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First Night®State College will take place in downtown State College, Pennsylvania and on adjacent University Park campus of The Pennsylvania State University on December 31, 2008 - January 1, 2009.

  • Schedule of Events
  • The Venues
  • Buy A Button Outlets
  • Visitor Information
  • Food & Merchandise
  • Ice Sculpture Information


  • 2009 First Night® State College Sponsored in part by:



    First Night State College is well known for its outstanding displays of carved ice. Once again, large ice sculptures will be located in the 100 block of South Allen Street. Smaller, one block sculptures will be located in Central Parklet, on the Municipal Building Plaza, 243 South Allen Street, on Centennial Walkway (near the Tavern Restaurant), and in front of supporting businesses downtown. Come and watch the talented First Night State College ice carving team do its stuff!

    First Night State College features musical and theatrical performances in downtown churches, indoor and outdoor resolution sculptures, and art workshops for young people downtown and at the Palmer Museum of Art on the Penn State campus. For the athletically inclined, we even present a 5K Resolution Run in conjunction with the Nittany Valley Running Club. The race starts on College Avenue near Allen St and tours parts of downtown and the Penn State Campus. The finish line is on College Avenue near Garner St. (Register for the race via the downloadable application or online at www.active.com.) We truly have something for everyone.

    While outdoor events are free, a 2009 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 $8 each (or 4 for $30 through December 27), it's the best deal in town.

    Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts®
    d/b/a First Night State College
    P.O. Box 1023
    State College, PA 16804
    (814) 237-3682