eclectic and versatile acts like the Arcona Reel Band, Dixieland Express Band and the klezmer group called Simple Gifts. The concert series also hosts string quartets, brass ensembles, big band and Dixieland style music. Free performances are given over six consecutive Sunday evenings during July and August.

KIPONA

Kipona is Central Pennsylvania’s largest annual festival. One of the oldest annual festivals in the nation, Kipona (which means “sparkling water” in Native American language) was named one of the top ten festivals in the state by the Pennsylvania Festivals Association. Kipona activities include a Riverfront Park festival of food, children’s rides, entertainment from several stages, nightly barge concerts, the State Chili Cook-Off, drag boat races, arts and crafts, and a wide variety of other entertainment. The festival is capped by the largest fireworks display of the year.

HARRISBURG HOLIDAY PARADE

Harrisburg’s salute to the holidays, this annual event features marching bands, floats, traveling exhibits, and giant helium-filled balloon characters. Reinstituted in 1984, after years of absence, the Holiday Parade is one of the area’s favorite events.

COUNTDOWN — HARRISBURG’S NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION

The Mayor’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration features musical entertainment, food, hot drinks, jugglers, carriage rides, a fireworks display, and the dropping of a giant lighted strawberry at midnight to the delight of the crowds inside the City Government Center and outside on Market Square.

The City of Harrisburg also hosts many independently produced events throughout the year.

Click here to see a list of the largest of these events.