2012 - 2013 New Year's Eve Done Right: First Night State College, Dec. 31

First Night State College

Date: December 31, 2012

Location: Downtown State College

Website

Ring in 2013 with a Bang!

Each year, it seems like New Year’s Eve just seems to creep up without warning. And every year, it’s the same, nagging question: how are you going to celebrate? New York City is a viable option if you’re willing to throw down some major money and wade through droves of tourists. And staying home for the night is always an idea if you don’t mind watching other people on television gleefully celebrating the night away. However, an even better idea would be to spend the last few hours of 2012 in downtown State College, at the annual First Night celebration on December 31, 2012.

First Night State College offers visitors tons to see and do for the night, from musical performances, carriage rides, a 5K, delicious treats and a lot more. A perfect activity is strolling downtown, checking out the beautiful ice sculptures that line downtown State College, artistically designed by creative ice artists. But for those of us who aren’t privy to ice and cold weather, there’s plenty to do indoors. Last year’s celebration included some great performances, spanning from hypnotists and high school bands, to a folk group and a puppeteer.

And you can’t mention a celebration without the help of some delicious food. Last year’s event sold everything from homemade chili, desserts, kettle corn, strudel and hot chocolate. But for those of you who want to start the New Year off right without the help of carbs and sweets, then you’ve still come to the right place. Last year’s celebration kicked off to a great start with the 5K Resolution Run, which was co-presented by the Nittany Valley Running Club. The course sent runners through the Penn State campus, eventually leading them back downtown. Spectators and runners wore costumes, with the best-dressed runner winning an award.

Of course, this family-oriented and alcohol-free event has a lot of fun activities for the kids to take part in every year. This is all tied in with the mission of First Night State College, which hopes to broaden and deepen the community’s appreciation of the visual and performing arts through a rather alternative and fun approach to New Year’s Eve, which hopefully becomes a family tradition of yours.

Want to include some other fun ideas in your family tradition? Head over to Tussey Mountain during the winter for skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. Once you’ve revved up your appetite, choose from the huge selection of restaurants in the area. Italian lovers? You can’t go wrong with Mario & Luigi’s. BBQ aficionados? Enjoy a pulled pork sandwich at Texas Roadhouse. Classic American grub? Try The Corner Room.

First Night (814) 237-3682 

Tussey Mountain (800) 733-2754

Mario & Luigi's (814) 234-4273

Texas Roadhouse (814) 235-7427

The Corner Room (814) 237-3051