State College’s 2025 entertainment calendar (so far): High-flying acts, country stars & more
Those looking for things to do in State College in 2025 will have no shortage of entertainment opportunities to choose from at the area’s concert and event venues.
The Bryce Jordan Center, State Theatre, Stage West and Penn State’s smaller venues, such as Eisenhower Auditorium, will be hosting numerous acts this coming year, including highly-anticipated performances from the likes of Blake Shelton, the Harlem Globetrotters, Kane Brown and more.
Members of the “Dancing with the Stars” cast will also be visiting the Bryce Jordan Center this year in a live performance, co-hosted by the show’s former cast member, Penn State alum and Olympic medalist Stephen Nedoroscik, better known as “Pommel Horse Guy.”
Below is a list of all music, high-flying and other entertainment acts you can see in State College in 2025. This list may be updated when more acts are announced.
January
- The BJC will be hosting the 50th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, with the theme for the event being “Change Continues With Us.” Tickets are $120 per person and $1,000 for a table of 10. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
- “The Joyful: Compagnie Hervé Koubi Edition,” an event combining food, artwork and live music, will be hosted at the Eisenhower Auditorium by French-Algerian dancer Hervé Koubi at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Tickets for the event are free, but online pre-registration is required.
Koubi will be hosting another event at the Eisenhower Auditorium as well — a dance performance named “What the Day Owes to the Night.” This performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tickets are $48 for adults, $15 for anyone younger than 18 years old, and $10 for university employees and students.
“A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” featuring performances from “Elevation,” a professional performing ensemble from Delaware; Penn State ensemble Essence of Joy; the Hatboro-Horsham High School Madrigals Choir and the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School Concert Choir will take place at Eisenhower Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for anyone younger than 18 years old, and $10 for university employees and students.
- State West will be hosting Gimme Gimme Disco, an Abba-inspired disco dance party at 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. Tickets for the event are $20 per person, with party-goers encouraged to wear disco-themed outfits. No one under 18 years old will be allowed at the event.
- Former Penn State gymnast, Olympic medalist and “Dancing with the Stars” alum Stephen Nedoroscik will be making a homecoming to State College when he co-hosts the “Dancing with the Stars: Live!” show alongside Emma Slater at the BJC at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 25. Former cast members Joey Graziadei, Chandler Kinney, Ilona Maher and several pro dancers will also showcase their skills at the event. Tickets range from $55 to $121, and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
- Up-and-coming country music star Parker McCollum will be visiting the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 as part of his “What Kinda Man” tour, with guest appearances from Kameron Marlowe and Laci Kaye Booth. Tickets range in price from $24.50-$94.50, and doors for the performance open at 6:30 p.m.
February
- Local bands will take the stage at The State Theatre at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 for the 13th annual “Rock the ‘80s Concert” benefiting the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund. Tickets start at $40; a package including the “Totally Rad Reception” pre-party is $60.
- The comedic basketball team Harlem Globetrotters will be bringing its world tour back to the BJC at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$75.
- Also falling on Wednesday, Feb 26 is a performance from Grammy nominee Lakecia Benjamin, an American saxophone player and jazz musician. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. at Eisenhower Auditorium, with tickets costing $34 for adults, $15 for anyone younger than 18 years old and $10 for university employees and students.
March
Winter Jam’s 38-stop 2025 tour will be returning to the Bryce Jordan Center at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. Doors open at 6 p.m. No tickets are needed for the event, as admission is $15 at the door. “Christian music’s biggest tour” will have performances by Skillet, Anne Wilson, K.B., Colton Dixon, Newson, Micah Tyler and more.
Country music superstar Blake Shelton’s 2024 “Friends & Heroes” tour will be passing through State College at the BJC at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, with Trace Adkins, Deana Carter, Craig Morgan and Emily Ann Roberts opening for Shelton. Tickets for the event range from $49 to $349, with doors opening for the event at 5:30 p.m. Shelton’s most famous songs include “Austin,” “Boys Round Here,” “Ol’ Red,” and “Some Beach.”
Circa, a performing arts company from Brisbane, Australia, will bring its show “Duck Pond” to the Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 22. Ticket cost $46 for adults, $15 for anyone younger than 18 years old and $10 for university employees and students.
Popular high-flying performance act Cirque du Soleil -Ovo will be returning to the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time in over 10 years to close out March’s performances. The acrobatic group will be in State College for a total of five performances over four days. The group will be performing at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, March 27 and 28, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 and at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 30. Tickets for the shows range from $49-$139, with doors opening an hour before all show times.
April
The first BJC event slated for April is the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party, with performances occurring three times in two days. The first two shows will be at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, with the final show taking place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6. Kids tickets start at $10, and adult tickets range from $25-$75. Doors open an hour before all show times.
May
Kane Brown, a country music star hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, will be bringing his talents to the Bryce Jordan Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, alongside fellow country music stars Scotty McCreery and Ashley Cooke as part of his “The High Road” tour. Tickets for Brown’s performance range from $49.50-$179.50, with the doors opening for the concert at 5:30 p.m.
