Events In Downtown State College.
From the very First Night of the year throughout every season in Downtown State College, there’s always something to do or see, enjoy or experience - for an intimate evening, group outing, business gathering or fun for the whole family.
From the hottest concert tours and performing artists… to Broadway plays, musicals and theatrical productions. From local festivals and nationally-renown expositions… to monthly events and down-home good times you have to see to believe.
Please use the links on this page to explore things to do in Downtown State College - and stop back often, as we’re always adding, announcing or cooking up something new!
Links to Area Venues
Indoor Farmers Market
Fridays, 11:30 am - 5:30 p.m. through the end of April
The 2011 Winter Indoor Farmers Market is located on the first floor of the State College Municipal Building (243 S. Allen Street) each Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Stop in for fruit, veggies, fresh pasta, honey, preserves, dairy products, candles and more.
First Thursday
Thursday, June 2nd, 5 - 9 p.m.
Massages, appetizers, prizes, and beer and wine for the Ladies at Appalachian Outdoors…these are among the treats for First Thursday State College in June. Parking is free that evening at all municipal street meters, the parking lots on Fraser Street and on Beaver Avenue and Allen Street (across from Municipal Building), and the McAllister parking deck. All events are open to the public and admission to First Thursday events is free. Follow the balloons to find events for June 2nd including:
Appalachian Outdoors
6-9 p.m.: 4th Annual Ladies Night – Enjoy free massages, appetizers and drinks, prize giveaways, and special discounts throughout the store as a way of showing customer appreciation– 123 South Allen Street.
Corner Room
3-10 p.m.: Balloons and half-price burgers – 100 West College Avenue.
Christian Science Reading Room:
5:30-7:30 p.m. Spiritual Solutions to Problems. Explore the Bible and Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures to find spiritual solutions to life's challenges. Read
about others who have had healings of allergies,cancer, migraines,
lack of housing or money, etc. Learn how you can experience the
same freedom in your life– 218 South Allen Street.
For Men Only Hair Salon
9 a.m.- 8 p.m.: Complementary beer and 20% off all hair products. Enjoy our full service including haircut, neckshave, shampoo, scalp massage, facial and paraffin hand treatment for $30 – 135 East Beaver Avenue.
Hub Robeson Galleries Art on the Move
8 a.m.- 5 p.m: Paintings by Karl Leitzel. Founder and director of Landscape Artists International, Leitzel creates landscapes in oil and acrylic. He also enjoys portraying people going about their activities has painted many local musicians playing their music as well as scenes of the Centre County Grange Fair, where he has been the artist in residence for the last four years – Old Main Lobby.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Photography of Laura MacLean. These photographs come from a year long project of observing the little moments of everyday life to reveal the great wonder and beauty in the small ordinary scenes of life – Student Health Center.
Ion:
6-10 p.m.: Ireland Landscapes – An exhibit of the works of local artist John Mangan – Calder Alley.
Jezebels Boutique
5-8 p.m.: Customer Appreciation Night – Enjoy wine and appetizers and 15% off store wide all day – 366 East College Avenue.
Lipstick Salon and Color Lounge:
10 a.m.- 8 p.m.: Complementary wine and free eyebrow wax with a $24 cut – 135 East Beaver Avenue.
Penn State University Libraries
8 a.m.–5 p.m.: “Life’s Silvered Strand: George 'Daddy' Groff’s China," a Penn State University Archives exhibition.—The Special Collections Library, 104 Paterno Library, Curtin Road.
Pretzel Factory
All day: First Thursday Special – four pretzels for just $2 - 124 South Allen Street.
Schlow Centre Region Library
7-8 p.m.: Award-winning local band Tussey Mountain Moonshiners bring live bluegrass to Schlow, playing original songs which complement their traditional bluegrass music, along with old-time, folk, and more progressive tunes. With tight harmonies and fine picking, you can hear how much they love the music – and folks of all ages love the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners- 211 South Allen Street.
Fifth Annual Summer's Best Music Fest
June 25, 2011, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Summer’s Best Music Fest is a day-long event filled with three stages of music, a street bazaar spanning five blocks and special offers given at participating State College venues. This annual event features local and regional acts sure to please the ears of both children and adults. Lining the streets of Calder Way are local street vendors emphasizing public safety, the importance of Going Green and fun family activities. Summer’s Best Music Fest is a great opportunity for families to reconnect while listening to great summer music and exploring the wonderful shops Downtown State College has to offer.
PARKING SURVEY
On going
Please take a minute to fill out our 6 question survey about parking in Downtown State College. Click here to begin.
