First Night State College is back for in-person festivities. Here’s what to expect
After last year’s cancellation, First Night State College is back, kicking off New Year’s Eve festivities on Friday. In 2020, the long-standing celebration organized by Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts was replaced by a hybrid event with an online market and other virtual offerings, plus a Christmas lights decorating contest. This year, the lights contest and holiday market are back on, to complement the array of in-person fun going on in downtown State College — and, for Rick Bryant, executive director at Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and his team, the return of First Night in-person celebrations is significant.
“This is what we do, so this means a lot to us,” he said. “We’re party planners at heart and we like engaging with the public when we put on a show. Doing it online is ... just not the same. When that was our own only choice, it was great, but now we have other choices.”
This year’s schedule of events includes many fan favorites. Outdoor ice sculptures will be on display around downtown. Happy Valley Improv is set to perform at The Blue Brick Theatre throughout the day, while 3 Dots Downtown will host performance workshops from Black Cat Belly Dance and singer-songwriter Jim Colbert. Variety acts will similarly take place throughout the day at the Penn State Downtown Theatre, The State Theatre and the State College Municipal Building Community Room. Musical performances are slated for State College Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
For those looking for something a little more active, the First Night State College 5K Resolution Run kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at the Corner of College Avenue and Allen Street, while the event’s Grand Procession starts simultaneously at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Admission to all indoor performances is free after you purchase a 2022 First Night State College button for $10, available at retail outlets around State College.
In the past, First Night has drawn approximately 10,000 attendees, including travelers from around the central Pennsylvania region. As such, precautions are being taken to keep the event’s focus on healthy living. Attendees are asked to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth when inside any of the event venues; masks are further recommended outdoors. However, Bryant said that attendance for indoor performances will not be limited, a decision based on venue size and past audience numbers.
Other changes to the event include the cancellation of the First Night and Soups and Sweets Cafes, as well as bus service to Pegula Ice Arena. Additionally, the event warm up station has moved from Penn State Downtown Theatre to 3 Dots Downtown.
For those who’ve never attended First Night in the past, Bryant recommends they “should definitely buy a button and go to a show. There’s a wide variety of performances, with comedy variety performers and musical acts — the ice sculptures are great, ice skating is great and the run is great — but First Night is about the music and performance, too.”
He also recommends first-time attendees remember to dress appropriately for the weather and not to fret about parking, as ample parking will be available in downtown State College.
But as for Bryant’s favorite part of the event? “Actually, I like looking at the resolution sculptures and seeing people’s resolutions,” he said. “That’s one thing nice about those sculptures. You get to see what everybody else is planning to do, and people’s creativity and what they think is important. It always often brings a smile to my face. ... People write down like, ‘find joy every day’ or like, ‘increase awesomeness.’”
Resolution sculptures, where attendees can add their own resolutions to the artwork, will be located in the lobby of the State College Municipal Building, in Sidney Friedman Park and on the 100 block of South Allen Street.
For a full schedule of First Night events and more information, visit firstnightstatecollege.com.