Summer Concert #1 - Scarab (A Tribute to Journey)
July 28, 2011 at 7 p.m.
THE CONCERT IS A GO - RAIN OR SHINE!
The summer concert series is back, and this year, all our concerts are going to be on Old Main Lawn! So.... bring your blankets and lawn chairs and settle in for this wonderful blast from the past.
In our first concert of the series, we'll be reliving the 80's with Scarab (A Tribute to Journey). Check out their website by clicking here.
Summer Concert #2- Bennie & the Jets
August 4, 2011 at 7 p.m.
FREE concert TONIGHT!!! Rain or Shine. Come early & stay late and enjoy the tunes of Elton John with this tribute by Bennie & the Jets!
Don't miss the chance to enjoy your favorite Elton John classics with Bennie & the Jets during the second show in this year's summer concert series. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, and a few friends and join us on Old Main Lawn for a fantastic performance.
Created in 1995, this tribute band has been entertaining audiences of all ages nationwide. To learn more, check out their website by clicking here and enjoy a few of their tunes by clicking here.
Summer Concert #3- The "CAST" of Beatlemania
August 11, 2011 at 7 p.m.
Back by popular demand! This annual favorite will have you rocking to the best of the Beatles. Grab your friends and join us on Old Main Lawn for a night of music you won't want to miss.
To find out more about the band, connect on Twitter, or listen to some hits, click here.
12th Annual Fall Festival
October 1, 2011, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on S. Allen Street
The Fall Festival is an exciting day filled with fun for the whole family, from alpacas to pumpkins, carousels to pony rides - there's so much to do! Kids will love to decorate pumpkins and visit a variety of activity booths sponsored by various community organizations. And hay rides are fun for the whole family! Don't forget to stop in at the Community Resources Fair in the Municipal Building to see some of the amazing things we have available in the Centre Region. And finish the day out by tasting some of the best desserts in Happy Valley. Come down to Allen Street and join in the fun!
Best of Happy Valley Desserts Contest
October 1, 2011, 10 a.m. - noon
Enter your Homemade, Fall-Themed dessert item for a chance to win a $50 Downtown State College Gift Card! Each Dessert entry, along with a completed entry form and a copy of the recipe, must be delivered to the Judging Table on Allen Street in front of the Municipal Building between 10 - 11 a.m. Judging will begin immediately, and the results will be announced at approximately 1 p.m.
Click here for the complete Information Sheet and Entry Form.
The 2011 Tree Lighting
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Kick off the holiday season on Allen Street, 5:30-7 p.m. with a free evening of carols, cookies and hot chocolate. Come listen to Mrs. Claus read a story and welcome Santa as he arrives to light the tree. Also, give the gift of giving by bringing a toy to donate to Toys for Tots or a canned good item for the State College Food Bank. Children, ages 12 and under, who donate will be entered to win a chance to light the tree with Santa!
Click here to see the event poster.
The Polar Express
December 10 & 11, and 17 & 18, 2011
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on December 10 & 17
(New sessions begin every 20 minutes)
2 - 4:20 p.m. on December 11 & 18
(New sessions begin every 20 minutes)
Take a ride on The Polar Express! Begin at Schlow Library with free wrapping paper decorating and a reading of The Polar Express. Then, hop on the trolley for a ride to Santa’s Workshop at the PSU Downtown Theatre. Children 12 and under can then take a photo with Santa & decorate their own frames. Plus, each child can choose a toy from Santa'a Workshop.
PRE-REGISTRATIONS ARE CURRENTLY FULL. Please go to the library on the day of the event to register as a walk-in for an available session.
Call the Schlow Library Children's Department at (814) 235-7817 for more information.
6th Annual Summer's Best Music Fest and Street Bazaar
June 30, 2012 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
The 6th annual Summer's Best Music Fest and Street Bazaar returns! Come out for the day-long event featuring three stages of a wide variety of local music acts sure to please both children and adults. While enjoying the music, take advantage of the Street Bazaar lining the streets to find the best deals on your favorite downtown merchandise. You won't want to miss out on this fun-filled day showcasing all the best of what Downtown State College has to offer!
For more information, visit the Summer's Best Music Fest website.
The CAST of Beatlemania
July 31, 2012
Don't miss the chance to enjoy your favorite Beatles classics with The CAST of Beatlemania at this year's summer concert. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, and a few friends and head to Old Main Lawn for a reminiscent performance. The concert starts at 7pm sharp!
The CAST of Beatlemania pays a wonderful tribute to what is probably considered one of the most celebrated rock groups of all time.